Battery packs and automobiles containing them

Abstract

The battery pack according to the present invention includes a plurality of battery modules, an outer wall body and a plurality of cross beams that partition the internal space enclosed by the outer wall body, a pack case provided to arrange the plurality of battery modules in each partitioned space, and gas transfer channels provided inside the cross beams and the outer wall body, wherein when gas is generated in any of the battery modules, the gas is discharged to the outside of the pack case through the gas transfer channels in the cross beam and the outer wall body adjacent to any of the battery modules.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack, and more particularly, to a battery pack capable of suppressing thermal runaway of a battery module by eliminating the accumulation of thermal energy inside the battery pack when a thermal event occurs.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0039141 filed on March 21, 2024, and all the contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the said application are incorporated into this application.

Background Art

[0003] Secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for improving energy efficiency because they are environmentally friendly in that they not only have the primary advantage of significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels but also do not produce any by-products associated with the use of energy.

[0004] As a result, the application of secondary batteries to various devices is increasing. For example, they are widely used as an energy source for wireless mobile devices or wearable devices, which are multifunctional small products, and are also used as an energy source or an energy storage system (ESS) for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles, which are presented as alternatives to conventional gasoline vehicles and diesel vehicles.

[0005] Normally, the operating voltage of a single secondary battery is around about 2.5V to 4.5V. Therefore, in the case of electric vehicles and energy storage devices that require high capacity and high output, a battery module in which a plurality of secondary batteries are connected in series and / or in parallel, and a battery pack in which the battery modules are connected in series and / or in parallel are configured and used as an energy source.

[0006] Recently, battery packs are designed to house as many rechargeable batteries and battery modules as possible in an integrated manner to improve energy density. This means that if one rechargeable battery or battery module catches fire, it is likely to cause a chain reaction that can spread to other batteries or modules. Therefore, ensuring the safety of battery packs is a critical issue.

[0007] On the other hand, conventional battery packs, for example, include pack structures such as crossbeams between battery modules to ensure the structural rigidity of the pack case. These crossbeams can also serve to prevent heat transfer between battery modules when a thermal event occurs inside the battery pack. However, if a battery module continues to ignite, high-temperature gases will be ejected from that battery module. As these high-temperature gases accumulate inside the battery pack, other surrounding battery modules will suffer thermal damage, which can lead to an increase in the internal pressure of the battery pack and potentially cause the pack case to collapse. Therefore, when a thermal event occurs, it is necessary to properly discharge high-temperature gases and other substances to the outside of the battery pack in order to suppress the accumulation of thermal energy and the rise in pressure inside the battery pack. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a battery pack that can prevent the collapse of the pack case by suppressing thermal runaway of the battery module and eliminating the accumulation of thermal energy inside the battery pack when a thermal event occurs.

[0009] 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]

[0010] According to the present invention, a battery pack can be provided that includes a plurality of battery modules, an outer wall body, a plurality of cross beams that partition the internal space enclosed by the outer wall body, a pack case provided to arrange the plurality of battery modules in each partitioned space, and a gas transfer channel provided inside the cross beams and the outer wall body, wherein when gas is generated in any of the battery modules, the gas is discharged to the outside of the pack case through the gas transfer channel in the cross beam and the outer wall body adjacent to any of the battery modules.

[0011] The gas transport channel may include a main channel extending along the outer wall and a plurality of branch channels branching off from the main channel and extending along each of the cross beams.

[0012] The crossbeam may include a gas intake port provided on at least one side surface that connects the partitioned space with the branch channel, and an opening / closing member that covers the gas intake port and operates to open the gas intake port when gas pressure is applied.

[0013] The crossbeam includes a partition wall extending along the branch channel, and the branch channel may include a first branch channel and a second branch channel separated from each other by the partition wall.

[0014] One or more of the gas intake ports may be provided on both sides of the crossbeam.

[0015] The gas intake port provided on one side of the crossbeam and the gas intake port provided on the other side of the crossbeam may be arranged so as not to face each other.

