Battery pack and motor vehicle including the 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 side vent passage, a second side vent passage and a center vent passage configured to guide vent gas generated from 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. 10-2021-0188983 filed on December 27, 2021, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0076628 filed on June 23, 2022, and all of the contents disclosed in the specifications and drawings of the applications are incorporated herein.

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 commercialization of robots, electric vehicles, etc. has become full-scale, research on high-performance secondary batteries capable of repeated charging and discharging has been actively conducted.

[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 for their advantages of almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, free charging and discharging, very low self-discharge rate, and 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, i.e., a battery case, for sealing and housing the electrode assembly together with an electrolytic solution.

[0006] Incidentally, lithium secondary batteries can be classified into can-type secondary batteries in which the electrode assembly is built into a metal can, and pouch-type secondary batteries 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 devices such as automobiles and energy storage systems (ESS) for driving or energy storage. A plurality of such secondary batteries are housed together inside a module case in an electrically connected state to form a single battery module, and such battery modules are electrically further connected 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 problems such as thermal runaway occur in any one of the battery modules, high-temperature vent gas can be discharged from the battery module. If such vent 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 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 aims to control the flow of vent gas in a desired direction by further adding a vent flow path forming structure to a conventional battery pack.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to ensure that high-temperature vent gas ejected during the occurrence of a thermal event in some battery modules 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 pack housing having a first accommodation space, a second accommodation space located apart from the first accommodation space, and a center space formed between the first accommodation space and the second accommodation space, at least one first battery module disposed in the first accommodation space, at least one second battery module disposed in the second accommodation space, a first side vent flow path configured to guide vent gas generated from the first battery module to the center space at a position corresponding to the first battery module, a second side vent flow path configured to guide vent gas generated from the second battery module to the center space at a position corresponding to the second battery module, and a center vent flow path configured to guide vent gas collected on the center space side to the outside of the pack housing at a position corresponding to the center space, and a pack cover configured to cover the battery module in combination with the pack housing.

[0013] The pack housing may include partition walls respectively disposed at positions corresponding to between the first battery modules adjacent to each other and at positions corresponding to between the second battery modules adjacent to each other.

[0014] The partition walls may be coupled to the pack cover so that the movement of vent gas between the accommodation spaces of the respective first battery modules adjacent to each other and the movement of vent gas between the accommodation spaces of the respective second battery modules adjacent to each other are blocked.

[0015] A sealing member may be provided between the partition wall and the pack cover.

[0016] 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 flow path, the second side vent flow path, and the center vent flow path.

[0017] The flow path plate may include a first flow path plate coupled to the inner surface of the cover plate at a position corresponding to the first battery module and including the first side vent flow path, a second flow path plate coupled to the inner surface of the cover plate at a position corresponding to the second battery module and including the second side vent flow path, and a third flow path plate coupled to the inner surface of the cover plate at a position corresponding to the center space and including the center vent flow path.

[0018] The pack housing may include gas collection spaces formed at at least one location on one side and the other side along the extension direction of the center vent flow path.

[0019] The pack housing may include vent holes capable of discharging the vent gas in the gas collection space to the outside of the pack housing.

[0020] The first side vent flow path and the second side vent flow path may be in the form of grooves formed on the inner surface of the pack cover.

[0021] The first side vent flow path and the second side vent flow path each have the form of grooves formed on one surface of the first flow path plate and the second flow path plate, and the first flow path plate and the second flow path plate may be joined to the inner surface of the cover plate with the surface opposite to the surface on which the grooves are formed.

[0022] A plurality of the first side vent flow paths and a plurality of the second side vent flow paths may be provided along the longitudinal direction of the battery pack, respectively.

[0023] The center vent flow path may include a first center vent flow path communicating with the first side vent flow path and a second center vent flow path communicating with the second side vent flow path.

