Battery Module Assembly with Fire Extinguishing Function and Battery Pack Containing the Same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module assembly having a fire extinguishing function and a battery pack including the same, and more particularly, to a battery module assembly including a battery pack including the same, the battery module including a plurality of battery cells, a fire detection sensor provided on the outside of the battery module, a cover member for accommodating the battery module and the fire detection sensor, and a pump connected to the cover member so as to exhaust air inside the cover member to the outside when a fire signal is received from the fire detection sensor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0070943 filed on June 10, 2022, and all the contents disclosed in the literature of the Korean patent application are included as part of this specification.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module assembly having a fire extinguishing function and a battery pack including the same. Specifically, the present invention relates to a battery module assembly having a fire extinguishing function capable of preventing a fire from spreading to battery module assemblies in the vicinity when a fire occurs inside the battery module assembly, and a battery pack including the same.

Background Art

[0003] Recently, due to air pollution caused by the use of fossil fuels and the development of alternative energy due to energy depletion, the demand for secondary batteries capable of storing electrical energy produced has been increasing. Rechargeable secondary batteries are closely used in daily life, such as being used in mobile devices, electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, etc.

[0004] As an energy source for various electronic devices that are indispensable in modern society, secondary batteries are increasing in required capacity due to the increasing usage and complexity of mobile devices and the development of electric vehicles, etc. To meet the needs of users, a large number of battery cells are arranged in small devices, but battery modules that electrically connect a large number of battery cells or battery packs having a large number of such battery modules are used in vehicles, etc.

[0005] On the other hand, battery cells may generate high temperature or fire due to various causes such as overcharging, overcurrent, or external impact, which may spread to nearby battery cells or battery modules and cause secondary damage.

[0006] Therefore, in order to prevent the above-described secondary damage and the like, an excellent battery having a function capable of suppressing a fire in the initial stage is required.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a battery storage system according to the prior art. As shown in FIG. 1, the battery storage system according to the prior art includes a storage box body 10, a storage portion 20 for storing batteries, a vacuum pump 30, an exhaust pipeline 40 connecting the storage portion 20 and the vacuum pump 30, and a fire extinguishing portion 50 for suppressing a fire.

[0008] In the battery storage system according to the prior art, the storage portion 20 storing the batteries is connected to the vacuum pump 30 via the exhaust pipeline 40. When a fire in the storage portion 20 is detected, the vacuum pump 30 operates to make the storage portion 20 in a vacuum state to primarily suppress the fire.

[0009] However, since a plurality of storage portions 20 are connected to one vacuum pump 30, there is a problem that it is difficult to individually manage each storage portion 20.

[0010] In addition, since the storage portion 20 is difficult to deform in shape, not only a large installation space is required, but also it is not easy to maintain a vacuum state, and in particular, it has a structure in which heat generated in the battery cells is difficult to discharge.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0011]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0012] In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module assembly having a fire extinguishing function that can suppress a fire in the battery module assembly and prevent it from spreading to adjacent battery module assemblies when a fire occurs in a battery cell housed inside the battery module assembly, and a battery pack including the same.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery module assembly having a fire extinguishing function that can reliably discharge the air near the battery module and further improve space utilization, and a battery pack including the same.

[0014] Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module assembly having a fire extinguishing function having a structure that can discharge generated hot air to the outside when the battery module operates normally, and a battery pack including the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0015] In order to achieve the above object, a battery module assembly having a fire extinguishing function according to the present invention includes a battery module (100) that houses a plurality of battery cells, a fire detection sensor (200) provided outside the battery module (100), a cover member (300) that houses the battery module (100) and the fire detection sensor (200), and a pump (400) that is connected to the cover member (300) so as to discharge the air inside the cover member (300) to the outside when receiving a fire signal from the fire detection sensor (200).

[0016] Also, in the battery module assembly according to the present invention, the cover member (300) includes a cover body (310) and an extending portion (320) that connects the cover body (310) and the pump (400).

