Battery packs and automobiles containing them

Abstract

A battery pack and an automobile including the same are disclosed. A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery modules in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, a pack case in which the plurality of battery modules are housed and which has a vent portion formed therein, and a protective cover member which is coupled to the pack case at the portion in which the vent portion is located in order to protect the vent portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack and an automobile including the same, and more particularly, to a battery pack that protects a vent part and smoothly discharges vent gas, and an automobile including the same.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0027391 filed on February 26, 2024, and all the contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the application are incorporated into this application.

Background Art

[0003] Generally, a secondary battery refers to a battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, such as a lithium-ion battery, a lithium polymer battery, a nickel cadmium battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, or a nickel zinc battery. A battery cell, which is the most basic secondary battery, can provide an output voltage of about 2.5V to 4.2V.

[0004] Recently, as such battery cells are applied to devices that require a high output voltage and a large charge capacity, such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS), a battery module configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series, in parallel, or in a combination of series and parallel, and a battery pack configured by further connecting such battery modules in series, in parallel, or in a combination of series and parallel are widely used.

[0005] Although lithium secondary batteries have attracted attention for their advantages such as a high operating voltage and a much higher energy density, since an organic electrolyte is used, when a lithium secondary battery is overcharged, it induces overcurrent and overheating, and ultimately causes problems such as fires due to explosions and ignition.

[0006] Various types of rechargeable batteries include battery modules, in which multiple battery cells are stacked and placed in a module case, and which are equipped with a module case capable of protecting the battery cells; and battery packs, which include multiple battery modules.

[0007] In this scenario, if a flame erupts in at least one of the battery cells inside the module case of the battery module, generating vent gas, the internal pressure of the battery module will rise rapidly. This can cause the battery module to explode, spreading the flame to other adjacent battery modules and potentially leading to a chain reaction.

[0008] Alternatively, if a flame originating from any battery module propagates to an adjacent battery module, the chain reaction of flames can damage, completely burn, or explode the battery module or battery pack, making it difficult to ensure the safety of the battery module or battery pack. Furthermore, vent gases are generated from the battery cells inside the battery module, and if these vent gases are released in an unintended direction, various problems can arise.

[0009] To address these issues, and in particular to facilitate the smooth discharge of vent gases, vents may be formed in the battery pack case.

[0010] However, since the vents of conventional battery packs are exposed to the outside, when a thermal event occurs and high-temperature particles are generated by a flame, there is a problem that these high-temperature particles can move to the vents and damage them. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0011] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a battery pack capable of protecting the vent section from high-temperature particles generated by flames, and an automobile including the same.

[0012] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a battery pack and an automobile including it that can smoothly discharge vent gas by preventing high-temperature particles from passing through but allowing vent gas to pass through.

[0013] Another objective is to provide a battery pack and an automobile including it that can prevent an increase in internal pressure within the battery pack, thereby preventing thermal runaway.

[0014] However, the technical problems that this invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, a battery pack may be provided that includes a plurality of battery modules in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, a pack case in which the plurality of battery modules are housed and which has a vent portion formed therein, and a protective cover member which is coupled to the pack case in the portion where the vent portion is located to protect the vent portion and which has a gas transfer hole formed therein through which the vent gas moves.

[0016] In one embodiment, the vent section may include a vent hole through which vent gas generated from the battery cell is discharged, and a vent valve that closes the vent hole and opens when the internal pressure of the pack case exceeds a preset value.

[0017] In one embodiment, the protective cover member may be formed to cover at least a portion of the vent.

[0018] In one embodiment, the protective cover member includes an upper cover portion located at the top, a side cover portion connected to the upper cover portion and located on the side, and a front cover portion connected to the upper cover portion and the side cover portion, and the gas transfer hole may be formed in at least one of the upper cover portion, the side cover portion and the front cover portion.

[0019] In one embodiment, the front cover portion includes a plurality of rod portions, each of which is inclined and connected to the side cover portion, and the gas transfer holes can be formed between the plurality of rod portions.

[0020] In one embodiment, each of the plurality of rod portions may have its lower part connected to the end of the side cover portion and its upper part connected to the inside of the side cover portion.

[0021] In one embodiment, the gas transfer hole may be formed between one of the plurality of rod portions and an adjacent rod portion, such that the vent gas moves upward along the gas transfer hole.

[0022] In one embodiment, each of the plurality of rod portions may have its upper part connected to the end of the side cover portion and its lower part connected to the inside of the side cover portion.

