Battery pack and automobile including same

Abstract

A battery pack and a vehicle including the same are disclosed. The battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of pouch-type battery cells, a pack case that houses the pouch-type battery cells in an internal space, and a plurality of cell covers that are provided in the internal space of the pack case to at least partially enclose at least one of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells and are configured to have a variable length in a width direction.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0089756 filed on July 20, 2022, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0089757 filed on July 20, 2022, and the contents disclosed in the specifications and drawings of said applications are incorporated herein in their entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery pack and a vehicle including the same, and more particularly to a battery pack having excellent stability against thermal events and a vehicle including the same. [Background technology]

[0003] The recent remarkable development of and increasing demand for various mobile devices, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems (ESS) has led to a rapid increase in interest and demand for secondary batteries as an energy source. While nickel-cadmium batteries and nickel-metal hydride batteries were widely used as secondary batteries in the past, lithium secondary batteries have recently come into widespread use due to their flexible charging and discharging capabilities, extremely low self-discharge rate, and high energy density, all of which are less susceptible to memory effects compared to nickel-based batteries.

[0004] This type of lithium secondary battery mainly uses a lithium-based oxide and a carbon material as the positive and negative electrode active materials, respectively, and includes an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate, each coated with the positive and negative electrode active materials, are arranged with a separator sandwiched therebetween, and an exterior material, such as a battery case, that encloses the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

[0005] Generally, secondary batteries can be classified into can-type secondary batteries, in which an electrode assembly is housed in a metal can, and pouch-type secondary batteries, in which an electrode assembly is housed in a pouch made of an aluminum laminate sheet, depending on the shape of the exterior material.

[0006] Recently, battery packs have been widely used for driving and storing energy in medium- to large-sized devices such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS).

[0007] A conventional battery pack includes one or more battery modules and a control unit that controls charging and discharging of the battery pack inside a pack case. Here, the battery module is configured to include a plurality of battery cells inside a module case.

[0008] That is, in the case of a conventional battery pack, a plurality of battery cells (secondary batteries) are housed inside a module case to form each battery module, and one or more such battery modules are housed inside a pack case to form a battery pack.

[0009] In particular, pouch-type batteries have various advantages, such as being lightweight and leaving little dead space when stacked, but they have problems such as being vulnerable to external impacts and being somewhat difficult to assemble.

[0010] Therefore, it is common to manufacture a battery pack by first modularizing a plurality of cells and then housing the modularized cells inside a pack case.

[0011] However, conventional battery packs may be disadvantageous in terms of energy density, ease of assembly, cooling, etc. due to modularization. Furthermore, conventional battery packs and battery modules may be vulnerable to thermal events. In particular, if a thermal event occurs inside a battery module or battery pack, thermal runaway may occur, resulting in a fire, and in severe cases, an explosion may occur. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] Therefore, the present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack and a vehicle including the same that can ensure excellent safety when a thermal event occurs.

[0013] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve 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 description of the invention given below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, a battery pack can be provided that includes a plurality of pouch-type battery cells, a pack case that houses the plurality of pouch-type battery cells in an internal space, and a plurality of cell covers that are arranged in the internal space of the pack case to at least partially enclose at least one pouch-type battery cell among the plurality of pouch-type battery cells and are configured to have a variable length in the width direction.

[0015] In one embodiment, the pack case may be configured to have a discharge hole formed on at least one side thereof, and the communication area with the discharge hole may be variable depending on the width of the cell cover.

[0016] In one embodiment, the discharge hole of the pack case may be formed in an elongated shape along the arrangement direction of the plurality of cell covers, or a plurality of discharge holes may be formed.

[0017] In one embodiment, the cell cover may be configured to enclose both sides and a top side of the at least one pouch-shaped battery cell.

[0018] In one embodiment, the cell cover includes an upper cover portion formed on an upper side thereof, and the upper cover portion may be configured in a wrinkled shape.

[0019] In one embodiment, the upper cover portion may have a triangular portion folded into a triangle shape.

[0020] In one embodiment, the cell cover may be configured to support the stacked state of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells.

[0021] In one embodiment, the cell cover may be formed in an n-shape.

[0022] In one embodiment, the cell cover may be made of a metal material.

[0023] In one embodiment, the battery pack may further include a bus bar connecting a plurality of electrode leads.

