Safety-enhanced battery pack

Abstract

The present invention discloses a battery pack having an improved structure to enhance safety when a thermal event occurs in a battery module. A battery pack according to one aspect of the present invention includes a pack housing, a battery module having module terminals connected by bus bars, a module accommodating part disposed in the pack housing and providing an accommodating space in which the battery module is accommodated, and a splitter that partitions a part or all of the accommodating space so that the bus bars are located in an independent space.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack and the like, and more particularly to a battery pack and the like that has enhanced safety, particularly safety for an electrical connection structure, when a thermal event occurs.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0120163, filed on September 22, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in the specification and drawings thereof. [Background technology]

[0003] As demand for portable electronic products that use electricity as a power source, such as laptops, video cameras, and mobile phones, has grown rapidly and mobile robots, electric bicycles, electric carts, and electric cars have become widely commercialized, active research is being conducted into high-performance secondary batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged.

[0004] Currently commercially available secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Among these, lithium secondary batteries have the advantage of being freely chargeable and dischargeable since they have almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, and have an extremely low self-discharge rate. In addition, they have the characteristics of high energy density and high operating voltage. Therefore, more intensive research is being conducted on lithium secondary batteries than on other types of secondary batteries, and they are being applied more extensively to actual products.

[0005] Recently, secondary batteries have been widely used not only in small devices such as portable electronic devices but also in medium- to large-sized devices such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS).

[0006] In this case, a battery module in which a plurality of electrically connected secondary batteries are housed together inside a module case is mainly applied, and further, when high power or high capacity is required, a battery pack in which a plurality of such battery modules are electrically connected may also be applied.

[0007] Although secondary batteries with these advantages are being increasingly used in various forms, their behavioral characteristics may cause problems such as swelling, application of rush current, overheating due to Joule heating, or thermal runaway due to decomposition of the electrolyte.

[0008] In addition, if an event such as a short circuit between secondary batteries or excessive temperature rise occurs, a large amount of vent gas may be generated, and if this becomes severe, not only flames but also high-temperature particles containing electrode active material and aluminum particles may be released together, so ensuring the safety of battery modules is becoming even more important.

[0009] Battery modules and battery packs may be more vulnerable to thermal events due to the spatially intensive packing of multiple secondary batteries (battery cells) or multiple battery modules. In particular, if thermal runaway occurs inside a battery module, high-temperature gas, flame, heat, etc. may be generated. If these are not quickly controlled, thermal propagation may cause a chain reaction fire or explosion in the battery module itself or in adjacent battery modules.

[0010] In the case of medium- to large-sized battery packs used in vehicles such as electric cars, which are used by users, a large number of battery cells and battery modules are installed in a more concentrated manner to increase output and capacity. This raises concerns about the possibility of large-scale fires and even personal injury, so there is a high need for more rigorous suppression and control of thermal events that may occur in battery modules from an early stage.

[0011] The battery pack is configured to have an electrical connection structure, such as a bus bar made of a conductive material, that electrically connects electrodes of individual battery modules to each other in order to configure electrodes of the battery pack unit.

[0012] Such electrical connection configurations such as bus bars correspond to configurations in which multiple battery modules are electrically connected in series, parallel, or a combination of these. Therefore, if a thermal event occurring in a battery module causes damage to the bus bars and / or terminals electrically connected by the bus bars, there is a high risk that not only will the operation of the battery pack itself be paralyzed, but fatal damage such as an electrical short circuit may also occur, potentially resulting in even more serious safety issues.

[0013] Furthermore, since the busbar and the module terminals of the battery module have a structure in which they are electrically connected to each other, when such a structure is exposed to a thermal event, the propagation, diffusion or transfer of the thermal event is more likely to be promoted via the electrical connection structure, and therefore ensuring safety against this is considered even more important. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0014] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems under the above-mentioned background, and aims to provide a battery pack or the like with enhanced safety by applying an improved structure, such as physically separating a space in which components for electrical connection, such as a bus bar, are located.

[0015] 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]

[0016] In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a battery pack may include a pack housing, battery modules having module terminals connected by bus bars, a module accommodating portion disposed in the pack housing and providing an accommodating space in which the battery modules are accommodated, and a splitter that partitions part or all of the accommodating space so that the bus bars are positioned in an independent space.

[0017] In this case, the splitter of the present invention may include a body plate connected to one or more inner surfaces of the module receiving portion and having a through-hole formed in a central portion thereof in a shape corresponding to the battery module.

[0018] In addition, the splitter of the present invention may further include a guider having a vertically extending shape to guide the connection of the battery modules, and in this case, it is preferable that an end of the guider is configured to be connected to a bottom surface of the pack housing or the module accommodating portion.

[0019] Furthermore, the module accommodating portion of the present invention may include a first plate arranged in a direction in which module terminals of the battery module are arranged, a second plate arranged in a direction opposite to the first plate, and a side plate connecting the first plate and the second plate. In this case, the second plate of the present invention may have a vent hole formed therein that communicates with a vent path formed by a space between the side frame of the pack housing and the module accommodating portion.