[0023] In one embodiment, the gas transfer hole may be formed between any one of the plurality of rod portions and an adjacent rod portion, such that the vent gas moves downward along the gas transfer hole.

[0024] In one embodiment, the inclination angles of the multiple rod portions can all be formed to be the same.

[0025] In one embodiment, at least one of the inclination angles of the plurality of rod portions may be formed differently.

[0026] In one embodiment, a fastening coupling portion may be formed on the upper surface cover portion so that the protection cover member is coupled to the pack case.

[0027] In one embodiment, the protection cover member may further include a lower surface cover portion positioned at the lower part to be coupled to the lower parts of the side surface cover portion and the front surface cover portion.

[0028] In one embodiment, a gas movement hole through which vent gas moves may be formed in the lower surface cover portion.

[0029] On the other hand, an automobile including at least one of the above-described battery packs may be provided.

Advantages of the Invention

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the vent portion can be protected from high-temperature particles generated by a flame.

[0031] Also, by allowing vent gas to pass through while not allowing high-temperature particles to pass through, the vent gas can be smoothly discharged.

[0032] In addition, an increase in the internal pressure of the battery pack can be prevented, thereby preventing a thermal runaway phenomenon.

[0033] However, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described effects, and other effects of the present invention not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention.

[0034] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further understand the technical idea of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be construed as being limited only to the matters described in the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0035] [Figure 1]This is a perspective view of a battery pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows a protective cover member that protects a vent portion formed in the pack case of a battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention; the battery module is not shown. [Figure 3] This figure shows the protective cover member separated from Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 3 shows a magnified view of the vent holes in the vent section. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of a protective cover member in a battery pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a front view of a protective cover member in a battery pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view along line A-A' in Figure 5. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view of a protective cover member in a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view along line B-B' in Figure 8. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view of a protective cover member in a battery pack according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view of a protective cover member in a battery pack according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This is a perspective view of a protective cover member in a battery pack according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] This is a diagram illustrating an automobile including a battery pack according to each embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0036] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, terms and words used in this specification and in the claims should not be interpreted in a manner limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but rather in a manner consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor himself may appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that the embodiments described herein and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entirety of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and that there may be a variety of equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therein at the time of this application.

[0037] The size of each component or specific part of a component in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or shown schematically for the sake of clarity and ease of explanation. Therefore, the size of each component may not fully reflect its actual size. Specific descriptions of known functions or configurations related to the present invention will be omitted if they are deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the invention.

[0038] As used herein, the terms “joining” or “connecting” include not only cases where one member is directly joined or directly connected to another member, but also cases where one member is indirectly joined or indirectly connected to another member via a connecting member.

[0039] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a diagram showing a protective cover member that protects the vent portion formed in the pack case of the battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention, with the battery module omitted from the illustration. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the protective cover member separated from Figure 2, and Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the vent hole in the vent portion in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the protective cover member in the battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a front view of the protective cover member in the battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A' in Figure 5.

[0040] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the battery pack 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a plurality of battery modules 100, a pack case 200, and a protective cover member 300.

[0041] Each battery module 100 has multiple battery cells 110 (see Figure 1) stacked on top of each other, and multiple battery modules 100 can be provided and arranged in various ways. For example, as shown in Figure 1, the battery modules 100 can be arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions, but are not limited to this.

[0042] The battery module 100 may comprise multiple battery cells 110 and a module case 120.

[0043] Multiple battery cells 110 can be stacked on top of each other. The battery cells 110 may have diverse structures, and multiple battery cells 110 can be stacked in diverse ways.

[0044] The battery cell 110 may have a structure in which multiple unit cells arranged in the order of positive electrode plate / separator / negative electrode plate, or bi-cells arranged in the order of positive electrode plate / separator / negative electrode plate / separator / positive electrode plate / separator / negative electrode plate are stacked according to the battery capacity.

[0045] The battery cell 110 may be provided with electrode leads. Electrode leads are a type of terminal exposed to the outside and connected to external devices, and may be made of a conductive material. Electrode leads may include a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead.

[0046] The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead may be positioned in opposite directions along the longitudinal direction of the battery cell 110, or they may be positioned in the same direction along the longitudinal direction of the battery cell 110.

[0047] The battery cell 110 may comprise a plurality of cartridges (not shown) that house the battery cell 110. Each cartridge (not shown) may be manufactured by plastic injection molding, and a plurality of cartridges (not shown) having a housing for housing the battery cell 110 may be stacked. A cartridge assembly formed by stacking a plurality of cartridges (not shown) may be provided with connector elements or terminal elements.

