Battery module, battery pack including the same, and motor vehicle

Abstract

A battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, a case in which the battery cell stack is housed, and a connector coupled to the case and equipped with a flame propagation prevention member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0122087, filed on September 13, 2021, and all of the content disclosed in the specification and drawings of the application is incorporated herein.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle, and more particularly, to a battery module capable of preventing flames from being discharged outside the battery module, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle.

Background Art

[0003] As the technology development and demand for mobile devices increase, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source has been rapidly increasing. Conventionally, nickel-cadmium batteries or hydrogen-ion batteries have been used as secondary batteries, but recently, lithium secondary batteries that have almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, are free of charge and discharge, have a very low self-discharge rate, and have a high energy density, are widely used.

[0004] 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. A lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate, each coated with such a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material, are disposed with a separator interposed therebetween, and an exterior material that seals and houses the electrode assembly together with an electrolytic solution, that is, a battery case.

[0005] A lithium secondary battery consists of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator and electrolyte interposed therebetween. Depending on the positive electrode active material and negative electrode active material used, it can be classified into a lithium ion battery (LIB), a polymer lithium ion battery (PLIB), etc. Usually, the electrodes of these lithium secondary batteries are formed by applying a positive or negative electrode active material to a current collector such as an aluminum or copper sheet, mesh, film, foil, etc. and then drying. Also, various types of secondary batteries are equipped with a case that can protect the battery cells, and include a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked and incorporated into the case, and a battery pack that includes a plurality of battery modules.

[0006] Generally, a connector for transmitting data such as voltage and temperature to the outside is coupled to a battery module or a battery pack. However, since a normal connector is manufactured from an ejectant, when a flame is generated due to a thermal event inside the battery module, the connector melts and damage occurs.

[0007] Also, there is a problem that the sealing structure of the fastening part between the connector and the module case is destroyed by the flame, and the flame inside the battery module is released to the outside.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] Therefore, the technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a battery module, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile that can maintain the sealing structure of the fastening part between the connector and the case even when a flame occurs inside the battery module and prevent the flame from being discharged to the outside of the battery module.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery module including a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, a case in which the battery cell stack is housed, and a connector coupled to the case and provided with a flame propagation prevention member.

[0010] Further, the connector may include a first main body coupled to the case, a flame propagation prevention member coupled to the first main body, a second main body coupled to the flame propagation prevention member, and at least one connection pin provided so as to pass through the first main body, the flame propagation prevention member, and the second main body.

[0011] Further, the flame propagation prevention member may be provided as a plate made of a material having heat resistance and fire resistance and interposed between the first main body and the second main body.

[0012] Further, the flame propagation prevention member may be provided as a SUS plate.

[0013] Further, the flame propagation prevention member may be formed with pin holes provided in a number corresponding to the number of the connection pins so that the connection pins can pass through.

[0014] Further, a plurality of the connection pins are provided, and one through hole through which all of the plurality of connection pins can pass may be formed at the center of the flame propagation prevention member.

[0015] Further, the first main body, the flame propagation prevention member, and the second main body are each formed with the same number of fastening holes at the same positions of the first main body, the flame propagation prevention member, and the second main body, and the connector can be coupled to the case by a fastening member.

[0016] Further, a seal groove is formed at a corner of the second main body, and a seal member can be coupled to the seal groove.

[0017] Further, the seal member may be provided as rubber or silicone.

[0018] On the other hand, according to another aspect of the present invention, a battery pack including the above-described battery module and a motor vehicle including the battery module can be provided.

Effects of the Invention

[0019] In an embodiment of the present invention, even if a flame occurs inside the battery module due to a connector provided with a flame propagation prevention member, the sealing structure of the fastening portion between the connector and the case is maintained, and the effect is that the flame can be prevented from being discharged to the outside of the battery module.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, the 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 are not to be construed as being limited to their ordinary and dictionary meanings. The inventors themselves shall 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. Therefore, it should be understood that the configurations shown in the embodiments described in this specification are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. At the time of this application, there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them.

