Battery pack and motor vehicle including same

Abstract

The present invention discloses a battery pack configured to exhaust high-temperature gas to the outside of the battery pack without affecting other adjacent battery modules when gas is generated inside a battery module. The battery pack according to one aspect of the present invention includes a pack housing, a battery module, and a pack cover configured to cover the battery module by combining with the pack housing and including a first center vent passage, a first side vent passage, a second center vent passage and a second side vent passage configured to guide vent gas generated in the battery module at a position corresponding to the battery module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack and an automobile including the same, and more particularly, to a battery pack configured such that when gas is generated inside a battery module, the high-temperature gas is discharged to the outside of the battery pack without affecting other adjacent battery modules, and an automobile including the same.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0188984 filed on December 27, 2021, and all of the contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the application are incorporated into this application.

Background Art

[0003] Recently, the demand for portable electronic products such as notebook PCs, video cameras, and mobile phones has increased rapidly, and as the development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, satellites, etc. has become full-scale, research on high-performance secondary batteries capable of repeated charging and discharging has been actively underway.

[0004] Currently, commercialized secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries, etc. Among these, lithium secondary batteries have attracted attention because they hardly cause a memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, can be freely charged and discharged, have a very low self-discharge rate, and have a high energy density.

[0005] Such lithium secondary batteries mainly use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material, respectively. In addition, a lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate each coated with a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material are arranged with a separator interposed therebetween, and an exterior material, that is, a battery case, for sealing and housing such an electrode assembly together with an electrolytic solution.

[0006] Note that lithium secondary batteries can be classified into a can-type secondary battery in which the electrode assembly is built into a metal can and a pouch-type secondary battery in which the electrode assembly is built into a pouch made of an aluminum laminate sheet, according to the shape of the exterior material.

[0007] Recently, secondary batteries are widely used not only for small devices such as portable electronic devices but also for medium- and large-sized devices such as automobiles and energy storage systems (ESS) for driving or energy storage. A plurality of such secondary batteries are electrically connected and housed together inside a module case to form a single battery module, and such battery modules are electrically connected further in a narrow space to increase the energy density to form a battery pack.

[0008] However, when a plurality of battery modules exist in a densely packed state in a narrow space like this, they can become vulnerable to accidents such as fires and explosions. For example, when a problem such as thermal runaway occurs in any one of the battery modules, high-temperature gas can be discharged from the battery module. If such gas is not properly discharged to the outside of the battery pack, it can be propagated to other battery modules provided inside the battery pack, and a chain reaction can occur. Also, in this case, the internal pressure of the battery pack increases, and there is a possibility of explosion. When the battery pack explodes, it not only causes great damage to surrounding devices and users due to the explosion pressure but also the damage range and speed can further increase. Therefore, when an abnormality occurs in some of the battery modules and gas is discharged, there is a need to develop a battery pack having a structure that can safely discharge the high-temperature gas to the outside of the battery pack without affecting other adjacent battery modules. Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to add a structure of a vent flow path to a conventional battery pack and control the flow of vent gas in a desired direction.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to ensure that when a thermal event occurs in some battery modules, the high-temperature vent gas ejected is safely discharged to the outside of the battery pack without affecting other battery modules inside the battery pack.

[0011] However, the technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] A battery pack according to one aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a first accommodation space, a second accommodation space located apart from the first accommodation space, a center space formed between the first accommodation space and the second accommodation space, a first side space spaced apart from the center space and adjacent to the first accommodation space, and a second side space spaced apart from the center space and adjacent to the second accommodation space, a pack housing, a first battery module group including a plurality of battery modules disposed in the first accommodation space, a second battery module group including a plurality of battery modules disposed in the second accommodation space, a first center vent flow path configured to guide vent gas generated by some of the battery modules in the first battery module group to the center space, a first side vent flow path configured to guide vent gas generated by the remaining battery modules in the first battery module group to the first side space, a second center vent flow path configured to guide vent gas generated by some of the battery modules in the second battery module group to the center space, and a second side vent flow path configured to guide vent gas generated by the remaining battery modules in the second battery module group to the second side space, and a pack cover.

[0013] The first battery module group may include a first battery module and a second battery module adjacent to each other.

[0014] The first center vent flow path is configured to guide vent gas generated by the first battery module, and the first side vent flow path may be configured to guide vent gas generated by the second battery module.

[0015] The second battery module group may include a third battery module and a fourth battery module adjacent to each other.

[0016] The second center vent flow path is configured to guide vent gas generated in the third battery module, and the second side vent flow path may be configured to guide vent gas generated in the fourth battery module.

[0017] The first battery module group includes a first battery module and a second battery module adjacent to each other, and the second battery module group may include a third battery module facing the first battery module and a fourth battery module facing the second battery module.

[0018] The first center vent flow path is configured to guide vent gas generated in the first battery module, and the second center vent flow path may be configured to guide vent gas generated in the third battery module.

