Battery module component

Abstract

The disclosed invention relates to a battery module component, wherein, in one example, it comprises a body made of synthetic resin material and a metal mesh embedded within the body, and the body is characterized by having a lower melting point than the mesh.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module component, and more specifically, to a battery module component capable of suppressing the spread of secondary damage, such as external fire or explosion, by ensuring that even if a battery cell mounted inside the module frame overheats and generates a flame, the flame is not exposed to the outside of the module frame. Background Technology

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries are rechargeable and are currently the subject of extensive research and development due to their potential for miniaturization and high capacity. The demand for secondary batteries as an energy source is increasing rapidly due to the growing technological development and demand for mobile devices, as well as the rise of electric vehicles and energy storage systems driven by the contemporary need for environmental protection.

[0003] Rechargeable batteries are classified into coin batteries, cylindrical batteries, prismatic batteries, and pouch batteries according to the shape of the battery case. In rechargeable batteries, the electrode assembly mounted inside the battery case is a power generation device capable of charging and discharging, consisting of a laminated structure of electrodes and separators.

[0004] Since secondary batteries require continuous use over long periods, it is necessary to effectively control the heat generated during the charging and discharging process. If the cooling of the secondary battery is not performed smoothly, a positive feedback chain reaction occurs where the temperature rise causes an increase in current, and this increase in current again causes a temperature rise, eventually leading to a catastrophic state of thermal runaway.

[0005] In addition, when secondary batteries are grouped in the form of modules or packs, a thermal propagation phenomenon occurs in which surrounding secondary batteries are continuously overheated due to thermal runaway in one secondary battery. Furthermore, if flames generated from an overheated secondary battery are exposed to the outside, they can not only damage surrounding equipment but also spread to secondary damages such as fire or explosion; therefore, it is necessary to prepare countermeasures against such fire risks. Prior art literature

[0006] Korean Patent Publication No. 2020-0078344 (Published July 1, 2020) The problem to be solved

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a battery module component that can suppress the spread of secondary damage, such as external fire or explosion, by ensuring that even if a battery cell mounted inside overheats and generates flames, the flames are not exposed to the outside of the frame.

[0008] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and other unmentioned problems will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the description of the invention below. means of solving the problem

[0009] The present invention relates to a battery module component, wherein, in one example, it comprises a body made of synthetic resin material and a metal mesh embedded within the body, and the body is characterized by having a lower melting point than the mesh.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the mesh is embedded in the body by insert injection to form a single unit, and at least a portion of the mesh is exposed on the inner surface of the body.

[0011] According to an embodiment, the body may form an end plate of a battery module frame.

[0012] In addition, a vulnerable part with lower heat resistance than the surrounding area may be provided on a portion of the outer surface of the above body.

[0013] The above-mentioned vulnerable part may be made of a different type of synthetic resin material with a melting point lower than that of the body, or may be formed with a thickness thinner than the surrounding area.

[0014] In addition, the metal material of the above mesh may preferably be heat-resistant stainless steel.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the mesh is embedded within the body by insert injection to form a single unit, and the mesh is not exposed to the outside of the body.

[0016] Here, a first vulnerable part having lower heat resistance than the surroundings is provided on the inner surface of the body, and furthermore, a second vulnerable part having lower heat resistance than the surroundings is provided on a part of the outer surface of the body.

[0017] The first and second vulnerable parts may each be made of a different type of synthetic resin material with a melting point lower than that of the body, or may be formed with a thickness thinner than the surroundings.

[0018] In addition, the first vulnerable part may be provided in multiple numbers, and the second vulnerable part may be provided in one number and arranged to form an equal distance from the multiple first vulnerable parts.

[0019] In addition, the second vulnerable part may be provided with a filter having a denser dimension than the mesh. Effects of the invention

[0020] The battery module component of the present invention, having the above-described configuration, is made of a composite material in which a metal mesh is embedded within a synthetic resin body. Consequently, when a flame occurs within the battery module, the mesh structure causes a flame-extinguishing effect, and even if the resin body with a low melting point melts to form an outlet, only high-temperature gas is discharged, and the flame is not discharged to the outside.

[0021] In addition, by forming a vulnerable point in the body and limiting the discharge location of high-temperature gas to that vulnerable point, the risk of external fire can be further reduced.