[0024] The third flow path plate may include a first flow path forming portion forming a first center vent flow path communicating with the first side vent flow path, a second flow path forming portion forming a second center vent flow path communicating with the second side vent flow path and not communicating with the first center vent flow path, and a connecting portion connecting the first flow path forming portion and the second flow path forming portion and joined to the inner surface of the cover plate.

[0025] An automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages of the Invention

[0026] According to one aspect of the present invention, when gas is generated inside the battery pack, the gas discharge direction can be appropriately controlled so that the generated vent gas is discharged in a desired direction.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, without significantly changing the overall structure of the battery pack, the discharge direction of the vent gas generated inside the battery pack can be effectively controlled.

[0028] According to still another aspect of the present invention, it is possible to delay or prevent high-temperature vent gas generated from some battery modules in which problems occurred during a thermal event from affecting adjacent battery modules.

[0029] According to still another aspect of the present invention, it is possible to quickly discharge the vent gas.

[0030] According to still another aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a fire or delay the spread rate of a fire.

[0031] According to still another aspect of the present invention, in a secondary battery where energy density is important, the battery modules can be arranged without providing another space for the wiring connecting them, and can be protected from external physical impacts.

[0032] Thereby, when the battery pack according to the present invention is applied to an automobile, the safety of passengers can be more effectively ensured.

[0033] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate desirable embodiments of the present invention, and together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further understand the technical idea of the present 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

[0034]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in this specification and the claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, and the inventors should interpret them in accordance with the meaning and concept corresponding to the technical idea of the present invention in accordance with the principle that they can appropriately define the concept of the terms in order to explain the invention in the best way.

[0036] Therefore, 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. It must be understood that there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace these at the time of this application.

[0037] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a battery pack according to an embodiment.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a pack housing 100, a battery module 200, and a pack cover 300.

[0039] The pack housing 100 has a space formed inside and may be configured to accommodate the battery module 200 in the internal space. For example, the pack housing 100 may include five plates without one side in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped. At this time, at least a part of each plate forming the pack housing 100 may be configured in an integrated form with each other. Or, the five plates may be manufactured separately and then coupled to each other by welding or bolting. The pack housing 100 may include a metal material such as aluminum, for example. However, the present invention is not limited to such a specific material of the pack housing 100.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, the pack housing 100 includes a first accommodation space 110, a second accommodation space 120 located apart from the first accommodation space 110, and a center space 130 formed between the first accommodation space 110 and the second accommodation space 120. The first accommodation space 110 may be arranged to face the second accommodation space 120 with the center space 130 interposed therebetween.

[0041] The battery module 200 includes at least one first battery module 210 disposed in the first accommodation space 110 and at least one second battery module 220 disposed in the second accommodation space 120. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the first accommodation space 110 may be provided with four first battery modules 210, and the second accommodation space 120 may be provided with four second battery modules 220.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 4, the battery module 200 may include battery cells 201. A plurality of the 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.

[0043] When a plurality of the 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 be provided, for example, in 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 of the battery cell 201.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 5, the battery module 200 may further include a module case 203. The module case 203 may be configured to accommodate at least one of the battery cells 201. The module case 203 may be provided with a vent hole 203a. Such a vent hole 203a may be configured such that when vent gas is generated from the battery cell 201 stored in the internal space, the generated vent gas can be discharged from the inside of the module case 203 to the outside.

[0045] The pack cover 300 is configured to be coupled to the pack housing 100 to cover the battery module 200. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 6 together, the pack cover 300 is configured to be coupled to the pack housing 100 to form a first side vent flow path 310, a second side vent flow path 320, and a center vent flow path 330 in the internal space of the pack housing 100. The first side vent flow path 310 is configured to guide vent gas generated from the first battery module 210 to the center space 130 at a position corresponding to the first battery module 210. The second side vent flow path 320 is configured to guide vent gas generated from the second battery module 220 to the center space 130 at a position corresponding to the second battery module 220. The center vent flow path 330 is configured to guide the vent gas collected on the center space 130 side from the inside of the pack housing 100 to the outside at a position corresponding to the center space 130. The first side vent flow path 310, the second side vent flow path 320, and the center vent flow path 330 may be formed on the inner surface of the pack cover 300.