[0016] The opening / closing member may include an opening / closing plate that is provided in the form of a plate-like body with a larger area than the gas suction port, and one end of the plate is fixedly connected to the inside of the cross beam.

[0017] The opening and closing plate is made of a material having the property of bending under external force, and the cross beam may include a partition wall extending along the branch channel and a plate stopper formed protruding from the partition wall to limit the bending of the opening and closing plate.

[0018] The plate stopper may include a first block plate extending in a direction intersecting the partition wall, and a second block plate intersecting the first block plate and extending toward the main channel.

[0019] The opening / closing member may include an opening / closing plate provided in the form of a plate-like body covering the gas intake port, and a damper hinge connected to one end of the opening / closing plate and fixedly coupled inside the crossbeam.

[0020] The opening / closing member may include an opening / closing plate provided in the form of a plate-like body with an area larger than the gas suction port, and an elastic member provided inside the cross beam that elastically presses the opening / closing plate so as to cover the gas suction port.

[0021] The crossbeam includes a partition wall extending along the branch channel, and the elastic member may have one end connected to the opening / closing plate and the other end connected to the partition wall.

[0022] The outer wall may include at least one gas outlet through which gas is discharged from the gas transport channel to the outside of the pack case.

[0023] The pack case may include a pack tray provided in a box shape with an open top and having the partitioned space inside, and a pack cover that covers the open top of the pack tray and connects with the pack tray.

[0024] In addition, according to another embodiment of the present invention, an automobile including the aforementioned battery pack is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to the present invention, when a thermal event occurs, it is possible to provide a battery pack that can suppress thermal runaway of a battery module by eliminating the accumulation of thermal energy inside the battery pack and prevent the collapse of the pack case.

[0026] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains from the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] [Figure 1] It is a schematic perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a pack tray according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of a pack tray according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a view showing a part of a pack tray according to an embodiment of the present invention with a cutaway. [Figure 6] It is a view showing a cross beam when a gas suction port is open, which is a part of the pack tray according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a partial cross-sectional view of an outer wall body and a cross beam according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a view showing the gas discharge path when any one of the battery modules of the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention catches fire. [Figure 9] It is a view corresponding to FIG. 7 and showing a first modification example of the cross beam of FIG. 7. [Figure 10] It is a view corresponding to FIG. 7 and showing a second modification example of the cross beam of FIG. 7. [Figure 11]This figure corresponds to Figure 7 and shows a third modified example of the crossbeam in Figure 7. [Figure 12] This figure corresponds to Figure 7 and shows a fourth modified example of the crossbeam in Figure 7. [Figure 13] This diagram schematically shows an automobile including a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] 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 appropriate to 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 and configurations shown in the drawings described herein 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.

[0029] Furthermore, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a specific description of a related known configuration or function would obscure the gist of the present invention, such description will be omitted.

[0030] Since embodiments of the present invention are provided to give a more complete explanation to an ordinary person of the art, the shapes and sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated or omitted, or illustrated schematically, for the sake of clearer explanation. Accordingly, the sizes and proportions of each component do not fully reflect their actual sizes and proportions.

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a pack tray according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a pack tray according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Referring to these drawings, a battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of battery modules 100, a pack case 200, and a gas transport channel 300.

[0033] The battery module 100 may include a plurality of battery cells and a module case that houses the battery cells. Here, the battery cells refer to a secondary battery including an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a battery case, and may be any form of secondary battery such as a pouch type, cylindrical or prismatic secondary battery. The module case may be configured to house the battery cells and have a gas vent hole (not shown) on at least one side. In the event of internal ignition, gas and flames can be discharged from the gas vent hole to the outside of the module case in such a battery module 100. The module case may be made of a metallic material such as steel or a rigid non-metallic material to protect the battery cells from external impacts.

[0034] Such battery modules 100 are each mounted in the pack tray 210 of the pack case 200, in the space S1 partitioned by the cross beam 230 and the center beam 240, and can be electrically connected to each other by an interbus bar (not shown) or cables.