[0022] In the drawings, the size of each component or a specific part constituting the component is exaggerated, omitted, or shown schematically for the convenience and clarity of explanation. Therefore, the size of each component does not fully reflect the actual size. When it is determined that a specific description of a related known function or configuration will unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0023] As used in this specification, the terms "coupled" or "connected" include not only the case where one member is directly coupled or directly connected to another member, but also the case where one member is indirectly coupled or connected to another member via an intervening member.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a connector in the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an assembled perspective view of the connector of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a view taken along the direction A of FIG. 2.

[0025] Referring to the drawings, a battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell stack 100, a case 200, and a connector 300.

[0026] The battery cell stack 100 is formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells 110 each provided with an electrode lead. The electrode lead provided in the battery cell 110 is a kind of terminal that is exposed to the outside and connected to an external device, and a conductive material can be used.

[0027] The electrode lead can include a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead. The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead are arranged in opposite directions with respect to the longitudinal direction of the battery cell 110, or the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead can be arranged in the same direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the battery cell 110.

[0028] The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead can be provided with various materials. For example, the positive electrode lead can be made of an aluminum material, and the negative electrode lead can be made of a copper material.

[0029] The electrode lead can be electrically coupled to a bus bar (not shown). The battery cell 110 can have a structure in which a plurality of unit cells arranged in the order of positive electrode plate - separator - negative electrode plate, or a bi - cell arranged in the order of positive electrode plate - separator - negative electrode plate - separator - positive electrode plate - separator - negative electrode plate are stacked according to the battery capacity.

[0030] The battery cell stack 100 can be configured such that a plurality of battery cells 110 are stacked on each other. Here, the battery cell 110 has various structures, and a plurality of battery cells 110 can be stacked in various ways.

[0031] The battery cell stack 100 can include a plurality of cartridges (not shown) for housing each battery cell 110. Each cartridge (not shown) can be manufactured by injection molding of plastic, and a plurality of cartridges (not shown) each having a housing portion capable of housing the battery cell 110 can be stacked.

[0032] A cartridge assembly in which a plurality of cartridges (not shown) are stacked may be provided with terminal elements. The terminal elements include a positive terminal and a negative terminal as main terminals connected to the battery cell 110, and the terminal elements are provided with terminal bolts and can be electrically connected to the outside. On the other hand, the battery cell 110 can have various shapes.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, the case 200 houses the battery cell stack 100 or a cartridge assembly in which the battery cell stack 100 is housed. For example, the case 200 can be provided so as to surround the battery cell stack 100.

[0034] The case 200 surrounds the entire battery cell stack 100 or a plurality of cartridge assemblies, thereby protecting the battery cell stack 100 or the cartridge assemblies from vibrations and impacts from the outside.

[0035] The case 200 can be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the battery cell stack 100 or the cartridge assembly. For example, when the battery cell stack 100 or the cartridge assembly is provided in a hexahedron shape, the case 200 can also be provided in a corresponding hexahedron shape.

[0036] The case 200 can be manufactured, for example, by bending a plate of a metal material, or can also be manufactured by a plastic injection. Further, the case 200 can be manufactured integrally or can be manufactured in a separable type.

[0037] A through-hole (not shown) through which the above-described terminal elements are exposed to the outside may be formed in the case 200. That is, the terminal elements can be electrically connected to predetermined external components and members, and a through-hole can be formed in the case 200 so that such an electrical connection is not hindered by the case 200.

[0038] The connector 300 is provided by various forms of electrical connection components or connection members for connecting to a BMS (Battery Management System, not shown) that can provide data on the voltage and temperature of the battery cell 110 inside the module. Further, the connector 300 is coupled to the case 200 to transmit data on voltage and temperature to the outside. Further, the connector 300 is provided with a flame propagation prevention member 320.

[0039] The connector 300 can include a first main body 310, a flame propagation prevention member 320, a second main body 330, and a coupling pin 340.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the first main body 310 is coupled to the case 200 in various ways. For example, the first main body 310 can be coupled to the case 200 by fastening members (400, see FIGS. 1 and 3) such as bolts and screws.

