Battery module for preventing chain fires and its manufacturing method

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery module for preventing chain fires, comprising: a cell frame including a plurality of battery cells having vent portions; a cell mounting portion having a plurality of mounting grooves into which the vent portions of the plurality of battery cells are respectively inserted; and a first adhesive layer disposed between the vent portions and the mounting grooves of the battery cells for adhering the battery cells to the cell mounting portion, wherein the cell mounting portion is disposed such that two adjacent mounting grooves are spaced apart from each other.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module for preventing chain fires and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly to a battery module for preventing chain fires, which allows a flame generated when a battery cell ignites internally to smoothly erupt but prevents the flame from spreading to adjacent battery cells, and a manufacturing method thereof.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0000723 dated January 4, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the documents of that Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] 1 and 2 are diagrams illustrating a battery module according to the prior art.

[0004] Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional battery module includes at least one battery cell 10, a cell frame 20, an upper cover 40, and a lower cover 50.

[0005] The battery cell 10 can be repeatedly charged and discharged through electrochemical reactions between components including positive and negative electrode current collectors, separators, active materials, electrolytes, etc. Since a battery module is manufactured with such battery cells 10 densely packed in a small space, it is important that the heat generated in each battery cell 10 can be easily released.

[0006] The charging or discharging process of the battery cell 10 is carried out by an electrochemical reaction, so if the heat generated in the battery module during the charging or discharging process cannot be effectively removed, heat accumulation occurs, which may accelerate deterioration of the battery module and, in some cases, may cause fire or explosion.

[0007] At least one battery cell 10 is spaced apart in a cell frame 20. At least one battery cell 10 is fixed to the cell frame 20. Referring to Fig. 2, each battery cell 10 is fixed to the cell frame 20 by an adhesive 30 applied to a side surface of the battery cell 10.

[0008] The cell frame 20 has a structure that is open at the top and bottom and supports the battery cells 10 such that the vent portions 11 of at least one battery cell 10 are exposed to each other.

[0009] An upper cover 40 and a lower cover 50 are installed on the cell frame 20. The upper cover 40 is installed on the upper part of the cell frame 20 so as to cover the open upper part of the cell frame 20. The lower cover 50 is installed on the lower part of the cell frame 20 so as to cover the open lower part of the cell frame 20.

[0010] In the conventional battery module, when one of the battery cells 10 ignites internally, the vent 11 is opened in the battery cell 10 due to the flame generated in the ignited battery cell 10, and the flame of the ignited battery cell 10 is transmitted to the surrounding battery cells 10, causing a chain reaction of fires. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a battery module for preventing chain fires, which includes a cell frame for blocking exposure of vent portions of battery cells to the outside, and a manufacturing method thereof.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery module for preventing chain fires, in which, when a battery cell ignites internally, only the cell frame portion covering the ignited battery cell is individually damaged, allowing flames generated when the battery cell ignites internally to smoothly erupt through the damaged portion, and a manufacturing method thereof.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery module for preventing chain fires, which can prevent specific portions of a cell frame from individually breaking and causing a fire to spread to adjacent battery cells, and a manufacturing method thereof. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, a battery module for preventing chain fires includes a cell frame including a plurality of battery cells each having a vent portion, a cell mounting portion having a plurality of mounting grooves into which the vent portions of the plurality of battery cells are respectively inserted, and a first adhesive layer disposed between the vent portions and the mounting grooves of the battery cells to adhere the battery cells to the cell mounting portion.

[0015] The cell mounting portion is provided so that two adjacent mounting grooves are spaced apart from each other.

[0016] Each mounting groove may be recessed into an inner surface of the cell frame facing the vent portion.

[0017] The mounting groove has a bottom surface facing the vent portion and a side surface connecting the bottom surface to an inner surface of the cell frame.

[0018] The first adhesive layer may be positioned in a space between the bottom surface of the mounting groove and the vent portion, and in a space between the side surface of the mounting groove and the battery cell.

[0019] The first adhesive layer may be formed by applying an adhesive material to the entire inner surface of the cell frame, including the bottom surface and the side surface of the mounting groove.

[0020] The first adhesive layer may be provided to surround each of the plurality of mounting grooves.

[0021] The cell mounting portion may have a plurality of vent pattern grooves formed on an outer surface opposite an inner surface of the cell frame, and each vent pattern groove may be positioned to partially overlap with a mounting groove located in the opposite direction.

[0022] Also, each vent pattern groove may be arranged so that its center is coaxial with the center of the mounting groove located in the opposite direction.

