Battery rack and energy storage device including same

Abstract

A battery rack according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery modules, each including at least one battery cell and having at least one vent hole, a rack case that houses the plurality of battery modules, and a plurality of support brackets that are disposed in the rack case to support each battery module and communicate with the at least one vent hole.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery rack and an energy storage device including the same.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0098142 filed on July 26, 2021, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of that application are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries, which have high applicability to various products and electrical properties such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that are driven by electric drive sources. These secondary batteries have not only the temporary advantage of dramatically reducing the use of fossil fuels, but also the advantage of not producing any by-products associated with energy use, and are therefore attracting attention as a new energy source that is environmentally friendly and improves energy efficiency.

[0004] Currently widely used types of secondary batteries include lithium ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, and nickel zinc batteries. The operating voltage of such a unit secondary battery cell, i.e., a unit battery cell, is about 2.5V to 4.5V. Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, a battery pack is constructed by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series. In addition, a battery pack is constructed by connecting a plurality of battery cells in parallel according to a charge / discharge capacity required for the battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack can be variously set according to a required output voltage and / or charge / discharge capacity.

[0005] Meanwhile, when constructing a battery pack by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series and / or in parallel, a typical method is to first construct a battery module including at least one battery cell, and then use this at least one battery module to add other components to construct a battery pack or a battery rack.

[0006] A conventional battery rack generally includes a plurality of stacked battery modules and a rack case that houses the plurality of battery modules. Conventionally, the plurality of battery modules are provided with vent holes for discharging vent gas from a battery cell in an abnormal state when a fire occurs due to overheating of at least one battery cell.

[0007] However, in conventional battery racks, when such vent gas is discharged outside the battery module, it mixes with external air (fresh air) and enters an ignition zone, creating a high risk of unintended flames or fires resulting from ignition.

[0008] For this reason, it is desirable to find a way to prevent flames or fires caused by vent gas emitted from battery modules when an abnormal situation occurs. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery rack and an energy storage device including the same, which can prevent flames or ignition caused by vent gas discharged from a battery module when an abnormal situation occurs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a battery rack comprising: a plurality of battery modules, each including at least one battery cell and having at least one vent hole; a rack case accommodating the plurality of battery modules; and a plurality of support brackets disposed in the rack case, supporting each battery module, and communicating with the at least one vent hole.

[0011] The plurality of support brackets may be provided with a guide channel for guiding a flow path of vent gas discharged from the at least one vent hole.

[0012] The rack case may be provided with a vent channel that communicates with the guide channels of the plurality of support brackets.

[0013] The guide channel may be provided with at least one guide hole in communication with the at least one vent hole.

[0014] The at least one guide hole may be provided at a position corresponding to the at least one vent hole when the support bracket of each battery module is mounted.

[0015] The at least one guide hole may be provided with a blocking membrane for opening or closing the at least one guide hole depending on a predetermined temperature.

[0016] The blocking film may melt or tear at or above the predetermined temperature, thereby communicating the at least one guide hole with the at least one vent hole.

[0017] The barrier membrane may be provided as a plastic sheet membrane of a given thickness.

[0018] The plurality of battery modules may be stacked on one another along a vertical direction of the rack case, and the plurality of support brackets may be disposed between the plurality of battery modules in the vertical direction of the rack case.

[0019] The present invention also provides an energy storage device, characterized in that it comprises at least one battery rack according to the above-mentioned embodiments. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the various embodiments described above, it is possible to provide a battery rack and an energy storage device including the same that can prevent flames or ignition caused by vent gas discharged from a battery module when an abnormal situation occurs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention described below, serve to further understand the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited only to the matters depicted in such drawings.

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the battery rack of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the battery rack of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram for explaining the assembly of the battery modules and support brackets of the battery rack in FIG. 1. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a support bracket of the battery rack in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a support bracket according to another embodiment of the battery rack in FIG. [Figure 7]FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a mechanism for preventing flames or fire by diverting vent gas generated in the battery module of the battery rack in FIG. 1. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a mechanism for preventing flames or fire by diverting vent gas generated in the battery module of the battery rack in FIG. 1. [Figure 9] 1 is a diagram illustrating an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The present invention will become more clear from a detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The embodiment described here is shown as an example to help understand the invention, and it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented by being modified in various ways different from the embodiment described here. In addition, in order to help understand the invention, the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale, and the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a battery rack according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of the battery rack of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the battery rack of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the combination of a battery module and a support bracket of the battery rack of FIG. 1.

[0025] 1 to 4 , the battery rack 10 may include a battery module 100, a rack case 200, and a support bracket 400.

[0026] A plurality of battery modules 100 may be provided, and the plurality of battery modules 100 may be stacked on one another along the vertical direction of a rack case 200, which will be described later.

