Battery module and battery pack and vehicle

Abstract

A battery module, a battery pack, and an automobile are disclosed. A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a plurality of battery cells; a module case in which the plurality of battery cells are housed; and a flame suppression pad disposed between the plurality of battery cells inside the module case, wherein the flame suppression pad is coated with an insulating material or has an insulating material included inside.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack, and an automobile, and more specifically, to a battery module, a battery pack, and an automobile capable of preventing the propagation of flames. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, a secondary battery refers to a battery capable of repeated charging and discharging, such as lithium-ion batteries, lithium-polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. The battery cells corresponding to the most basic secondary batteries can provide an output voltage of approximately 2.5V to 4.2V.

[0003] Recently, as these battery cells are applied to devices requiring high output voltage and large charging capacity, such as electric vehicles or Energy Storage Systems (ESS), battery modules configured by connecting multiple battery cells in series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel, and battery packs configured by connecting these battery modules again in series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel are widely used.

[0004] Lithium secondary batteries are currently in the spotlight due to their advantages, such as high operating voltage and significantly higher energy density, but because they use organic electrolytes, if the lithium secondary battery is overcharged, it causes overcurrent and overheating, which in severe cases can lead to explosions or fires caused by ignition.

[0005] In the case of conventional battery modules, a compression pad is placed between the battery cells housed inside the battery module and adjacent battery cells. However, since the compression pad of the conventional technology is completely burned by flames when a thermal event occurs inside the battery module, the flames can propagate to other adjacent battery cells.

[0006] Furthermore, if flames or gases propagate to other battery cells or other battery modules, thermal runaway may occur. If flames leak out due to thermal runaway, there is a problem in that the driver of the electric vehicle may suffer burns or be placed in a dangerous situation.

[0007] Alternatively, there is a problem in that the battery module or battery pack is damaged or completely burned due to a chain reaction of flames caused by flame propagation, making it impossible to ensure the stability of the battery module or battery pack. The problem to be solved

[0008] Accordingly, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery module, a battery pack, and an automobile capable of preventing a flame generated in one battery cell from propagating to an adjacent battery cell or another battery module.

[0009] In addition, the invention provides a battery module, a battery pack, and an automobile capable of preventing thermal runaway by preventing a chain reaction of flames caused by flame propagation.

[0010] In addition, it provides a battery module, a battery pack, and a vehicle capable of discharging flames in a preset direction.

[0011] 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 those skilled in the art from the description of the invention below. means of solving the problem

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, a battery module may be provided comprising: a plurality of battery cells; a module case in which the plurality of battery cells are housed; and a flame suppression pad disposed between the plurality of battery cells inside the module case, wherein the flame suppression pad is coated with an insulating material or has an insulating material included inside.

[0013] In one embodiment, the insulating member contains an air layer or moisture and can be inserted into the inner side of the flame suppression pad.

[0014] In one embodiment, the insulating member may be manufactured in a circular or polygonal shape and inserted into the inner side of the flame suppression pad.

[0015] In one embodiment, the insulating members are plurality, and the plurality of insulating members may be distributed over the entire inner side of the flame suppression pad.

[0016] In one embodiment, the plurality of insulating members may be arranged in a distributed manner with a preset spacing.

[0017] In one embodiment, the insulating member may be made of loess.

[0018] In one embodiment, the insulating member may have a clay ball formed into a ball shape using the clay inserted into the inner side of the flame suppression pad.

[0019] In one embodiment, the loess ball may be manufactured to contain an air layer and moisture together inside.

[0020] In one embodiment, the surface of the flame suppression pad may include a loess coating portion coated with loess.

[0021] In one embodiment, the insulating member may be made of vermiculite.

[0022] In one embodiment, the surface of the flame suppression pad may be coated with vermiculite.

[0023] In one embodiment, the insulating member may include a red clay plate coated with fire-resistant paint.

[0024] In one embodiment, the loess plates are provided in plurality, and the plurality of loess plates may be arranged vertically inside the flame suppression pad.