[0017] Further, in the battery module assembly according to the present invention, a connecting portion (500) composed of a bus bar or a wire extending a predetermined length is provided on one side of the battery module (100), and a through hole (311) is formed in the cover body (310) so that the connecting portion (500) is exposed to the outside.

[0018] Further, in the battery module assembly according to the present invention, an opening (312) for the battery module (100) to enter and exit is formed in the cover body (310), and an opening / closing door (330) is provided in the opening (312).

[0019] Further, in the battery module assembly according to the present invention, the opening / closing door (330) is larger than the opening (312), and a part of the opening / closing door (330) is fixed to the outer surface of the cover body (310).

[0020] Further, in the battery module assembly according to the present invention, the opening / closing door (330) is of a check valve type in which the opening (312) is closed when the pump (400) sucks the air inside the cover member (300), and the opening (312) can be opened when the pump (400) supplies external air to the inside of the cover member (300).

[0021] Further, in the battery module assembly according to the present invention, the cover body (310) and the extending portion (320) are made of a heat-resistant or flame-retardant material.

[0022] Further, in the battery module assembly according to the present invention, the cover body (310) and the extending portion (320) have flexibility.

[0023] Also, in the battery module assembly according to the present invention, the cover body (310) and the extending portion (320) include any one or more of bromine-based flame retardants, silicon, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, ABS resin, and polyethylene terephthalate.

[0024] Further, the present invention can be a battery pack including a plurality of battery module assemblies having the above-described characteristics.

[0025] Also, the operation method of the battery pack according to the present invention includes a first step of monitoring the presence or absence of a fire using a fire detection sensor provided in each of the battery module assemblies, and a second step of discharging the air of the battery module assembly to the outside when a fire is detected.

[0026] Also, in the battery pack operation method according to the present invention, in the first step, a step of supplying external air to each of the battery module assemblies is carried out together.

Advantages of the Invention

[0027] As described above, the battery module assembly according to the present invention has an advantage that it can prevent secondary damages such as the spread of fire by suppressing the fire with the pump creating a vacuum inside the cover member when a fire occurs.

[0028] Also, since the cover member of the battery module assembly according to the present invention is made of a material having elasticity and flexibility, it can not only improve the space utilization and contribute to the improvement of the energy density, but also expect an excellent sealing effect, so there is an advantage that reliable fire extinguishing can be ensured.

[0029] Furthermore, the cover member of the battery module assembly according to the present invention is provided with an opening and a door, and thus, when the battery module operates normally, it has a structure that allows air to circulate, so there is an advantage that the cooling performance can be minimized from deteriorating.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0031] Hereinafter, based on the accompanying drawings, embodiments that can be easily implemented by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs will be described in detail. However, when it is determined that a detailed description of related known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention in explaining the operating principle of preferred embodiments of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0032] Also, the same reference numerals are used for parts having similar functions and operations throughout the drawings. Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be connected to another part, this includes not only the case where they are directly connected, but also the case where they are indirectly connected with other elements interposed therebetween. Further, including a certain component means that, unless otherwise specified to the contrary, it does not exclude other components and can further include other components.

[0033] Hereinafter, a battery module assembly having a fire extinguishing function according to the present invention and a battery pack including the same will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a battery module according to the present invention is housed in a cover member, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cover member according to the present invention viewed in one side direction, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cover member shown in FIG. 3 viewed in the other side direction.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the battery module assembly according to the present invention includes a battery module 100, a fire detection sensor 200, a cover member 300, a pump 400, and a connecting portion 500.

[0036] First, in the battery module 100, a plurality of battery cells are housed inside a module case and are connected in series or in parallel via a bus bar or the like.

[0037] Here, the battery cell includes a cell assembly, a cell case for housing the cell assembly, and a pair of leads.

[0038] The cell assembly can be composed of, but is not limited to, a jelly roll type cell assembly having a structure in which a separator is interposed between a long sheet-like negative electrode and a positive electrode and then wound, a stack type cell assembly composed of unit cells having a structure in which rectangular positive and negative electrodes are laminated with a separator interposed therebetween, a stack-folding type cell assembly in which unit cells are wound by a long separation film, or a lamination-stack type cell assembly in which unit cells are laminated with a separator interposed therebetween and adhered to each other.