[0035] The pack case 200 may be provided to house a plurality of battery modules 100. The pack case 200 may include a pack tray 210 and a pack cover 250, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The pack tray 210 may have a box shape with an open top, and a battery module 100 may be arranged in each of the partitioned spaces S1. The pack cover 250 may cover the open top of the pack tray 210 and be provided so as to be connectable to the pack tray 210.

[0036] Specifically, the pack tray 210 may include, as shown in Figure 3, a base plate 211 that supports the battery module 100 at the bottom of the battery module 100, an outer wall 220 that forms a wall along the outer edge of the base plate 211, and a plurality of cross beams 230 and a center beam 240 that partition the internal space enclosed by the outer wall 220.

[0037] The pack tray 210 according to this embodiment includes a center beam 240, which is a wall extending in the vertical direction (X direction) and dividing the internal space of the pack tray 210, and a cross beam 230, which extends in the horizontal direction (Y direction) and has both ends connected to the center beam 240 and the outer wall 220. That is, one end of the cross beam 230 may be connected to the center beam 240, and the other end of the cross beam 230 may be connected to the outer wall 220. Furthermore, the cross beams 230 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other.

[0038] These crossbeams 230 and center beam 240 act to support the outer wall 220, thereby increasing the structural rigidity of the pack tray 210. As a result, the pack tray 210 is less susceptible to deformation such as strain from external impacts.

[0039] Furthermore, the pack tray 210 has multiple partitioned spaces S1, allowing for the compartmentalization and storage of the battery modules 100. When the battery modules 100 are compartmentalized and stored, for example, if a thermal event occurs in any of the battery modules 100, the cross beam 230 or center beam 240 can block the heat and high-temperature gases, thereby blocking or delaying heat propagation between the battery modules 100.

[0040] The pack tray 210 may include a gas outlet 221. One or more gas outlets 221 may be provided on at least one side of the outer wall 220.

[0041] The gas outlet 221 may be formed penetrating the outer wall 220. A metal mesh may be attached to the gas outlet 221. The gas passes through the metal mesh, but sparks or flames can be prevented from flowing out to the outside by the metal mesh. Although not shown, a valve unit that opens and closes due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the pack case 200 may be attached to the gas outlet 221.

[0042] For example, as shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, two gas outlets 221 may be provided on the front (+X direction) and rear (-X direction) of the outer wall 220. One of the two gas outlets 221 provided on the front of the outer wall 220 may be located on the left side of the center beam 240, and the other may be located on the right side of the center beam 240. The two gas outlets 221 provided on the rear of the outer wall 220 may also be located one on the left side and one on the right side of the center beam 240. Here, the gas outlet 221 located on the left side of the center beam 240 is used to discharge gas generated by the battery module 100, which is located to the left of the center beam 240, to the outside of the pack case 200, and the gas outlet 221 located on the right side of the center beam 240 may be used to discharge gas generated by the battery module 100, which is located to the right of the center beam 240, to the outside of the pack case 200.

[0043] The pack cover 250 may be provided, for example, in the form of a plate-like body that is bolted to the upper end of the outer wall 220 of the pack tray 210 and can cover at least the open upper part of the pack tray 210. Although not shown, a sealing gasket may be placed at the upper end of the outer wall 220, and the edge of the pack cover 250 may rest on the sealing gasket.

[0044] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the gas transfer channel 300 may be provided inside the crossbeam 230 and the outer wall 220. For example, the crossbeam 230 and the outer wall 220 may be provided with a hollow structure to allow fluid to move inside.

[0045] As will be described in detail later, the battery pack 10 according to the present invention is configured such that when gas is generated in any of the multiple battery modules 100, the gas moves along a gas transport channel 300 provided inside the crossbeam 230 adjacent to the battery module 100 and the outer wall 220, and is discharged to the outside of the pack case 200 from the gas outlet 221. With this configuration of the present invention, thermal damage to other surrounding battery modules 100 is minimized, and high-temperature gas can be discharged to the outside of the pack case 200, thereby eliminating the accumulation of thermal energy inside the battery pack 10 and preventing the collapse of the pack case 200.