[0022] However, the technical effects obtainable through the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the description of the invention below. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0023] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further enhance understanding of the technical concept of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention provided below; therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited only to the matters described in such drawings. FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating an example of a battery module including a battery module component of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating the cross-sectional structure of an end plate according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating an example of combining a mesh into the body of an end plate by insert injection. FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating an example in which the end plate of FIG. 2 is joined to a battery module frame. FIGS. 5 and FIGS. 6 are drawings illustrating examples of forming a vulnerable part in a body, respectively. FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating the cross-sectional structure of an end plate according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating the relative arrangement relationship between the first vulnerable part and the second vulnerable part. FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating an example in which a filter is provided in a second vulnerable part formed in the end plate of FIG. 7. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0024] The present invention is capable of various modifications and may have various embodiments, and specific embodiments are to be described in detail below.

[0025] However, this is not intended to limit the invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that it includes all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0026] In the present invention, terms such as "comprising" or "having" are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not excluding in advance the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0027] Furthermore, in the present invention, when a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is described as being "on" another part, this includes not only cases where it is "immediately above" the other part, but also cases where there is another part in between. Conversely, when a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is described as being "under" another part, this includes not only cases where it is "immediately below" the other part, but also cases where there is another part in between. Additionally, in the present application, being "placed on" may include cases where it is placed on the lower part as well as on the upper part.

[0029] The present invention relates to a battery module component, wherein, in one example, it comprises a body made of synthetic resin material and a metal mesh embedded within the body, and the body is characterized by having a lower melting point than the mesh.

[0030] The battery module component of the present invention, having the above-described configuration, is made of a composite material in which a metal mesh is embedded within a synthetic resin body. Consequently, when a flame occurs within the battery module, the mesh structure causes a flame-extinguishing effect, and even if the resin body with a low melting point melts to form an outlet, only high-temperature gas is discharged, and the flame is not discharged to the outside.

[0032] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the battery module components of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. For reference, the directions of front, back, up, down, left, and right used to specify relative positions in the following description are intended to aid in understanding the invention, and unless otherwise specifically defined, the directions shown in the drawings are used as the reference.

[0034] [First embodiment]

[0035] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating an example of a battery module (10) including a battery module component (200) of the present invention. The battery module (10) refers to a battery assembly in which a certain number of battery cells (410) are bundled together and placed in a frame to protect them from external shock, heat, vibration, etc. The battery module (10) is composed of a plurality of battery cells (410) connected in series and / or parallel with one another and is embedded in a mechanical structure, namely a battery module frame (100).

[0036] Each battery cell (410) serves as a primary source for storing energy and supplying it externally when needed, but since the capacity of the battery cells (410) alone is small, a module is created by combining them, and furthermore, the modules are combined to form a battery pack.

[0037] The present invention relates to a battery module component (200) applied to a battery module (10) that protects a plurality of battery cells (410). A battery module (10) illustrated as one example in FIG. 1 includes a battery cell assembly (400) in which a plurality of battery cells (410) are connected in series and / or parallel to form a single assembly.

[0038] And, the battery module frame (100), which is a mechanical structure protecting a plurality of battery cells (410), includes a main frame (102) that forms a "U" shaped cross-section and forms a space to accommodate a battery cell assembly (400) inside, and an upper plate (104) that covers the open upper surface of the main frame (102). Here, end plates (200') are attached to both open sides of the battery module frame (100) to seal the battery module (10), and the end plate (200') is what the present invention intends to exemplify as one of the battery module components (200).

[0039] The battery module (10) is in the shape of a polyhedron that accommodates a plurality of battery cells (410), and in FIG. 1, it is in the shape of a hexahedron, with end plates (200') attached to both sides. Here, the end plates (200') are attached to the electrode leads of the battery cell assembly (400), and accordingly, the end plates (200') may be provided with a bus bar that is electrically connected to the battery cell assembly (400).

[0040] In this regard, if the end plate (200') is equipped with a bus bar, it may be called a bus bar frame. Accordingly, the end plate (200') referred to in the specification of the present invention needs to be broadly understood as a battery module component (200) that seals both sides of the battery module (10), without being restricted by the usage of the term.