[0046] According to such a configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, in a normal case, a vent passage can be formed in the pack cover 300 that is only used for the purpose of covering the pack housing 100, and 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 200, the flame and the vent gas move along the first side vent passage 310 and the second side vent passage 320 formed between the upper part of the battery module 200 and the inner surface of the pack cover 300 to 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, according to such a configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, the gas collected in the center space 130 further moves along the center vent passage 330 formed on the inner surface of the pack cover 300. Therefore, the temperature of the vent gas decreases during movement, and even when a flame is generated together with the vent gas, the flame can weaken while moving along the vent passage. As a result, damage that may occur due to the ejection of the high-temperature vent gas and the flame to the outside can be prevented.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 7, the pack housing 100 may include partition walls 140 respectively disposed at positions corresponding to between the adjacent first battery modules 210 and at positions corresponding to between the adjacent second battery modules 220. According to such a configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, each independent accommodation space of the plurality of first battery modules 210 is provided, and similarly, each independent accommodation space of the plurality of second battery modules 220 may be provided.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the partition wall 140 can be coupled to the pack cover 300 so as to block the movement of vent gas between the accommodation spaces of each of the adjacent first battery modules 210 and the movement of vent gas between the accommodation spaces of each of the adjacent second battery modules 220. By coupling with the pack cover 300, the partition wall 140 can block the movement of vent gas between the accommodation spaces of each of the adjacent battery modules 200. The coupling can be performed by welding, bolting, or the like.

[0049] According to such an implementation configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, due to the partition wall 140, the accommodation spaces between each of the adjacent first battery modules 210 and the accommodation spaces between each of the adjacent second battery modules 220 are structurally isolated from each other. The vent gas generated from each battery module does not move to the adjacent battery module side, but only moves in the direction toward the center space 130 through the first side vent flow path 310 and the second side vent flow path 320. The vent gas collected in the center space 130 in this way will move through the center vent flow path 330. While moving in this way, the temperature of the vent gas decreases and the flame weakens, thereby minimizing the influence of the high-temperature flame and vent gas generated from each battery module on other battery modules.

[0050] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, a sealing member 150 may be provided between the partition wall 140 and the pack cover 300. The sealing member 150 may be configured to at least partially surround the coupling portion between the partition wall 140 and the pack cover 300.

[0051] According to such a configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, the effect of preventing the movement of vent gas into the gap between the partition wall 140 and the pack cover 300 can be further improved.

[0052] On the one hand, the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an additional partition wall 141 for defining the accommodation space of the first battery module 210 and the accommodation space of the second battery module 220. In this case, the additional partition wall 141 for defining the accommodation space of the first battery module 210 may have a form that extends long along the extension direction of the center vent flow path 330. Thereby, the accommodation space of the first battery module 210 may be formed by the pack housing 100 and the additional partition wall 141. Similarly, the additional partition wall 141 for defining the accommodation space of the second battery module 220 may have a form that extends long along the extension direction of the center vent flow path 330. Thereby, the accommodation space of the second battery module 220 may be formed by the pack housing 100 and the additional partition wall 141. The additional partition wall 141 for defining the accommodation space of the first battery module 210 and the additional partition wall 141 for defining the accommodation space of the second battery module 220 may be spaced apart from each other, and the center space 130 may be formed therebetween. The additional partition wall 141 is formed so as to be hollow inside, and the weight can be reduced while maintaining the rigidity as it is. Therefore, a high energy density can be achieved in a secondary battery where energy density is important.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 9 together with FIGS. 1 and 2, the pack cover 300 may include a cover plate 340 and a flow path plate 350. The cover plate 340 may be configured to cover the accommodation space of the pack housing 100. The flow path plate 350 may be coupled to the inner surface of the cover plate 340 and may include the first side vent flow path 310, the second side vent flow path 320, and the center vent flow path 330.