[0046] In this embodiment, the gas transfer channel 300 can be separated into a left gas transfer channel 300 and a right gas transfer channel 300 with respect to the center beam 240, as shown in Figure 4. The left gas transfer channel 300 and the right gas transfer channel 300 can be configured so that they do not communicate with each other. The left gas transfer channel 300 can be used as a transfer passage for gas generated in the battery module 100 located to the left (-Y direction) of the center beam 240, and the right gas transfer channel 300 can be used as a transfer passage for gas generated in the battery module 100 located to the right (+Y direction) of the center beam 240. The gas moving along the left gas transfer channel 300 can be discharged to the outside of the pack case 200 from the left gas outlet 221 mentioned above, and the gas moving along the right gas transfer channel 300 can be discharged to the outside of the pack case 200 from the right gas outlet 221 mentioned above.

[0047] This configuration prevents high-temperature gas from continuously circulating inside the outer wall 220 and is effective in suppressing thermal energy propagation between the left battery module 100 and the right battery module 100 with respect to the center beam 240.

[0048] The gas transport channel 300 may include a main channel 310 extending along the outer wall 220 and a plurality of branch channels 320 branching from the main channel 310 and extending along each of the cross beams 230.

[0049] The main channel 310 is a gas transport passage provided inside the outer wall 220, and the branch channel 320 is a gas transport passage provided inside the cross beam 230 and may be provided to communicate with the main channel 310.

[0050] For example, as shown in Figure 4, the main channel 310 may be provided inside the outer wall 220 so as to communicate with gas outlets 221 provided at the front (+X direction) and rear (-X direction) of the outer wall 220. The branch channel 320 may be branched from the main channel 310 and provided inside each cross beam 230. When gas is generated in the battery module 100, the gas flows into the cross beam 230 surrounding the partitioned space S1 of the pack tray 210 in which the battery module 100 is located, i.e., into the branch channel 320, moves from the branch channel 320 to the main channel 310, and can be discharged to the outside of the pack case 200 through the gas outlet 221. As the amount of gas inside the pack case 200 increases, the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the pack case 200 increases, so that the gas can be quickly discharged along the gas movement channel 300 towards the gas outlet 221.

[0051] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, each crossbeam 230 according to this embodiment may include a gas intake port 231 and an opening / closing member 232 for opening and closing the gas intake port 231.

[0052] The gas intake port 231 is a hole drilled in one side of the cross beam 230 so that the partitioned space S1 where the battery module 100 is located and the branch channel 320 are in communication.

[0053] The gas intake port 231 may be provided on at least one side of the crossbeam 230. That is, the gas intake port 231 may be provided on only one side of the crossbeam 230, or on both sides. For example, depending on the arrangement of the crossbeam 230 and the battery module 100, the gas intake port 231 may be provided on both sides of the crossbeam 230, or on only one side of the crossbeam 230. On the other hand, the shape, number, and position of the gas intake port 231 do not necessarily have to be the same as in this embodiment.

[0054] The opening / closing member 232 is configured to open and close the gas suction port 231, and covers the gas suction port 231, but is provided to open the gas suction port 231 when gas pressure is applied.

[0055] The opening / closing member 232 according to this embodiment may include an opening / closing plate 233 and a damper hinge 234. Referring to Figure 7, the opening / closing plate 233 may be provided in the form of a plate-like body that can cover the gas intake port 231. Preferably, the opening / closing plate 233 may have a larger area than the gas intake port 231 and be configured to be positioned inside the crossbeam 230 beyond the gas intake port 231.

[0056] The opening / closing plate 233 may be configured to remain closed under normal conditions and open due to gas pressure, by being coupled to the crossbeam 230 via the damper hinge 234.