[0020] Preferably, the vent hole of the present invention may be formed at a position lower than the height of the splitter when the bus bar is located in an upper space of the spaces partitioned by the splitter, and may be formed at a position higher than the height of the splitter when the bus bar is located in a lower space of the spaces partitioned by the splitter.

[0021] Furthermore, the splitter of the present invention may further include one or more backflow blocking portions disposed on the lower surface of the body plate, selectively suppressing a reverse flow toward the module terminal during the flow of vent gas.

[0022] In this case, the backflow blocking unit of the present invention may include a rotating member that is rotatably connected to the lower part of the body plate and normally forms an angle of less than 90° with the body plate, and a stopper that prevents the rotating member from rotating more than a reference angle due to the flow in the reverse direction.

[0023] The first plate of the present invention may include a mounting groove in which the bus bar is mounted or a through hole through which the bus bar passes.

[0024] Furthermore, the bus bar of the present invention may include a first branch connected to a module terminal of a first battery module located on one side of the first plate, a second branch connected to a module terminal of a second battery module located on the other side of the first plate, and a bridge connecting the first branch and the second branch and having a portion corresponding to the height of the first plate.

[0025] In order to achieve the above object, according to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle includes the battery pack according to the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] According to the present invention, the storage spaces in which the battery modules are housed are separated into individual spaces, and the structure is improved so that the separated storage spaces are linked to vent channels through which vent gases and the like are discharged to the outside. This not only effectively prevents thermal events from spreading or transferring to adjacent battery modules, but also more effectively discharges vent gases and the like to the outside.

[0027] In particular, according to one aspect of the present invention, by effectively isolating components for electrical connections, such as bus bars and module terminals, it is possible to minimize the influence of thermal events, such as vent gas and fire, on the components for electrical connections, thereby preventing serious errors, such as paralysis of the overall dimensional operation of the battery pack, and also to prevent thermal events from spreading through the electrical connection structure at the source, thereby more effectively ensuring the structural safety of the battery pack itself.

[0028] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, by applying a structure that connects the components that physically separate the storage space of the battery module with the physical components of the pack housing, it is possible to support the battery module more firmly and stably, improve the efficiency of the assembly process, and further strengthen the durability of the pack housing itself from a structural engineering perspective.

[0029] In addition to these, the present invention can have various other effects, which will be explained in the sections for each embodiment, and explanations of effects that can be easily inferred by those skilled in the art will be omitted.

[0030] 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 described in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating an overall appearance of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing a battery module arranged in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating a module housing and related components of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating how a battery module is coupled to a module receiving portion of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a splitter according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the structure of a splitter according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the structure of a splitter according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the structure of a splitter according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a route through which vent gas and the like are discharged. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a route through which vent gas and the like are discharged. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a backflow blocking unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 5(a) and 5(b) are diagrams illustrating the operational relationship of a backflow blocking unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a backflow blocking unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a backflow blocking unit according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a backflow blocking unit according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a backflow blocking unit according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating the structure of a bus bar and a first plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating the structure of a bus bar and a first plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in the specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as having meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical ideas of the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventors themselves can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best explain the invention.

[0033] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and that there may be various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therefor at the time of this application.

[0034] The present invention also includes a wide variety of embodiments, and the following description will focus on the differences and omit redundant explanations of substantially identical or similar configurations.

[0035] Meanwhile, although directional terms such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear may be used in this specification, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art of the present invention that these terms are used merely for ease of explanation and may differ depending on the position of the object in question, the position of the observer, etc.

[0036] For example, in an embodiment of the present invention, the illustrated X-axis direction may refer to the left-right direction, the Y-axis direction may refer to the front-to-back direction that is perpendicular to the X-axis direction on a horizontal plane (XY plane), and the Z-axis direction may refer to the up-down direction (vertical direction) that is perpendicular to both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of a battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view showing the internal configuration of the battery pack 10 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a view showing a battery module installed in the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] As illustrated in the drawings, the battery pack 10 of the present invention may include a pack housing 200, a battery module 100, and a module receiving portion 400.

[0039] The pack housing 200 is a component that provides a basic framework of the battery pack 10, and provides a space for accommodating one or more battery modules 100 therein via a module accommodating portion 400. Specifically, the pack housing 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an upper frame 230, a lower frame 220, and a side frame 210.

[0040] At least one of the upper frame 230, the lower frame 220, and the side frame 210 may be formed in a plate shape, but may also be formed in a polyhedron (e.g., a rectangular parallelepiped) shape having a certain thickness or more.

[0041] The upper frame 230 is located at the top of the pack housing 200, the lower frame 220 can be arranged below the upper frame 230 at a predetermined distance from the upper frame 230, and the side frame 210 can be arranged with its upper end and lower end connected between the upper frame 230 and the lower frame 220, respectively.

[0042] Depending on the embodiment, at least a portion of the upper frame 230, the lower frame 220, and the side frame 210 may be formed as an integrated unit, and the joining between adjacent frames may be achieved by methods such as flanges and bolt fastening, laser welding, ultrasonic welding, etc.

