Flame arrestor and battery pack including same

Abstract

A flame arrestor according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a porous structure and a housing, with the porous structure assembled to the housing.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0056422, filed on April 30, 2021, and all contents disclosed in the documents of said Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a flame arrestor and a battery pack including the same, and more particularly to a flame arrestor that blocks external leakage of flame and a battery pack including the same. [Background technology]

[0003] As the use of portable devices such as mobile phones, laptops, video cameras, and digital cameras has become commonplace in modern society, the development of technologies related to these mobile devices is accelerating. Furthermore, rechargeable secondary batteries are being used as the power source for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (P-HEVs) as a way to address air pollution caused by existing gasoline-powered vehicles that use fossil fuels, and so there is a growing need for the development of secondary batteries.

[0004] Currently commercially available secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Of these, lithium secondary batteries are attracting attention due to their advantages over nickel-based secondary batteries, such as almost no memory effect, freedom in charging and discharging, extremely low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0005] Such lithium secondary batteries mainly use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as positive and negative electrode active materials, respectively, and include an electrode assembly in which positive and negative electrode plates coated with the positive and negative electrode active materials are arranged with a separator sandwiched between them, and a battery case that hermetically houses the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

[0006] Generally, lithium secondary batteries are classified into can-type secondary batteries, in which the electrode assembly is housed in a metal can, and pouch-type secondary batteries, in which the electrode assembly is housed in a pouch made of an aluminum laminate sheet, depending on the shape of the exterior material.

[0007] While secondary batteries used in small devices typically have two or three battery cells, secondary batteries used in medium- to large-sized devices such as automobiles typically use battery modules in which multiple battery cells are electrically connected. These battery modules improve capacity and output by connecting multiple battery cells in series or parallel to form a battery cell stack. One or more battery modules can also be mounted with various control and protection systems, such as a Battery Management System (BMS) and a cooling system, to form a battery pack.

[0008] A battery pack is made up of multiple battery modules, and if some of the battery modules experience overvoltage, overcurrent, or overheating, the safety and operating efficiency of the battery pack may become an issue. Furthermore, as the capacity of battery packs increases to improve the driving range of electric vehicles equipped with battery packs, the energy stored in the packs also increases. Therefore, it is necessary to design a structure that satisfies stricter safety standards and ensures the safety of the vehicle and driver.

[0009] In particular, if a battery module in a battery pack ignites, there is a risk of high-temperature gas and flames leaking to the outside, but conventional battery packs have lacked a structure that can cool the high-temperature gas and flames to prevent them from leaking to the outside. Therefore, there is a need to provide a structure that prevents high-temperature gas and flames from leaking to the outside due to a battery module ignition in the battery pack, thereby ensuring the safety of the battery pack and electric vehicles equipped with the battery pack. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a flame arrestor that blocks external leakage of flame, and a battery pack including the same.

[0011] However, the problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and unmentioned problems will be clearly understood by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] A flame arrestor according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a porous structure and a housing, the porous structure assembled to the housing.

[0013] The porous structure may include a plurality of tubes joined together in both horizontal and vertical directions.

[0014] The plurality of tubes may be formed to the same size and shape, and each tube may be a hollow rectangular parallelepiped.

[0015] A battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery modules and a pack frame that houses the plurality of battery modules, and a flame arrester is formed on a side surface of the pack frame.

[0016] The flame arrestor may include a porous structure.

[0017] The porous structure may include a plurality of tubes joined together in both horizontal and vertical directions.

[0018] The plurality of tubes may be formed to the same size and shape, and each tube may be a hollow rectangular parallelepiped.

[0019] The tube is made of metal.

[0020] The porous structure is assembled to a housing, and the housing is coupled to a hole formed in a side portion of the pack frame.

[0021] The housing is formed from the same material as the tube.

[0022] The battery pack further includes a first partition wall formed adjacent to the plurality of battery modules, the first partition wall being parallel to a side surface of the pack frame on which the flame arrester is formed.

[0023] The battery pack may further include a second barrier rib formed between the plurality of battery modules.

[0024] The battery pack further includes a third barrier rib formed adjacent to the second barrier rib, and the third barrier rib is formed at both ends of the second barrier rib.