[0057] The damper hinge 234, although not shown in detail, may include a damper and two metal pieces. The damper may include a body that forms the exterior, vanes provided inside the body, silicone oil, and a pivot shaft connected to the vanes and extending inward and outward, and may be configured so that a torque of a certain magnitude acts on the pivot shaft. The two metal pieces may be connected to the pivot shaft of the damper and configured to rotate in the direction in which the torque acts. One of the two metal pieces of such a damper hinge 234 may be fixedly coupled to the opening / closing plate 233, and the other may be fixedly coupled to the crossbeam 230. In this case, if the torque direction of the damper hinge 234 is set to the direction in which the opening / closing plate 233 closes, as shown by "T1" in Figure 7, the gas intake port 231 may be shielded by the opening / closing plate 233 by the torque of the damper hinge 234 during normal operation.

[0058] On the other hand, when gas is generated in the battery module 100, the gas pressure acts on the opening / closing plate 233, causing it to rotate as shown in Figure 7, and the gas intake port 231 to open. As a result, gas flows from the gas intake port 231 into the branch channel 320 and can move toward the main channel 310 and gas outlet 221 due to the negative pressure difference.

[0059] If one side of the crossbeam 230 is defined as the first side portion 230a and the other side portion as the second side portion 230b, then in this embodiment, one or more gas suction ports 231 and opening / closing members 232 may be provided on the first side portion 230a and the second side portion 230b.

[0060] With this configuration, for example, gas generated in any of the battery modules 100 located in the partitioned space S1 facing the first side portion 230a of the crossbeam 230, and gas generated in any other battery module 100 located in the partitioned space S1 facing the second side portion 230b of the crossbeam 230, can be allowed to flow into the branch channel 320 provided inside the crossbeam 230, which is located between them. Furthermore, the opening / closing plate 233 is structured to open only from the outside to the inside of the crossbeam 230. Therefore, for example, if gas is generated only in any of the battery modules 100 facing the first side portion 230a of the crossbeam 230, and there is no problem with any other battery module 100 facing the second side portion 230b of the crossbeam 230, even if gas flows into the branch channel 320 from the gas intake port 231 of the first side portion 230a, the opening / closing plate 233 of the second side portion 230b will not open due to the gas. Therefore, gas generated in any of the battery modules 100 facing the first side portion 230a does not pass through the crossbeam 230 and propagate to other battery modules 100 facing the second side portion 230b. In this case, the gas intake port 231 provided on the first side portion 230a of the crossbeam 230 and the gas intake port 231 provided on the second side portion 230b of the crossbeam 230 can be arranged so as not to face each other. Furthermore, it is desirable that the opening / closing plate 233 is shorter in length than the width of the branch channel 320.

[0061] With this configuration, when the opening / closing plate 233 provided on the first side portion 230a and the opening / closing plate 233 provided on the second side portion 230b rotate simultaneously, it is possible to prevent them from interfering with each other or from the opening / closing plate 233 obstructing the flow path of the branch channel 320.

[0062] More specifically, as shown in Figure 8, if there is a battery module 100 among the multiple battery modules 100 where a thermal event has occurred (hereinafter referred to as the trigger battery module 100), high-temperature gas is generated in the trigger battery module 100, causing the pressure in the partitioned space S1 where the trigger battery module 100 is located to increase. As a result, the opening and closing plates 233 of the two cross beams 230 located on both sides of the trigger battery module 100 (±X direction) rotate, opening the gas intake port 231, and allowing the gas to flow into the branch channel 320 provided inside the two cross beams 230. The gas that has flowed into the branch channel 320 in this way moves along the main channel 310 provided inside the outer wall 220 of the pack tray 210 and can be discharged to the outside of the pack case 200 from the gas outlet 221. In particular, according to this implementation configuration, when a thermal event occurs in the battery module 100, the gas generated in each battery module 100 is guided to flow along individual and independent paths, thereby minimizing heat propagation to other surrounding battery modules 100 and allowing it to be discharged more quickly to the outside of the pack case 200, thereby effectively eliminating the pressure rise in the battery pack 10.

[0063] Furthermore, with reference to Figures 9 to 13, modified examples of the embodiments described above will be explained.