[0027] Each of the multiple battery modules 100 may include a battery cell 110 and a module case 150.

[0028] The battery cell 110 is a secondary battery and may be provided as a pouch-type secondary battery, a square-type secondary battery, or a cylindrical-type secondary battery. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the battery cell 110 will be described as being provided as a pouch-type secondary battery.

[0029] Such a battery cell 110 may be provided in a plurality of at least one or more battery cells 110. When the battery cell 110 is provided in a plurality of battery cells 110, the plurality of battery cells 110 may be stacked so as to be electrically connected to each other.

[0030] The module case 150 may accommodate the at least one or more of the battery cells 110. To this end, the module case 150 may be provided with an accommodation space for accommodating the at least one or more of the battery cells 110.

[0031] The module case 150 may be provided with a vent hole 155 for discharging vent gas G (see Figures 7 and 8) discharged from the battery cell 110 when an abnormal condition occurs, such as overheating of the at least one or more battery cells 110.

[0032] The vent hole 155 may be provided in a number of at least one or more. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the description will be limited to the case where the vent hole 155 is provided in a number of times.

[0033] The plurality of vent holes 155 may be provided on an upper surface of the module case 150. Specifically, the plurality of vent holes 155 may be provided on both sides of a periphery of the upper surface of the module case 150 in the longitudinal direction of the module case 150.

[0034] In this manner, the plurality of vent holes 155 provided on both sides of the periphery of the upper surface may be arranged at a predetermined distance from each other along the longitudinal direction of the module case 150 .

[0035] The vent holes 155 may be disposed at positions corresponding to guide holes 450 of a support bracket 400, which will be described later. Specifically, when the battery module 100 is assembled with a support bracket 400, which will be described later, the vent holes 155 may be provided to communicate with guide holes 450 of the support bracket 400, which will be described later.

[0036] The rack case 200 may accommodate the plurality of battery modules 100. To this end, the rack case 200 may be formed to have a predetermined length along a vertical direction, i.e., a height direction, of the plurality of battery modules 100.

[0037] In addition, the rack case 200 may be provided in a plurality of cases to support the plurality of battery modules 100 together with a base bracket 300 and a support bracket 400, which will be described later.

[0038] The rack case 200 may be provided with a vent channel 250 that is in communication with guide channels 430 of a plurality of support brackets 400, which will be described later. The vent channel 250 may be provided on the inner surface of the rack case 200 and formed along the longitudinal direction, i.e., the height direction, of the rack case 200. The vent channel 250 may be formed integrally with the rack case 200.

[0039] The vent channel 250 is for guiding the path of the vent gas G (see Figures 7 and 8) to a predetermined location, and can guide the vent gas G to a predetermined location where fire or ignition caused by the vent gas G can be prevented.

[0040] Specifically, the vent channel 250 can guide the vent gas G to a position that can avoid an ignition-prone area where the vent gas G mixes with external air and has a high possibility of ignition, a position that can delay ignition as much as possible, or a position that can minimize the possibility of damage to users, etc., even if ignition does occur.

[0041] For example, the vent channel 250 may be provided in a rack case 200 disposed at the rear of the battery module 100. The vent channel 250 may deliver the vent gas G to the rear upper side of the rack case 200 in the battery module 100.

[0042] Here, the opening exposed to the outside of the vent channel 250 may be connected to an additional mechanism, such as another fire prevention device, that can prevent the ignition. That is, the vent channel 250 may be provided to divert the vent gas G to a predetermined path that can prevent or delay the ignition. For this purpose, the vent channel 250 may be connected to guide channels 430 of a plurality of support brackets 400, which will be described later.

[0043] The vent channel 250 may be provided with a plurality of channel holes 255 .

[0044] The multiple channel holes 255 may be arranged at a predetermined distance from each other along the longitudinal direction, i.e., the height direction, of the vent channel 250, and may be connected to communicate with the channel connection hole 435 of the guide channel 430 of the support bracket 400 described later.

[0045] Meanwhile, the battery rack 10 may further include a base bracket 300.

[0046] The base bracket 300 is for supporting the battery module 100 and reinforcing the rigidity of the rack case 200, and may be coupled to the rack case 200.

[0047] The base bracket 300 may be provided at the bottom of the battery module 100 that is disposed at the lowest end of the plurality of battery modules 100 in the height direction of the rack case 200.

[0048] A plurality of the support brackets 400 may be provided. The plurality of support brackets 400 may be provided between the plurality of battery modules 100 in the vertical direction of the rack case 200, i.e., in the height direction.

[0049] The plurality of support brackets 400 may be disposed at predetermined distances from each other in the height direction of the rack case 200 so as to improve the cooling performance of the plurality of battery modules 100 .