[0041] A first fastening hole 312 can be formed in the first main body 310 so that the fastening member 400 can pass through. Further, a first pin hole 311 can be formed in the first main body 310 so that the coupling pin 340 can pass through. Further, the coupling pin 340 can be taken into the case 200 through the first pin hole 311 of the first main body 310.

[0042] The flame propagation prevention member 320 is coupled to the first main body 310. A third fastening hole 322 can be formed in the flame propagation prevention member 320. Further, a third pin hole 321 can be formed in the flame propagation prevention member 320 so that the coupling pin 340 can pass through.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the flame propagation prevention member 320 is interposed between the first main body 310 and the second main body 330. Here, the flame propagation prevention member 320 can be provided by a plate made of a material having heat resistance and fire resistance.

[0044] For example, the flame propagation prevention member 320 can be provided by a SUS plate. However, the material of the flame propagation prevention member 320 is not limited to SUS. Here, SUS means stainless steel with Steel Use Stainless.

[0045] Stainless steel includes an alloy of iron and chromium with 12% or more chromium added with nickel, but is not limited thereto.

[0046] Thus, when the flame propagation prevention member 320 is provided with a material having heat resistance and fire resistance like a SUS plate, if a flame occurs inside the case 200, even if a part of the first main body 310 is damaged by the flame, the second main body 330 is not damaged by the flame, and the flame is blocked by the SUS plate and is not discharged to the outside of the case 200.

[0047] That is, even if a flame occurs inside the battery module 10 by the connector 300 provided with the flame propagation prevention member 320, since the sealing structure of the fastening part between the connector 300 and the case 200 is maintained, there is an effect that the flame can be prevented from being discharged to the outside of the battery module 10.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 2, the flame propagation prevention member 320 may be formed with pin holes, that is, third pin holes 321 provided in a number corresponding to the number of connection pins 340 so that the connection pins 340 can pass through. Here, the number of third pin holes 321 corresponding to the number of connection pins 340 may mean the same number of third pin holes 321 as the number of connection pins 340, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and the number of third pin holes 321 may be more than the number of connection pins 340.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 2, since the connection pins 340 made of a metal material are inserted into the third pin holes 321, the flame generated inside the case 200 is blocked by the SUS plate and the connection pins 340 and is not discharged to the outside.

[0050] The second body 330 is coupled to the flame propagation prevention member 320. A second fastening hole 332 may be formed in the second body 330 so that the fastening member 400 can pass through. Also, a second pin hole 331 may be formed in the second body 330 so that the connecting pin 340 can pass through.

[0051] A seal groove 333 is formed at the corner of the second body 330, and a seal member 350 can be coupled to the seal groove 333. Here, the seal member 350 may be provided with rubber or silicone to prevent leakage of the gas generated inside the case 200, but is not limited thereto.

[0052] One or more connecting pins 340 are provided and are provided to pass through the first body 310, the flame propagation prevention member 320, and the second body 330. That is, the connecting pin 340 is provided to pass through the first pin hole 311 of the first body 310, the third pin hole 321 of the flame propagation prevention member 320, and also the second pin hole 331 of the second body 330.

[0053] That is, the same number of fastening holes 312, 322, and 332 are respectively formed at the same positions of the first body 310, the flame propagation prevention member 320, and the second body 330, and the connector 300 can be coupled to the case 200 by a fastening member 400 such as a bolt or a nut. In FIG. 2, four fastening holes 312, 322, and 332 are respectively formed in the first body 310, the flame propagation prevention member 320, and the second body 330, but is not limited thereto.

[0054] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the operation and effects of the battery module 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0055] Referring to the drawings, a connector 300 for transmitting data such as the voltage and temperature of the battery cell 110 to the outside is coupled to the case 200 of the battery module 10. Here, the connector 300 is provided with a flame propagation prevention member 320. The connector 300 includes a first main body 310, a second main body 330, and a connecting pin 340, and the flame propagation prevention member 320 is interposed between the first main body 310 and the second main body 330.