[0023] Additionally, each vent pattern groove may have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the mounting groove.

[0024] The cell mounting portion may have a collision wall portion located between the mounting groove and the vent pattern groove.

[0025] The collision wall may include a region of the cell frame where the thickness is smallest.

[0026] The collision wall may be configured to be broken when a battery cell inserted into the mounting groove catches fire.

[0027] Additionally, the depth of the vent pattern groove may be less than the depth of the mounting groove.

[0028] The cell frame may be injection molded to have a plurality of mounting grooves on an inner surface of the cell frame and a plurality of vent pattern grooves on an outer surface of the cell frame.

[0029] In addition, the cell mounting portion may be configured to separate adjacent mounting grooves from each other, and the mounting grooves surrounding the battery cell in which internal combustion occurs may be individually damaged.

[0030] The battery module may also include a cell support member that has a plurality of insertion holes into which the battery cells are inserted and is attached to the cell frame.

[0031] The battery module may also include a cover portion that surrounds the cell support portion, is attached to the cell frame, and houses the plurality of battery cells.

[0032] The battery module may also include a second adhesive layer that adheres the plurality of battery cells to the cover portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0033] As described above, the battery module for preventing chain fires and the manufacturing method thereof according to at least one aspect of the present invention have the following advantages.

[0034] The cell frames provided to individually surround the vent portions of the plurality of battery cells can prevent the vent portions of the battery cells from being exposed to the outside.

[0035] In addition, when a battery cell ignites internally, only a specific portion of the cell frame covering the ignited battery cell is individually damaged, allowing the flames generated when the battery cell ignites internally to smoothly erupt through the damaged portion.

[0036] In addition, it is possible to prevent only specific portions of the cell frame from being individually damaged, which would otherwise cause a fire to spread to adjacent battery cells, thereby preventing chain fires. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to the prior art; [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to the prior art; [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a battery module for preventing chain fires according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4]1 illustrates a cell frame having at least one vent pattern groove as viewed from the exterior of the cell frame in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cell frame according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a combination of a cell mounting portion, an adhesive layer, and a battery cell in a state where the battery cell is attached to the cell mounting portion in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram illustrating that, in a battery module for preventing chain ignition according to an embodiment of the present invention, when an internal fire occurs in one battery cell, a collision wall of a cell mounting portion is damaged, causing flames to erupt outside the cell frame. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A battery module for preventing chain fires and a method for manufacturing the same according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may be modified in various ways and may have various embodiments, and a specific embodiment will be described by way of example in the drawings.

[0039] The terms "first," "second," etc. are used only to distinguish one component from another, and it should be understood that the drawings attached to this application have been drawn enlarged or reduced for the convenience of explanation.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a battery module 100 for preventing chain fires according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 illustrates a cell frame 120 having at least one vent pattern groove, as viewed from the outside of the cell frame 120, in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Also, FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cell frame according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a combination of a cell mounting portion, a first adhesive layer, and a battery cell in a state where the battery cell is adhered to the cell mounting portion in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating that in a battery module for preventing chain fires according to an embodiment of the present invention, when an internal fire occurs in one of the battery cells, the collision wall of the cell mounting portion is damaged, causing flames to erupt outside the cell frame.

[0043] 3, 4, and 5, the battery module 100 for preventing chain fires includes a cell frame 120 including a plurality of battery cells 110 each having a vent portion 111, a cell mounting portion 121 having a plurality of mounting grooves 123 into which the vent portions 111 of the plurality of battery cells 110 are respectively inserted, and a first adhesive layer 140 disposed between the vent portion 111 and the mounting grooves 123 of the battery cells 110 for adhering the battery cells 110 to the cell mounting portion 121.

[0044] 3, a cylindrical battery cell 110 has a vent portion 111 at one end thereof. The vent portion 111 is formed along the edge of the one end of the battery cell 110. For example, the vent portion 111 may be formed at the center of the one end of the battery cell 110.

[0045] The vent 111 is for relieving internal pressure of the battery cell 110. The vent 111 is formed at one end of the battery cell 110 with a relatively weak strength so as to break when the battery cell 110 is ignited internally.

