Battery pack and device including same

Abstract

A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a pack frame, a plurality of first battery modules mounted on an upper portion of the pack frame, and a plurality of second battery modules mounted on a lower portion of the pack frame, and a heat insulating member is attached to a side of a first battery module located at the outermost portion within the pack frame among the plurality of first battery modules.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0038296 filed on March 24, 2021, and all contents disclosed in the documents of that Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery pack and a device including the same, and more particularly to a battery pack and a device including the same that delays a heat transfer phenomenon between battery modules. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries, which have high applicability depending on the product group and electrical properties such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles that are driven by electrical sources, power storage devices, etc. Such secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source that is environmentally friendly and improves energy efficiency because they do not generate any by-products due to energy use, in addition to their primary advantage of dramatically reducing the use of fossil fuels.

[0004] Currently, commercial secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Of these, lithium secondary batteries are in the spotlight for their advantages over nickel-based secondary batteries, such as almost no memory effect, freedom in charging and discharging, a very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0005] Generally, lithium secondary batteries can be classified according to the shape of the exterior material into cylindrical or prismatic secondary batteries in which an electrode assembly is housed in a metal can, and pouch-type secondary batteries in which an electrode assembly is housed in a pouch made of an aluminum laminate sheet.

[0006] Recently, as the need for large-capacity secondary battery structures increases, including the use of secondary batteries as energy storage sources, there is an increasing demand for battery packs with medium to large module structures in which battery modules are assembled, each of which has a plurality of secondary batteries connected in series or parallel. Such battery modules have a plurality of battery cells connected in series or parallel to each other to form a battery cell stack, thereby improving capacity and output. In addition, a plurality of battery modules can be mounted with various control and protection systems, such as a BMS (Battery Management System) and a cooling system, to form a battery pack.

[0007] In particular, because a battery pack is composed of a number of battery modules, if some of the battery modules experience overvoltage, overcurrent or overheating, the safety and operating efficiency of the battery pack may become an issue. In particular, as the capacity of battery packs gradually increases to improve driving distance, the internal energy of the pack also increases, and it is necessary to design a structure that satisfies the strengthened safety standards and ensures the safety of the vehicle and the driver. For this reason, there is an increasing need for a structure that can prevent internal thermal runaway and heat propagation between battery modules, and minimize the damage if they do occur. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The problem to be solved by the present invention relates to a battery pack and a device including the same that retards the heat transfer phenomenon between battery modules.

[0009] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from this specification and the attached drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a pack frame, a plurality of first battery modules mounted to an upper portion of the pack frame, a plurality of second battery modules mounted to a lower portion of the pack frame, and a heat insulating member positioned adjacent to a side of a first battery module that is positioned at the outermost portion within the pack frame among the plurality of first battery modules.

[0011] The pack may further include a side plate positioned adjacent to a side of a first battery module positioned at an outermost position in the pack frame among the plurality of first battery modules, and the heat insulating member may be attached to the side plate.

[0012] The battery pack may further include a horizontal plate located between lower portions of the first battery modules and upper portions of the second battery modules.

[0013] A gas flow section may be located at an upper portion of the pack frame, and the gas flow section may be disposed between the side plate and the horizontal plate.

[0014] A gas exhaust port may be formed on the upper side of the pack frame.

[0015] The gas exhaust section may be a gas valve penetrating from an upper side of the pack frame toward the inside of the pack frame.

[0016] A first battery module located at the outermost edge of the pack frame among the plurality of first battery modules may be disposed adjacent to the gas exhaust portion.

[0017] The heat insulating member may be disposed on a side surface of a first battery module that is located at the outermost edge within the pack frame among the plurality of first battery modules, the side surface being adjacent to the gas exhaust portion.

[0018] A gas flow section may be located at an upper portion of the pack frame, and the gas exhaust section may be disposed above the gas flow section.

[0019] The gas flow section can be disposed between the insulating member and a side surface of the pack frame.

[0020] The number of the second battery modules included in the plurality of second battery modules may be greater than the number of the first battery modules included in the plurality of first battery modules.