[0024] In one embodiment, the cell cover may be configured to partially encase the pouch-type battery cell such that at least one side of the enclosed pouch-type battery cell is exposed to the outside.

[0025] In one embodiment, the cell cover may be configured such that at least one side of the enclosed pouch-type battery cell is exposed toward the bottom surface of the battery pack.

[0026] In one embodiment, the cell cover may be mounted directly onto the pack case.

[0027] Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle including the above-described battery pack can be provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] According to one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of pouch-type battery cells can be stably accommodated inside a pack case or a module case without the need for components such as a stacking frame, such as a plastic cartridge, or a separate module case.

[0029] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, a pouch-type battery cell having a flexible material case can be easily and robustly formed, which makes it easier to realize components that are directly stacked inside a pack case, thereby improving the ease of assembly and mechanical stability of a battery pack or battery module.

[0030] According to one aspect of the present invention, when a thermal runaway occurs in a specific battery cell, it is possible to effectively respond to a thermal event. In particular, the present invention can block or appropriately control the accumulation or discharge of heat, which corresponds to the ignition source among the three elements that cause a flame (fuel, oxygen, and ignition source). Furthermore, the present invention can realize the control of vent gas discharge, directional venting, and suppression of exposure to flames in order to block heat accumulation and prevent flame discharge.

[0031] In particular, according to one embodiment of the present invention, directional venting is performed in the downward direction, thereby improving the safety of users positioned at the upper side, such as passengers.

[0032] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, the parallel exhaust of flames rapidly releases the internal pressure of the module, effectively preventing internal short circuits and structural collapse in the event of a thermal event.

[0033] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, a cell to pack (CTP) concept is adopted, and a module case, etc., is omitted, thereby improving cooling performance and energy density, etc.

[0034] In addition to these, the present invention can have various other effects, which will be explained in the respective embodiments, and explanations of effects that can be easily inferred by those skilled in the art will be omitted.

[0035] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further understand the technical concepts of the present invention as well as the content of the invention, and therefore the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to only the matters depicted in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 10A to 10C are views showing a process in which a cell cover is coupled to a pouch-type battery cell accommodated inside a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and two pouch-type battery cells are connected to a bus bar. [Figure 3] 10A to 10C are views showing a process in which a cell cover is coupled to a pouch-type battery cell accommodated inside a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and two pouch-type battery cells are connected to a bus bar. [Figure 4] 10A to 10C are views showing a process in which a cell cover is coupled to a pouch-type battery cell accommodated inside a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and two pouch-type battery cells are connected to a bus bar. [Figure 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a pouch-type battery cell housed inside a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 6(a) to 6(c) are diagrams showing a process in which the length of the cell cover changes as the pouch-type battery cell of FIG. 5 expands and contracts. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram illustrating a pack case configuration of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] FIG. 6 shows a modified embodiment of FIG. 5. [Figure 9] 1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle including a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical ideas of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor himself can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best explain the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiment described in this specification and the configuration shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical ideas of the present invention, and therefore various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therefor may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0038] In the drawings, the size of each component or specific parts of the component may be slightly exaggerated, omitted, or illustrated schematically for ease of explanation and clarity. Therefore, the size of each component does not fully reflect the actual size. If a detailed description of related well-known functions or configurations is deemed to be likely to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, such detailed description will be omitted.

[0039] The terms "coupled" or "connected" as used herein include not only cases where one member is directly coupled or connected to another member, but also cases where one member is indirectly coupled or connected to another member via a joint member.

[0040] FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 to 4 are views showing a process in which a cell cover is coupled to a pouch-type battery cell accommodated inside a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention and two pouch-type battery cells are connected to a bus bar, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a pouch-type battery cell accommodated inside a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a view showing a process in which the length of the cell cover changes as the pouch-type battery cell of FIG. 5 expands and contracts, FIG. 7 is a view showing a schematic configuration of a pack case of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a view showing a modified embodiment of FIG. 5.

[0041] The present invention relates to a battery pack 10 in which the battery cells 100 can be directly housed in the pack case 200 of the battery pack 10 without using a battery module.

[0042] This allows the battery cells 100 to be accommodated in the space that was previously occupied by the module case of the battery module in the battery pack 10, thereby improving space efficiency and battery capacity. That is, the module case of the battery module may not be included in the components of the present invention.