[0048] The connector element may include various forms of electrical connection components or connection members for connecting to, for example, a Battery Management System (BMS) (not shown) that can provide data relating to the voltage or temperature of the battery cell 110.

[0049] The terminal element is a main terminal connected to the battery cell 110, and includes a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The terminal element can be electrically connected to the outside by being provided with terminal bolts. On the other hand, the battery cell 110 can have a variety of shapes.

[0050] Multiple battery cells 110 are stacked and housed in the module case 120. The module case 120 surrounds the multiple battery cells 110, thereby protecting them from external vibrations and shocks.

[0051] The module case 120 may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of a stack of multiple battery cells 110. For example, if the stack of multiple battery cells 110 is formed in a hexahedral shape, the module case 120 may also be formed in a corresponding hexahedral shape. However, it is not limited to this. Here, the module case 120 may include an upper module case, a lower module case, and a side module case.

[0052] Furthermore, the module case 120 can be manufactured, for example, by bending a plate of metal material, thereby allowing the module case 120 to be manufactured as a single unit. When the module case 120 is manufactured as a single unit, it has the effect of simplifying the joining process. Alternatively, the module case 120 can be provided as a separate unit and joined by welding or the like. However, the material of the module case 120 is not limited to metal material.

[0053] Referring to Figure 1, the pack case 200 houses multiple battery modules 100. In Figure 1, battery modules 100 containing pouch-type battery cells 110 are housed in the pack case 200, but this is not limited to this. Battery modules 100 containing prismatic battery cells or battery modules 100 containing cylindrical battery cells can also be housed inside the pack case 200 of the battery pack 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Referring to Figure 3, a vent section 260 is formed in the pack case 200. The vent section 260 allows vent gas generated in the battery cells 110 to be discharged to the outside of the battery pack 10. For example, if a flame is generated in any of the battery cells 110, vent gas may be generated. This generated vent gas can be discharged to the outside of the pack case 200 through the vent section 260.

[0055] The vent section 260 may include a vent hole 261 and a vent valve 262. Referring to Figure 4, the vent hole 261 is a hole through which vent gas generated from the battery cell 110 is discharged, and may be formed in the pack case 200, for example, the side frame 220, but is not limited thereto.

[0056] Referring to Figure 3, a vent valve 262 may be provided in the vent hole 261. The vent valve 262 can be configured in various ways. For example, the vent valve 262 may be configured to close the vent hole 261 and open when the internal pressure of the pack case 200 exceeds a preset value.

[0057] In other words, the vent valve 262 normally closes the vent hole 261, but if vent gas leaks from the battery cell 110 and the internal pressure of the pack case 200 exceeds a preset value or range, the vent valve 262 opens and the vent gas is discharged from the pack case 200 through the vent hole 261.

[0058] In the battery pack 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the vent portion 260 is protected from flames or high-temperature particles by a protective cover member 300, which will be described in detail later.

[0059] Referring to Figure 1, the pack case 200 may be configured to include, for example, a lower frame 210, a side frame 220, an inner frame 230, a partition frame 240, and an upper frame 250.

[0060] The lower frame 210 is configured to accommodate multiple battery modules 100. The lower frame 210 may, but is not limited to, be formed in the shape of a rectangular plate. The lower frame 210 forms the bottom of the pack case 200.

[0061] The side frame 220 may be configured to extend upward from the edge of the lower frame 210. The side frame 220 defines the height of the pack case 200 and forms a predetermined space between it and the lower frame 210. Multiple battery modules 100 are mounted in the space between the side frame 220 and the lower frame 210. The side frame 220 may include long-side side frames with relatively long lengths and short-side frames with relatively long lengths. Alternatively, all of the side frames 220 may be of the same length.

[0062] The inner frame 230 extends upward from inside the lower frame 210 and connects to the side frame 220. One or more inner frames 230 may be provided, and multiple battery modules 100 may be arranged facing each other with respect to the inner frame 230.

[0063] The partition frame 240 is connected to the inner frame 230. The partition frame 240 is then interposed between multiple battery modules 100. In Figure 1, one partition frame 240 is positioned between two adjacent battery modules 100, but this is not the only configuration.

[0064] The upper frame 250 is located above and can be connected to the side frame 220. Various methods of connection are possible for the upper frame 250; for example, it may be fastened with fasteners such as bolts, connected by welding, or connected by other methods.

[0065] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the protective cover member 300 is connected to the pack case 200 at the portion where the vent portion 260 is located in order to protect the vent portion 260.