[0054] The flow path plate 350 may include a first flow path plate 351, a second flow path plate 352, and a third flow path plate 353. The first flow path plate 351 may be coupled to the inner surface of the cover plate 340 at a position corresponding to the first battery module 210. The first flow path plate 351 may include a first side vent flow path 310. The second flow path plate 352 may be coupled to the inner surface of the cover plate 340 at a position corresponding to the second battery module 220. The second flow path plate 352 may include a second side vent flow path 320. The third flow path plate 353 may be coupled to the inner surface of the cover plate 340 at a position corresponding to the center space 130. The third flow path plate 353 may include a center vent flow path 330. At this time, at least a part of the cover plate 340, the first flow path plate 351, the second flow path plate 352, and the third flow path plate 353 may be configured in an integrated form, but the present invention is not limited to the case where each plate is separately manufactured and then coupled. Also, the side vent flow path and the center vent flow path may be formed at positions corresponding to each battery module on each plate.

[0055] In particular, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the cover plate 340 and the flow path plate 350 do not have an integrated form and are provided and coupled as separate components, the normal pack cover 300 without a formed flow path can be directly utilized. Also, according to the configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention as described above, during the manufacture of the pack cover 300, the production efficiency can be increased by separately manufacturing and coupling each plate. On the other hand, as described above, when the vent flow paths 310, 320, 330 are formed on the inner surface of the pack cover 300, the reduction in the internal accommodation space of the pack housing 100 due to the formation of the flow paths can be minimized, and thus, efficient space utilization is possible in a secondary battery where energy density is important.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 10 together with FIGS. 6 and 9, the pack housing 100 may be configured to include a gas collection space 160 at at least one of one side and the other side along the extension direction of the center vent passage 330. The vent gas generated from the battery module 200 moves through the first side vent passage 310 and the second side vent passage 320, and the vent gas thus collected in the center space 130 moves through the center vent passage 330 and gathers in the gas collection space 160. For example, the gas collection space 160 may be provided at the longitudinal end of the pack housing 100 parallel to the extension direction of the center vent passage 330. Further, the pack housing 100 may include a vent hole 170 so that the vent gas in the gas collection space 160 can be discharged to the outside of the pack housing 100. The vent hole 170 may have a form penetrating the pack housing 100. Also, not only in a completely open form, but also in a form that is not completely open, closed in a steady state, and can be opened by changes in pressure, temperature, etc. is possible. However, the present invention is not limited to the form, position, and number of the gas collection spaces 160 shown in FIG. 10, nor is it limited to the shape of such vent holes 170.

[0057] According to such an implementation configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, when a large amount of vent gas is generated at once and the internal pressure of the battery pack increases, the internal pressure of the battery pack can be quickly reduced by the gas collection space 160 having a relatively larger volume than the side vent passages 310, 320 and the center vent passage 330. Also, the vent gas can be discharged in the intended direction from the vent hole 170, and even if a large amount of vent gas is generated instantaneously by increasing the size or the number of the vent holes 170, more rapid and smooth gas discharge is possible.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 11 together with FIGS. 6 and 9, the first side vent channel 310 and the second side vent channel 320 may have a groove form G formed on the inner surface of the pack cover 300. The first side vent channel 310 and the second side vent channel 320 may each have the form of a groove G formed on one surface of the first channel plate 351 and the second channel plate 352, respectively.

[0059] In such a case, the first channel plate 351 and the second channel plate 352 may be coupled to the inner surface of the cover plate 340 with the surfaces opposite to the surfaces on which the grooves G are formed. According to such an implementation configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is sufficient to form only the grooves without providing another member for forming the side vent channels on the inner surface of the pack cover or the plate, so that the space efficiency in the secondary battery where the energy density is important can be enhanced. Also, in this case, it is easier to implement than in the case of coupling another member for forming the side vent channels to the pack cover or the channel plate, so production is easy.

