Battery module, battery pack including the battery module, energy storage device including the battery pack, and automobile

Abstract

A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized by including at least one battery cell, a module case accommodating the at least one battery cell, at least one anti-flow pocket provided in the module case for preventing the escape of flames or sparks in the event of an abnormal state of the at least one battery cell, and a fire extinguishing capsule unit provided in the at least one anti-flow pocket and configured to release a fire extinguishing agent into the module case due to flames or sparks in the event of an abnormal state.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack including the battery module, an energy storage device including the battery pack, and a vehicle.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0189010, filed on December 27, 2021, and the entire contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of that application are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries, which have high applicability to each product group and electrical properties such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that are driven by electrical sources. These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new, environmentally friendly and highly energy-efficient energy source, not only because they have the primary advantage of significantly reducing the amount of fossil fuel used, but also because they do not produce any by-products from energy use.

[0004] Currently widely used types of secondary batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. The operating voltage of such unit secondary battery cells, i.e., unit battery cells, is approximately 2.5 to 4.5 V. Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, a battery pack may be constructed by connecting multiple battery cells in series. Alternatively, depending on the charge / discharge capacity required for the battery pack, a battery pack may be constructed by connecting multiple battery cells in parallel. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack can be set in various ways depending on the required output voltage and charge / discharge capacity.

[0005] Meanwhile, when configuring a battery pack by connecting multiple battery cells in series / parallel, a common method is to first configure a battery module including at least one battery cell, and then use that at least one battery module to add other components to configure a battery pack or battery rack.

[0006] A conventional battery module generally includes a plurality of stacked battery cells and a module housing that accommodates the plurality of battery cells. In such a conventional battery module, if a specific battery cell among the plurality of battery cells overheats due to an abnormal condition, the heat generated in the overheated battery cell is directly transferred to adjacent battery cells, causing thermal runaway and leading to a greater risk, such as an explosion of the battery module.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to find ways to provide a battery module that can prevent thermal runaway when a battery cell is in an abnormal state, a battery pack including the battery module, an energy storage device including the battery pack, and an automobile. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module capable of preventing thermal runaway when a battery cell is in an abnormal state, a battery pack including the battery module, and an energy storage device and a vehicle including the battery pack. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a battery module comprising at least one battery cell, a module case accommodating the at least one battery cell, at least one anti-flow pocket provided in the module case for preventing the escape of flames or sparks in the event of an abnormal state of the at least one battery cell, and a fire extinguishing capsule unit provided in the at least one anti-flow pocket and configured to release a fire extinguishing agent into the module case due to the flame or spark in the event of the abnormal state.

[0010] Preferably, a plurality of the spill prevention pockets are provided, and the plurality of spill prevention pockets can be arranged with at least one of the battery cells sandwiched between them.

[0011] Preferably, a plurality of the spill prevention pockets can be provided on each of the side edge portions of the module case.

[0012] Preferably, the plurality of anti-spill pockets may have a predetermined space capable of accommodating the flames and sparks.

[0013] Preferably, the plurality of outflow prevention pockets can be provided in a direction opposite to the direction in which flames or sparks advance in the abnormal state.

[0014] Preferably, the fire extinguishing capsule unit can be provided in at least one of the plurality of anti-spill pockets.

[0015] Preferably, the fire extinguishing capsule unit may be provided on the inner wall of at least one of the plurality of anti-leakage pockets.

[0016] Preferably, the fire extinguishing capsule unit may include a capsule body attached to at least one of the anti-spill pockets, and the fire extinguishing agent contained within the capsule body.

[0017] Preferably, the capsule body can release the fire extinguishing agent to the outside by melting at a predetermined temperature or by breaking due to a predetermined impact.

[0018] Preferably, a plurality of the fire extinguishing capsule units are provided, and the plurality of fire extinguishing capsule units may be arranged opposite each other with at least one of the battery cells interposed therebetween.

[0019] Preferably, the extinguishing agent may be composed of extinguishing water or extinguishing gas.

[0020] Furthermore, the present invention provides a battery pack including at least one battery module according to the above-described embodiment and a pack case that houses the at least one battery module.

[0021] Furthermore, the present invention provides an energy storage device, characterized in that it includes at least one battery pack according to the above-described embodiments.

[0022] Furthermore, the present invention provides a motor vehicle, characterized in that it includes at least one battery pack according to the above-described embodiment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the various embodiments described above, it is possible to provide a battery module capable of preventing thermal runaway when a battery cell is in an abnormal state, a battery pack including the battery module, and an energy storage device and a vehicle including the battery pack.