[0043] The inner surface of one or more of the upper frame 230, the lower frame 220, and the side frame 210 may be made of clad metal, or may be fitted with a flame-retardant material such as glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP). In order to effectively provide physical protection for the internal components, one or more of the frames 210, 220, and 230 constituting the pack housing 300 may be made of a metal material such as high-strength stainless steel (SUS) or a plastic material such as ABS resin (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer) which has high heat resistance, temperature resistance, and impact resistance, or may be made of different materials for different parts depending on the embodiment.

[0044] As illustrated in the drawings, a module receiving section 400 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) is provided inside the pack housing 200 to individually receive each battery module 100. The module receiving section 400 functions as a kind of independent chamber or compartment to not only physically protect the individual battery modules 100 but also to temporarily prevent a thermal event occurring in one battery module 100 from spreading or transferring to other adjacent battery modules 100. Specific details of the module receiving section 400 will be described later.

[0045] As shown in the figure, it is preferable that the module accommodating section 400 is arranged at a position spaced inward from one or more side frames 210 so that a space P is formed between the module accommodating section 400 and the side frames 210 that constitute the pack housing 200.

[0046] When configured in this manner, the space P can be used as a vent channel P through which vent gases, etc. generated in the battery module 100 are discharged. Depending on the embodiment, as illustrated in the drawings, the vent channel P can be formed in the shape of a kind of track that brings together the outer peripheries of a plurality of module accommodating portions 400, and the vent gases, etc. generated in each battery module 100 can be effectively discharged to the outside of the pack housing 200 through outlets E, etc. formed in the side frames 210.

[0047] When a flame is discharged together with the vent gas, it is more preferable that a guider or venting rib having a bent shape, or a bending member for changing direction, not shown, be provided in the vent channel P, etc., so that the strong straightness, which is a behavior characteristic of the flame, can be broken down and the flame can be weakened.

[0048] It goes without saying that each plate constituting the module accommodating section 400 is also preferably made of a material with high heat resistance and physical rigidity, like each frame constituting the pack housing 200 .

[0049] The figure shows an example in which battery modules 100 arranged in a 2X3 matrix group based on the vertical (X-axis) and horizontal (Y-axis) axes are accommodated in the pack housing 200, but it goes without saying that battery modules 100 having various combinations of arrangements such as 2X4, 2X2, and 4X3 matrix groups can be arranged in the pack housing 200 via the module accommodating section 400 depending on the spatial characteristics, electrical application amount, power size, etc. of the device to which they are applied.

[0050] 2, the battery module 100 accommodated in the module accommodating part 400 may include a module case 110 and a cell assembly (not shown) accommodated inside the module case 110. The cell assembly is made up of n (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 1) battery cells, and the leads of the n battery cells are assembled using a joining method such as welding or a method using a conductive material member as an intermediary to form a module terminal 120, which is an electrical interfacing electrode for the battery module 100 unit.

[0051] The battery cells assembled into the battery module 100 may be secondary batteries, and it goes without saying that the secondary batteries may be pouch-type cells, cylindrical cells, or prismatic cells.

[0052] It goes without saying that a method for constructing a battery module using a plurality of battery cells is a well-known technical configuration in this technical field, and is not a core technology of the present invention, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0053] 3, each battery module 100 included in a battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be provided with a vent hole H. The vent hole H may be provided on at least one side of the module case 110 to allow vent gas to be discharged. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the vent hole H may be provided on both side surfaces of the module case 110. Here, the both side surfaces may be surfaces facing each other symmetrically along the left-right direction of the battery module 100. A plurality of battery modules 100 may be accommodated in each module accommodating portion 400 such that the vent hole H is adjacent to the module terminal 120.

[0054] Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, when a thermal runaway phenomenon occurs in the battery module 100, vent gases generated in the battery module 100 can be vented directionally to both sides of the battery module 100 through the exhaust holes H. In addition, the vent gases exhausted through the exhaust holes H can be exhausted to the vent channel P after passing through the space within the module accommodating part 400. Therefore, when a thermal runaway phenomenon occurs simultaneously in multiple battery modules 100, the vent gases can be more quickly guided to the vent channel P and exhausted to the outside of the pack housing 200.

[0055] The multiple battery modules 100 arranged in the pack housing 200 are electrically connected to one another in parallel, in series, or a combination thereof in accordance with appropriate specifications and design matters required for the battery pack 10. As an example of this, the drawings show a configuration in which module terminals 120 (see FIG. 5, etc.) of the same polarity arranged on battery modules 100 facing each other in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) are connected to one another by a bus bar 500.

[0056] As shown in the figure, the electrical connection by the bus bars 500 and the configuration of the battery modules 100 electrically connected to each other by the bus bars 500 are merely shown in a somewhat simplified form in order to effectively explain the technical concept of the present invention, and it goes without saying that a connector structure connecting the bus bars 500 to each other may also be included.

[0057] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a module receiving part 400 and related components of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a battery module 100 is coupled to the module receiving part 400 of the present invention.

[0058] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the module receiving section 400 is equipped with a splitter 300 of the present invention that divides the space (hereinafter referred to as the "receiving space") S (see Figure 5) in which the battery module 100 is received into two parts, such as upper and lower parts.