[0060] A plurality of the grooves G may be provided. In this case, the plurality of grooves G may be spaced apart from each other along a direction substantially perpendicular to the extension direction of the first vent channel 310 and the second vent channel 320, that is, a direction substantially parallel to the extension direction of the center vent channel 330. Accordingly, a plurality of the first side vent channels 310 and the second side vent channels 320 may be provided along a direction substantially parallel to the extension direction of the center vent channel 330. The plurality of the first side vent channels 310 and the second side vent channels 320 may be spaced apart from each other along a direction substantially parallel to the extension direction of the center vent channel 330. The vent gas generated in the battery module 200 may move through the first side vent channel 310 and the second side vent channel 320 in the form of grooves G formed between the battery module 200 and the inner surface of the pack cover 300.

[0061] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a gas movement channel in a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the battery pack may include a first center vent passage 331 communicating with the first side vent passage 310 and a second center vent passage 332 communicating with the second side vent passage 320.

[0063] In this case, the vent gas generated from the first battery module 210 is collected in the center space 130 along the first side vent passage 310 and then moves along the first center vent passage 331. Independently, the vent gas generated from the second battery module 220 is collected in the center space 130 along the second side vent passage 320 and then moves along the second center vent passage 332.

[0064] The third flow path plate 353 may include a first flow path forming portion 353a that forms a first center vent flow path 331 communicating with the first side vent flow path 310, a second flow path forming portion 353b that forms the second center vent flow path 332, and a connecting portion 353c that connects between the first flow path forming portion 353a and the second flow path forming portion 353b and is coupled to the inner surface of the cover plate 340. It may have a form that extends long along the extending direction of the center vent flow path 330. The first flow path forming portion 353a may be positioned at a predetermined distance from the inner surface of the cover plate 340. Thereby, the first center vent flow path 331 may be formed in the space surrounded by the first flow path forming portion 353a, the cover plate 340, and the connecting portion 353c. Similarly, the second flow path forming portion 353b may be positioned at a predetermined distance from the inner surface of the cover plate 340. Thereby, the second center vent flow path 332 may be formed in the space surrounded by the second flow path forming portion 353b, the cover plate 340, and the connecting portion 353c. For the smooth communication between the first side vent flow path 310 and the first center vent flow path 331, the first flow path forming portion 353a may be positioned at a height corresponding to the height (the length extending in the direction parallel to the Z-axis) of the battery cell 201 standing and disposed in the pack housing 100. Similarly, for the smooth communication between the second side vent flow path 320 and the second center vent flow path 332, the second flow path forming portion 353b may be positioned at a height corresponding to the height (the length extending in the direction parallel to the Z-axis) of the battery cell 201 standing and disposed in the pack housing 100.

[0065] According to such an implementation configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, the vent gas generated in the first accommodation space 110 no longer affects the second battery module 220 accommodated in the second accommodation space 120. Similarly, the vent gas generated in the second accommodation space 120 no longer affects the first battery module 210 accommodated in the first accommodation space 110. Therefore, according to such an implementation configuration, the diffusion of events within the battery pack can be efficiently prevented. That is, the high-temperature flame and vent gas generated in the first battery module 210 within the first accommodation space 110 move through the first center vent flow path 331, so they do not affect the second battery module 220 within the second accommodation space 120. Similarly, the high-temperature flame and vent gas generated in the second battery module 220 within the second accommodation space 120 move through the second center vent flow path 332, so they no longer affect the first battery module 210 within the first accommodation space 110. Also, since the vent flow path is formed only at the upper end of the center space 130, it can be utilized as a passage through which the wiring connecting the battery modules passes through the hollow space of the additional partition wall 141 that occupies a large volume of the center space 130. Also, the wiring can be protected from physical impact by the additional partition wall 141.