[0019] The first side vent flow path is configured to guide vent gas generated in the second battery module, and the second side vent flow path may be configured to guide vent gas generated in the fourth battery module.

[0020] The battery pack may include first partition walls respectively disposed at corresponding positions between a pair of battery modules adjacent to each other within the first battery module group and at corresponding positions between a pair of battery modules adjacent to each other within the second battery module group.

[0021] The battery pack may include second partition walls respectively disposed at corresponding positions between the space corresponding to the first side vent flow path and the center space, between the space corresponding to the first center vent flow path and the first side space, between the space corresponding to the second side vent flow path and the center space, and between the space corresponding to the second center vent flow path and the second side space in the internal space of the pack housing.

[0022] The battery pack may include a third partition configured to prevent direct communication between the first center vent passage and the second center vent passage within the center space.

[0023] The first partition may be configured to block the movement of vent gas between the accommodation spaces of the battery modules adjacent to each other in the first battery module group and the movement of vent gas between the accommodation spaces of the battery modules adjacent to each other in the second battery module group.

[0024] The second partition may be configured to block the movement of vent gas between the space corresponding to the first side vent passage and the center space, between the space corresponding to the first center vent passage and the first side space, between the space corresponding to the second side vent passage and the center space, and between the space corresponding to the second center vent passage and the second side space within the internal space of the pack housing.

[0025] A sealing member may be provided at least one of between the first partition and the pack cover and between the first partition and the pack housing.

[0026] The pack cover may include a cover plate covering the accommodation space of the pack housing, and a flow path plate coupled to the inner surface of the cover plate and including the first side vent passage, the second side vent passage, the first center vent passage, and the second center vent passage.

[0027] The pack housing may include a gas collection space formed at least one of on one side and the other side.

[0028] The gas collection space may communicate with the first side vent passage, the second side vent passage, the first center vent passage, and the second center vent passage.

[0029] The pack housing may include a gas venting device configured to allow the vent gas in the gas collection space to be discharged to the outside of the pack housing.

[0030] The first side vent flow path, the second side vent flow path, the first center vent flow path, and the second center vent flow path may be in the form of grooves formed on the inner surface of the pack cover.

[0031] The first side vent flow path, the second side vent flow path, the first center vent flow path, and the second center vent flow path may each be in the form of grooves formed on one surface of the flow path plate.

[0032] On the flow path plate, the surface opposite to the surface on which the groove is formed may be coupled to the inner surface of the cover plate.

[0033] A plurality of the first side vent flow paths, the second side vent flow paths, the first center vent flow paths, and the second center vent flow paths may be provided along the extension direction of the first side space and the second side space, respectively.

[0034] An automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Effect of the Invention

[0035] According to one aspect of the present invention, a function of forming a vent flow path and controlling the flow of vent gas can be added to a pack cover that is normally used only for covering a pack housing. Specifically, according to such a configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, when a thermal event occurs in each battery module, a flame and vent gas are formed between the upper part of the battery module and the inner surface of the pack cover in a first center vent flow path, a first side vent flow path, a second center vent flow path, and a second side vent flow path, and move to a first side space, a second side space, and a center space along these paths. As a result, the possibility of the thermal event spreading to the adjacent battery module side can be significantly reduced. Further, even when the temperature of the vent gas decreases while the vent gas moves and a flame is generated together with the vent gas, the flame weakens while moving along the vent flow path, so that damage that may occur due to the ejection of the high-temperature vent gas and the flame to the outside can be removed or reduced.

[0036] According to another aspect of the present invention, by configuring different flow paths between adjacent battery modules within the same battery module group, the influence of the high-temperature flame and vent gas generated in the adjacent battery modules on other battery modules can be minimized. When configuring the battery pack, an effective vent flow path can be configured according to the size of the battery pack and the arrangement of the battery modules.

[0037] According to still another aspect of the present invention, vent gas does not move between the accommodation spaces of adjacent battery modules in the first battery module group and between the accommodation spaces of adjacent battery modules in the second battery module group by the first partition wall, and moves through the first center vent flow path, the first side vent flow path, the second center vent flow path, and the second side vent flow path. The vent gas that has moved in this way further moves through the first side space, the center space, and the second side space. While moving in this way, the temperature of the vent gas can decrease and the flame can weaken. When the first partition wall and / or the second partition wall has a substantially hollow beam form, the rigidity can be maintained as it is and the weight can be reduced. The space formed within the first partition wall and / or the second partition wall can be utilized as a space for accommodating electrical components required for the battery module. The electrical components are protected from physical impacts by the first partition wall and / or the second partition wall.

[0038] According to still another aspect of the present invention, the effect of preventing the vent gas from moving into the gap between the partition wall and the pack cover and / or the pack housing can be further improved.