[0043] However, embodiments using a module case are not excluded, and it is also conceivable that the pouch-type battery cell 100 of each embodiment of the present invention may be configured to be housed in a module case provided in a battery module, if necessary.

[0044] That is, a battery module provided with the pouch-type battery cell 100 to which the cell cover 300 according to each embodiment of the present invention is combined also falls within the scope of the present invention.

[0045] In this specification, even when simply referred to as a battery cell 100, the battery cell 100 refers to a pouch-type battery cell 100.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, a battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a pouch-type battery cell 100, a pack case 200, and a cell cover 300.

[0047] The pouch-type battery cell 100 is a pouch-type secondary battery and may include an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a pouch outer casing material. A plurality of such pouch-type battery cells 100 may be included in a battery pack 10. A plurality of such pouch-type battery cells 100 may be stacked in at least one direction.

[0048] The pack case 200 has an empty space formed therein, and this empty space can accommodate a plurality of pouch-type battery cells 100. In particular, in the present invention, the pouch-type battery cells 100 can be directly placed on the pack case 200.

[0049] 2 to 4, the cell cover 300 may be provided to at least partially enclose the pouch-type battery cell 100. For example, the cell cover 300 may be configured to enclose both side surfaces and the top side of at least one pouch-type battery cell 100. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0050] The cell cover 300 may be configured to partially enclose the pouch-type battery cell 100 so that at least one side of the enclosed pouch-type battery cell 100 is exposed to the outside.

[0051] The cell cover 300 can be configured to support the pouch-type battery cell 100 in an upright state. Generally, it is not easy to stack the pouch-type battery cells 100 in an upright position.

[0052] However, in the battery pack 10 according to the present invention, the cell cover 300 may be configured to encase one or more pouch-type battery cells 100 while maintaining the enclosed pouch-type battery cells 100 in an upright, i.e., standing, state.

[0053] The cell cover 300 may then be configured so that at least one side of the enclosed pouch-type battery cell 100 is exposed toward the bottom surface of the battery pack 10.

[0054] Then, referring to FIG. 1 , a cell cover 300 configured to encase at least one pouch-type battery cell 100 among the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 100 can be housed in the internal space of the pack case 200.

[0055] The cell cover 300 may be configured to encase various numbers of pouch-type battery cells 100 together. For example, the cell cover 300 may be configured to encase one pouch-type battery cell 100 together, or two pouch-type battery cells 100 together, or three or more pouch-type battery cells 100 together.

[0056] The cell cover 300 includes an upper cover portion 310 formed on its upper side. The upper cover portion 310 may be formed in a variety of shapes, for example, a wrinkled shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper cover portion 310 may be formed on the upper side of the cell cover 300 in a wavy or wrinkled shape. Here, the upper cover portion 310 may be formed in a variety of sizes or shapes.

[0057] Here, the wrinkled structure of the upper cover part 310 may be formed in a concave-convex shape. For example, the cell cover 300 may have a structure in which a concave shape is formed toward the inside where the battery cells 100 are located and a convex shape is formed toward the outside, alternately.

[0058] 1 , the cell cover 300 may be placed directly on the upper surface of the pack case 200. For example, the lower end of the cell cover 300 may be placed in direct contact with the upper surface of the pack case 200.

[0059] In particular, the cell cover 300 and the pouch-type battery cell 100 may be directly mounted in the pack case 200 without being housed in a separate module case. However, as described above, this does not exclude an embodiment in which the cell cover 300 and the pouch-type battery cell 100 are mounted in a module case to be modularized.

[0060] This makes it possible to more effectively ensure the cooling performance of the battery pack 10. In particular, since the pouch-type battery cells 100 are able to come into face-to-face contact with the pack case 200, heat released from each pouch-type battery cell 100 is directly transferred to the pack case 200, thereby improving the cooling performance.

[0061] The cell cover 300 may be configured to support a stack of multiple pouch-type battery cells 100. In particular, the multiple pouch-type battery cells 100 may be stacked horizontally in an upright state, and the cell cover 300 may be configured to stably support the multiple pouch-type battery cells 100 in an upright state.

[0062] 5, the cell cover 300 may be formed in a generally n-shape, with the front, rear and bottom of the cell cover 300 being open.

[0063] However, the shape of the cell cover 300 is not necessarily limited to a roughly n-shape. The cell cover 300 can be formed in a wide variety of shapes, for example, the cell cover 300 can be formed in a "middle" shape, a "U" shape, an "O" shape, or the like.