[0021] The gas flow unit may be disposed on at least a portion of the second battery modules among the plurality of second battery modules.

[0022] A device according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a battery pack as described above. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to an embodiment, a battery pack and a device including the same of the present invention may include a heat insulating member attached to a side of a battery module located at the outermost portion within a pack frame among a plurality of battery modules mounted on an upper portion of the pack frame, thereby delaying heat transfer between battery modules within the pack frame.

[0024] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack of FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a perspective view of a first battery module included in the battery pack of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a simplified cross-sectional view taken along line AA' in FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 showing a heat propagation path when a cell event occurs in a part of a battery module. [Figure 6] 13 is a diagram showing a heat propagation path when a cell event occurs in a battery module in a battery pack according to a comparative example. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention may, however, be embodied in various different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0027] In order to clearly explain the present invention, parts that are not necessary for the explanation will be omitted, and the same reference numerals will be used throughout the specification to refer to the same or similar components.

[0028] In addition, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those shown in the drawings. In the drawings, the thicknesses of various layers and regions are exaggerated to clearly express the layers and regions. In the drawings, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated to facilitate explanation.

[0029] Additionally, throughout the specification, when a part is said to "comprise" a certain element, this means that it may further include other elements, but not excluding other elements, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

[0030] Also, throughout the specification, the term "in a plane" means when the subject part is viewed from above, and the term "in cross section" means when the subject part is cut vertically and viewed from the side.

[0031] Hereinafter, a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, the description will be made based on one cross-section of the battery pack, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the same or similar content may be described based on the entire battery pack.

[0032] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack of Fig. 1.

[0033] 1 and 2, a battery pack 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes pack frames 130, 140, a plurality of first battery modules 110 mounted on the upper part of the pack frames 130, 140, and a plurality of second battery modules 120 mounted on the lower part of the pack frames 130, 140.

[0034] Here, the pack frames 130, 140 may include an upper case 130 and a lower case 140 that accommodate a plurality of first battery modules 110 and a plurality of second battery modules 120. As an example, the upper case 130 and the lower case 140 may be fastened together by bolt and nut coupling.

[0035] Also, the bottom ends of the plurality of first battery modules 110 may be arranged higher than the top ends of the second battery modules 120. As an example, the plurality of first battery modules 110 and the plurality of second battery modules 120 may form a layered structure. In other words, the plurality of first battery modules 110 may be arranged in an upper layer, and the plurality of second battery modules 120 may be arranged in a lower layer.

[0036] In addition, the number of second battery modules 120 included in the plurality of second battery modules 120 may be greater than the number of first battery modules 110 included in the plurality of first battery modules 110. As an example, as shown in FIG 2, two first battery modules 110 may be arranged in an upper layer, and four second battery modules 120 may be arranged in a lower layer.

[0037] As a result, in the battery pack 100 according to this embodiment, the battery modules 110, 120 are arranged in a layered structure, so that the battery modules 110, 120 mounted in the battery pack 100 can be arranged more compactly.

[0038] Also, the battery pack may further include a horizontal plate 150 located between the lower portions of the plurality of first battery modules 110 and the upper portions of the plurality of second battery modules 120. In other words, the horizontal plate 150 is interposed between the plurality of first battery modules 110 located in an upper layer and the plurality of second battery modules 120 located in a lower layer, and the plurality of first battery modules 110 and the plurality of second battery modules 120 are separated into a layered structure.

[0039] As a result, the battery pack 100 according to the present embodiment includes the horizontal plate 150 between the plurality of first battery modules 110 and the plurality of second battery modules 120 in the pack frames 130, 140, which separates the upper and lower spaces while additionally ensuring the durability of the battery pack 100. In addition, the battery modules 110, 120 and other electrical components can be physically protected from external impacts.