[0025] A device according to yet another embodiment of the present invention includes the battery pack described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention can prevent flames from leaking to the outside in the event of a fire inside the battery pack due to a novel flame arrestor structure. Furthermore, by preventing the flames from leaking to the outside, the safety of the battery pack can be improved.

[0027] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view showing a battery module included in the battery pack of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a perspective view showing a battery cell included in the battery module of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a side surface of the battery pack of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a flame arrestor formed in the battery pack of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a flame arrestor formed in the battery pack of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Although the present invention may be embodied in various different forms, it is not intended to be limited to the embodiments set forth herein, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0030] In order to clearly explain the present invention, parts that are not necessary for the explanation will be omitted, and the same reference numerals will be used throughout the specification to refer to the same or similar components.

[0031] In addition, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for the convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those shown in the drawings. In the drawings, thicknesses are exaggerated to clearly show various layers and regions. In the drawings, thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation.

[0032] Furthermore, when a layer, film, region, plate, or other part is said to be "on" another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly on" that other part, but also the case where there is another part in between. Conversely, when a part is said to be "directly on" another part, it means that there is no other part in between. Furthermore, being "on" a reference part means being located above or below the reference part, and does not necessarily mean being located "on" in the opposite direction of gravity.

[0033] Also, throughout the specification, when a part "comprises" a certain element, this means that it can further include other elements, not excluding other elements, unless otherwise specified.

[0034] Furthermore, throughout the specification, "in a plane" means a view of the subject matter as viewed from above, and "in cross section" means a view of the subject matter as viewed from the side across a vertical cross section.

[0035] The terms "first" and "second" used in this application are used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

[0036] Hereinafter, a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, the description will be made based on some components of the battery pack, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the same or similar content will be described based on the entire battery pack.

[0037] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a battery module included in the battery pack of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a battery cell included in the battery module of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a side portion of a battery pack of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a flame arrestor formed in a battery pack of the present invention. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a flame arrestor of the present invention.

[0038] 1 and 2, a battery pack 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery modules 110 and a pack frame 120 that houses the plurality of battery modules 110, and a flame arrester 200 is formed on a side surface of the pack frame 120. The flame arrester 200 may be formed anywhere on the side surface of the pack frame 120, and may be formed in the center of the side surface of the pack frame 120.

[0039] At this time, the plurality of battery modules 110 may include a plurality of battery cells 111. More specifically, the plurality of battery cells 111 may be stacked in a predetermined direction and then mounted on a module frame 118 to form the battery module 110. There is no particular limitation on the type of the plurality of battery cells 111, and the plurality of battery cells 111 may be pouch-type secondary batteries or prismatic secondary batteries, but pouch-type secondary batteries are preferred.

[0040] 3, the battery cell 111 according to this embodiment has two electrode leads 116 and 117 that face each other and protrude from one end 114a and the other end 114b of the cell body 113. More specifically, the electrode leads 116 and 117 are connected to an electrode assembly (not shown) and protrude from the electrode assembly (not shown) to the outside of the battery cell 111.

[0041] Meanwhile, the battery cell 111 can be manufactured by bonding both ends 114a, 114b of the cell case 114 to one side 114c connecting them, with an electrode assembly (not shown) housed in the cell case 114. In other words, the battery cell 111 according to this embodiment has a total of three sealing portions 114sa, 114sb, and 114sc, which are sealed by a method such as heat fusion, and the remaining one side portion is formed by a bending portion 115. The cell case 114 is made of a laminate sheet including a resin layer and a metal layer.

[0042] In addition, the bent portion 115 may extend long along one edge of the battery cell 111, and a protruding portion 111p of the battery cell 111, called a butt-ear, is formed at the end of the bent portion 115. A plurality of battery cells 111 may be configured, and the plurality of battery cells 111 may be stacked and electrically connected to each other.

[0043] 4 to 6, the flame arrestor 200 included in the battery pack 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a porous structure 210. In this case, the porous structure 210 may be formed by forming a plurality of tubes 210a through a processing method, or may be formed by connecting a plurality of tubes 210a in horizontal and vertical directions. In this case, the porous structure 210 may include a structure formed by stacking a plurality of tubes 210a.