[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates the cross-sectional structure of a battery module component (200), i.e., an end plate (200'), according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The end plate (200') comprises a body (210) made of synthetic resin material and a metal mesh (230) embedded within the body (210). In particular, the body (210) made of synthetic resin material is characterized by having a lower melting point than the metal mesh (230).

[0042] That is, the end plate (200') of the present invention is made of a composite material in which a body (210) made of synthetic resin material and a metal mesh (230) embedded within the body (210) are combined. Here, the body (210) made of synthetic resin material serves as a structural element that maintains the mechanical structure of the end plate (200'). In this regard, the body (210) may be made of a synthetic resin having excellent mechanical strength, such as polycarbonate.

[0043] Also, the mesh (230) contained within the body (210) made of synthetic resin material can be understood as a porous metal body in a broad sense. For example, a metal mesh, a wire mesh (230), a metal film with multiple through holes formed therein can be applied as the mesh (230). Alternatively, a flat wire mass formed by winding a thin metal thread in a spiral shape can be inserted as the metal mesh (230).

[0044] The end plate (200') of the present invention utilizes a body (210) made of synthetic resin material as a structure and includes a porous mesh (230) therein, thereby enabling the realization of a lightweight battery module component (200) through lightweighting by the synthetic resin material and weight reduction by the mesh (230) structure.

[0045] In addition, the end plate (200') of the present invention has a metal mesh (230) embedded in the body (210) that not only breaks down the flame generated during the thermal runaway of the battery cell (410) by allowing it to pass through, but also causes an endothermic reaction that absorbs the energy of the flame, thereby bringing about the effects of temperature reduction and flame extinguishing.

[0046] More specifically, since the metal mesh (230) has a number of small holes, gases such as gas or steam can easily pass through the mesh (230), but flames are relatively difficult to pass through.

[0047] And, when the mixture of flammable gas and air inside the battery cell (410) is ignited, the mesh (230) inside the end plate (200') absorbs and dissipates the heat generated from the burning gas mixture, thereby lowering the combustion temperature so that the surrounding gas does not rise to the autoignition temperature. This is because the heat is lost to the porous structure of the metal material as the high-temperature gas passes through the mesh (230). In other words, the mesh (230) is made of a metal material containing numerous holes and functions as a flame arrester with a very large cross-sectional area.

[0048] Accordingly, as the flame generated by thermal runaway of the battery cell (410) passes through the battery module component (200) of the present invention, it loses enough heat so that the flame can no longer be sustained, thereby effectively suppressing heat propagation phenomena or external fires.

[0049] And, since the body (210) made of synthetic resin has a lower melting point than the mesh (230) made of metal, the flame passing through the mesh (230) can melt a portion of the outer surface of the body (210) during the process of heat loss, thereby creating a penetrating hole. Nevertheless, since the flame is almost completely eliminated by the mesh (230) which functions as a flame-retardant mesh, high-temperature gas is mainly discharged through the penetrating hole of the body (210) created by melting due to the flame, and almost no flame is discharged.

[0050] Meanwhile, the metal mesh (230) needs to have heat-resistant properties to maintain the flame-extinguishing function for a long time, and it is also desirable to select a material for the mesh (230) that has not only flame-extinguishing capabilities to stop flames but also mechanical properties to withstand explosion pressure. In this regard, steel or stainless steel, which is heat-resistant and has excellent mechanical strength, can be selected as the material for the mesh (230).

[0051] For example, the mesh (230) may be made of heat-resistant stainless steel. The heat-resistant stainless steel may be a ferritic stainless steel alloy such as X10CrAlSi7, X10CrAl13, X10CrAl18 and X18CrN28, an austenitic stainless steel alloy such as X15CrNiSi20-12, X15CrNiSi25-20, X15CrNiSi25-21 and X12CrNiTi18-10, or a nickel-chromium stainless steel alloy such as NiCr15Fe, NiCr23Fe, NiCr22Mo9Nb, NiCr21Mo and NiCr28FeSiCe.

[0052] Furthermore, since the mesh (230) embedded within the body (210) is in the form of a thin plate, it can suppress an increase in the size of the battery module (10). Additionally, since the mesh (230) has a number of holes, it can also suppress an increase in weight. Accordingly, the battery module component (200) of the present invention suppresses an increase in the size or weight of the battery module (10) and furthermore, the battery pack in which the battery modules (10) are assembled, while preventing the ejection of flames to the outside even in the event that a situation occurs in which flames erupt from the battery cell (410), thereby improving the safety of the battery module (10).