[0024] The drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the present invention to be described later, serve to further understand the technical concepts of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the matters described in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the battery module of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of the battery module of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 2 is a diagram for explaining a thermal runaway prevention mechanism of the battery module of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram for explaining a thermal runaway prevention mechanism of the battery module of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described herein are shown by way of example to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in various forms different from the embodiments described herein. In addition, to facilitate understanding of the present invention, the accompanying drawings may be drawn not to scale but with some components exaggerated.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the battery module of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of the battery module of FIG. 3.

[0028] 1 to 4, a battery module 10 may include a battery cell 100, a module case 200, a spill prevention pocket 400, and a fire extinguishing capsule unit 500.

[0029] The battery cell 100 is a secondary battery and may be a pouch-type secondary battery, a prismatic secondary battery, or a cylindrical secondary battery. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the case where the battery cell 100 is provided as a pouch-type secondary battery.

[0030] The battery cell 100 may include an electrode assembly, a battery case that houses the electrode assembly, and an electrode lead 150 that protrudes from the battery case and connects to the electrode assembly. The electrode lead 150 senses the voltage of the battery cell 100 and may be coupled to a bus bar assembly (not shown) attached to a module case 200, which will be described later.

[0031] There may be at least one or a plurality of such battery cells 100. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described only in terms of a case where a plurality of battery cells 100 are provided and stacked so as to be electrically connectable to each other.

[0032] The module case 200 can accommodate at least one, in this embodiment, a plurality of the battery cells 100. To this end, the module case 200 may have an accommodating space for accommodating the plurality of battery cells 100.

[0033] The spill prevention pocket 400 is provided in the module case 200 and can prevent the escape of flames or sparks F when at least one of the battery cells 100 is in an abnormal state.

[0034] There may be provided a plurality of such spill prevention pockets 400. The plurality of spill prevention pockets 400 may be arranged with at least one battery cell 100 sandwiched between them.

[0035] The plurality of spill prevention pockets 400 may be provided on each of the side edge portions of the module case 200. The plurality of spill prevention pockets 400 may be provided in a direction opposite to the direction in which the flame or sparks F travels in the abnormal state.

[0036] The plurality of anti-spill pockets 400 may have predetermined spaces 450 capable of accommodating the flames or sparks F. The predetermined spaces 450 may be formed in a predetermined shape capable of accommodating the flames or sparks F. For example, the predetermined spaces 450 may be formed in a convex shape on the edge region of the module case 200 to form a predetermined space therein.

[0037] The fire extinguishing capsule unit 500 is provided in at least one of the anti-leakage pockets 400 and can release a fire extinguishing agent 550 into the module case due to the flame or spark F during the abnormal condition.

[0038] Such a fire extinguishing capsule unit 500 may be provided in at least one of the plurality of anti-spill pockets 400. Furthermore, the fire extinguishing capsule unit 500 may be provided on the inner wall of at least one of the plurality of anti-spill pockets 400.

[0039] A plurality of the fire extinguishing capsule units 500 may be provided. The plurality of the fire extinguishing capsule units 500 may be arranged opposite each other with at least one of the battery cells 100 interposed therebetween. Furthermore, the plurality of the fire extinguishing capsule units 500 may be arranged opposite each other with the electrode lead 150 of at least one of the battery cells 100 interposed therebetween.

[0040] Each of the plurality of fire extinguishing capsule units 500 may include a capsule body 510 and the fire extinguishing agent 550 .

[0041] The capsule body 510 may be attached to at least one of the spill prevention pockets 400 and disposed within the space 450. The capsule body 510 may be melted at a predetermined temperature or broken by a predetermined impact, thereby discharging the fire extinguishing agent 550 to the outside of the capsule body 510. Specifically, the capsule body 510 may be melted or broken by the flame or spark F, thereby discharging the fire extinguishing agent 550 to the outside of the capsule body 510.

[0042] The extinguishing agent 550 may be accommodated in the capsule body 510. The extinguishing agent 550 may be a liquid or gaseous substance, such as extinguishing water or extinguishing gas, capable of suppressing a fire, etc. However, the extinguishing agent 550 is not limited thereto, and may be any other type of substance capable of suppressing a fire, or a mixture of these components.

[0043] Hereinafter, the mechanism for preventing thermal runaway when an abnormal state occurs in the battery module 10 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail.

[0044] 5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining the thermal runaway prevention mechanism of the battery module of FIG.

[0045] 5 and 6, at least one of the battery cells 100 of the battery module 10 may be in a dangerous state, such as overheating due to an abnormal condition, which may lead to a fire or the like.

[0046] The flames or sparks F generated from the battery cells 100 in the module case 200 of the battery module 10 in the abnormal state are blocked by the leakage prevention pocket 400 and can be prevented from leaking out of the module case 200. That is, the leakage prevention pocket 400 prevents the flames or sparks F from coming into contact with oxygen outside the module case 200, thereby preventing dangerous situations such as thermal runaway and fire.