[0050] The plurality of support brackets 400 may be disposed in the rack case 200 to support the respective battery modules 100 and communicate with the at least one vent hole 155 .

[0051] In addition, the multiple support brackets 400 are also connected to the vent channel 250 of the rack case 200, so that the vent gas G (see Figures 7 and 8) flowing in from at least one vent hole 155 can be diverted to the vent channel 250 side of the rack case 200.

[0052] The plurality of support brackets 400 will be described in more detail below.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a support bracket of the battery rack in FIG.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 5 and the above FIGS. 1 to 4, each of the plurality of support brackets 400 may include a bracket body 410, a guide channel 430 and a guide hole 450.

[0055] The bracket body 410 forms the exterior of the support bracket 400 and may include a main body 412 and a secondary body 416 .

[0056] The main body 412 may be disposed between the battery modules 100 in the vertical direction, i.e., the height direction, of the rack case 200. The main body 412 may support the upper and lower sides of the battery modules 100.

[0057] A guide channel 430 (to be described later) may be provided inside the main body 412. In addition, at least one or more guide holes 450 communicating with the guide channel 430 (to be described later) may be provided in the bottom of the main body 412.

[0058] The auxiliary body 416 may extend from the main body 412 and be disposed between the battery module 100 and the rack case 200. The auxiliary body 416 may support both sides of the battery module 100.

[0059] The guide channel 430 may be disposed in the main body 412 and formed to a predetermined length along the longitudinal direction of the main body 412. The guide channel 430 may guide a flow path of the vent gas G (see FIGS. 7 and 8) discharged from the at least one or more vent holes 155. A channel connection hole 435 for communication with the channel hole 255 of the vent channel 250 may be disposed at an end of the guide channel 430.

[0060] The guide hole 450 may be provided at the bottom of the guide channel 430 and may be in communication with the at least one vent hole 155. Such guide holes 450 may be provided in a number of at least one or more. For example, the number of guide holes 450 may correspond to the number of the vent holes 155.

[0061] The at least one or more guide holes 450 may be provided at positions corresponding to the at least one vent hole 450 when the support bracket 400 of each battery module is mounted.

[0062] FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a support bracket according to another embodiment of the battery rack of FIG.

[0063] The support bracket 405 according to this embodiment is substantially similar to the support bracket 405 according to the above-described embodiment, and therefore, redundant descriptions of configurations that are substantially identical or similar to those of the above-described embodiment will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences from the above-described embodiment.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 6 , the support bracket 405 may include a bracket body 410 , a guide channel 430 , a guide hole 450 and a blocking membrane 470 .

[0065] The bracket body 410, the guide channel 430 and the guide hole 450 are substantially the same as or similar to those in the above-described embodiment, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0066] The blocking film 470 is disposed in the at least one or more guide holes 450 and can open or close the at least one or more guide holes 450 according to a predetermined temperature.

[0067] The barrier film 470 melts or breaks at or above the predetermined temperature, thereby communicating the at least one or more guide holes 450 with the at least one or more vent holes 155. For this purpose, the barrier film 470 may be provided as a plastic plate film having a predetermined thickness that melts off at or above the predetermined temperature.

[0068] In the present embodiment, the blocking film 470 melts when the battery module 100 overheats due to the abnormal situation, thereby connecting the vent hole 155 and the guide hole 450 and guiding the flow of the vent gas.

[0069] In this embodiment, when the abnormal condition is not met but a normal condition is met, the blocking film 470 can block the inflow of moisture, foreign matter, etc., which may occur through the guide hole 450, into the vent hole 155.

[0070] In addition, in this embodiment, the blocking film 470 can block the flow of high-temperature outside air, which may flow in through the guide hole 450, into the vent hole 155, thereby ensuring the cooling performance of the battery module 100 under normal conditions.

[0071] As a result, during normal operation of the battery module 100, the guide hole 450 is blocked through the blocking film 470, thereby effectively preventing damage to the battery module 100 due to moisture or foreign matter, and a decrease in the cooling performance of the battery module 100, etc., and during an abnormal condition of the battery module 100, the blocking film 470 is opened to connect the guide hole 450 and the vent hole 155, thereby effectively directing the vent gas to the guide channel 430.

[0072] Hereinafter, a mechanism for preventing flames or fire by diverting vent gas generated in the battery module 100 of the battery rack 10 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

[0073] 7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining a mechanism for preventing flames or fire by diverting vent gas generated in the battery module of the battery rack of FIG.

[0074] 7 and 8, an abnormal situation such as overheating may occur in at least one battery module 100 of the battery rack 10. Such an abnormal situation may lead to a dangerous situation such as a thermal explosion of the battery module 100. When the battery module 100 overheats, there is a risk that vent gas G may be emitted from the overheated battery cell 110 through the vent hole 155 in the battery module 100.