[0039] The cell assembly as described above is incorporated in a cell case, and the cell case usually has a laminate sheet structure of an inner layer / metal layer / external layer. Since the inner layer is in direct contact with the cell assembly, it must have insulation and electrolyte resistance, and also, for sealing against the outside, it must have sealing properties, that is, the sealing part where the inner layers are thermally adhered to each other must have excellent thermal adhesion strength. As materials for such an inner layer, polyolefin resins such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene acrylic acid, and polybutylene, polyurethane resins, and polyimide resins, which are excellent in chemical resistance and also in sealing properties, can be selected, but are not limited thereto, and polypropylene, which is excellent in mechanical physical properties such as tensile strength, rigidity, surface hardness, and impact resistance and in chemical resistance, is most preferable.

[0040] The metal layer in contact with the inner layer corresponds to a barrier layer that prevents moisture and various gases from penetrating into the battery from the outside. As a suitable material for such a metal layer, a thin aluminum film that is light and has excellent formability can be used.

[0041] And an external layer is provided on the other side of the metal layer. As such an external layer, a heat-resistant polymer excellent in tensile strength, moisture permeation prevention, and air permeation prevention can be used so as to ensure heat resistance and chemical resistance while protecting the electrode assembly. As an example, nylon or polyethylene terephthalate can be used, but is not limited thereto.

[0042] On one hand, the lead consisting of the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead has a structure in which the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab of the cell assembly are electrically connected and then exposed outside the case. Since the battery cell as described above corresponds to a generally known configuration, a more detailed description is omitted.

[0043] One or more fire detection sensors 200 are located outside or inside the battery module 100, can detect a fire occurring in the battery cells inside the battery module 100, and transmit a signal measured by a wired or wireless method to an external control unit (not shown).

[0044] For example, in FIG. 2, the fire detection sensor 200 is shown as being located on the upper surface of the battery module 100, but this is only an example, and it is obvious that it can also be located on the side surface of the battery module as long as it can detect a fire occurring in the battery module 100.

[0045] Here, the fire detection sensor 200 can be classified into many types according to its operating method. As an example, there can be a differential type fire detector, a fixed temperature type fire detector, and a photoelectric smoke detector.

[0046] The differential type fire detector is a type of fire detector that senses a temperature rise. When the rate of temperature rise per unit time is above a reference value, it senses the occurrence of a fire and sends out a fire occurrence signal. And it can be classified into type 1, type 2, and type 3 according to sensitivity and performance, and can also be classified into spot type and distributed type according to the physical range area it senses.

[0047] Also, the fixed temperature type fire detector is a fire detector that operates when the temperature reaches a certain level or higher, and there are bimetal type and sensing wire type. The bimetal type uses the thermal deformation of the bimetal to move the contact to send a signal, and the sensing wire type uses two piano wires as sensing wires with plastic as the boundary. When a fire occurs, the plastic melts and the piano wires are brought into contact to send a signal.

[0048] In addition, a photoelectric smoke detector is a fire detector that operates by the inflow of smoke generated during a fire into the detector, causing a change in the amount of light received by a photoelectric element by scattering infrared light emitted from a light-emitting diode provided inside the detector. It is used in places where faster detection is required, such as indoors that are sealed like a warehouse where incomplete combustion is likely to occur, or places related to electricity.

[0049] The differential type fire detector, fixed temperature type fire detector, and photoelectric smoke detector described above are merely examples, and are not limited to these as long as they are sensors capable of detecting a fire occurring in the battery module 100.

[0050] And, it is preferable that the above-described fire detector receives power from the battery module.

[0051] Next, the cover member 300 will be described. The cover member 300 includes a cover body 310, an extending portion 320, and an opening / closing door 330.

[0052] First, the cover body 310 has an interior that is hollow so as to surround the outside of the battery module 100, and preferably has flexibility so that the air near the battery module 100 can be easily discharged.