[0059] The splitter 300 of the present invention divides the accommodation space into upper and lower spaces, etc., and physically divides the accommodation space so that the module terminals 120 of the first and second battery modules 100-1, 100-2 and the bus bar 500 that electrically connects these module terminals 120 to each other are located in independent spaces. For ease of explanation and understanding, as shown in the figure, one of the two battery modules 100 electrically connected by the bus bar 500 is exemplified as the first battery module 100-1 and the other as the second battery module 100-2.

[0060] That is, the splitter 300 of the present invention partially divides the accommodating space into an upper sector and a lower sector, and is configured such that the terminals and bus bars 500 of the battery modules 100 are located in the upper sector.

[0061] As described above, the terminals and bus bars 500 of the battery modules 100 are components that realize electrical connection between the battery modules 100 and form the dimensional electrodes of the battery pack 10. Therefore, if these components are exposed to a thermal event that occurs in the battery module 100, there is a high concern that a fatal safety accident, such as the interruption of the entire operation of the battery pack 10, may occur.

[0062] The splitter 300 of the present invention not only prevents the electrodes and / or bus bars 500 from being exposed to the vent gas, etc., even if a thermal event such as vent gas occurs in some battery modules 100, but also functions to guide the generated vent gas, etc. to be more effectively discharged to the outside through an exhaust port E formed in the side frame 210, etc.

[0063] Typically, the module terminal 120 of the battery module 100 is arranged at the top of the battery module 100. Therefore, when the accommodation space is physically divided by the splitter 300 of the present invention, it is preferable that the module terminal 120 and the bus bar 500 are configured to be arranged in the upper space (sector) of the space partitioned by the splitter 300.

[0064] 3, when the battery module 100 is provided with a vent hole H, the vent hole H may be provided in a lower portion of a side surface of the module case 110. That is, the vent hole H may be configured to be disposed in a lower space (sector) of the space partitioned by the splitter 300. According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the splitter 300 can prevent vent gas and the like discharged through the vent hole H from moving toward the module terminals 120 and bus bars 500 disposed in the upper space. This can effectively prevent the module terminals 120 and bus bars 500 from being exposed to vent gas and the like.

[0065] Depending on the embodiment, when the module terminal 120 of the battery module 100 is disposed at the lower part of the battery module 100, it goes without saying that the module terminal 120 and the bus bar 500 may be disposed in the lower space (sector) of the space partitioned by the splitter 300.

[0066] In order for the module accommodating section 400 of the present invention to function as a type of compartment or chamber in which the battery module 100 is accommodated, the module accommodating section 400 of the present invention may be configured to include a first plate 410, a second plate 420, and a side plate 430 having an upright shape in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), like a type of partition wall, as shown in the figure.

[0067] To improve the efficiency of explanation and understanding, among these plates 410, 420, 430, the plate arranged in the direction in which the terminals of the battery module 100 are arranged will be referred to as the first plate 410, the plate arranged in the opposite direction to the first plate 410 will be referred to as the second plate 420, and the plate connecting the first plate 410 and the second plate 420 will be referred to as the side plate 430.

[0068] It goes without saying that each individual module receiving section 400 can be formed by an independent plate, but depending on the embodiment, as illustrated in the drawings, adjacent module receiving sections 400 in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction) and horizontal direction (X-axis direction) may be formed in a manner in which the first plate 410 or the side plate 430 is shared.

[0069] As shown in the figure, the second plate 420 may have a vent hole 421 formed therein, which is in communication with a vent path (vent channel) P formed by a space between the side frame 210 of the pack housing 200 and the module receiving portion 400. Specific details of the present invention, which allows vent gas generated in the battery module 100 to be discharged to the outside of the pack housing 200 through the vent hole 421, will be described later.

[0070] The splitter 300 of the present invention is a component that divides the accommodation space of the module accommodation part 400 into upper and lower parts, and specifically may include a body plate 310 and a through hole 320 .

[0071] The body plate 310 is a plate extending horizontally, and as illustrated in the drawings, is physically connected to one or more of the inner surfaces of the module accommodating portion 400, and has a through hole 320 formed in the center thereof that has a shape corresponding to that of the battery module 100.

[0072] According to the above-described embodiment, the battery modules 100 are coupled to the through-holes 320 in a fitting manner, which not only facilitates installation of the battery modules 100, but also allows the housing space to be divided into upper and lower independent spaces by the physical configuration of the body plate 310 of the splitter 300 and the battery modules 100 themselves.

[0073] Furthermore, as described above, since the module terminals 120 and the bus bars 500 are disposed on the upper part of the battery module 100, the module terminals 120 and the bus bars 500 are located in the upper space partitioned by the splitter 300, and as a result, they can be independent or separated from other occupied spaces of the battery module 100.

[0074] The splitter 300 of the present invention is a component that separates the module terminal 120 and the bus bar 500 into independent spaces and blocks the effects of thermal events occurring in the battery module 100 on the bus bar 500, etc., and therefore it is preferable that the splitter 300 be formed in a position that is as biased upward as possible (in the Z-axis direction) within a range that allows physical isolation between the module terminal 120 and the bus bar 500.