[0075] In the case of conventional battery racks, if this vent gas G is sprayed toward the front and rear of the battery module 100 and immediately mixes with the external air (external air) and enters an area where fire is possible, there is a problem that it can cause unintended flames and pose even greater danger.

[0076] In this embodiment, the vent gas G flows into the guide channel 430 through the guide hole 450 of the support bracket 400 connected to the battery module 100, and then is diverted in the guide channel 430 and guided to the vent channel 250 side of the rack case 200.

[0077] The vent gas G may then escape to the outside of the rack case 200 through the vent channel 250 of the rack case 200, or may be guided to additional mechanisms, such as other fire prevention devices, connected to the vent channel 250 of the rack case 200.

[0078] In this embodiment, the vent gas G is diverted and sent to a location away from the battery module 100 through the guide channel 430 of the support bracket 400 and the vent channel 250 of the rack case 200, thereby significantly reducing the possibility of unintentional fire occurrence compared to when the vent gas G is directly sprayed to the front and rear sides of the battery module 100.

[0079] As a result, in this embodiment, the path of the vent gas G can be diverted to minimize the risk of unintended flames caused by the vent gas G, effectively preventing the risk of thermal explosion or explosion that could spread throughout the entire battery module 100 of the battery rack 10.

[0080] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0081] 9, the energy storage device 1 is an energy source that can be used for home or industrial purposes. Such an energy storage device 1 may include the at least one battery rack 10 and a rack container 50 that houses the at least one battery rack 10.

[0082] Since the energy storage device 1 according to this embodiment includes the battery rack 10 of the above-mentioned embodiment, it is possible to provide an energy storage device 1 that encompasses almost all of the advantages of the battery rack 10 of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0083] According to the various embodiments described above, it is possible to provide a battery rack 10 and an energy storage device 1 including the same that can prevent flames or ignition caused by vent gas G discharged from the battery module 100 when an abnormal situation occurs.

[0084] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is in no way limited to the specific embodiments described above, and it goes without saying that various modified and altered embodiments can be implemented by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims, and these modified embodiments should not be understood individually from the technical ideas and perspectives of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1 Energy storage device 10 Battery Rack 50 Rack Container 100 Battery Module 110 Battery Cell 150 module case 155 Vent hole 200 Rack Case 250 Vent Channel 255 channel holes 300 Base Bracket 400 Support bracket 405 Support bracket 410 Bracket body 412 Main Body 416 Auxiliary Body 430 Guide trough 435 Channel connection hole 450 vent hole 450 Guide hole 470 Barrier Membrane G Vent gas

Claims

1. In the battery rack, a plurality of battery modules including at least one battery cell and having at least one vent hole; a rack case that houses a plurality of the battery modules; a plurality of support brackets disposed in the rack case, the support brackets supporting bottom surfaces of the battery modules and communicating with at least one of the vent holes; Including, the vent hole is provided on an upper surface of the battery module, the support bracket is disposed in contact with an upper surface of the battery module, The plurality of support brackets include: A guide channel is provided to guide a flow path of the vent gas discharged from the at least one vent hole. Battery rack.

2. The rack case includes: a vent channel is provided in communication with the guide channel of the plurality of support brackets; The battery rack according to claim 1.

3. The guide channel includes: At least one guide hole is provided in communication with the at least one vent hole. The battery rack according to claim 1.

4. At least one of the guide holes is When each of the battery modules is mounted on the support bracket, the battery module is provided at a position corresponding to at least one of the vent holes. The battery rack according to claim 3.

5. A battery rack, a plurality of battery modules including at least one battery cell and having at least one vent hole; a rack case that houses a plurality of the battery modules; a plurality of support brackets disposed on the rack case, the support brackets supporting the respective battery modules and communicating with at least one of the vent holes; Including, The plurality of support brackets include: A guide channel is provided to guide a flow path of the vent gas discharged from the at least one vent hole; The guide channel includes: At least one guide hole is provided in communication with the at least one vent hole; At least one of the guide holes has: A barrier membrane is provided for opening or closing at least one of the guide holes in response to a predetermined temperature. Battery rack.

6. The barrier film is melts or splits at or above the predetermined temperature to communicate at least one of the guide holes and at least one of the vent holes; The battery rack according to claim 5.

7. The barrier film is Deployed as a plastic sheet membrane of a given thickness, The battery rack according to claim 5.

8. The plurality of battery modules include The rack cases are stacked on top of each other along the vertical direction of the rack case, The plurality of support brackets include disposed between the plurality of battery modules in the vertical direction of the rack case; The battery rack according to claim 1.

9. 10. An energy storage device comprising at least one battery rack according to claim 1.

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