[0039] According to still another aspect of the present invention, when the cover plate and the flow path plate do not have an integrated form and are provided and coupled as separate components from each other, a normal pack cover in which no flow path is formed can be utilized as it is. During the manufacture of the pack cover, the production efficiency can be increased by a method of separately manufacturing and coupling each plate. On the other hand, as described above, when a vent flow path is formed on the inner surface of the pack cover, a decrease in the internal accommodation space of the pack housing due to the formation of the flow path can be minimized.

[0040] According to still another aspect of the present invention, when a large amount of gas is generated at once and the internal pressure of the battery pack increases, the internal pressure of the battery pack can be rapidly decreased by the gas collection space. The gas venting device can discharge the gas in a desired direction. Further, by increasing the capacity that the gas venting device can handle or increasing the number thereof, even if a large amount of vent gas is instantaneously generated, more rapid and smooth gas discharge becomes possible.

[0041] According to still another aspect of the present invention, it is sufficient to simply form a groove without providing another member for forming a vent flow path on the inner surface of the pack cover or the flow path plate, so that the space efficiency in a secondary battery where energy density is important can be enhanced. Since it can be more easily realized than the case of coupling another member for forming a vent flow path to the pack cover or the flow path plate, production is easy.

[0042] In addition, the present invention can have various effects, which will be described in each implementation configuration, or the description thereof will be omitted for effects that can be easily inferred by those skilled in the art.

[0043] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further understand the technical idea of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be construed as being limited only to the matters described in the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0044]

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BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0045] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings attached to this specification illustrate the preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further understand the technical idea of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention to be described later. Therefore, the present invention should not be construed as being limited only to the matters described in such drawings. The same reference numerals indicate the same components. Also, in the drawings, the thickness, ratio, and dimensions of the components may be exaggerated for an effective explanation of the technical content.

[0046] The terms and words used in this specification and the claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings. The inventor himself must interpret them according to the meaning and concept corresponding to the technical idea of the present invention in accordance with the principle that he can appropriately define the concept of the terms in order to explain the invention in the best way.

[0047] In this specification, terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear are used, but such terms indicate relative positions and are for convenience of explanation only. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that they can change depending on the position of the object to be observed and the position of the observer.

[0048] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only the most desirable embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Thus, there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of this application.

[0049] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a view showing the internal space of a pack housing included in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a pack housing 100, a first battery module group 210, a second battery module group 220, and a pack cover 300.

[0051] The pack housing 100 may include a first accommodation space 110, a second accommodation space 120 located apart from the first accommodation space 110, a center space 130 formed between the first accommodation space 110 and the second accommodation space 120, a first side space 140 spaced apart from the center space 130 and adjacent to the first accommodation space 110, and a second side space 150 spaced apart from the center space 130 and adjacent to the second accommodation space 120. The first accommodation space 110 may be disposed opposite to the second accommodation space 120 with the center space 130 therebetween. The first side space 140 may be disposed opposite to the center space 130 with the first accommodation space 110 therebetween. The second side space 150 may be disposed opposite to the center space 130 with the second accommodation space 120 therebetween.

[0052] The first battery module group 210 may include a plurality of battery modules 200 disposed within the first accommodation space 110. The second battery module group 220 may include a plurality of battery modules 200 disposed within the second accommodation space 120. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the first battery module group 210 may include four battery modules 200, and the second battery module group 220 may include four battery modules 200.

[0053] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a battery module included in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 4, the battery module may include battery cells 201. A plurality of battery cells 201 may be provided. The battery cell 201 may mean a secondary battery. The battery cell 201 may include an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, a battery case that houses the electrode assembly and the electrolyte, and a pair of electrode leads that are connected to the electrode assembly and drawn out to the outside of the battery case. The battery cell 201 may be, for example, a pouch-type secondary battery. However, other forms of secondary batteries, such as cylindrical batteries and prismatic batteries, may also be adopted as the battery cell 201 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] When a plurality of battery cells 201 are provided, the plurality of battery cells 201 may be electrically connected. The battery module 200 may further include a bus bar frame assembly 202 for electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells 201. The bus bar frame assembly 202 may include, for example, a pair. In this case, each of the pair of bus bar frame assemblies 202 may be coupled to one side and the other side in the longitudinal direction (the direction parallel to the X axis) of the battery cell 201.

[0056] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a battery module included in a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 5, the battery module may further include a module case. The module case 203 may be configured to accommodate at least one battery cell 201. The module case 203 may be provided with a vent hole 203a. When vent gas is generated from the battery cell 201 housed in the internal space, the vent hole 203a may be configured such that the generated vent gas can be discharged from the inside to the outside of the module case 203.