[0053] Also, the cover body 310 is provided with one or more through holes 311, an opening 312, and a support portion 313. Specifically, the one or more through holes 311 are provided on one side surface of the cover body 310 and are for exposing an external connection portion 500 such as a bus bar or a wire that is electrically connected to the battery module 100.

[0054] The opening 312 is located on the other side surface of the cover body 310, corresponds to an entrance / exit for storing and separating the battery module 100, and is utilized as an outlet for air circulation when the battery module operates normally.

[0055] Here, the area of the opening 312 is not particularly limited, and it is sufficient as long as the battery module 100 can enter and exit.

[0056] The support portion 313 is located on the inner or outer surface of the cover body 310 along the edge of the opening 312, and preferably has a flat plate shape made of a material such as metal or silicon that has heat resistance and a strength of a certain value or more and has little shape deformation.

[0057] When the support portion 313 is configured as described above, it is advantageous to fix a part of the opening / closing door 330. Further, when discharging the internal air of the cover body 310, the cover body 310 and the opening / closing door 330 can be in close contact with each other, so that it can contribute to rapid fire suppression.

[0058] Next, one side of the extending portion 320 extends outward from one side of the cover body 310 by a predetermined length, and a pump 400 is connected to the other side. Such an extending portion 320 acts as a moving passage for air supplied to or discharged from the inside of the cover body 310.

[0059] On the other hand, the cover body 310 and the extending portion 320 are preferably made of a heat-resistant or flame-retardant material that can minimize damage even if a fire occurs in the battery module 100. Specifically, it can include one or more of bromine-based flame retardants, silicon, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, ABS resin, and polyethylene terephthalate, but is not limited to these materials as long as they can perform the same function.

[0060] The opening / closing door 330 is provided on the other side surface of the cover body 310, that is, near the opening 312. More specifically, the opening / closing door 330 has an area larger than the area of the opening 312, and the upper edge portion is fixed to the outer surface of the support portion 313, but the remaining edge portions are not fixed.

[0061] Therefore, when the pump 400 sucks the air inside the cover member 300, the opening 312 is closed, and conversely, when the pump 400 supplies external air to the inside of the cover member 300, the opening 312 is opened. Thus, the opening and closing door 330 operates as a check valve type.

[0062] Here, the opening and closing door 330 and the support portion 313 can be fixed via known coupling means such as an adhesive, tape, and a hinge. However, as long as the opening and closing door 330 and the support portion 313 can be fixed to each other, these fixing methods are not particularly limited.

[0063] Also, in the attached FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper edge portion of the opening and closing door 330 is shown as being fixed to the support portion 313. However, the lower edge portion or the side edge portion can also be fixed to the support portion 313.

[0064] Similar to the support portion 313, the opening and closing door 330 preferably has a flat plate shape made of a material such as metal or silicon that has heat resistance and a strength equal to or greater than a certain value, resulting in little shape deformation.

[0065] Next, the pump 400 is connected to the other end of the extending portion 320, and discharges the air inside the cover body 310 to the outside to make the inside of the cover body 310 in a vacuum state, or allows the outside air to flow into the inside of the cover body 310, thereby releasing the heat generated in the battery module 100 to the outside.

[0066] A device that requires power, or a connecting portion 500 for electrically connecting a plurality of battery modules 100 can be composed of a bus bar or a wire. One side is connected to the battery module 100, and the other side penetrates through the through hole 311 of the cover body 310 and is exposed to the outside.

[0067] Also, when it is necessary to transmit the information measured by the fire detection sensor 200 to a control unit (not shown) located outside in a wired manner, a signal transmission cable (not shown) can be further included in the connecting portion 500.

[0068] On one hand, in order to maintain the airtightness of the cover body 310, it is preferable that a sealing adhesive G is applied or adhered to the portion where the through-hole 311 and the connecting portion 500 are in contact. It is more preferable that it is any one of an epoxy resin and silicon which are heat-resistant materials, but it is not limited to these materials as long as the same function can be achieved.

[0069] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the present invention can be a battery pack including a plurality of battery module assemblies described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 5, in the battery pack according to the present invention, a plurality of battery module assemblies arranged side by side in the horizontal direction are arranged in two rows. Here, the opening and closing doors 330 of each battery module assembly can be positioned to face each other.