[0046] In this way, when the internal pressure of the battery cell 110 rises above a predetermined critical pressure (e.g., the rupture pressure of the vent portion), the vent portion 111 is ruptured in the battery cell 110 to release the internal pressure of the battery cell 110.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when an internal fire occurs in a battery cell 110, only a specific portion of the cell frame 120 covering the ignited battery cell 110 is damaged, thereby preventing the flames from spreading to adjacent battery cells 110 when the internal fire occurs in the battery cell 110.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 3, a battery module 100 for preventing chain fires according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of battery cells 110, a cell frame 120, a cell mounting portion 121, a first adhesive layer 140, a cell support portion 150, and a cover portion 170.

[0049] The battery cell 110 according to this embodiment may be a cylindrical battery cell 110, and is provided with a vent portion 111 at one end.

[0050] The cell frame 120 has a structure that is open toward the vent portions of the plurality of battery cells. The plurality of battery cells 110 are inserted into the cell frame 120. The cell frame 120 is provided with a cell mounting portion 121. In this embodiment, the cell mounting portion 121 refers to the area of ​​the cell frame 120 that surrounds the vent portion 111 of the battery cell 110.

[0051] 4 and 5, the cell mounting portion 121 may be provided such that each mounting groove 123 is separated from the others. The cell mounting portion 121 may be provided such that two adjacent mounting grooves 123 are spaced apart from each other. In addition, each mounting groove 123 may be recessed into one inner surface of the cell frame 120 facing the vent portion 111.

[0052] In addition, the cell mounting unit 121 may be configured to separate adjacent mounting grooves 123 from each other, and may be configured to individually break the mounting grooves surrounding the battery cell 110 in which internal combustion occurs. That is, the cell mounting unit 121 may be configured to individually break the mounting grooves 123 facing the vent portion 111 of the battery cell 110 when the battery cell 110 is internally ignited.

[0053] Also, the cell mounting portion 121 may be provided to surround the vent portion 111 of each battery cell and support the end of each battery cell 110 where the vent portion 111 is located.

[0054] Also, the cell mounting part 121 may have a plurality of mounting grooves 123 and a plurality of vent pattern grooves 125. Specifically, the cell mounting part 121 may have a plurality of vent pattern grooves 125 formed on an outer surface opposite to an inner surface of the cell frame 120. Also, each vent pattern groove 125 may be positioned to partially overlap with the mounting groove 123 located in the opposite direction.

[0055] Furthermore, the plurality of mounting grooves 123 may be arranged to correspond to the arrangement pattern of the plurality of battery cells 110. Furthermore, the plurality of vent pattern grooves 125 may be arranged to correspond to the arrangement pattern of the plurality of vent portions 111. For example, the number of mounting grooves and the number of vent pattern grooves may be the same, and as shown in FIG. 4, when viewed from above the cell frame 120, the vent pattern grooves on one outer surface of the cell frame may match one-to-one with the mounting grooves on one inner surface of the cell frame.

[0056] Each mounting groove 123 is provided with a step on the inner surface of the cell frame 120. The mounting groove 123 has a shape corresponding to the shape of one end of the battery cell 110 where the vent portion is located, and is provided so that the battery cell 110 can be inserted therein.

[0057] 5, the mounting groove 123 has a mounting groove bottom surface 123a and a mounting groove side surface 123b. That is, the mounting groove 123 has the mounting groove bottom surface 123a positioned to face the vent portion 111, and the mounting groove side surface 123b connecting the mounting groove bottom surface 123a to one inner surface of the cell frame 120. The mounting groove side surface 123b is provided to surround the side surface of the end of the battery cell 110.

[0058] With this structure, when the battery cell 110 is inserted into the cell frame 120, the cell mounting portion 121 is disposed such that the mounting groove bottom surface 123a faces the vent portion 111, and the mounting groove side surface 123b surrounds the side surface of the end of the battery cell 110. With this structure, each vent portion 111 is positioned inside the mounting groove 123 so as to be individually partitioned.

[0059] Meanwhile, the vent pattern grooves 125 are arranged on one outer surface of the cell frame 120 so as to correspond to one mounting groove 123 .

[0060] Each vent pattern groove 125 may be arranged so that its center is coaxial with the center of the mounting groove 123 located in the opposite direction. Also, each vent pattern groove 125 may have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the mounting groove 123.

[0061] The depth D2 of the vent pattern groove 125 is smaller than the depth D1 of the mounting groove 123 and is also smaller in diameter than the diameter of the mounting groove 123.

[0062] In this specification, an outer surface of the cell frame 120 is the opposite side of an inner surface of the cell frame 120. That is, based on the thickness direction of the cell frame 120, a plurality of mounting grooves 123 are provided on the inner side, and a plurality of vent pattern grooves 125 are provided on the outer side.