[0066] Referring to Figures 5 to 7, the protective cover member 300 has gas transfer holes 350 (see Figure 7) through which the vent gas moves.

[0067] In other words, the vent gas generated from the battery cell 110 can move to the vent section 260 through the gas transfer hole 350 of the protective cover member 300 and be discharged from the vent hole 261 of the vent section 260. However, the flame generated from the battery cell 110 and the high-temperature particles generated by the flame are blocked by the protective cover member 300 and cannot move to the vent section 260, thereby protecting the vent section 260 from the flame or high-temperature particles.

[0068] The protective cover member 300 may be formed to cover at least a portion of the vent portion 260. That is, the portion of the protective cover member 300 that covers the vent portion 260 may change as needed.

[0069] Referring to Figures 5 and 7, the protective cover member 300 may be configured to include a top cover portion 310, a side cover portion 320, and a front cover portion 330.

[0070] The top cover section 310 is located at the top and is connected to the side cover section 320. The side cover section 320 is located on the side and is connected to the top cover section 310 and the front cover section 330. The front cover section 330 is located at the front and is connected to the top cover section 310 and the side cover section 320.

[0071] Here, the protective cover member 300 may further include a lower cover portion 340, which will be described later in the fifth embodiment. That is, in the first embodiment, the protective cover member 300 includes an upper cover portion 310, a side cover portion 320, and a front cover portion 330, but does not include a lower cover portion 340. That is, since the lower part of the protective cover member 300 is open, the vent gas can move to the vent portion 260 through the lower cover portion 340.

[0072] The gas transfer hole 350 can be formed in at least one of the top cover portion 310, the side cover portion 320, and the front cover portion 330. The cases in which the gas transfer hole 350 is formed in the side cover portion 320 and the top cover portion 310 will be described later in the third and fourth embodiments, respectively, while the case in the first embodiment where the gas transfer hole 350 is formed in the front cover portion 330 will be described.

[0073] In other words, referring to Figure 7, the protective cover member 300 does not have a lower cover portion 340, and the gas transfer hole 350 is formed only in the front cover portion 330.

[0074] Referring to Figures 5 to 7, the front cover portion 330 may include a plurality of rod portions 370a and 370b. Here, each of the plurality of rod portions 370a and 370b may be formed at an angle and connected to the side cover portion 320. Gas transfer holes 350 are formed between the plurality of rod portions 370a and 370b that are formed at an angle.

[0075] Referring to Figures 5 and 7, each of the multiple rod sections 370a and 370b can have its lower part connected to the end of the side cover section 320 (see X in Figures 5 and 7) and its upper part connected to the inside of the side cover section 320 (see Y in Figures 5 and 7). A gap is formed between the multiple rod sections 370a and 370b, and a gas transfer hole 350 can be formed between any one of the multiple rod sections 370a and an adjacent rod section 370b.

[0076] With this structure, each of the multiple rod sections 370a and 370b is formed to incline upward as it moves toward the vent section 260, so that the vent gas moves upward along the gas transfer hole 350 as it moves toward the vent section 260.

[0077] Referring to Figure 7, the multiple rod sections 370a and 370b are spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals and are formed to incline upward as they move toward the vent section 260. As a result, the vent gas moves along the multiple rod sections 370a and 370b toward the vent section 260 and is discharged to the outside of the pack case 200. However, high-temperature particles generated from the flame are blocked by the multiple rod sections 370a and 370b and cannot move toward the vent section 260.

[0078] In other words, this structure and operation prevents high-temperature particles from passing through the protective cover member 300, while the vent gas is smoothly discharged through the gas transfer holes 350 between the multiple rod sections 370a and 370b. This not only protects the vent section 260 from high-temperature particles generated by the flame, but also facilitates the venting of the vent gas.

[0079] Furthermore, by protecting the vent section 260 and allowing the vent gas to be discharged smoothly, the internal pressure of the battery pack 10 is prevented from rising due to the vent gas, thereby preventing thermal runaway.

[0080] Here, as shown in Figure 7, the inclination angles of the multiple rod portions 370a and 370b can all be formed to be the same. Alternatively, in a modified embodiment, although not shown, at least one of the inclination angles of the multiple rod portions 370a and 370b can be formed to have a different inclination angle.

[0081] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, a fastening joint 360 may be formed on the top cover portion 310 so that the protective cover member 300 can be connected to the pack case 200. A fastening member such as a bolt may be connected to the fastening joint 360, thereby enabling the protective cover member 300 to be connected to the pack case 200.