[0053] In one embodiment of the present invention, the mesh (230) can be embedded in the body (210) by insert injection to form a single unit. FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary process of manufacturing a battery pack component by injecting molten synthetic resin while the mesh (230) is fixed in the molds of the upper mold (UM) and the lower mold (BM).

[0054] And, according to the embodiment of FIG. 3, since the mesh (230) is fixed in close contact with the bottom surface of the lower mold, at least a portion of the mesh (230) is exposed on the inner surface of the body (210) of the end plate (200') as in FIG. 2. Although a step is formed in a portion of the mesh (230) to allow the molten synthetic resin to penetrate in order to embed and fix the mesh (230) inside the body (210), the portion of the mesh (230) in close contact with the bottom surface of the lower mold forms an exposed surface with respect to the inner surface of the body (210).

[0055] An example of the end plate (200') of FIG. 2 being coupled to the battery module frame (100) is shown in FIG. 4. In the battery module (10) of FIG. 4, when a fire occurs in the battery cell (410), the mesh (230) of the end plate (200') is exposed to the inner surface of the body (210), and when the expanding flame reaches the mesh (230), it exerts a flame-extinguishing ability to stop the flame. Therefore, even if a through hole is formed on the outer surface of the body (210) due to high heat, only high-temperature gas is mainly discharged, and the flame is not ejected outside the end plate (200').

[0056] However, the location of the through hole in the end plate (200') is random. That is, the through hole is formed in a heat-vulnerable part depending on the location where the flame occurred or the shape of the end plate (200'). Even if flames do not erupt through the through hole, high-temperature gas is discharged, so if a device or part that is vulnerable to high-temperature gas or flammable is located near the through hole, it may cause an external fire or secondary damage.

[0057] Accordingly, according to one embodiment of the present invention, by providing a vulnerable part (220) with lower heat resistance than the surrounding area on a part of the outer surface of the body (210), a through hole can be formed on the side of the vulnerable part (220). In other words, the appropriate location of the through hole through which high-temperature gas is discharged can be limited to the vulnerable part (220).

[0058] The vulnerable part (220) can be designed in various ways. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the vulnerable part (220) can be formed by inserting a different type of synthetic resin material with a lower melting point than the body (210) into the body (210), or as shown in FIG. 6, the vulnerable part (220) can be formed with a thinner thickness than the surroundings so that it melts faster even when subjected to the same heat. However, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are exemplary methods for forming the vulnerable part (220), so the specific configuration of the vulnerable part (220) is not limited by these exemplary methods.

[0060] [Second embodiment]

[0061] FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating an end plate (200') according to a second embodiment of the present invention. According to the second embodiment of FIG. 7, the mesh (230) is embedded in the body (210) by insert injection molding to form a single unit, and the mesh (230) is not exposed to the outside relative to the body (210).

[0062] That is, the end plate (200') of the second embodiment has a structure in which the mesh (230) is completely embedded within the body (210), so the mesh (230) is not exposed on either the inner or outer surface of the body (210). Therefore, in the event of a fire occurring inside the battery module (10), high-temperature flames melt the inner surface of the body (210), and then when the mesh (230) is exposed, the flames flow into the mesh (230), and subsequently, the flame-extinguishing function of the mesh (230) acts to stop the flames.

[0063] The end plate (200') of the second embodiment has the advantage of being structurally stronger because there is no cut surface exposing the mesh (230) to the body (210). Therefore, the second embodiment can be considered a more suitable embodiment when the size and weight of the battery module (10) are large.

[0064] However, in the second embodiment, the flame extinguishing function does not operate immediately because the mesh (230) is exposed after the high-temperature flame melts the inner surface of the body (210), and the location where a through hole is formed on the inner surface of the body (210) is random. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, it may be desirable to provide a first vulnerable part (221) on the inner surface of the body (210) that has lower heat resistance than the surrounding area, thereby inducing the formation of a through hole in the first vulnerable part (221).