[0064] The same component numbers as in the previously described embodiments refer to the same components, and redundant explanations of the same components will be omitted. The explanation will focus on the differences from the previously described embodiments.

[0065] Figure 9 is a diagram corresponding to Figure 7, and shows a first modified example of the crossbeam in Figure 7.

[0066] As shown in Figure 9, the crossbeam 230 in the first modified example may include a partition wall 235 extending along the branch channel 320. The branch channel 320 in this modified example may include a first branch channel 321 and a second branch channel 322 separated from each other by the partition wall 235.

[0067] According to the configuration of the first modified example, gas flowing in from the first side portion 230a of the crossbeam 230 is guided to flow along the first branch channel 321, and gas flowing in from the second side portion 230b of the crossbeam 230 is guided to flow along the second branch channel 322. In this case, for example, when high-temperature gas flows into the interior of the crossbeam 230 and moves along the first branch channel 321, the second side portion 230b of the crossbeam 230 does not come into direct contact with the high-temperature gas. Therefore, the temperature of the second side portion 230b of the crossbeam 230 does not rise significantly, and as a result, the battery module 100 adjacent to the second side portion 230b of the crossbeam 230 does not suffer thermal damage. In addition, since gas does not flow through the second branch channel 322, it is possible to prevent the gas intake port 231 from being unintentionally opened due to damage such as thermal melting of the opening / closing plate 233 provided on the second side portion 230b of the crossbeam 230. Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the branch channel 320 may be unintentionally closed due to the size or rotation angle of the opening / closing plate 233 provided on the first side portion 230a of the cross beam 230, which can prevent the gas flowing in when the opening / closing plate 233 provided on the second side portion 230b of the cross beam 230 is opened from moving to the main channel 310. However, as in the first modified example, when the first branch channel 321 for the movement of gas flowing in from the first side portion 230a of the cross beam 230 and the second branch channel 322 for the movement of gas flowing in from the second side portion 230b of the cross beam 230 are provided independently, the above-mentioned situation does not occur.

[0068] Figure 10 is a diagram corresponding to Figure 7, and shows a second modified example of the crossbeam in Figure 7.

[0069] The crossbeam 230 according to a second modification of the present invention includes an opening / closing plate 233 provided in the form of a plate-like body with a larger area than the gas intake port 231, with only one end fixedly connected to the inside of the crossbeam 230. For example, the opening / closing plate 233 can be fixed to the crossbeam 230 by fixing members 233a such as bolts and rivets, or by methods such as bonding and welding.

[0070] That is, in the second modified example, one end of the opening / closing plate 233 is a fixed end fixed to the crossbeam 230, and the other end of the opening / closing plate 233 is a free end not constrained by the crossbeam 230. Such an opening / closing plate 233 can bend or break due to gas pressure. The opening / closing plate 233 is preferably made of a material that has the property of bending under a predetermined external force, and can be made of materials such as silicone, copper, aluminum, or soft iron.

[0071] Furthermore, the crossbeam 230 according to the second modification may include a partition wall 235 inside, as in the first modification described above, and may include a first branch channel 321 and a second branch channel 322 separated by the partition wall 235.

[0072] Furthermore, the crossbeam 230 according to the second modification may include a plate stopper 236 formed to protrude from the partition wall 235 in order to limit the deflection of the opening and closing plate 233. The plate stopper 236 may include a first block plate 236a extending in a direction intersecting the partition wall 235, and a second block plate 236b intersecting the first block plate 236a and extending toward the main channel 310.

[0073] With this second modified configuration, the gas intake port 231 is shielded under normal conditions, and when gas is generated, the opening / closing plate 233 flexes, allowing the gas intake port 231 to open. Furthermore, the free end of the flexing opening / closing plate 233 is supported by the plate stopper 236 to limit the flexing of the opening / closing plate 233, preventing the gas flow from flowing in the opposite direction to the main channel 310.

[0074] Figure 11 is a diagram corresponding to Figure 7, and shows a third modified example of the crossbeam in Figure 7.