[0058] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a vent flow path configured to guide vent gas in a pack housing included in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a vent flow path configured to guide vent gas in a pack cover included in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the pack cover 300 may include a first center vent flow path 310, a first side vent flow path 330, a second center vent flow path 320, and a second side vent flow path 340. The first center vent flow path 310 may be configured to guide vent gas generated in some of the battery modules 200 of the first battery module group 210 to the center space 130. The first side vent flow path 330 may be configured to guide vent gas generated in the remaining battery modules 200 of the first battery module group 210 to the first side space 140. The second center vent flow path 320 may be configured to guide vent gas generated in some of the battery modules 200 of the second battery module group 220 to the center space 130. The second side vent flow path 340 may be configured to guide vent gas generated in the remaining battery modules 200 of the second battery module group 220 to the second side space 150. The pack cover 300 may be coupled to the pack housing 100 to form a vent flow path between the upper part of the battery module 200 and the inner surface of the pack cover 300.

[0060] However, FIGS. 6 and 7 show one embodiment among various embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the illustrated vent flow paths. The pack cover 300 may be configured to selectively discharge vent gas generated by each of the plurality of battery modules 200 included in the first battery module group 210 from either one of the first center vent flow path 310 and the first side vent flow path 330. Similarly, the pack cover 300 may be configured to selectively discharge vent gas generated by each of the plurality of battery modules 200 included in the second battery module group 220 from either one of the second center vent flow path 320 and the second side vent flow path 340.

[0061] According to such a configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, in a normal case, by forming a vent flow path in the pack cover 300 that is only used for the purpose of covering the pack housing 100, a function of controlling the flow of vent gas can be added. Specifically, according to such a configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, when a thermal event occurs in each battery module, the flame and the vent gas move along the first center vent flow path 310, the first side vent flow path 330, the second center vent flow path 320, and the second side vent flow path 340 formed between the upper part of the battery module 200 and the inner surface of the pack cover 300 to the first side space 140, the second side space 150, and the center space 130. As a result, the possibility of the thermal event spreading to the adjacent battery module side can be significantly reduced. Also, the temperature of the vent gas drops while the vent gas moves, and even when a flame is generated together with the vent gas, the flame can weaken while moving along the vent flow path. Thereby, damage that may occur due to the ejection of the high-temperature vent gas and the flame to the outside can be removed or reduced.

[0062] The first battery module group 210 may include a first battery module 211 and a second battery module 212 adjacent to each other. The first center vent flow path 310 may be configured to guide vent gas generated in the first battery module 211. The first side vent flow path 330 may be configured to guide vent gas generated in the second battery module 212. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first battery module 211 and the second battery module 212 are not for explaining a specific battery module, but any one of a pair of battery modules adjacent to each other within the first battery module group 210 has the first center vent flow path 310, and the other battery module 212 has the first side vent flow path 330.

[0063] The second battery module group 220 may include a third battery module 221 and a fourth battery module 222 adjacent to each other. The second center vent flow path 320 may be configured to guide vent gas generated in the third battery module 221. The second side vent flow path 340 may be configured to guide vent gas generated in the fourth battery module 222. The third battery module 221 and the fourth battery module 222 are not for explaining a specific battery module, but any one of a pair of battery modules adjacent to each other within the second battery module group 220 has the second center vent flow path 320, and the other battery module 222 has the second side vent flow path 340.

[0064] The first battery module group 210 includes a first battery module 211 and a second battery module 212 adjacent to each other, and the second battery module group 220 may include a third battery module 221 facing the first battery module 211 and a fourth battery module 222 facing the second battery module 212.

[0065] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a vent flow path configured to guide vent gas in a pack housing included in a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a vent flow path configured to guide vent gas in a pack cover included in a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 9, the first center vent flow path 310 is configured to guide vent gas generated in the first battery module, the second center vent flow path 320 is configured to guide vent gas generated in the third battery module, the first side vent flow path 330 is configured to guide vent gas generated in the second battery module, and the second side vent flow path 340 can be configured to guide vent gas generated in the fourth battery module.

[0067] When the pack housing 100 and the pack cover 300 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are coupled, a vent flow path can be formed to guide the flow of vent gas between the first battery module group 210 and the pack cover 300 and between the second battery module group 220 and the pack cover 300. If the battery module located at the end in the positive direction of the Y axis and at the end in the negative direction of the X axis is the first battery module 211, the vent gas generated in the first battery module 211 moves through the first center vent flow path 310, and the vent gas generated in the third battery module 221 located opposite the first battery module 211 can move through the second center vent flow path 320. The vent gas generated in the second battery module 212 adjacent to the first battery module 211 moves through the first side vent flow path 330, and the vent gas generated in the fourth battery module 222 located opposite the second battery module 212 can move through the second side vent flow path 340.

[0068] Similar to the above-described, when the pack housing 100 and the pack cover 300 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 are coupled, a vent flow path for guiding the flow of vent gas can be formed between the first battery module group 210 and the pack cover 300 and between the second battery module group 220 and the pack cover 300. If the battery module that is the second from the last in the positive direction of the Y-axis and is located at the last in the negative direction of the X-axis is defined as the first battery module 211, it will have the same vent gas discharge distribution structure as described above with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0069] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 are configured such that the vent flow paths corresponding to the battery modules adjacent to each other within the same battery module group do not communicate with each other, and the vent flow paths corresponding to the battery modules belonging to different battery module groups and facing each other communicate with each other. However, the present invention is not limited to such a number of battery modules.