[0064] The cell cover 300 may be made of a metal material. In particular, the cell cover 300 may be made of a steel material, for example, a stainless steel (SUS) material.

[0065] In this case, stainless steel has excellent mechanical strength and rigidity, and a higher melting point than aluminum, so even if a flame occurs in any battery cell 100, it is possible to more effectively prevent the cell cover 300 from melting due to the flame.

[0066] That is, not only can damage or breakage of the pouch-type battery cell 100 be more effectively prevented, but also it is easier to handle the pouch-type battery cell 100. However, the material of the cell cover 300 is not limited to this in any way.

[0067] The cell cover 300 may be at least partially adhered to the pouch-type battery cell 100. In addition, a thermal resin (not shown) may be interposed between the pouch-type battery cell 100 and the pack case 200 and / or between the cell cover 300 and the pack case 200.

[0068] The battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a bus bar 700 (see FIG. 4). The bus bar 700 may be connected to the electrode leads of one or more pouch-type battery cells 100.

[0069] In particular, the bus bar 700 may connect a plurality of electrode leads together to enable series or parallel connection between a plurality of battery cells 100. For example, electrode leads may be located at the front and rear of each pouch-type battery cell 100. In this case, the bus bar 700 may be located at the front and rear of such battery cells 100 to connect the electrode leads together.

[0070] The bus bar 700 may be made of an electrically conductive material such as copper or aluminum and may be in direct contact with the electrode lead.

[0071] Furthermore, the battery pack 10 according to the present invention may further include a control module configured to control charging and discharging of the pouch-type battery cells 100. Referring to Fig. 1, such a control module may include a battery management system (BMS) 500 and a battery cutoff unit 600, and may be housed inside the pack case 200 together with the battery cells 100 and the cell covers 300.

[0072] Furthermore, the battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an end plate (not shown) coupled to an open portion of the cell cover 300. For example, the cell cover 300 may be open at its front and rear sides where the electrode leads are provided. An end plate (not shown) may be coupled to the open portion of the cell cover 300. Furthermore, the end plate (not shown) may have a hole or a notch for venting formed therein.

[0073] When a plurality of battery cells 100 are housed in the cell cover 300, a separation structure between the battery cells 100 may further be included.

[0074] 7, in one embodiment of the present invention, a discharge hole 210 may be formed on at least one side of the pack case 200. For example, one or more discharge holes 210 may be formed on the bottom surface of the pack case 200.

[0075] Here, the exhaust hole 210 may be formed in a shape that penetrates the pack case 200 in an inward and outward direction, and configured to exhaust gases and the like in the internal space to the outside.

[0076] When a plurality of cell covers 300 are provided, the upper cover portion 310 formed on each cell cover 300 is configured to have a variable length in the width direction. Here, the communication area with the discharge hole 210 may be configured to be variable depending on the change in the length of the cell cover 300 in the width direction.

[0077] FIG. 6 shows a process in which the widthwise length of the cell cover 300 changes in accordance with a change in the thickness of the pouch-type battery cell 100 housed inside the cell cover 300 (a change in thickness due to expansion and contraction of the pouch-type battery cell 100) in a battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 6, a cell assembly is shown in which three battery cells 100 are stacked in the left-right direction, each of which is enclosed by three cell covers 300.

[0079] 6(a) to 6(c) show three different situations occurring sequentially for such a cell assembly.

[0080] 6(a) to 6(c) as a reference, the three battery cells 100 are referred to as the first cell 100a, the second cell 100b, and the third cell 100c from left to right, respectively. The three cell covers 300 are referred to as the first cover 300a, the second cover 300b, and the third cover 300c from left to right, respectively.

[0081] First, referring to FIG. 6(a), in a normal or normal pack state, the widths of the plurality of battery cells 100a, 100b, and 100c and the widths of the plurality of cell covers 300a, 300b, and 300c that respectively enclose the battery cells 100a, 100b, and 100c may be uniform.

[0082] In this state, if thermal runaway or the like occurs and is in progress in any battery cell 100, the battery cell 100 may expand. For example, referring to (b) of FIG. 6, this is a scene in which thermal runaway occurs in the second cell 100b, and at this time, the thickness of the second cell 100b may increase.