[0075] From a corresponding perspective, in order to further minimize the impact of vent gases, etc. on the bus bars 500, etc. blocked by the splitter 300, and to guide the vent gases, etc. so that they can be discharged to the outside more quickly, it is preferable that the vent holes 421 formed in the second plate 420 of the module accommodating section 400 be formed at a position H1 (see Figure 12) lower than the height H2 of the splitter 300.

[0076] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a splitter 300 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 7 to 9 are diagrams showing the structure of splitters 300 according to other embodiments of the present invention.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 6, the splitter 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a guider 330 having a shape extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0078] The guider 330 guides the battery module 100 to be more easily coupled to the receiving space S, that is, the through-hole 320 in the center of the body plate 310, and physically supports the battery module 100 more firmly.

[0079] More preferably, the guider 330 of the present invention may be configured to have a shape in which plates are bent perpendicularly to each other or at an angle equivalent thereto to correspond to the shape of the corners of the battery module 100, extending vertically, as shown in FIG. 6 .

[0080] The guider 330 may be disposed at an inner corner of the through-hole 320, and is preferably configured to be coupled to the lower frame 220 of the pack housing 200. When the module receiving part 400 has a bottom surface, or when a cooling pad or a heat sink is disposed on the bottom surface, the lower end of the guider 330 may be configured to be coupled to the bottom surface of the module receiving part 400 or the heat sink.

[0081] According to this embodiment of the present invention, the splitter 300, specifically the guider 330 physically connected to the body plate 310 of the splitter 300, is again coupled to the pack housing 200 in the vertical direction, which not only structurally enhances the durability of the pack housing 200 itself, but also further increases the positional fixing force of the battery module 100.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 7 , the battery pack 10 of the present invention may include an insulating cover 350 that covers the top of the bus bar 500 and is physically coupled to the body plate 310 of the splitter 300 to form an area where the bus bar 500 is located as an independent insulating space.

[0083] In this case, the body plate 310 of the splitter 300 may not be formed over the entire inner surface of the module receiving portion 400, but may be formed only on the first plate 410 side.

[0084] Depending on the embodiment, the shielding cover 350 may be formed with a guide groove 351 through which a portion of the body of the bus bar 500 passes or is guided in order to avoid physical interference with the bus bar 500 .

[0085] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, the blocking cover 350 of the present invention can be realized in a shape that covers the bus bar 500 as a center, or in a shape that covers the bus bar 500 and the module terminal 120 as a whole.

[0086] In the case of an embodiment in which the blocking cover 350 is provided as described above, it goes without saying that various methods can be applied to maintain airtightness when the upper frame 230 of the pack housing 200 is joined, such as adjusting the height of the first plate 410 or the side plate 430, or forming a groove or step on the upper side.

[0087] According to such an embodiment of the present invention, only the minimum local area where the bus bar 500 is located can be isolated as an independent space, which not only further improves space utilization but also allows for more extensive application of space separation to the battery module 100.

[0088] The shielding cover 350 may be physically coupled to a single body plate 310 formed in each individual module receiving portion 400, but as illustrated in the drawings, if it has a structural shape that allows it to be physically coupled to all of the body plates 310 formed in each of the adjacent module receiving portions 400, the efficiency of the assembly process can be further improved.

[0089] 10 and 11 are diagrams for explaining the process of discharging vent gas and the like using the configuration of the present invention.

[0090] Vent gases and the like generated in the battery module 100 have physical characteristics of high temperature and high pressure, and therefore tend to rise, but as described above, their upward movement is blocked by the splitter 300 of the present invention. Furthermore, because their movement in the forward direction (negative Y-axis direction) is blocked by the first plate 410, the vent gases and the like move rearward through the space between the bottom of the body plate 310, which is one component of the splitter 300, and the side plate 430.

[0091] The vent gas and the like that moves rearward passes through the module accommodating section 400 via the vent hole 421 formed in the second plate 420, and the vent gas and the like that is discharged from the module accommodating section 400 moves to the space between the module accommodating section 400 and the pack housing 200, i.e., the vent channel P.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 10, the vent gas and the like that has moved to the vent channel P is discharged to the outside of the battery pack 10 through the space between the side frame 210 and the module accommodating portion 400 and the outlet E formed in the side frame 210.

[0093] As briefly mentioned above, the vent channel P provided by the space between the second plate 420 and the side frame 210, and between the side plate 430 and the side frame 210, may be equipped with a component that guides vent gas, etc. in a specific direction, or a component such as a vent rib that disrupts the straightness of the vent gas, etc. or weakens its strength.

[0094] Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 12 to 17, a detailed description will be given of the configuration of the present invention, which guides vent gases and the like generated in the battery module 100 so that they do not flow back toward the bus bar 500 but are more effectively discharged to the outside in the direction described above.

[0095] 12 is a diagram illustrating a backflow blocking unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the operational relationship of the backflow blocking unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 12 and other figures, the splitter 300 of the present invention may include one or more backflow blocking units 340 disposed on the lower surface of the body plate 310 and selectively suppressing the flow of vent gas in a direction toward the module terminal 120 (hereinafter referred to as "backward flow").