[0070] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a vent flow path configured to guide vent gas in a pack housing included in a battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a vent flow path configured to guide vent gas in a pack cover included in a battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a vent flow path configured to guide vent gas in a pack housing included in a battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a vent flow path configured to guide vent gas in a pack cover included in a battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 10 to 13, the first center vent passage 310 is configured to guide the vent gas generated in the first battery module 211, the second side vent passage 340 is configured to guide the vent gas generated in the third battery module 221, the first side vent passage 330 is configured to guide the vent gas generated in the second battery module 212, and the second center vent passage 320 can be configured to guide the vent gas generated in the fourth battery module 222.

[0072] When the pack housing 100 and the pack cover 300 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 are coupled, a vent passage for guiding the flow of vent gas can be formed between the first battery module group 210 and the pack cover 300 and between the second battery module group 220 and the pack cover 300. If the battery module that is the second from the last in the positive direction of the Y-axis and the last in the negative direction of the X-axis is defined as the first battery module 211, the vent gas generated in the first battery module 211 moves through the first center vent passage 310, and the vent gas generated in the third battery module 221 located opposite the first battery module 211 can move through the second side vent passage 340. The vent gas generated in the second battery module 212 adjacent to the first battery module 211 moves through the first center vent passage 310, and the vent gas generated in the fourth battery module 222 located opposite the second battery module 212 can move through the second side vent passage 340.

[0073] Similar to the above-described, when the pack housing 100 and the pack cover 300 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 are coupled, a vent flow path for guiding the flow of vent gas can be formed between the first battery module group 210 and the pack cover 300 and between the second battery module group 220 and the pack cover 300. If the battery module located at the end in the positive direction of the Y-axis and at the end in the negative direction of the X-axis is defined as the first battery module 211, it will have the same vent gas discharge distribution structure as that described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0074] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 10 to 13 are configured such that the vent flow paths corresponding to the battery modules adjacent to each other within the same battery module group do not communicate with each other, and the vent flow paths corresponding to the battery modules belonging to other battery module groups and facing each other also do not communicate with each other. However, the present invention is not limited by the number of such battery modules.

[0075] The pack cover 300 may include a blocking film 301. The blocking film 301 may be provided between the position corresponding to the first side vent flow path 330 and the center space 130. In this case, the communication between the first side vent flow path 330 and the center space 130 can be blocked. The blocking film 301 may be provided between the position corresponding to the first center vent flow path 310 and the first side space 140. In this case, the communication between the first center vent flow path 310 and the first side space 140 can be blocked. The blocking film 301 may be provided between the position corresponding to the second side vent flow path 340 and the center space 130. In this case, the communication between the second side vent flow path 340 and the center space 130 can be blocked. The blocking film 301 may be provided at the position corresponding to the position between the second center vent flow path 320 and the second side space 150. In this case, the communication between the second center vent flow path 320 and the second side space 150 can be blocked.

[0076] According to such a configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, within the same battery module group, adjacent battery modules form different vent flow paths, thereby minimizing the influence of high-temperature flames and vent gases generated in adjacent battery modules on other battery modules. When configuring the battery pack 10, an effective vent flow path can be configured according to the size of the battery pack 10 and the arrangement of the battery modules 200, etc.

[0077] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a first partition wall, a second partition wall, and a third partition wall included in the battery pack 10 according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 14, the battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first partition wall 400a. The first partition wall 400a may be provided at corresponding positions between a pair of adjacent battery modules within the first battery module group 210 and at corresponding positions between a pair of adjacent battery modules within the second battery module group 220. The first partition wall 400a may be configured to block the movement of vent gas between the accommodation spaces of each of the battery modules adjacent to each other in the first battery module group 210 and the movement of vent gas between the accommodation spaces of each of the battery modules adjacent to each other in the second battery module group 220. The first partition wall 400a may be coupled to the pack cover 300 and / or the pack housing 100. The coupling may be mutually coupled by welding, bolting, etc. The first partition wall 400a may be in a substantially hollow beam form.

[0079] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery pack 10 may include a second partition wall 400b. The second partition wall 400b may be provided between the space corresponding to the first side vent flow path 330 and the center space 130 in the internal space of the pack housing 100. The second partition wall 400b may be provided between the space corresponding to the first center vent flow path 310 and the first side space 140. The second partition wall 400b may be provided between the space corresponding to the second side vent flow path 340 and the center space 130. The second partition wall 400b may be provided at a position corresponding to the space between the space corresponding to the second center vent flow path 320 and the second side space 150.