[0083] Due to the increase in the thickness and partition of the battery cell 100, the cell cover 300 that encases the battery cell 100, i.e., the second cover 300b, increases in width as shown in Fig. 6(b). That is, the width of the cell cover 300, here the second cover 300b, increases.

[0084] On the other hand, when the progression of thermal runaway in any battery cell 100 is completed, its thickness or partition may be reduced compared to the initial state due to the discharge of the discharged material. For example, in the second cell 100b in FIG. 6(c), it can be seen that its thickness is reduced compared to the second cell 100b in FIG. 6(b). In this case, it can be said that the thickness of the second cell 100b increased due to thermal runaway, and that the thickness has decreased due to the completion of thermal runaway.

[0085] 6(c), if the thickness of the second cell 100b decreases, the width of the second cover 300b enclosing the second cell 100b decreases. That is, if the thickness or size of the battery cell 100 decreases, the width of the cell cover 300 enclosing the battery cell 100 may decrease.

[0086] Furthermore, comparing Figure 6(a) and Figure 6(b), it can be said that the thickness of the first cell 100a in the normal state in Figure 6(a) is reduced in Figure 6(b), which can be said to be because the thermal runaway of the first cell 100a has progressed and then completed.

[0087] In this case, the width of the first cover 300a enclosing the first cell 100a may be reduced. In particular, referring to FIG. 6(b), the width of the first cover 300a may be reduced due to the increased width of the second cover 300b.

[0088] That is, in (b) of Figure 6, the first cover 300a is subjected to pressure from the right side to the left side due to the increase in the width of the second cover 300b, and since the thickness of the first cell 100a decreases due to the completion of thermal runaway, a space is created inside the first cover 300a that corresponds to the decrease in the thickness of the first cell 100a, which can reduce the width of the first cover 300a.

[0089] According to this embodiment of the present invention, the width direction length of the cell cover 300 can be adaptively changed in accordance with the expansion or contraction of the battery cells 100 housed therein. Therefore, the shape of the cell cover 300 can be appropriately changed according to the state of the plurality of battery cells 100, particularly the state of thermal runaway, etc., so that the stacked state of the battery cells 100 and the cell covers 300 as a whole can be stably maintained without collapsing.

[0090] Furthermore, if thermal runaway occurs in any battery cell 100, there is a concern that the thermal runaway state will propagate to adjacent cells. However, according to the above embodiment, the width of the cell cover 300 changes sequentially depending on the state of thermal runaway propagation, thereby preventing a significant change in the overall shape of the battery pack 10.

[0091] Furthermore, the cell cover 300 can communicate with the exhaust hole 210 of the pack case 200. Therefore, vent gas and the like inside the cell cover 300 can be exhausted to the external space through the exhaust hole 210 of the pack case 200.

[0092] Here, by properly discharging vent gas and the like to the outside of the pack case 200, it is possible to prevent the battery pack 10 from exploding due to an increase in the internal pressure of the pack case 200, while more effectively preventing the heat from accumulating inside the pack case 200 due to the high-temperature vent gas, thereby intensifying or spreading the thermal runaway situation.

[0093] The cell cover 300 can be configured so that the communication area with the discharge hole 210 of the pack case 200 can be changed by changing the length in the width direction.

[0094] For example, when the state changes from Fig. 6(a) to Fig. 6(b), the width of the second cover 300b increases, and the area of ​​the second cover 300b that communicates with the discharge hole 210 formed in the pack case 200 may become larger.

[0095] In particular, when the width of the second cover 300b increases, the width of the other cell covers 300, for example, the width of the first cover 300a, may decrease. In this case, the communication area between the first cover 300a and the discharge hole 210 may decrease, and the second cover 300b may expand to the portion of the discharge hole 210 that was in communication with the first cover 300a, thereby increasing the communication area.

[0096] For example, as shown in (a) of Figure 6, in a normal state, one cell cover 300 communicates with two exhaust holes 210 (the first cover 300a, the second cover 300b, and the third cover 300c all communicate with two exhaust holes 210), but in (b) of Figure 6, if the width of the second cover 300b increases due to the expansion of the second cell 100b, the second cover 300b may communicate with three exhaust holes 210.

[0097] That is, in a normal state, the second cover 300b communicates with two exhaust holes 210, but when the second cell 100b expands, the second cover 300b communicates with three exhaust holes 210, thereby increasing the communication area.