[0096] 12, the backflow blocking portion 340 may extend obliquely away from the body plate 310. The backflow blocking portion 340 may extend obliquely toward the lower frame 220 in the direction in which the vent hole 421 is provided. In this case, the angle θ between the outer surface of the backflow blocking portion 340, i.e., the surface of the backflow blocking portion 340 facing the vent hole 421, and the body plate 310 may be configured to be an acute angle. A plurality of backflow blocking portions 340 may be provided on the body plate 310 and arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction).

[0097] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, vent gas, etc., discharged due to thermal runaway of the battery module 100 can be discharged to the vent hole 421 along the inner surface of the backflow blocking unit 340. The inner surface of the backflow blocking unit 340 may refer to the surface opposite to the outer surface of the backflow blocking unit 340. This allows the flow of vent gas, etc., to be guided toward the vent hole 421. Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, when vent gas, etc., flows in the reverse direction, it collides with the outer surface of the backflow blocking unit 340, thereby effectively preventing it from flowing back toward the bus bar 500.

[0098] The reverse current blocking unit 340 may be integrally provided on the lower surface of the body plate 310. This simplifies the manufacturing process of the battery pack 10, reduces costs and time, and improves productivity.

[0099] 13, the backflow blocking unit 340 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a rotating member 341. The rotating member 341 may be rotatably connected to the lower part of the body plate 310 and may be a plate-like member extending in the longitudinal direction. The length of the rotating member 341 may be longer than the height H1 of the lower space of the space partitioned by the splitter 300.

[0100] This allows the rotating member 341 to rotate clockwise due to the load when vent gas or the like flows in the reverse direction, causing the end of the rotating member 341 to come into contact with the lower frame 220. According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the rotating member 341 is restricted from rotating beyond a certain angle, and its position can be fixed at a certain angle.

[0101] The backflow blocking unit 340 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a stopper 342. The rotating member 341 is configured to face the bottom surface due to its own weight, etc., but may be configured to form an acute angle of 90° or less with the body plate 310 due to the stopper 342 that limits the physical movement of the rotating member 341.

[0102] The stopper 342 may be positioned farther from the body plate 310 than the rotating member 341. In particular, the stopper 342 may be configured to limit the opening angle of the rotating member 341 to less than a certain angle. The stopper 342 may be disposed to form an acute angle with the body plate 310. This allows the outer surface of the rotating member 341 to be configured to form an acute angle of 90° or less with the body plate 310 by the stopper 342. In other words, the angle formed between the outer surface of the rotating member 341 and the body plate 310 may be set within an angle range greater than 0° and less than 90°.

[0103] The reverse current blocking unit 340 may be rotatably connected to the body plate 310 via a separate connecting member (not shown). Such a connecting member may include an elastic body having elasticity. For example, the connecting member may be provided as a hinge spring. As a result, the rotation member 341 can maintain a reference angle with the body plate 310 due to the elastic force of the elastic body provided in the connecting member when the thermal runaway phenomenon of the battery module 100 is not occurring.

[0104] More specifically, the rotation member 341 can be coupled to the body plate 310 so as to be rotatable around the body plate 310. In this case, as shown in FIG. 13(a), when the vent gas moves backward (flows in the forward direction), the pressing force of the vent gas applied to the rotation member 341 becomes stronger than the elastic force of the coupling member that tries to maintain the reference angle. As a result, the flow F1 of the vent gas, etc., moving backward (flows in the forward direction) rotates the rotation member 341 counterclockwise. Through this structural coupling, the rotation member 341 is configured not to obstruct or suppress the forward flow of the vent gas, etc.

[0105] In contrast, as shown in Figure 13(b), when vent gas flows in the opposite direction, i.e., in the direction in which bus bar 500 is deployed (F2), rotating member 341 rotates clockwise, gradually blocking this flow in the opposite direction. Furthermore, stopper 342 of the present invention prevents rotation beyond the reference angle, so that its position is fixed at the reference angle.

[0106] The reverse flow blocking portion 340 of the present invention selectively blocks the flow of vent gas and other gases in the reverse direction toward the bus bar 500, thereby more effectively protecting the bus bar 500, module terminal 120, and the like from vent gas and the like. Furthermore, the structural application of the present invention as described above makes it possible to more effectively guide the outflow of vent gas to the outside.

[0107] 12, as described above, when the bus bar 500 is located in the upper space of the space partitioned by the splitter 300, the vent hole 421 formed in the second plate 420 is formed at a position H1 that is lower than the height H2 at which the splitter 300 is disposed. Alternatively, when the bus bar 500 is located in the lower space of the space partitioned by the splitter 300, depending on the embodiment, the vent hole 421 of the present invention is preferably configured to be formed at a position higher than the height of the splitter 300.

[0108] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a backflow blocking unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0109] 14, the backflow blocking part 340 may be provided not only on the body plate 310 but also on the lower frame 220 of the pack housing 200. The backflow blocking part 340 may extend obliquely away from the lower frame 220. In this case, the angle between the outer surface of the backflow blocking part 340, i.e., the surface of the backflow blocking part 340 facing the vent hole 421, and the lower frame 220 may be configured to be an acute angle. In other words, the backflow blocking part 340 may be provided on the body plate 310 and the lower frame 220 in shapes that are symmetrical to each other with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0110] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the backflow blocking section 340 provided in the lower frame 220 allows the vent gas and the like to be guided to the vent hole 421 along the inner surface of the backflow blocking section 340. This allows the vent gas and the like to be guided to the vent hole 421 and quickly discharged to the outside of the module accommodating section 400 through the vent hole 421.