[0080] The second partition wall 400b may be configured to block the movement of vent gas between the space corresponding to the first side vent flow path 330 and the center space 130, between the space corresponding to the first center vent flow path 310 and the first side space 140, between the space corresponding to the second side vent flow path 340 and the center space 130, and between the space corresponding to the second center vent flow path 320 and the second side space 150 in the internal space of the pack housing. The second partition wall 400b may be coupled to the pack cover 300 and / or the pack housing 100. The coupling may be achieved by welding, belt tightening, or the like. The second partition wall 400b may be in the form of a substantially hollow beam.

[0081] The first partition wall 400a and the second partition wall 400b may be at least partially integrally formed with each other. Alternatively, each member may be manufactured separately and then coupled to each other by welding, bolt tightening, or the like.

[0082] According to such a configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, the movement of vent gas between the accommodation spaces of the battery modules adjacent to each other in the first battery module group 210 and between the accommodation spaces of the battery modules adjacent to each other in the second battery module group 220 can be blocked by the first partition wall 400a. As a result, the vent gas comes to move through the first center vent flow path 310, the first side vent flow path 330, the second center vent flow path 320, and the second side vent flow path 340. The vent gas that has moved in this way further comes to move through the first side space 140, the center space 130, and the second side space 150. During such movement, the temperature of the vent gas can decrease and the flame can weaken. When the first partition wall 400a and / or the second partition wall 400b has a substantially hollow beam form, the weight can be reduced while maintaining the rigidity as it is. The space formed within the first partition wall 400a and / or the second partition wall 400b can be utilized as a space for accommodating electrical components required for the battery module. The electrical components can be protected from physical impact by the first partition wall 400a and / or the second partition wall 400b.

[0083] The battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a third partition wall 400c. The third partition wall 400c may be configured to prevent the first center vent flow path 310 and the second center vent flow path 320 from directly communicating within the center space 130. The third partition wall 400c may be coupled to the pack cover 300 and / or the pack housing 100. The coupling may be mutually coupled by welding, bolting, or the like. The third partition wall 400c may have a substantially hollow beam form. The third partition wall 400c may have a space inside. The space formed within the third partition wall 400c can be utilized as a passage through which the wiring connecting the battery modules passes. The wiring can be protected from physical impact by the third partition wall 400c.

[0084] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an exemplary form of a cross-section cut along A - A' of FIG. 2.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 15, the battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a sealing member 500. The sealing member 500 may be provided at least one of between the first partition wall 400a and the pack cover 300 and between the first partition wall 400a and the pack housing 100. The sealing member 500 may be provided not only between the first partition wall 400a, but also at least one of between the second partition wall 400b and / or the third partition wall 400c and the pack cover 300 and between the second partition wall 400b and / or the third partition wall 400c and the pack housing 100. The sealing member 500 may be configured to surround at least a part of the joint portion of the partition wall and the pack cover 300 and / or the pack housing 100.

[0086] According to such a configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, the effect of preventing the movement of the vent gas into the gap between the partition wall and the pack cover 300 and / or the pack housing 100 can be further improved.

[0087] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a cover plate and a flow path plate included in a battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0088] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 16, the pack cover 300 may include a cover plate 300a and a flow path plate 300b. The cover plate 300a may cover the accommodation space of the pack housing 100. The flow path plate 300b may be coupled to the inner surface of the cover plate 300a. The flow path plate 300b may include a first side vent flow path 330, a second side vent flow path 340, a first center vent flow path 310, and a second center vent flow path 320. The flow path plate 300b may be coupled to the inner surface of the cover plate 300a at a position corresponding to the battery module. The cover plate 300a and the flow path plate 300b may be configured to be at least integrated with each other, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to the case where each plate is separately manufactured and then coupled. Also, the first center vent flow path 310, the first side vent flow path 330, the second center vent flow path 320, and the second side vent flow path 340 may be formed at positions corresponding to each battery module in each plate.

[0089] According to such a configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the cover plate 300a and the flow path plate 300b do not have an integrated form and are provided and coupled as separate parts from each other, the pack cover 300 in a normal form in which no flow path is formed can be utilized as it is. In manufacturing the pack cover 300, the production efficiency can be increased by manufacturing each plate separately and then coupling them. On the other hand, as described above, when a vent flow path is formed on the inner surface of the pack cover 300, a decrease in the internal accommodation space of the pack housing 100 due to the formation of the flow path can be minimized.