[0075] A third modified example of the present invention, the opening / closing member 232, may include, as shown in Figure 11, an opening / closing plate 233 provided in the form of a plate-like body with a larger area than the gas suction port 231, and an elastic member 237 provided inside the cross beam 230 that elastically presses the opening / closing plate 233 so as to cover the gas suction port 231.

[0076] A spring can be used as the elastic member 237. The spring is just one example of the elastic member 237. In other words, any means capable of elastically pressurizing the opening / closing plate 233 can be used as the elastic member 237.

[0077] The spring may be configured such that one end is fixed to the side surface of the crossbeam 230 facing the gas intake port 231, and the other end is connected to the opening / closing plate 233, and the spring elastically pressurizes the opening / closing plate 233 so that the gas intake port 231 is closed when no external force is applied.

[0078] According to this third modification, when gas pressure is applied to the crossbeam 230 side in the partitioned space S1, the spring is compressed, which can cause the opening / closing plate 233 to separate from the gas intake port 231. In particular, according to the third modification, since the opening / closing plate 233 opens and closes the gas intake port 231 by translational motion due to the gas pressure and the amount of deformation of the spring, the size of the gas intake port 231 and the opening / closing plate 233 can be made larger than in the previously described modification. In particular, when the width of the crossbeam 230 is insufficient, the opening / closing member 232 that rotates to open and close the gas intake port 231 is constrained by the size of the opening / closing plate 233, but according to the third modification, this constraint can be solved.

[0079] Figure 12 is a diagram corresponding to Figure 7, and shows a fourth modified example of the crossbeam in Figure 7.

[0080] In the fourth modification of the present invention, the crossbeam 230 includes a partition wall 235 extending along the branch channel 320, and the opening / closing member 232 is substantially identical to that of the third modification described above.

[0081] As shown in Figure 12, in the fourth modified example, the elastic member 237 may be configured such that one end is connected to the opening / closing plate 233 and the other end is connected to the partition wall 235.

[0082] According to the embodiment of the fourth modified example, by independently providing the first branch channel 321 for the movement of gas flowing in from the first side portion 230a of the crossbeam 230 and the second branch channel 322 for the movement of gas flowing in from the second side portion 230b of the crossbeam 230, the effect of blocking the propagation of thermal energy between adjacent battery modules 100 is achieved. Furthermore, as described in the third modified example, it has the advantage of a high degree of freedom in applying the opening / closing plate 233 and the gas intake port 231 with respect to the width of the crossbeam 230.

[0083] The automobile according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 13.

[0084] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing an automobile including a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] Referring to Figure 13, the automobile according to the present invention may be configured to include the aforementioned battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 20, an inverter 30, and a motor 40. Preferably, the automobile may be an electric vehicle.

[0086] The battery pack 10 can be used as an electrical energy source to drive the vehicle by providing driving force to the motor 40. The battery pack 10 can be charged or discharged by the inverter 30 by the drive of the motor 40 and / or an internal combustion engine (not shown). The battery pack 10 can be charged by a regenerative charging device coupled with the brakes. The battery pack 10 can be electrically connected to the motor 40 of the vehicle via the inverter 30.

[0087] The ECU 20 is an electronic control unit that controls the state of the vehicle. For example, it determines torque information based on information such as accelerator, brake, and speed, and controls the output of the motor 40 according to the torque information. The ECU 20 also sends a control signal to the inverter 30 to charge or discharge the battery pack 10 based on state information such as SOC and SOH transmitted by the BMS. The inverter 30 charges or discharges the battery pack 10 based on the control signal from the ECU 20. The motor 40 drives the vehicle using the electrical energy of the battery pack 10 based on control information (e.g., torque information) transmitted from the ECU 20.

[0088] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that a wide range of modifications and variations are possible within the equivalent scope of the technical concept of the present invention and the following claims by persons with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

[0089] In this specification, terms indicating direction such as up, down, left, and right are used, but these terms are for the sake of convenience of explanation only, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the direction can change depending on the position of the object in question, the position of the observer, etc.