[0111] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a backflow blocking unit according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] 15 , a rotation member 341 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention may be configured such that the angle between the outer surface of the rotation member 341 and the body plate 310 decreases as the rotation member 341 approaches the vent hole 421. That is, the angle φ1 between the outer surface of the rotation member 341 disposed farthest from the vent hole 421 and the body plate 310 gradually decreases as the angle progresses toward the angle φ2 between the outer surface of the rotation member 341 disposed closest to the vent hole 421 and the body plate 310. In this case, the stoppers 342 disposed on each rotation member 341 may also be configured such that the angle they form with the body plate 310 decreases as the stoppers 342 approach the vent hole 421.

[0113] When the backflow blocking portion 340 is disposed on the lower frame 220, the angle between the rotating member 341 and the lower frame 220 can also be configured so that the angle with the body plate 310 decreases as the rotating member 341 approaches the vent hole 421.

[0114] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to minimize collision of vent gas and the like with the inner surface of another rotating member 341 arranged relatively close to vent hole 421. This allows the flow of vent gas and the like in the direction of vent hole 421 to be formed smoothly without any restriction.

[0115] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, when vent gas or the like flows in the reverse direction toward bus bar 500, there is a high possibility that the vent gas or the like will collide with the outer surface of rotating member 341, which is disposed relatively far from vent hole 421. This makes it possible to more effectively prevent vent gas or the like from flowing toward bus bar 500.

[0116] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a backflow blocking unit according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0117] 16 , the backflow blocking part 340 may further include a protrusion 343. The protrusion 343 may be provided on the outer surface of each rotating member 341, i.e., on the side facing the vent hole 421. The protrusion 343 may be configured to block the flow of sparks, flames, etc., generated by thermal runaway of the battery module 100. For example, a plurality of protrusions 343 may be provided on the outer surface of the rotating member 341 in the form of protrusions.

[0118] When multiple protrusions 343 are formed on the outer surface of the rotating member 341 as in the above embodiment, when high-temperature particles or flames, such as sparks that tend to travel in a straight line, flow in the opposite direction, they collide with the protrusions 343 formed on the outer surface of the rotating member 341 that are disposed relatively close to the vent hole 421, and can remain on the outer surface of the rotating member 341. This makes it possible to reliably block sparks, flames, etc. from traveling toward the bus bar 500.

[0119] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a backflow blocking unit according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0120] 17 , the backflow blocking unit 340 may further include a bent portion 344. The bent portion 344 may be disposed to be bent from an end of each rotating member 341 toward the vent hole 421. The bent portion 344 may be configured to block the flow of vent gas generated due to thermal runaway of the battery module 100. According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the vent gas may collide with the bent portion 344 and remain on the outer surface of the rotating member 341. This makes it possible to more reliably block the vent gas from flowing toward the bus bar 500.

[0121] 18 and 19 are diagrams illustrating the structure of a bus bar 500 and a first plate 410 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0122] As illustrated in the drawings, the bus bar 500 of the present invention may include a first branch 510, a second branch 520, and a bridge 530. Depending on the embodiment, the bus bar 500 may be covered by a housing made of a non-conductive material for insulation or the like.

[0123] As described above, two adjacent battery modules 100 with their module terminals 120 facing each other are referred to as the first battery module 100-1 and the second battery module 100-2.

[0124] The first branch 510 is connected to the module terminal 120 of the first battery module 100-1 located on one side of the first plate 410, and the second branch 520 is connected to the module terminal 120 of the second battery module 100-2, which is a battery module 100 located opposite the first battery module 100-1 with the first plate 410 in between.

[0125] It goes without saying that the connection between the first and second branches 510, 520 and the module terminal 120 can be made by a variety of methods, including a fastening method using a coupling means 540 as illustrated in the drawings, as well as joining methods such as welding.

[0126] The bridge 530, which is one of the components of the bus bar 500, has a portion corresponding to the height of the first plate 410 (based on the Z-axis direction) and connects the first branch 510 and the second branch 520.

[0127] The components constituting the bus bar 500 are referred to by different names for the sake of ease of explanation and understanding. It goes without saying that the bus bar 500 can be realized as a single unit by molding a single member (such as a conductive material such as metal) using a press process or other molding method.

[0128] When the structural features of the bus bar 500 are realized as shown, the module terminals 120 of the multiple battery modules 100 independently housed in each of the module housing portions 400 can be more effectively connected while being physically isolated from each other by the first plate 410.

[0129] Preferably, as illustrated in the drawings, first plate 410 may be formed with mounting grooves 411 in which busbar 500 is placed. If busbar 500 has a bilaterally symmetrical shape as illustrated in the drawings, it goes without saying that bridge 530 of busbar 500 can be placed in mounting grooves 411.