[0056] The flame propagation prevention member 320 can be provided, for example, with a SUS plate having heat resistance and fire resistance. Thus, since the flame propagation prevention member 320 having heat resistance and fire resistance is interposed between the first main body 310 and the second main body 330, the flame generated inside the case 200 is blocked by the SUS plate and the connecting pin 340 and is not discharged to the outside.

[0057] That is, in the battery module 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when a plurality of battery modules 10 are arranged, the flame generated in a certain battery module 10 is not discharged to the outside of the battery module 10. Therefore, only the battery module 10 in which the flame is generated is damaged, and the flame does not propagate to other battery modules 10. As a result, other battery modules 10 in which no flame is generated can be protected from the flame.

[0058] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 300 in the battery module 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the operation and effects of the battery module 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, the description common to the battery module 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be replaced with the above description.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 5, a plurality of connecting pins 340 are provided, and a through hole 323 through which all the plurality of connecting pins 340 can pass is formed in the center of the flame propagation prevention member 320.

[0061] That is, in the first embodiment, the third pin holes 321 provided in a number corresponding to the number of the connecting pins 340 are formed in the flame propagation prevention member 320, but in the second embodiment, it is different from the first embodiment in that one through hole 323 is formed regardless of the number of the connecting pins 340.

[0062] Further, all of the plurality of connecting pins 340 pass through one through hole 323, and also pass through the first pin hole 311 of the first main body 310 and the second pin hole 331 of the second main body 330.

[0063] Thus, even if one through hole 323 is formed in the central portion of the flame propagation prevention member 320, the flame propagation prevention member 320 contacts around the first main body 310 and the second main body 330, and the connecting pins 340 made of a metal material are positioned in the through hole 323, so that the flame generated inside the case 200 is not discharged to the outside.

[0064] On the other hand, a battery pack (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present invention can include one or more battery modules 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention as described above. Further, in addition to such a battery module 10, the battery pack (not shown) can further include a housing for housing such a battery module 10, various devices for controlling charging and discharging of the battery module 10, for example, a BMS, a current sensor, a fuse, and the like.

[0065] On the other hand, an automobile (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present invention can include the battery module 10 or a battery pack (not shown), and the battery pack (not shown) can include the battery module 10. Further, the battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied to a predetermined automobile (not shown) provided to use electricity, such as an electric vehicle (not shown), for example, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.

[0066] The above description has been based on the embodiments and drawings that limit the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that various changes and modifications can be made by those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs within the scope equivalent to the technical idea of the present invention and the scope of the claims described below.

Industrial Applicability

[0067] The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile, and is particularly applicable to industries related to secondary batteries.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0068] 10 Battery module 100 Battery cell laminate 110 Battery cell 200 Case 300 Connector 310 First main body 311 First pin hole 312 First fastening hole 320 Flame propagation prevention member 321 Third pin hole 322 Third fastening hole 323 Through hole 330 Second main body 331 Second pin hole 332 Second fastening hole 333 Seal groove 340 Connecting pin 350 Sealing member 400 Fastening member

Claims

1. A battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, a case in which the battery cell stack is housed, and a connector coupled to the case, wherein the connector includes a flame propagation prevention member, and a plurality of connection pins provided so as to pass through the flame propagation prevention member, and a battery module, in which one through-hole through which all of the plurality of connection pins can pass is formed in a central portion of the flame propagation prevention member.

2. The connector further includes a first main body coupled to the case, and a second main body coupled to the flame propagation prevention member, wherein the flame propagation prevention member is coupled to the first main body, and the plurality of connection pins are provided so as to pass through the first main body, the flame propagation prevention member, and the second main body. The battery module according to claim 1.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the flame propagation prevention member includes a plate made of a material having heat resistance and fire resistance and interposed between the first main body and the second main body.

4. The battery module according to claim 3, wherein the flame propagation prevention member includes a SUS plate.

5. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the same number of fastening holes are formed at the same positions of the first main body, the flame propagation prevention member, and the second main body, and the connector is coupled to the case by a fastening member.

6. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein a seal groove is formed at a corner of the second main body, and a seal member is coupled to the seal groove.

7. The battery module according to claim 6, wherein the seal member is provided with rubber or silicone.

8. A battery pack including the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. An automobile including the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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