Claims

1. Multiple battery modules, A pack case comprising an outer wall body, a center beam that partitions the internal space enclosed by the outer wall body, and a plurality of cross beams that intersect the center beam, wherein the plurality of battery modules are arranged in their respective partitioned spaces, The cross beam and the gas transfer channel provided inside the outer wall body are included, When gas is generated in any of the aforementioned battery modules, the gas is discharged to the outside of the pack case through the gas transport channel of the crossbeam and the outer wall adjacent to the aforementioned battery module. The aforementioned gas transport channel is A main channel extending along the aforementioned exterior wall, It includes a plurality of branch channels that branch off from the main channel and extend along each of the crossbeams, The aforementioned multiple branch channels are separated into a left gas transfer channel and a right gas transfer channel with respect to the center beam. The aforementioned crossbeam is A gas suction port is provided on at least one side surface, which connects the partitioned space and the branch channel, The system includes an opening / closing member that covers the gas suction port and operates to open the gas suction port when gas pressure is applied, The crossbeam includes a partition wall extending along the branch channel, The branch channel includes a first branch channel and a second branch channel separated from each other by the partition wall, The opening / closing member is provided in the form of a plate-like body with an area larger than the gas suction port, and includes an opening / closing plate with one end fixedly connected to the inside of the cross beam. The partition wall includes a plate stopper formed protruding from the partition wall, A battery pack characterized in that the plate stopper supports the free end, which is the other end of the opening / closing plate, with respect to the bending of the opening / closing plate.

2. The aforementioned gas intake port is The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more are provided on both sides of the crossbeam.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas intake port provided on one side of the crossbeam and the gas intake port provided on the other side of the crossbeam are arranged so as not to face each other.

4. The aforementioned plate stopper is A first block plate extending in a direction intersecting the aforementioned partition wall, The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a second block plate that intersects with the first block plate and extends toward the main channel side.

5. The opening and closing member is An opening / closing plate provided in the form of a plate-like body that covers the gas suction port, The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized by including a damper hinge connected to one end of the opening / closing plate and fixedly coupled inside the crossbeam.

6. Multiple battery modules, A pack case comprising an outer wall body, a center beam that partitions the internal space enclosed by the outer wall body, and a plurality of cross beams that intersect the center beam, wherein the plurality of battery modules are arranged in their respective partitioned spaces, The cross beam and the gas transfer channel provided inside the outer wall body are included, When gas is generated in any of the aforementioned battery modules, the gas is discharged to the outside of the pack case through the gas transport channel of the crossbeam and the outer wall adjacent to the aforementioned battery module. The aforementioned gas transport channel is A main channel extending along the aforementioned exterior wall, It includes a plurality of branch channels that branch off from the main channel and extend along each of the crossbeams, The aforementioned multiple branch channels are separated into a left gas transfer channel and a right gas transfer channel with respect to the center beam. The aforementioned crossbeam is A gas suction port is provided on at least one side surface, which connects the partitioned space and the branch channel, The system includes an opening / closing member that covers the gas suction port and operates to open the gas suction port when gas pressure is applied, The opening and closing member is An opening / closing plate is provided in the form of a plate-like body with a larger area than the gas suction port, The crossbeam, having a first side surface on which the gas suction port is located and a second side surface facing the first side surface, includes an elastic member that elastically presses the opening / closing plate so as to cover the gas suction port, The battery pack is characterized in that the elastic member has a first end and a second end which is the end opposite to the first end, the first end is connected to the second side surface and the second end is connected to the opening / closing plate.

7. The crossbeam includes a partition wall extending along the branch channel, The battery pack according to claim 6, characterized in that one end of the elastic member is connected to the opening / closing plate and the other end is connected to the partition wall.

8. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer wall body includes at least one gas outlet through which gas is discharged from the gas transport channel to the outside of the pack case.

9. The aforementioned pack case is The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized by comprising: a pack tray provided in the shape of a box having the partitioned space inside and having an open top; and a pack cover that covers the open top of the pack tray and is coupled to the pack tray.

10. An automobile comprising a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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