[0071] For example, in FIG. 5, the battery pack is shown as being composed of six battery module assemblies, but this is only an example, and it is obvious that the number of battery module assemblies can be changed as much as required by the amount of power required by the device.

[0072] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation method of a battery pack according to the present invention.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 6 to explain the operation method of the battery pack, it can include a first step of monitoring the presence or absence of a fire using a fire detection sensor provided in each of the battery module assemblies, and a second step of discharging the air of the battery module assembly to the outside when a fire is detected.

[0074] First, the first step of monitoring the presence or absence of a fire using a fire detection sensor provided in each of the battery module assemblies is to confirm and monitor the occurrence of a fire in the battery module via the fire detection sensor located outside the battery module.

[0075] If it is determined by the fire detection sensor that the battery module is operating normally, in order to release the hot air generated in the battery module to the outside, the pump provided in each of the battery module assemblies inhales external air and then supplies it to the cover member. Here, the opening and closing door can be maintained in a naturally open state by the air pressure supplied to the cover member, and thus the battery module is cooled.

[0076] On the other hand, it is possible to set the external air to be continuously supplied to the inside of the cover member, or it is also possible to control the supply so that it is supplied only when the temperature rises above a certain value.

[0077] When a fire is detected, the second step of discharging the air of the battery module assembly to the outside is to suppress the fire by blocking the oxygen required for the fire.

[0078] Specifically, when it is detected by the fire detection sensor that a fire has occurred, a fire detection signal is transmitted to the control unit, and the control unit operates the pump of the battery module assembly to inhale the air of the cover member and then discharge it to the outside.

[0079] Here, the opening and closing door adheres to the opening to block the inflow of external air, and the air inside the cover body is discharged to suppress the fire.

[0080] Those with ordinary knowledge in the field to which the present invention pertains will be able to make various applications and modifications within the scope of the present invention based on the above content.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0081] 100 battery modules 200 fire sensors 300 cover members 310 cover body 311 through hole 312 opening 313 support part 320 extending part 330 opening / closing door 400 pump 500 connecting part Adhesive for G sealing

Claims

1. A battery module that houses a plurality of battery cells, A fire detection sensor provided outside the battery module, A cover member that houses the battery module and the fire detection sensor, A pump that is connected one-to-one with the cover member so that when a fire signal is received from the fire detection sensor, the air inside the cover member can be discharged to the outside, Including, The cover member includes a cover body and an extending portion that connects the cover body and the pump, The cover body and the extending portion are made of a heat-resistant or flame-retardant material and have flexibility, a battery module assembly.

2. A connection portion composed of a bus bar or a wire extending a predetermined length is provided on one side of the battery module, and a through hole is formed in the cover body so that the connection portion is exposed to the outside. The battery module assembly according to Claim 1.

3. An opening for the entry and exit of the battery module is formed in the cover body, and an opening and closing door is provided in the opening. The battery module assembly according to Claim 2.

4. The opening and closing door is larger than the opening, and a part of the opening and closing door is fixed to the outer surface of the cover body. The battery module assembly according to Claim 3.

5. The opening and closing door is of a check valve type that can close the opening when the pump inhales the air inside the cover member and open the opening when the pump supplies external air to the inside of the cover member. The battery module assembly according to Claim 4.

6. The cover body and the extending portion include any one or more of brominated flame retardants, silicon, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, ABS resin, and polyethylene terephthalate. The battery module assembly according to Claim 1.

7. A battery pack that includes a plurality of the battery module assemblies according to any one of Claims 1 to 6.

8. A method of operating the battery pack according to Claim 7, A first step of monitoring the presence or absence of a fire with a fire detection sensor provided in each of the battery module assemblies; A second step of discharging the air of the battery module assembly to the outside when a fire is detected; A method of operating a battery pack, comprising:

9. The method of operating a battery pack according to claim 8, wherein, in the first step, a step of supplying external air to each of the battery module assemblies is performed together.

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