[0040] Also, in the battery pack 100 of the present embodiment, the side plate 160 may be disposed adjacent to a side surface of the first battery module 110 located at the outermost position within the pack frames 130, 140 among the plurality of first battery modules 110. In other words, the side plate 160 contacts a side surface of the first battery module 110 located at the outermost position within the pack frames 130, 140 among the plurality of first battery modules 110. As an example, the side plate 160 may be coupled, fastened, or attached to a side surface of the first battery module 110 located at the outermost position within the pack frames 130, 140 among the plurality of first battery modules 110.

[0041] Here, being located at the outermost part within the pack frames 130, 140 may refer to the first battery module 110 that is located at the outermost part when multiple first battery modules 110 are arranged side by side within the pack frames 130, 140.

[0042] Meanwhile, a side surface of the first battery module 110 located at the outermost portion within the pack frames 130, 140 among the plurality of first battery modules 110 may be exposed to the inside of the pack frames 130, 140. However, in the present embodiment, the side plate 160 is positioned adjacent to the side surface of the first battery module 110 located at the outermost portion within the pack frames 130, 140, thereby physically protecting the first battery module 110 located at the outermost portion within the pack frames 130, 140 from external impact.

[0043] In addition, in the battery pack 100 of the present embodiment, the heat insulating member 200 may be disposed adjacent to a side surface of the first battery module 110 located at the outermost edge within the pack frames 130, 140 among the plurality of first battery modules 110. More specifically, the heat insulating member 200 may be attached onto the side plate 160. Here, the heat insulating member 200 may extend along the outer surface of the side plate 160.

[0044] For example, the heat insulating member 200 may be made of a material such as Superwool, but is not limited thereto and may be made of any material having heat insulating properties.

[0045] As a result, in this embodiment, when heat and high-temperature gas are generated within the pack frames 130, 140, the heat insulating member 200 attached to the side plate 160 can minimize the effect of the heat and high-temperature gas within the pack frames 130, 140 on the first battery module 110 located at the outermost edge within the pack frames 130, 140.

[0046] In addition, the gas exhaust portion 170 may be formed on the upper side of the pack frames 130, 140. More specifically, in the pack frames 130, 140, the gas exhaust portion 170 may be formed on the upper side of the upper case 130.

[0047] As an example, the gas exhaust unit 170 may be a gas valve penetrating from the upper side of the pack frames 130, 140 toward the inside of the pack frames 130, 140. As another example, the gas exhaust unit 170 may be a gas valve penetrating from the upper side of the upper case 130 toward the inside of the lower case 140. However, the shape of the gas exhaust unit 170 is not limited to a valve shape, and any shape that can exhaust gas from inside the pack frames 130, 140 can be used without limitation.

[0048] Accordingly, in this embodiment, when heat and high-temperature gas are generated within the pack frames 130 and 140 , the heat and high-temperature gas within the pack frames 130 and 140 can be exhausted through the gas exhaust portion 170 .

[0049] In addition, the gas flow unit 180 may be disposed on the upper part of the pack frames 130 and 140. More specifically, the gas flow unit 180 may be located on the upper part of the pack frames 130 and 140, and may be disposed between the side plate 160 and the horizontal plate 150.

[0050] Also, the gas flow unit 180 may be disposed on at least some of the second battery modules 120 mounted in the lower layer. In other words, the gas flow unit 180 may refer to a space in which the first battery modules 110 mounted in the upper layer of the pack frames 130, 140 are not positioned.

[0051] Meanwhile, when an ignition event occurs in some of the battery modules 110, 120, heat and high-temperature gas may be generated within the pack frames 130, 140. In the battery pack 100 of the present embodiment, the gas flow unit 180 is located on the upper part of the pack frames 130, 140, and the gas flow unit 180 can accommodate the heat and high-temperature gas for a certain period of time. As a result, the gas flow unit 180 can delay the heat and high-temperature gas within the pack frames 130, 140 from being discharged to the outside.

[0052] In addition, the gas exhaust unit 170 may be disposed on the gas flow unit 180. That is, when an ignition event occurs in some of the battery modules 110, 120, heat and high-temperature gas are transferred to the gas flow unit 180 in the pack frames 130, 140, and the heat and high-temperature gas contained in the gas flow unit 180 can be exhausted to the outside through the gas exhaust unit 170.