[0130] According to this embodiment of the present invention, not only can steps or gaps (play) be avoided when joining the pack housing 200 to the upper frame 230, but the airtightness of the pack housing 200 itself can also be further improved.

[0131] 19 , first plate 410 may be formed with through-hole 412 through which bus bar 500 passes. In this case, too, it is possible to achieve the same level of effect as the above-described mounting groove 411. First plate 410 may be in the form of a thin plate, and bus bar 500 is also made of a metal material and has a shape extending in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, bus bar 500 can be fitted into through-hole 412 while maintaining the overall shape characteristics of bus bar 500.

[0132] The battery pack 10 according to the present invention may further include a battery management system (not shown). The battery management system (BMS) may be mounted in the interior space of the pack housing 200 and configured to generally control the charging and discharging operations of the battery cells or battery modules 100, data transmission and reception operations, etc.

[0133] The battery pack 10 according to the present invention may further include a battery disconnect unit. The battery disconnect unit (BDU) may be configured to control the electrical connection of the battery cells to manage the power capacity and functions of the battery pack 10. To this end, the battery disconnect unit may include a power relay, a current sensor, a fuse, etc. The battery disconnect unit is also a component that is arranged on a pack-by-pack basis rather than on a module-by-module basis, and various disconnect units known at the time of filing of the present invention may be used.

[0134] In addition, the battery pack 10 according to the present invention may further include various battery pack components known at the time of filing of the present invention. For example, the battery pack 10 may further include a manual service disconnector (MSD) that allows an operator to manually remove a service plug to cut off the power supply.

[0135] An automobile (not shown) according to the present invention may include the battery pack 10 according to the present invention described above. Here, the automobile (not shown) according to the present invention may be a predetermined automobile (not shown) that uses electricity as a driving source, such as an electric automobile or a hybrid automobile. Furthermore, the automobile according to the present invention may further include various other components included in an automobile, such as a body and a motor, in addition to the battery pack 10 according to the present invention.

[0136] 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.

[0137] The accompanying drawings for explaining the present invention and illustrating the embodiments thereof may be shown in a somewhat exaggerated form to emphasize and highlight the technical content of the present invention, but it should be understood that it is obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety of modified application forms can be adopted in consideration of the above-mentioned content and illustrated matters. [Explanation of symbols]

[0138] 10 Battery Pack 100 Battery Module 100-1 First battery module 100-2 Second Battery Module 110 Module Case 120 Module terminal 200 pack housing 210, 220, 230 frames 310 Body Plate 320 through hole 330 Guider 340 Backflow blocking section 341 Rotating members 342 Stopper 343 Protrusion 344 Bent section 350 Blocking Cover 351 Guide groove 400 module housing 410, 420, 430 plates 500 busbar 510 First Branch 520 Second Branch 530 Bridge 540 Coupling means

Claims

1. A pack housing; a battery module having module terminals connected by bus bars; a module receiving portion disposed in the pack housing and providing a receiving space for receiving the battery module; a splitter that divides a part or all of the accommodating space so that the bus bar is positioned in an independent space; Including, The splitter separates the module terminals and the bus bars into a space independent from other occupied spaces of the battery module.

2. The splitter is 2. The battery pack according to claim 1, further comprising: a body plate connected to at least one of the inner surfaces of the module accommodating portion, the body plate having a through-hole formed in a central portion thereof in a shape corresponding to the battery module.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2 , wherein the splitter further comprises a guider having a shape extending in a vertical direction to guide the coupling of the battery modules.

4. The battery pack according to claim 3 , wherein an end of the guider is coupled to a bottom surface of the pack housing or the module accommodating portion.

5. The module accommodating section includes: a first plate disposed in a direction in which the module terminals of the battery module are arranged; a second plate disposed opposite the first plate; a side plate connecting the first plate and the second plate; Including, The second plate has: The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising a vent hole formed therein that communicates with a vent path formed by a space between the side frame of the pack housing and the module accommodating portion.

6. 6. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein the vent hole is formed at a position lower than a height of the splitter when the bus bar is located in an upper space of the spaces partitioned by the splitter, and is formed at a position higher than a height of the splitter when the bus bar is located in a lower space of the spaces partitioned by the splitter.

7. The splitter is 3. The battery pack according to claim 2, further comprising one or more reverse flow blocking portions disposed on a lower surface of the body plate, the reverse flow blocking portions selectively suppressing a reverse flow toward the module terminals during a flow of vent gas.

8. The backflow blocking unit is a rotating member rotatably connected to the lower portion of the body plate and normally forming an angle of 90° or less with the body plate; a stopper that prevents the rotational member from rotating beyond a reference angle due to the flow in the reverse direction; 8. The battery pack of claim 7, comprising:

9. The battery pack according to claim 5 , wherein the first plate includes a mounting groove in which the bus bar is mounted or a through-hole through which the bus bar passes.

10. The bus bar is a first branch connected to the module terminal of a first battery module located on one side of the first plate; a second branch connected to the module terminal of a second battery module located on the other side of the first plate; a bridge connecting the first branch and the second branch and having a portion corresponding to the height of the first plate; 6. The battery pack of claim 5, comprising:

11. A motor vehicle comprising a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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