[0063] In addition, the cell mounting portion 120 may have a collision wall portion 124 positioned between the mounting groove and the vent pattern groove.

[0064] For ease of explanation, the region of the cell frame 120 between the mounting groove 123 and the vent pattern groove 125 is referred to as the "impingement wall portion 124" in this specification.

[0065] In addition, the collision wall portion 124 may include a region with the smallest thickness in the cell frame 120. Due to this structure, the collision wall portion 124 may be provided to be broken prior to other regions of the cell frame when a battery cell inserted into the mounting groove 123 ignites.

[0066] Here, the collision wall portion 124 is recessed into the inner surface of the cell frame 120 by the depth of the mounting groove 123 , and recessed into the outer surface of the cell frame 120 by the depth of the vent pattern groove 125 .

[0067] In addition, the collision wall portion 124 may have a thickness T2 obtained by subtracting the depth of the vent pattern groove 125 and the depth of the mounting groove 123 from the reference thickness T1, which is the thickness of the cell frame 120.

[0068] The thickness of the collision wall portion 124 can be reduced by forming vent pattern grooves 125 at positions overlapping with the respective mounting grooves 123 .

[0069] Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the collision wall 124, which is a portion that comes into contact with the vent 111, is reduced, and as a result, when an internal fire occurs in the battery cell 110, the vent 111 is broken by the battery cell 110, and the collision wall 124 can be damaged. In addition, flames erupting from the ignited battery cell 110 may be ejected through the damaged collision wall 124, and the flames can be prevented from spreading to surrounding battery cells 110.

[0070] The cell frame 120 having the above structure may be injection molded to have a cell mounting portion 121. The cell frame 120 may also be injection molded to have a plurality of mounting grooves 123 on one inner surface of the cell frame and a plurality of vent pattern grooves 125 on one outer surface of the cell frame.

[0071] In this embodiment, each battery cell 110 may be adhered to each mounting groove 123 by a first adhesive layer 140. The first adhesive layer 140 adheres one end of the battery cell 110 to each mounting groove 123 on one inner surface of the cell frame 120.

[0072] The first adhesive layer 140 may be positioned in the space between the mounting groove bottom surface 123a and the vent portion 111, and in the space between the mounting groove side surface 123b and the battery cell. The first adhesive layer 140 may be formed by applying an adhesive material to the entire inner surface of the cell frame, including the mounting groove bottom surface and the mounting groove side surface. The first adhesive layer 140 may be provided to surround each of the mounting grooves 123.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 6, the first adhesive layer 140 may be formed by applying an adhesive material to the entire inner surface of the cell frame 120, including the mounting groove bottom surface 123a and the mounting groove side surface 123b, and the first adhesive layer 140 may adhere each battery cell 110 to each mounting groove 123.

[0074] Alternatively, the first adhesive layer 140 may be in the form of a double-sided tape, with one side being attached to the inner surface of the cell frame 120 and the other side being attached to the end of the battery cell 110 where the vent portion is located.

[0075] The first adhesive layer 140 may be made of various materials as long as the material allows the battery cell 110 to be adhered to the mounting groove 123 so as to be laterally supported, and is not limited to a specific material.

[0076] In addition, the battery module 100 may include a cell support 150 having a plurality of insertion holes 151 into which the respective battery cells 110 are inserted and attached to the cell frame.

[0077] In addition, the cell support 150 is inserted into the internal space 127 of the cell frame 120 and attached to the cell frame 120. The cell support 150 can support the plurality of battery cells 110 so that they are spaced apart from each other at regular intervals.

[0078] The cell support 150 has a plurality of insertion holes 151 formed in an arrangement pattern of the plurality of battery cells. The insertion holes 151 surround the sides of the battery cells to support the sides of the battery cells.

[0079] The battery module 100 may also include a cover unit 170 that surrounds the cell support unit 150, is attached to the cell frame 120, and accommodates a plurality of battery cells.

[0080] The cover part 170 is attached to the cell frame 120 to face the cell mounting part 121. The cover part 170 surrounds the internal space 127 of the cell frame 120 so that the plurality of battery cells 110 are not exposed to the outside.

[0081] The battery module 100 may also include a second adhesive layer 160 that adheres the plurality of battery cells 110 to the cover unit 170. The second adhesive layer 160 adheres the ends of the plurality of battery cells 110 to the inner surface of the cover unit 170.

[0082] Here, the second adhesive layer 160 is positioned between the cover portion 170 and the end of the battery cell 110 that is not provided with the vent portion 111. The second adhesive layer 160 may be made of the same adhesive or adhesive sheet as the adhesive layer 140 described above.