[0090] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a gas collection space and a vent hole included in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 17, the pack housing 100 may include a gas collection space 600 formed on at least one of one side and the other side. The gas collection space 600 may communicate with the first side vent flow path 330, the second side vent flow path 340, the first center vent flow path 310, and the second center vent flow path 320. The vent gas generated in the battery module may gather in the first side space 140, the center space 130, and the second side space 150 along the first center vent flow path 310, the first side vent flow path 330, the second center vent flow path 320, and the second side vent flow path 340. The vent gas gathered in this way may further move along the first side space 140, the center space 130, and the second side space 150 and gather in the gas collection space 600. The gas collection space 600 may communicate with the first side vent flow path 330, the second side vent flow path 340, the first center vent flow path 310, and the second center vent flow path 320 through the first side space 140, the center space 130, and the second side space 150. For example, the gas collection space 600 may be provided at an end of the pack housing 100 in the longitudinal direction (the positive direction of the Y axis). However, the present invention is not limited to the form, position, and number of the gas collection spaces 600 shown in FIG. 17.

[0092] The pack housing 100 may include a gas venting device 700 so that the vent gas in the gas collection space 600 is discharged to the outside of the pack housing 100. The gas venting device 700 may penetrate the pack housing 100 and may be in the form of a mere hole. Also, not only in a completely open form, but also a specific device that is not completely open and maintains a closed state in a steady state but is opened by changes in pressure, temperature, etc. may be used.

[0093] According to such a configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, when a large amount of gas is generated at once and the internal pressure of the battery pack 10 increases, the internal pressure of the battery pack 10 can be quickly reduced by the gas collection space 600. The gas venting device 700 can discharge the gas in the intended direction, and by increasing the processable capacity of the gas venting device 700 or increasing the number thereof, even if a large amount of vent gas is generated instantaneously, gas discharge can be made more quickly and smoothly.

[0094] FIG. 18 is a view showing a groove provided in a pack cover included in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 18, the first side vent flow path 330, the second side vent flow path 340, the first center vent flow path 310, and the second center vent flow path 320 may be in the form of grooves G formed on the inner surface of the pack cover 300. The first side vent flow path 330, the second side vent flow path 340, the first center vent flow path 310, and the second center vent flow path 320 may be in the form of grooves G formed on the inner surface of the flow path plate 300b. In such a case, the flow path plate 300b may be coupled to the inner surface of the cover plate 300a on the opposite side of the surface where the groove G is formed.

[0096] A plurality of the first side vent flow path 330, the second side vent flow path 340, the first center vent flow path 310, and the second center vent flow path 320 may be provided along the extending direction of the first side vent flow path 330 and the second side vent flow path 340. For this purpose, a plurality of grooves G may be provided.

[0097] According to such an implementation configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is sufficient to form only the groove G without providing another member for forming the vent flow path on the inner surface of the pack cover 300 or the flow path plate 300b, so that the space efficiency in a secondary battery where energy density is important can be improved. It is more easily realizable than coupling another member for forming the vent flow path to the pack cover 300 or the flow path plate 300b, so production is easy.

[0098] Figure 19 is a view showing an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0099] Referring to Figure 19, a battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applicable to an automobile 1 such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. That is, the automobile 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention or a battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the automobile 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include various other components included in the automobile 1 in addition to such battery modules and battery packs 10. For example, the automobile 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a vehicle body, a motor, a control device such as an ECU (electronic control unit), etc. in addition to the battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] As described above, the present invention has been described centering on preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, but it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention from such descriptions. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the claims described to include such various modifications.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0101] 10 Battery pack 100 Pack housing 200 Battery module 201 Battery cell 202 Bus bar frame assembly 203 Module case 203a Vent hole 210 First battery module group 211 First battery module 211 Battery module 212 Second battery module 212 Battery module 220 Second battery module group 221 Third battery module 221 Battery module 222 Fourth battery module 222 Battery module 300 Pack cover 300a Cover plate 300b Flow path plate 301 Blocking film 310 First center vent flow path 320 Second center vent flow path 330 First side vent flow path 340 Second side vent flow path 400a First partition wall 400b Second partition wall 400c Third partition wall 500 Sealing member G groove

Claims

1. A battery pack housing including a first accommodation space, a second accommodation space located apart from the first accommodation space, a center space formed between the first accommodation space and the second accommodation space, a first side space disposed on the opposite side of the center space across the first accommodation space and adjacent to the first accommodation space, and a second side space disposed on the opposite side of the center space across the second accommodation space and adjacent to the second accommodation space; A first battery module group including a plurality of battery modules disposed in the first accommodation space; A second battery module group including a plurality of battery modules disposed in the second accommodation space; A pack cover including a first center vent passage guiding vent gas generated by some of the battery modules in the first battery module group to the center space, a first side vent passage guiding vent gas generated by the remaining battery modules in the first battery module group to the first side space, a second center vent passage guiding vent gas generated by some of the battery modules in the second battery module group to the center space, and a second side vent passage guiding vent gas generated by the remaining battery modules in the second battery module group to the second side space; In the internal space of the pack housing, a second partition disposed at positions corresponding to between the space corresponding to the first side vent passage and the center space, between the space corresponding to the first center vent passage and the first side space, between the space corresponding to the second side vent passage and the center space, and between the space corresponding to the second center vent passage and the second side space, configured to block the movement of vent gas; And a battery pack including the same.