[0044] Furthermore, the shapes of the multiple tubes 210a may be formed to be the same size and shape, and in this case, the shape of the multiple tubes 210a is not limited, but preferably, the tubes 210a may be a rectangular parallelepiped with a hollow interior.

[0045] The tubes 210a may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape, which allows them to be easily connected and stacked horizontally and vertically. However, the shape or pattern may also be a hollow cylinder, polyhedron, or polygonal prism, as long as the flame arrestor 200 of the present invention can function smoothly.

[0046] In addition to lamination, the plurality of pipes 210a may be bonded by applying an adhesive and then gluing or welding. Various methods for bonding the plurality of pipes 210a are also possible. The plurality of pipes 210a bonded by the above methods may form a porous structure 210, and the porous structure 210 may include a metal porous structure.

[0047] In addition, the flame arrestor according to this embodiment cools the flame when a fire occurs inside the battery pack, thereby blocking and preventing the flame from leaking to the outside and allowing gas to be released to the outside. During this process, the porous structure of the flame arrestor according to this embodiment has a large surface area, allowing the cooling to occur effectively.

[0048] Furthermore, the flame arrestor 200 is formed of a material that has high thermal conductivity and can withstand high-temperature flames caused by ignition within the battery pack. Furthermore, the high thermal conductivity and the large surface area of ​​the porous structure 210 allow for rapid transfer of heat energy generated by the flame to the pack frame 120 and the outside of the battery pack. Therefore, the plurality of tubes 210a are preferably formed of a metal material with high thermal conductivity. In particular, in one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of tubes 210a are formed of aluminum (Al) or steel. Alternatively, the plurality of tubes 210a may be formed of aluminum or steel. However, the material of the plurality of tubes 210a is not limited thereto.

[0049] The porous structure 210 formed by stacking the plurality of tubes 210a as described above is assembled to the housing 300. At this time, the porous structure 210 and the housing 300 may be formed to have the same size so that they can be fitted together, or may be fixed together using an adhesive or a bonding member.

[0050] 4, a hole 400 is formed in a side portion of a battery pack 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the hole 400 is formed to be the same size as the housing 300, and the housing 300 is coupled to the hole 400 formed in the side portion of the pack frame 120 to form the flame arrestor 200 on the battery pack according to this embodiment. Alternatively, the hole 400 may be formed to be smaller in size than the housing 300, and the housing 300 may be coupled to the side portion of the pack frame 120 adjacent to the hole 400 with a coupling member such as a screw to form the flame arrestor 200.

[0051] As described above, the flame arrestor 200 according to this embodiment has high thermal conductivity, which allows the thermal energy generated from the flame to be quickly transferred to the pack frame 120 and the outside of the battery pack when a fire occurs within the battery pack. Therefore, the housing 300 is formed of the same material as the plurality of tubes 210a and the porous structure 210. As a result, the flame arrestor 200, which has high thermal conductivity, quickly transfers the thermal energy generated from the flame to cool the flame, thereby blocking and preventing the flame from leaking to the outside. In addition, the flame arrestor 200 according to this embodiment is maintained at a temperature lower than the flame temperature when a flame occurs, thereby achieving the effect of quickly cooling the thermal energy of the flame through the flame arrestor 200.

[0052] The internal structure of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

[0053] 1, the battery pack 100 according to this embodiment may include a first barrier 500 formed adjacent to a plurality of battery modules 110. The first barrier 500 is formed adjacent to the battery modules 110 and parallel to a side surface of the pack frame 120 on which the flame arrestor 200 is formed. The first barrier 500 is formed to be longer than the width of the battery modules 110 parallel to the side surface of the pack frame 120 on which the flame arrestor 200 is formed, but is not limited thereto. The flame travels along the first barrier 500 and reaches the flame arrestor 200, where it can be cooled and released to the outside in the form of gas.

[0054] The battery pack 100 may also include a second barrier 600 formed between the plurality of battery modules 110. The second barrier 600 is formed between adjacent battery modules 110, thereby delaying and blocking the spread of a fire generated in one battery module 110 to other battery modules 110, and also serves to separate the plurality of battery modules 110.