[0066] The battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention is applicable to automobiles such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. That is, an automobile 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 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Also, an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include various other components included in the automobile in addition to such battery modules and battery packs. For example, an automobile 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 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0067] 100 Pack housing 140 and 141 partition walls 150 sealing member 170 vent hole 200 battery module 201 battery cell 202 bus bar frame assembly 203 module case 203a vent hole 210 first battery module 220 second battery module 300 pack cover 310 first side vent flow path 320 second side vent flow path 330 center vent flow path 331 first center vent flow path 332 second center vent flow path 340 cover plate 350 flow path plate 351 first flow path plate 352 second flow path plate 353 third flow path plate 353a first flow path forming part 353b second flow path forming part 353c connecting part G groove

Claims

1. A pack housing including a first accommodation space, a second accommodation space located apart from the first accommodation space, and a center space formed between the first accommodation space and the second accommodation space; A plurality of first battery modules disposed in the first accommodation space; A plurality of second battery modules disposed in the second accommodation space; A first side vent flow path that guides vent gas generated from the first battery module to the center space at a position corresponding to the first battery module, a second side vent flow path that guides vent gas generated from the second battery module to the center space at a position corresponding to the second battery module, and a center vent flow path that guides vent gas collected on the center space side to the outside of the pack housing at a position corresponding to the center space, and a pack cover configured to cover the first battery module and the second battery module in combination with the pack housing; including; The pack housing, includes partition walls respectively disposed at positions corresponding to between the first battery modules adjacent to each other and at positions corresponding to between the second battery modules adjacent to each other; The first side vent flow path is formed between an upper portion of the first battery module and an inner surface of the pack cover, and the second side vent flow path is formed between an upper portion of the second battery module and the inner surface of the pack cover; The partition wall divides the first side vent flow path into independent accommodation spaces corresponding to each of the plurality of first battery modules and divides the second side vent flow path into independent accommodation spaces corresponding to each of the plurality of second battery modules, a battery pack.

2. The partition wall, The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein movement of vent gas between the accommodation spaces of each of the first battery modules adjacent to each other and movement of vent gas between the accommodation spaces of each of the second battery modules adjacent to each other are blocked by coupling with the pack cover.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein a sealing member is provided between the partition wall and the pack cover.

4. The pack cover includes a cover plate that covers 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 flow path, the second side vent flow path, and the center vent flow path. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The flow path plate includes a first flow path plate coupled to the inner surface of the cover plate at a position corresponding to the first battery module and including the first side vent flow path, a second flow path plate coupled to the inner surface of the cover plate at a position corresponding to the second battery module and including the second side vent flow path, and a third flow path plate coupled to the inner surface of the cover plate at a position corresponding to the center space and including the center vent flow path. The battery pack according to claim 4.

6. The pack housing includes a gas collection space formed at at least one location on one side and the other side along the extension direction of the center vent flow path. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The pack housing The battery pack according to claim 6, further comprising a vent hole for discharging the vent gas in the gas collection space to the outside of the pack housing.

8. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first side vent flow path and the second side vent flow path are in the form of grooves formed on the inner surface of the pack cover.

9. Each of the first side vent flow path and the second side vent flow path has a form of a groove formed on one surface of the first flow path plate and the second flow path plate. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein the first flow path plate and the second flow path plate are coupled to the inner surface of the cover plate with the surfaces opposite to the surfaces on which the grooves are formed.

10. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of the first side vent flow paths and a plurality of the second side vent flow paths are respectively provided along the longitudinal direction of the battery pack.

11. The center vent flow path includes a first center vent flow path communicating with the first side vent flow path, and a second center vent flow path communicating with the second side vent flow path. The battery pack according to claim 5 is characterized by this.

12. The third flow path plate includes a first flow path forming portion forming a first center vent flow path communicating with the first side vent flow path, and a second flow path forming portion forming a second center vent flow path communicating with the second side vent flow path and not communicating with the first center vent flow path. The battery pack according to claim 11 is characterized by including a connecting portion connecting the first flow path forming portion and the second flow path forming portion and coupling to the inner surface of the cover plate.

13. An automobile comprising the battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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