[0098] According to this embodiment of the present invention, as the battery cells 100 housed inside the cell cover 300 expand or contract, the number of discharge holes 210 communicating with the cell cover 300 changes, and the overall communication area varies, thereby providing the advantage of enabling appropriate control of the internal pressure.

[0099] In particular, when a thermal runaway condition develops in the battery cell 100 housed inside the cell cover 300, a large amount of vent gas may be discharged through the discharge hole 210. At this time, the communication area between the cell cover 300 and the discharge hole 210 increases, thereby preventing the internal pressure of the cell cover 300 from increasing excessively.

[0100] In addition, in the case of a battery cell 100 that has already completed thermal runaway, the amount of vent gas discharged should not be large, so the communication area between the cell cover 300 containing the battery cell 100 and the discharge hole 210 is reduced, making it possible to realize an adaptive and efficient discharge structure according to the situation.

[0101] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the exhaust holes 210 may be used in parallel, i.e., the cell covers 300 may be configured to use exhaust holes 210 that communicate with other cell covers 300 depending on the situation, due to variations in width.

[0102] Here, the discharge hole 210 of the pack case 200 may be formed in an elongated shape along the arrangement direction of the multiple cell covers 300. For example, when multiple cell covers 300 that house battery cells 100 therein are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, the discharge hole 210 of the pack case 200 may be formed in a shape that extends elongated in the left-right direction.

[0103] 7, for example, a plurality of discharge holes 210 may be formed along the arrangement direction of the plurality of cell covers 300. For example, in the above embodiment, a plurality of discharge holes 210 may be formed in the pack case 200 in the left-right direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number, layout, and shape of the discharge holes 210 can be changed in a variety of ways.

[0104] 5, the cell cover 300 may have an upper cover portion configured to have a wrinkled shape. In particular, the cell cover 300 may have two flat plate-like sides and one wrinkled upper side.

[0105] 8, which is a modified embodiment of Fig. 5, an upper cover portion 310 may be formed on the upper side of the cell cover 300, and the upper cover portion 310 may be formed with a triangular portion 319 folded into a triangular shape. That is, the upper side of the cell cover 300 may be formed in a folded shape having a plurality of triangular shapes.

[0106] As described above, this embodiment makes it easier to change the widthwise length in situations such as thermal runaway of the internal battery cell 100. Here, the upper side and the two side surfaces of the cell cover 300 may be configured to have different thicknesses. In particular, the upper side may be thinner than the two side surfaces.

[0107] Also, the cell cover 300 may be configured to discharge vent gas downward. In particular, the cell cover 300 may have an n-fin shape, and may be configured with the top and left and right sides closed based on the battery cell 100 accommodated therein. In this case, the cell cover 300 may be configured to discharge vent gas present inside toward the bottom.

[0108] As described above, the exhaust holes 210 may be formed in the bottom surface of the pack case 200. The exhaust holes 210 of the pack case 200 may be in communication with the internal space of the cell cover 300, so that vent gas emitted from the battery cells 100 inside the cell cover 300 can be exhausted to the outside through the exhaust holes 210.

[0109] That is, the cell cover 300 and the battery cells 100 are placed on the bottom of the pack case 200, and the vent gas discharged from the battery cells 100 is prevented from being discharged upward and to the sides by the cell cover 300. The vent gas can only be discharged downward through the discharge holes 210 of the pack case 200.

[0110] In this embodiment, there is an advantage that directional venting, i.e., venting in a predetermined direction, is possible through the cell cover 300 and the pack case 200. Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the directional venting through the cell cover 300, the internal pressure can be efficiently released by quick and smooth gas discharge.

[0111] 6, the battery pack 10 according to the present invention may include a thermal barrier 800. The thermal barrier 800 may be configured in the form of a pad made of a heat insulating material and may be interposed between adjacent cell covers 300. For example, the thermal barrier 800 may be formed to a thickness of approximately 2.0 mm, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0112] The battery pack 10 according to the present invention may further include an insulating or protective pad such as a glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) on the outermost layer in the stacking direction of the cell assembly formed by stacking a plurality of cell covers 300 and a plurality of battery cells 100. For example, the glass fiber reinforced plastic may be formed to a thickness of 0.35 mm, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The battery pack 10 according to the present invention may further include a heat pad.

[0113] Meanwhile, one or more battery modules may be housed in the battery pack 10. In this case, the components described in the above-mentioned multiple embodiments, particularly the battery cells 100 and the cell covers 300, can also be applied to the battery modules.