[0055] In addition, the battery pack 100 of the present invention may further include a third barrier 700 formed adjacent to the second barrier 600. Referring to FIG. 1 , the third barrier 700 is formed at both ends of the second barrier 600. The third barrier 700 is formed in plurality at both ends of the second barrier 600, and is symmetrical with respect to the center of the second barrier 600. The shape of the third barrier 700 may be a triangular prism having a triangular cross section or a triangular prism having a right-angled triangular cross section. Specifically, the shape may be, but is not limited to, a triangular prism having a right-angled triangular cross section or a right-angled isosceles triangular cross section.

[0056] 1 shows only the third barrier 700 formed above the second barrier 600 based on the cross section of the battery pack, the third barrier 700 may also be formed below the second barrier 600. In this case, the third barrier 700 can adjust the path of the flame when a fire occurs inside the battery pack 100. Furthermore, since the third barrier 700 is formed in the above shape, the path of the flame can be adjusted more effectively.

[0057] Furthermore, the battery pack 100 according to this embodiment may further include a fourth partition 800 formed adjacent to the flame arrestor 200. The fourth partition 800 may guide a flame path by being formed adjacent to the flame arrestor 200. In particular, the fourth partition 800 may be, but is not limited to, a triangular prism having a triangular cross section with one apex facing the flame arrestor 200 so that the flame can be discharged to the outside by the flame arrestor 200. The fourth partition 800 may be effective in guiding the flame to the outside by forming a path for the flame to travel along both sides connected to the one apex.

[0058] The battery pack 100 of the present invention includes the flame arrestor 200 and the first, second, third, and fourth partition walls 500, 600, 700, and 800, and when a fire breaks out inside the battery pack 100, the battery pack 100 quickly transfers the heat energy of the flame to the pack frame 120 and the outside of the battery pack, and releases only cooled gas to the outside, thereby blocking and preventing the flame from leaking to the outside. In particular, the first, second, third, and fourth partition walls 500, 600, 700, and 800 form a path for the flame to travel when a fire breaks out, allowing the flame to be quickly cooled, thereby improving the safety of the battery pack.

[0059] The battery pack can be applied to various devices, including transportation means such as electric bicycles, electric cars, and hybrid cars, but the present invention is not limited thereto and can be applied to various devices that can use a battery module, which also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0060] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made 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 such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical ideas and perspectives of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 100: Battery pack 110: Battery module 111: Battery cell 118: Module frame 120: Pack frame 200: Flame arrester 210: Porous structure 210a: tube 300: Housing 400:Hall 500: 1st bulkhead 600:Second bulkhead 700: Third bulkhead 800: The 4th next door

Claims

1. a plurality of battery modules; a pack frame that houses the plurality of battery modules, A flame arrestor is formed on a side surface of the pack frame, the flame arrestor includes a porous structure and a housing; the porous structure is assembled to the housing; the porous structure is configured to cool the flame and gases passing through the porous structure to block the flame while allowing the gases to pass through; the porous structure is an assembly of a plurality of tubes stacked in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, the assembly of tubes being fitted into the housing, each of the plurality of tubes extending in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and the plurality of tubes being arranged parallel to one another; The battery pack, wherein the housing is formed on an outer surface of the pack frame, the plurality of tubes extend from the housing in a direction toward the exterior of the pack frame, and the flame arrestor is located outside the pack frame.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tubes are formed to have the same size and shape, and the tubes are hollow rectangular parallelepipeds.

3. The battery pack of claim 1 , wherein the tube is formed of metal.

4. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the housing is coupled to a hole formed in a side surface of the pack frame.

5. The battery pack of claim 1 , wherein the housing is formed from the same material as the tube.

6. a first barrier rib formed adjacent to the plurality of battery modules; The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the first partition wall is formed parallel to a side surface of the pack frame on which the flame arrestor is formed.

7. The battery pack according to claim 6 , further comprising a second partition wall formed between the plurality of battery modules.

8. The insulating film further includes a third barrier rib formed adjacent to the second barrier rib, The battery pack according to claim 7 , wherein the third partition wall is formed at both ends of the second partition wall.

9. A device comprising the battery pack of any one of claims 1 to 8.

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