2. The first battery module group includes a first battery module and a second battery module adjacent to each other, and the second battery module group includes a third battery module facing the first battery module and a fourth battery module facing the second battery module. The battery pack according to claim 1 is characterized by this.

3. The first center vent passage guides vent gas generated in the first battery module, and the second center vent passage guides vent gas generated in the third battery module. The first side vent passage guides vent gas generated in the second battery module, and the second side vent passage guides vent gas generated in the fourth battery module. The battery pack according to claim 2 is characterized by this.

4. The first center vent passage guides vent gas generated in the first battery module, and the second side vent passage guides vent gas generated in the third battery module. The first side vent passage guides vent gas generated in the second battery module, and the second center vent passage guides vent gas generated in the fourth battery module. The battery pack according to claim 2 is characterized by this.

5. The first battery module group includes a first battery module and a second battery module adjacent to each other. The first center vent passage guides vent gas generated in the first battery module, and the first side vent passage guides vent gas generated in the second battery module. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is characterized by this.

6. The second battery module group includes a third battery module and a fourth battery module adjacent to each other. The second center vent passage guides vent gas generated in the third battery module, and the second side vent passage guides vent gas generated in the fourth battery module. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that.

7. The battery pack is The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it includes first partition walls respectively disposed at corresponding positions between a pair of battery modules adjacent to each other within the first battery module group and at corresponding positions between a pair of battery modules adjacent to each other within the second battery module group.

8. The battery pack is The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it includes a third partition wall for preventing direct communication between the first center vent passage and the second center vent passage within the center space.

9. The first partition wall is The battery pack according to claim 7, characterized in that it blocks the movement of vent gas between the accommodation spaces of the battery modules adjacent to each other in the first battery module group and the movement of vent gas between the accommodation spaces of the battery modules adjacent to each other in the second battery module group.

10. The second partition wall is The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that it blocks the movement of vent gas between the space corresponding to the first side vent passage and the center space, between the space corresponding to the first center vent passage and the first side space, between the space corresponding to the second side vent passage and the center space, and between the space corresponding to the second center vent passage and the second side space within the internal space of the pack housing.

11. The battery pack according to claim 7, wherein a sealing member is provided between at least one of the first partition wall and the pack cover and between the first partition wall and the pack housing.

12. The pack cover is a cover plate that covers the accommodation space of the pack housing, and a flow path plate that is coupled to the inner surface of the cover plate and includes the first side vent flow path, the second side vent flow path, the first center vent flow path, and the second center vent flow path. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by including.

13. The pack housing is The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by including a gas collection space formed on at least one of one side and the other side.

14. The battery pack according to claim 13, wherein the gas collection space communicates with the first side vent flow path, the second side vent flow path, the first center vent flow path, and the second center vent flow path.

15. The pack housing is The battery pack according to claim 13, characterized by including a gas venting device configured to be able to discharge the vent gas in the gas collection space to the outside of the pack housing.

16. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first side vent flow path, the second side vent flow path, the first center vent flow path, and the second center vent flow path have a form of grooves formed on the inner surface of the pack cover.

17. The first side vent flow path, the second side vent flow path, the first center vent flow path, and the second center vent flow path each have a form of grooves formed on one surface of the flow path plate, The battery pack according to claim 12, wherein the opposite surface of the surface on which the groove is formed of the flow path plate is coupled to the inner surface of the cover plate.

18. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a plurality of the first side vent flow paths, the second side vent flow paths, the first center vent flow paths, and the second center vent flow paths are provided along the extending direction of the first side space and the second side space, respectively.

19. An automobile including the battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

20. A pack housing including a first accommodation space, a second accommodation space located separately from the first accommodation space, a center space formed between the first accommodation space and the second accommodation space, a first side space disposed on the opposite side of the center space across the first accommodation space and adjacent to the first accommodation space, and a second side space disposed on the opposite side of the center space across the second accommodation space and adjacent to the second accommodation space, A first battery module group including a plurality of battery modules disposed in the first accommodation space, A second battery module group including a plurality of battery modules disposed in the second accommodation space, A pack cover including a first center vent flow path for guiding vent gas generated by some of the battery modules in the first battery module group to the center space, a first side vent flow path for guiding vent gas generated by another part of the battery modules in the first battery module group to the first side space, a second center vent flow path for guiding vent gas generated by some of the battery modules in the second battery module group to the center space, and a second side vent flow path for guiding vent gas generated by another part of the battery modules in the second battery module group to the second side space. In the internal space of the pack housing, between the space corresponding to the first side vent flow path and the center space, between the space corresponding to the first center vent flow path and the first side space, between the space corresponding to the second side vent flow path and the center space, and at positions corresponding to between the space corresponding to the second center vent flow path and the second side space, a second partition wall is respectively disposed and configured to block the movement of vent gas. A battery pack including.

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