[0083] 7, in one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the collision wall 124 of the cell frame 120, which is a portion covering the vent 111 of each battery cell, can be slimmed down. With this structure, when an internal fire occurs in the battery cell 110, the vent 111 broken in the battery cell 110 damages the collision wall 124, and the flames generated in the battery cell 110 can be smoothly discharged to the outside through the damaged collision wall 124.

[0084] The above-described embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, and those skilled in the art with ordinary skill in the art may make various modifications, changes, and additions within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and it should be understood that such modifications, changes, and additions fall within the scope of the following claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0085] When a battery cell catches fire internally, only a specific portion of the cell frame covering the ignited battery cell is individually damaged, preventing the flame from spreading to adjacent battery cells, thereby preventing chain fires. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 100 Battery Module 110 battery cells 111 Vent 120 Cell Frame 121 Cell mounting part 123 Mounting groove 140 First adhesive layer

Claims

1. a plurality of battery cells having vents; a cell frame including a cell mounting portion having a plurality of mounting grooves into which vent portions of a plurality of battery cells are respectively inserted; a first adhesive layer disposed between the vent portion of the battery cell and the mounting groove for adhering the battery cell to the cell mounting portion; Including, the cell mounting portion is provided such that adjacent mounting grooves are spaced apart from each other, The cell mounting portion is configured so that an area covering a vent portion of a battery cell that has experienced an internal fire is damaged preferentially over other areas of the cell frame.

2. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein each of the mounting grooves is recessed into an inner surface of the cell frame opposite the vent portion.

3. the mounting groove has a mounting groove bottom surface positioned to face the vent portion, and a mounting groove side surface connecting the mounting groove bottom surface and one inner surface of the cell frame, The battery module according to claim 2 , wherein the first adhesive layer is positioned in a space between the bottom surface of the mounting groove and the vent portion, and in a space between the side surface of the mounting groove and the battery cell.

4. The battery module according to claim 3 , wherein the first adhesive layer is formed by applying an adhesive material to the entire inner surface of the cell frame, including the bottom surface and the side surface of the mounting groove.

5. The battery module according to claim 3 , wherein the first adhesive layer is provided to surround each of the plurality of mounting grooves.

6. A battery comprising: a plurality of battery cells each having a vent; a cell frame including a cell mounting portion having a plurality of mounting grooves into which vent portions of a plurality of battery cells are respectively inserted; a first adhesive layer disposed between the vent portion of the battery cell and the mounting groove for adhering the battery cell to the cell mounting portion; Including, the cell mounting portion is provided such that adjacent mounting grooves are spaced apart from each other, Each of the mounting grooves is recessed into an inner surface of the cell frame facing the vent portion, The cell mounting portion has a plurality of vent pattern grooves formed on an outer surface opposite to an inner surface of the cell frame, The battery module, wherein each of the vent pattern grooves is positioned to partially overlap with the mounting groove positioned in the opposite direction.

7. Each of the vent pattern grooves is arranged so that its center is coaxial with the center of the mounting groove located in the opposite direction, The battery module according to claim 6 , wherein each of the vent pattern grooves has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the mounting groove.

8. the cell mounting portion has a collision wall portion located between the mounting groove and the vent pattern groove, The battery module according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the collision wall portion includes a region of the cell frame where the thickness is smallest.

9. The battery module according to claim 8 , wherein the collision wall portion is configured to be broken when the battery cell inserted into the mounting groove catches fire.

10. The battery module according to claim 6 , wherein the depth of the vent pattern groove is smaller than the depth of the mounting groove.

11. 7. The battery module of claim 6, wherein the cell frame is injection molded such that a plurality of the mounting grooves are formed on an inner surface of the cell frame and a plurality of the vent pattern grooves are formed on an outer surface of the cell frame.

12. 2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the cell mounting portion is configured to partition adjacent mounting grooves from each other, and the mounting groove surrounding the battery cell in which internal combustion has occurred is individually broken.

13. The battery module of claim 1 , further comprising a cell support member attached to the cell frame, the cell support member having a plurality of insertion holes into which the respective battery cells are inserted.

14. The battery module of claim 13 , further comprising a cover portion that surrounds the cell support portion, is attached to the cell frame, and houses the plurality of battery cells.

15. The battery module of claim 14 , further comprising a second adhesive layer that adheres the plurality of battery cells to the cover portion.

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