[0053] 2 , the first battery module 110 located at the outermost position in the pack frames 130, 140 among the plurality of first battery modules 110 may be disposed adjacent to the gas exhaust unit 170. Here, the heat insulating member 200 may be disposed on a side of the first battery module 110 located at the outermost position in the pack frames 130, 140 among the plurality of first battery modules 110, the side adjacent to the gas exhaust unit 170. In addition, the gas flow unit 180 may be disposed between the heat insulating member 200 and the side of the pack frames 130, 140.

[0054] Meanwhile, the first battery module 110 located at the outermost part in the pack frames 130, 140 may be disposed adjacent to a path through which heat and high-temperature gas inside the pack frames 130, 140 are discharged through the gas exhaust part 170 and the gas flow part 180. However, the heat insulating member 200 attached to the side plate 160 can minimize the influence of the path through which heat and high-temperature gas are discharged on the first battery module 110 located at the outermost part in the pack frames 130, 140.

[0055] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first battery module included in the battery pack of FIG.

[0056] 3, in an embodiment of the present invention, a first battery module 110 may include a plurality of battery cells 111. More specifically, the plurality of battery cells 111 may be stacked in a preset direction and then mounted on a module frame 115 to configure the first battery module 110.

[0057] The plurality of battery cells 111 are not particularly limited in type and may be pouch-type secondary batteries or square-type secondary batteries, but are preferably pouch-type secondary batteries.

[0058] Meanwhile, since the battery module of the present invention has been described using the first battery module 110 as an example, the second battery module 120 (FIG. 2) may also have the same or similar structure as the first battery module 110 described above.

[0059] Fig. 4 is a simplified cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a heat propagation path when a cell event occurs in a part of a battery module in the cross-section of Fig. 4.

[0060] 4 and 5, in the battery pack 100 of the present embodiment, a cell event (CE) may occur in some of the second battery modules 120 among the plurality of second battery modules 120. Here, the cell event (CE) may refer to an abnormal phenomenon such as overvoltage, overcurrent, or overheating occurring in the battery modules 110, 120, causing high temperature and gas generation in the battery modules 110, 120.

[0061] The following description will be given on the assumption that a cell event (CE) occurs in the second battery module 120, but the same or similar description can be given for the case where the cell event occurs in the first battery module 110.

[0062] 4, it can be seen that a cell event (CE) has occurred in some of the second battery modules 120 among the plurality of second battery modules 120 in the battery pack 100 of the present embodiment. Referring to FIG 5, the cell event (CE) may be propagated to an adjacent second battery module 120 due to heat and high-temperature gas generated from the second battery module 120 in which the cell event (CE) has occurred.

[0063] Meanwhile, a horizontal plate 150 is positioned between the plurality of first battery modules 110 and the plurality of second battery modules 120 to prevent heat and high-temperature gas generated from the second battery module 120 in which a cell event (CE) has occurred from being directly transferred to the first battery module 110 or to delay the transfer time.

[0064] However, the high-temperature gas generated from the second battery module 120 in which a cell event (CE) has occurred moves to the gas flow section 180 located within the pack frames 130, 140, and the high-temperature gas that has moved to the gas flow section 180 can be discharged to the outside through the gas exhaust section 170.

[0065] In this process, the first battery module 110 located at the outermost part within the pack frames 130, 140 can be positioned adjacent to the path through which high-temperature gas generated from the second battery module 120 in which a cell event (CE) has occurred is discharged through the gas exhaust section 170 and the gas flow section 180.

[0066] 5, in the battery pack 100 of this embodiment, the influence of the path through which heat and high-temperature gas is discharged on the first battery module 110 located at the outermost part within the pack frames 130, 140 can be minimized by the heat insulating member 200 attached to the side plate 160. That is, by minimizing the heat transfer from the second battery module 120 in which a cell event (CE) has occurred to the first battery module 110, the time for the cell event (CE) to propagate can be effectively delayed.

[0067] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a heat propagation path when a cell event occurs in some battery modules in a battery pack according to a comparative example.