[0114] A battery module according to another aspect of the present invention is a battery module accommodated one or more in the internal space of a pack case 200, and may include a plurality of pouch-type battery cells 100, a module case that accommodates the pouch-type battery cells 100 in the internal space and has a discharge hole 210 formed on at least one side, and a plurality of cell covers 300 that are arranged in the internal space of the module case to at least partially enclose at least one pouch-type battery cell 100 among the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 100 and are configured so that their length in the width direction is variable.

[0115] A vent hole 210 for discharging vent gas inside the cell cover 300 may be formed in the bottom portion of the module case. The vent hole 210 of the module case may be configured to communicate with the accommodation space of the cell cover 300 accommodated inside the module case. In this embodiment, when vent gas or the like is emitted from the battery cell 100 accommodated inside the cell cover 300, the emitted vent gas may be discharged downward without being discharged upward or toward the front or rear.

[0116] In particular, the cell cover 300 can be configured so that the communication area with the discharge hole 210 of the module case is variable depending on the change in the length in the width direction. The discharge hole 210 of the module case can be configured to communicate with the discharge hole 210 of the pack case 200.

[0117] In the case of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 100 and the cell covers 300 included in the battery module, the description of the battery pack 10 described above can be applied in the same or similar manner, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0118] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle including a battery pack according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0119] An automobile 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery packs 10 according to the above-described embodiments. Here, the automobile 20 includes various automobiles 20 that are configured to use electricity, such as electric automobiles and hybrid automobiles.

[0120] Although the present invention has been described above using limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited to these, and it goes without saying that various modifications and variations can be made by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains within the technical spirit of the present invention and the scope of equivalents of the claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0121] The present invention relates to a battery module and an automobile including the same, and is particularly applicable to industries related to secondary batteries. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 10 Battery Pack 20. Automobiles 100 pouch type battery cells 100a Battery Cell (1st Cell) 100b Battery cell (second cell) 100c Battery Cell (3rd Cell) 200 pack case 210 Discharge hole 300 cell cover 300a Cell Cover (First Cover) 300b Cell cover (second cover) 300c Cell Cover (Third Cover) 310 Upper cover part 319 Triangle Club 500 Battery Management System 600 Battery Disconnect Unit 700 Busbar 800 Thermal Barrier

Claims

1. a plurality of pouch-type battery cells; a pack case that houses the plurality of pouch-type battery cells in its internal space; a plurality of cell covers provided in the internal space of the pack case so as to at least partially enclose at least one pouch-type battery cell among the plurality of pouch-type battery cells, and configured so as to have variable lengths in a width direction; Including, the cell cover is configured so that at least one side of the enclosed pouch-type battery cell is exposed toward a bottom surface of the battery pack; a discharge hole communicating with the internal space of the cell cover is formed in the bottom surface of the pack case.

2. A plurality of pouch-type battery cells; a pack case that houses the plurality of pouch-type battery cells in its internal space; a plurality of cell covers provided in the internal space of the pack case so as to at least partially enclose at least one pouch-type battery cell among the plurality of pouch-type battery cells, and configured so as to have variable lengths in a width direction; Including, A discharge hole is formed on at least one side of the pack case, The battery pack is configured so that the communication area with the discharge hole is variable by changing the widthwise length of the cell cover.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2 , wherein the discharge hole of the pack case is formed in an elongated shape along an arrangement direction of the plurality of cell covers, or a plurality of discharge holes are formed.

4. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the cell cover is configured to enclose both sides and an upper side of the at least one pouch-shaped battery cell.

5. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the cell cover is configured to keep the enclosed pouch-type battery cell in an upright state.

6. The cell cover includes an upper cover portion formed on an upper side thereof, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the upper cover portion is configured so that its length is variable in a width direction.

7. The cell cover includes an upper cover portion formed on an upper side thereof, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the upper cover portion is configured in a wrinkled shape.

8. The battery pack according to claim 7 , wherein the upper cover portion is formed with a triangular portion folded into a triangle shape.

9. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the cell cover is configured to support a stacked state of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells.

10. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the cell cover is formed in an n-shape.

11. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the cell cover is made of a metal material.

12. The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising a bus bar connecting the plurality of electrode leads.

13. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the cell cover is placed directly on the pack case.

14. A motor vehicle comprising a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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