[0065] Additionally, as described in the first embodiment, a second vulnerable part (222) with lower heat resistance than the surrounding area is formed on a part of the outer surface of the body (210), thereby limiting the appropriate location of the through hole through which high-temperature gas is discharged to the second vulnerable part (222). Furthermore, the first vulnerable part (221) and the second vulnerable part (222) may each be made of a different type of synthetic resin material with a melting point lower than that of the body (210), or may be formed with a thinner thickness than the surrounding area. FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment in which the first and second vulnerable parts (221, 222) are made of a different type of synthetic resin material with a melting point lower than that of the body (210).

[0066] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the relative arrangement relationship between the first vulnerable part (221) and the second vulnerable part (222), wherein the first vulnerable part (221) is provided in multiple numbers and the second vulnerable part (222) is provided in one number and arranged to form an equal distance from the multiple first vulnerable parts (221). This is intended to ensure that the flame entering each first vulnerable part (221) is discharged to the second vulnerable part (222) after traveling a possible long distance, thereby allowing the flame-extinguishing action of the mesh (230) to be fully exerted.

[0067] FIG. 9 shows a configuration in which, in the end plate (200') of the second embodiment, a filter (300) with dimensions denser than the mesh (230) inside the body (210) is provided in the second vulnerable part (222). When the flame passing through the mesh (230) is ejected through the second vulnerable part (222), almost no flame remains and it is discharged in the form of high-temperature gas, which may contain high-temperature particles that act as an ignition source for an external fire.

[0068] The embodiment of FIG. 9 is intended to prevent fire caused by high-temperature particles, and by providing a filter (300) in the second vulnerable part (222) that is denser than the mesh (230) to filter particles of a size that have passed through the mesh (230), the risk of external fire can be prevented more effectively.

[0070] The present invention has been described in more detail above through drawings and embodiments. However, the configurations described in the drawings or embodiments described in this specification are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all technical concepts of the present invention; therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications that can replace them may exist at the time of filing this application. Explanation of the symbols

[0071] 10: Battery Module 100: Battery Module Frame 102: Main frame 104: Upper plate 200: Battery module part 200': End plate 210: Body 220: Vulnerable part 221: 1st vulnerable part 222: 2nd vulnerable part 230: Mesh 300: Filter 400: Battery cell assembly 410: Battery cell UM: Upper mold BM: Lower mold

Claims

Claim 1 A battery module component comprising: a body made of synthetic resin material; and a metal mesh embedded within the body; wherein the body has a lower melting point than the mesh, the mesh is embedded within the body by insert injection to form a single unit, at least a portion of the mesh is exposed on the inner surface of the body, and the outer surface of the body has a through hole formed by the heat of a flame generated from a battery cell. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 A battery module component according to claim 1, wherein the body forms an end plate of a battery module frame. Claim 4 A battery module component according to claim 1, characterized in that a portion of the outer surface of the body is provided with a vulnerable part having lower heat resistance than the surrounding area. Claim 5 A battery module component according to claim 4, wherein the above-mentioned vulnerable part is made of a different type of synthetic resin material with a melting point lower than that of the body, or is formed to be thinner than the surrounding area. Claim 6 A battery module component according to claim 1, characterized in that the metal material of the mesh is heat-resistant stainless steel. Claim 7 A battery module component comprising: a body made of synthetic resin material; and a metal mesh embedded within the body; wherein the body has a lower melting point than the mesh, the mesh is embedded within the body by insert injection to form a single unit, the mesh is not exposed to the outside relative to the body, a first vulnerable part having lower heat resistance than the surroundings is provided on the inner surface of the body, and a second vulnerable part having lower heat resistance than the surroundings is provided on a part of the outer surface of the body, and a through hole is formed in the first and second vulnerable parts by the heat of a flame generated in a battery cell. Claim 8 delete Claim 9 delete Claim 10 A battery module component according to claim 7, wherein the first vulnerable part and the second vulnerable part are each made of a different synthetic resin material having a lower melting point than the body, or are formed with a thinner thickness than the surrounding area. Claim 11 A battery module component according to claim 7, characterized in that the first vulnerable part is provided in a plurality of numbers, and the second vulnerable part is provided in a single number and arranged to form an equal distance from the plurality of first vulnerable parts. Claim 12 A battery module component according to claim 7, wherein the second vulnerable part is characterized by having a filter with dimensions denser than the mesh.

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