[0068] 6, in the case of the battery pack 10 according to the comparative example, when a cell event (CE) occurs in some of the second battery modules 12 among the plurality of second battery modules 12, the cell event (CE) may be propagated to the adjacent second battery module 12. In addition, as high-temperature gas generated in the second battery module 12 moves to the gas flow unit 18, heat from the high-temperature gas that has moved to the gas flow unit 18 may be transferred to the first battery module 11 located at the outermost portion within the pack frames 130, 140.

[0069] That is, in the case of the battery pack 10 according to the comparative example, the first battery module 11 located at the outermost part within the pack frames 130, 140 is easily exposed to heat and high-temperature gas within the pack frames 13, 14, and a cell event (CE) occurring in some of the battery modules 110, 120 is relatively easily propagated. In contrast, as described above, the battery pack 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can effectively delay the time for the cell event (CE) to propagate by minimizing heat transfer from the second battery module 120 in which a cell event (CE) has occurred to the first battery module 110.

[0070] Meanwhile, the battery pack according to the present embodiment can be applied to various devices, including vehicles such as electric bicycles, electric cars, and hybrid cars, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be applied to various devices that can use a battery module and a battery pack including the same, which also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0071] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the following claims also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 100: Battery pack 110: First battery module 120: Second battery module 130: Upper case 140: Lower case 150: Horizontal plate 160: Side plate 170: Gas exhaust section 180: Gas flow section 200: Heat insulating material

Claims

1. Pack frame, a plurality of first battery modules mounted on an upper portion of the pack frame; a plurality of second battery modules mounted on a lower portion of the pack frame; and a heat insulating member disposed adjacent to a side surface of a first battery module that is disposed at an outermost portion of the pack frame among the plurality of first battery modules, a gas flow section is located on one side of an upper portion of the pack frame, the plurality of first battery modules are located on the other side of the upper portion of the pack frame, and the heat insulating member is located on one side of the plurality of first battery modules; The gas flow portion is located between the insulating member and one side of the pack frame.

2. a side plate disposed adjacent to a side of a first battery module that is disposed at an outermost portion of the pack frame among the plurality of first battery modules, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the heat insulating member is attached onto the side plate.

3. The battery pack of claim 2 , further comprising a horizontal plate located between lower portions of the first plurality of battery modules and upper portions of the second plurality of battery modules.

4. Pack frame, a plurality of first battery modules mounted on an upper portion of the pack frame; a plurality of second battery modules mounted on a lower portion of the pack frame; a side plate located adjacent to a side surface of a first battery module located at an outermost portion within the pack frame among the plurality of first battery modules; a heat insulating member disposed adjacent to a side surface of a first battery module that is disposed at an outermost portion of the pack frame among the plurality of first battery modules, the heat insulating member being attached to the side plate, A battery pack including a horizontal plate located between a lower portion of the first battery modules and an upper portion of the second battery modules, A gas flow section is located at the top of the pack frame, The gas flow portion is located between the side plate and the horizontal plate.

5. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein a gas exhaust portion is formed on an upper side of the pack frame.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5 , wherein the gas exhaust portion is a gas valve penetrating from an upper side of the pack frame toward an inside of the pack frame.

7. The battery pack according to claim 5 , wherein a first battery module located at an outermost portion within the pack frame among the plurality of first battery modules is located adjacent to the gas exhaust portion.

8. 8. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein the heat insulating member is located on a side surface of a first battery module that is located on the outermost side of the pack frame among the plurality of first battery modules, the side surface being adjacent to the gas exhaust portion.

9. The battery pack according to claim 5 , wherein the gas exhaust section is located above the gas flow section.

10. The battery pack according to claim 4 , wherein the gas flow portion is located between the insulating member and a side surface of the pack frame.

11. 11. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein a number of the second battery modules included in the plurality of second battery modules is greater than a number of the first battery modules included in the plurality of first battery modules.

12. The battery pack according to claim 4 , 9 , or 10 , wherein the gas flow portion is located on at least a portion of the second battery modules among the plurality of second battery modules.

13. A device comprising a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

Images