[0082] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a protective cover member in a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view along line B-B' in Figure 8.

[0083] The second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in the inclination direction of the multiple rod portions 370c and 370d of the front cover portion 330. However, for parts of the second embodiment that are common with those described in the first embodiment, the description of the first embodiment above will be used instead. Also, for parts of the second embodiment that are applicable to the first embodiment, they may be applied to the first embodiment.

[0084] Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the front cover portion 330 may include a plurality of rod portions 370c, 370d. Here, each of the plurality of rod portions 370c, 370d is formed to be inclined and can be connected to the side cover portion 320. Gas transfer holes 350 are formed between the plurality of inclined rod portions 370c, 370d.

[0085] Referring to Figures 8 and 9, each of the multiple rod sections 370c and 370d can have its upper part connected to the end of the side cover section 320 (see Y' in Figures 8 and 9) and its lower part connected to the inside of the side cover section 320 (see X' in Figures 8 and 9). Since there is a gap between the multiple rod sections 370c and 370d, a gas transfer hole 350 can be formed between any one of the multiple rod sections 370c and an adjacent rod section 370d.

[0086] With this structure, each of the multiple rod sections 370c and 370d is formed to incline downward as it moves toward the vent section 260, so that the vent gas moves downward along the gas transfer hole 350 as it moves toward the vent section 260.

[0087] Referring to Figure 9, the multiple rod sections 370c and 370d are spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals and are formed to slope downward as they move toward the vent section 260. As a result, the vent gas moves along the multiple rod sections 370c and 370d toward the vent section 260 and is discharged to the outside of the pack case 200. However, high-temperature particles generated from the flame are blocked by the multiple rod sections 370c and 370d and cannot move toward the vent section 260.

[0088] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a protective cover member in a battery pack according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] The third embodiment of the present invention differs from the first and second embodiments in that a gas transfer hole 350 is formed in the side cover portion 320. However, for parts that are common with the parts described in the first or second embodiment, the description of the first or second embodiment above will be used instead. Also, any parts of the third embodiment that are applicable to the first or second embodiment may be applied to the first or second embodiment.

[0090] Referring to Figure 10, a gas transfer hole 350 is formed in the side cover portion 320. Here, the gas transfer hole 350 formed in the side cover portion 320 may be formed to incline upward as it moves towards the vent portion 260, or to incline downward as it moves towards the vent portion 260.

[0091] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, gas transfer holes 350 may be formed in both the front cover portion 330 and the side cover portion 320, or gas transfer holes 350 may be formed only in the side cover portion 320.

[0092] Alternatively, gas transfer holes 350 may be formed in all of the pair of side cover portions 320, or gas transfer holes 350 may be formed in only one of the pair of side cover portions 320.

[0093] Figure 11 is a perspective view of a protective cover member in a battery pack according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] The fourth embodiment of the present invention differs from the first to third embodiments in that a gas transfer hole 350 is formed in the upper cover portion 310. However, any part that is common with any one of the first to third embodiments described above shall be described in the description of any one of the first to third embodiments. Furthermore, any part of the fourth embodiment that is applicable to any one of the first to third embodiments may be applied to any one of the first to third embodiments.

[0095] Referring to Figure 11, a gas transfer hole 350 is formed in the upper cover portion 310. Here, the gas transfer hole 350 formed in the upper cover portion 310 may be formed to slope to the right toward the vent portion 260, or to slope to the left toward the vent portion 260. Furthermore, the gas transfer hole 350 formed in the upper cover portion 310 can be formed to slope not only to the right and left, but also inward or outward.

[0096] As shown in Figure 11, gas transfer holes 350 may be formed entirely in both the front cover portion 330 and the top cover portion 310, or gas transfer holes 350 may be formed only in the top cover portion 310.

[0097] Figure 12 is a perspective view of a protective cover member in a battery pack according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] The fifth embodiment of the present invention differs from the first to fourth embodiments in that the protective cover member 300 includes a lower cover portion 340, and gas transfer holes 350 are formed in the lower cover portion 340. However, any part that is common with any one of the first to fourth embodiments described above shall be described in the description of any one of the first to fourth embodiments. Furthermore, any part of the fifth embodiment that is applicable to any one of the first to fourth embodiments may be applied to any one of the first to fourth embodiments.

[0099] Referring to Figure 12, the protective cover member 300 may further include a lower cover portion 340 located at the bottom so as to connect to the lower parts of the side cover portion 320 and the front cover portion 330.