[0047] Furthermore, particles and residues generated from the flame or sparks F may settle within the space 450 of the anti-leakage pocket 400 and accumulate within the space 450 without flowing out of the module case 200.

[0048] At this time, the fire extinguishing capsule unit 500 in the anti-leakage pocket 400 can spray the fire extinguishing agent 550 by melting or breaking the capsule body 510 due to the flame or spark F. In other words, the fire extinguishing capsule unit 500 can further achieve thermal runaway suppression and fire suppression within the anti-leakage pocket 400.

[0049] In this way, the battery module 10 according to this embodiment can achieve thermal runaway suppression and fire suppression using at least two methods, namely, the anti-leakage pocket 400 and the fire extinguishing capsule unit 500, during the abnormal state, thereby maximizing the effects of thermal runaway suppression and fire suppression during the abnormal state.

[0050] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 7, a battery pack 1 may include at least one or more battery modules 10 of the previous embodiment and a pack case 50 for accommodating at least one or more of the battery modules 10.

[0052] At least one or more battery packs 1 may be provided as an energy source for an energy storage device or an automobile, and it goes without saying that the battery pack 1 may also be provided in other devices, appliances, and equipment that use secondary batteries, in addition to the energy storage device or automobile.

[0053] In this way, devices, appliances, and equipment equipped with the battery pack 1 according to this embodiment, such as an energy storage device or automobile, can realize devices, appliances, and equipment such as an energy storage device or automobile that have all the advantages of the battery module 10 described above.

[0054] According to the various embodiments described above, it is possible to provide a battery module 10 capable of preventing thermal runaway when the battery cell 100 is in an abnormal state, a battery pack 1 including the battery module 10, and an energy storage device and a vehicle including the battery pack 1.

[0055] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. It goes without saying that various modified embodiments are possible by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims, and these modified embodiments should be understood individually from the technical ideas and perspectives of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1 battery pack 10 Battery Module 50 pack case 100 battery cells 150 electrode leads 200 Module Case 400 spill prevention pocket 450 spaces 500 Fire Extinguishing Capsule Unit 510 Capsule body 550 Fire extinguishing agent F spark

Claims

1. at least one battery cell; a module case that houses at least one of the battery cells; At least one anti-spill pocket provided in the module case, the anti-spill pocket for preventing flames or sparks from escaping when overheating occurs in the at least one battery cell due to an abnormal state of the at least one battery cell; a fire extinguishing capsule unit provided on an inner wall of at least one of the outflow prevention pockets, the fire extinguishing capsule unit being configured to release a fire extinguishing agent into the module case in response to the flame or the spark during the abnormal state; Including, At least one of the spill prevention pockets is formed in a convex shape on an edge region of the module case, forming a predetermined space therein.

2. The spill prevention pocket is There are several The plurality of spill prevention pockets include: The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the battery module is disposed across at least one of the battery cells.

3. The plurality of spill prevention pockets include: The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the battery module is provided on each of the side edges of the module case.

4. The plurality of spill prevention pockets include: The battery module according to claim 2 , further comprising a predetermined space capable of accommodating the flame or the spark.

5. The plurality of spill prevention pockets include: The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the battery module is provided in a direction opposite to a direction in which the flame or the spark advances in the abnormal state.

6. The fire extinguishing capsule unit comprises: The battery module according to claim 2 , provided in at least one of the plurality of spill prevention pockets.

7. The fire extinguishing capsule unit comprises: The battery module according to claim 6 , wherein the anti-spill pocket is provided on an inner wall of at least one of the plurality of anti-spill pockets.

8. The fire extinguishing capsule unit comprises: a capsule body attached to at least one of the spill prevention pockets; The battery module according to claim 6 , further comprising: the fire-extinguishing agent contained within the capsule body.

9. The capsule body is The battery module according to claim 8 , wherein the fire-extinguishing agent is released to the outside of the capsule body by melting at a predetermined temperature or by breaking upon receiving a predetermined impact.

10. The fire extinguishing capsule unit comprises: There are several The plurality of fire extinguishing capsule units include: The battery module according to claim 6 , wherein the at least one battery cell is disposed between the adjacent battery cells.

11. The extinguishing agent is The battery module of claim 1 , which is composed of fire extinguishing water or fire extinguishing gas.

12. At least one battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 11; a pack case that houses at least one of the battery modules; Including the battery pack.

13. 13. An energy storage device comprising at least one battery pack according to claim 12.

14. A motor vehicle comprising at least one battery pack according to claim 12.

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