[0100] The lower cover portion 340 blocks high-temperature particles rising from below. Many high-temperature particles move beyond the inner frame 230 and the partition frame 240, and flow into the vent portion 260 from the front, top, and sides. However, depending on the requirements or specifications of the battery pack, high-temperature particles may also flow into the vent portion 260 from below. Therefore, the lower cover portion 340 can be formed on the protective cover member 300.

[0101] Here, the gas transfer hole 350 does not necessarily have to be formed in the lower cover portion 340. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 12, a gas transfer hole 350 through which gas moves may be formed in the lower cover portion 340. If a gas transfer hole 350 is formed in the lower cover portion 340, the gas transfer hole 350 formed in the lower cover portion 340 may be formed to slope to the right toward the vent portion 260, or to slope to the left toward the vent portion 260. Furthermore, the gas transfer hole 350 formed in the upper cover portion 310 may be formed to slope not only to the right or left, but also inward or outward.

[0102] As shown in Figure 12, gas transfer holes 350 can be formed in both the front cover portion 330 and the bottom cover portion 340, but it is also possible for gas transfer holes 350 to be formed only in the bottom cover portion 340.

[0103] Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating an automobile including a battery pack according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] Referring to Figure 13, an automobile 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery packs 10 according to the embodiments described above. Here, the automobile 20 includes various automobiles that use electricity, such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles.

[0105] In this specification, terms indicating direction such as up, down, left, right, front, and back are used. However, such terms indicate relative positions and are used only for the convenience of explanation. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that these positions can change depending on the position of the object in question, the observer's position, etc.

[0106] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and of course, various modifications and variations are possible within the equivalent scope of the technical concept of the present invention and the claims below by persons with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be considered from an explanatory rather than restrictive viewpoint. That is, the true technical concept of the present invention is shown in the claims, and all differences within the equivalent scope thereto should be interpreted as being included in the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0107] The present invention relates to a battery pack and an automobile including the same, and is particularly applicable to the secondary battery industry.

Claims

1. Multiple battery modules, each consisting of multiple battery cells stacked on top of each other, A pack case containing the aforementioned multiple battery modules and having a vent section formed therein, A battery pack comprising: a protective cover member that is coupled to the pack case at the portion where the vent portion is located in order to protect the vent portion, and which has a gas transfer hole formed therein that is inclined toward the vent portion for the movement of vent gas.

2. The aforementioned vent section is, A vent hole through which vent gas generated from the aforementioned battery cell is discharged, The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized by including a vent valve that closes the vent hole and is opened when the internal pressure of the pack case exceeds a preset value.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective cover member is formed to cover at least a portion of the vent portion.

4. The protective cover member, The top cover section located at the top, The upper cover portion is connected to the side cover portion located on the side, It includes the upper cover portion and the front cover portion which are connected to the side cover portion, The battery pack according to claim 3, characterized in that the gas transfer hole is formed in at least one of the top cover portion, the side cover portion, and the front cover portion.

5. The aforementioned front cover portion includes a plurality of rod portions, The battery pack according to claim 4, characterized in that each of the plurality of rod portions is inclined and connected to the side cover portion, and the gas transfer holes are formed between the plurality of rod portions.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, characterized in that each of the plurality of rod portions has its lower part connected to the end of the side cover portion and its upper part connected to the inside of the side cover portion.

7. The battery pack according to claim 6, characterized in that the gas transfer hole is formed between any one of the plurality of rod portions and an adjacent rod portion, such that the vent gas moves upward along the gas transfer hole.

8. The battery pack according to claim 5, characterized in that each of the plurality of rod portions has its upper part connected to the end of the side cover portion and its lower part connected to the inside of the side cover portion.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8, characterized in that the gas transfer hole is formed between any one of the plurality of rod portions and an adjacent rod portion so that the vent gas moves downward along the gas transfer hole.

10. The battery pack according to claim 5, characterized in that the inclination angles of the plurality of rod portions are all formed to be the same.

11. The battery pack according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one of the inclination angles of the plurality of rod portions is formed differently.

12. The battery pack according to claim 4, characterized in that a fastening coupling portion is formed on the upper cover portion so that the protective cover member is coupled to the pack case.

13. The battery pack according to claim 4, characterized in that the protective cover member further includes a lower cover portion located at the bottom so as to be coupled to the lower part of the side cover portion and the front cover portion.

14. The battery pack according to claim 13, characterized in that the lower cover portion has gas transfer holes through which vent gas moves.

15. An automobile comprising at least one battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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