[0025] Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present invention, a battery pack including the aforementioned battery module may be provided, and a vehicle including the aforementioned battery module may also be provided.

[0026] Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present invention, a battery pack may be provided comprising: a plurality of battery cells as described above; a pack case in which the plurality of battery cells are housed; and a flame suppression pad disposed between the plurality of battery cells inside the pack case, wherein the flame suppression pad is coated with an insulating material or has an insulating material included therein. Additionally, an automobile comprising the aforementioned battery pack may be provided. Effects of the invention

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention have the effect of preventing a flame generated in one battery cell from propagating to an adjacent battery cell or another battery module.

[0028] In addition, it has the effect of preventing thermal runaway phenomena by preventing a chain reaction of flames caused by flame propagation.

[0029] In addition, it has the effect of emitting flames in a preset direction.

[0030] 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 those skilled in the art from the description of the invention below. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0031] 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 schematic overall perspective view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along A-A' of Figure 1. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of part B of Figure 2. FIG. 4 is a first modified embodiment of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a second modified embodiment of FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a third modified embodiment of FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a fourth modified embodiment of FIG. 3. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a battery pack including a battery module according to each embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 8. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0032] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms to best describe his invention. Accordingly, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely one preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all aspects of the technical spirit of the present invention; therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications capable of replacing them may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0033] In the drawings, the size of each component or specific part constituting the component is exaggerated, omitted, or schematically depicted for convenience and clarity of explanation. Accordingly, the size of each component does not entirely reflect its actual size. If it is determined that a detailed description of related known functions or configurations could unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention, such description shall be omitted.

[0034] As used in this specification, the terms "combination" or "connection" include not only cases where one member and another member are directly joined or directly connected, but also cases where one member is indirectly joined or indirectly connected to another member through a connecting member.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic overall perspective view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along A-A' of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part B of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a first modified embodiment of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a second modified embodiment of FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is a third modified embodiment of FIG. 3, and FIG. 7 is a fourth modified embodiment of FIG. 3.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a battery module (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells (100), a module case (200), and a flame suppression pad (300).

[0037] The types of battery cells (100) may vary. For example, the battery cell (100) may include at least one of a pouch-type battery cell, a cylindrical battery cell, and a prismatic battery cell. However, for convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the case where the battery cell (100) is a pouch-type battery cell.

[0038] Multiple battery cells (100) can be stacked together. The battery cells (100) can have various structures, and additionally, the multiple battery cells (100) can be stacked in various ways.

[0039] The battery cell (100) may have a structure in which a plurality of unit cells arranged in the order of positive plate-separator-negative plate or bi-cells arranged in the order of positive plate-separator-negative plate-separator-positive plate-separator-negative plate are stacked according to the battery capacity.

[0040] The battery cell (100) may be provided with electrode leads. The electrode leads may be made of a conductive material and serve as a type of terminal that is exposed to the outside and connected to an external device. The electrode leads may include a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead.

[0041] The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead may be positioned in opposite directions with respect to the longitudinal direction of the battery cell (100), or the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead may be positioned in the same direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the battery cell (100).

[0042] Meanwhile, for example, a battery cell (100) may be housed in a module case (200), and the module case (200) in which the battery cell (100) is housed in a pack case (21) to form a battery pack (20).

[0043] However, this is not limited thereto, and the module case (200) may be removed to reduce the weight and volume of the module case (200), in which case the battery cell (100) may be directly stored in the pack case (21) of the battery pack (20). According to this method, since the space occupied by the module case (200) of the battery module (10) within the battery pack (20) can be further occupied by the battery cell (100), space efficiency is increased and the battery capacity is improved.

[0044] However, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the following description focuses on the case where a module case (200) is provided and a battery cell (100) is housed in the module case (200). That is, the description focuses on an embodiment in which a battery module (10) is housed in a battery pack (20). Furthermore, an embodiment in which a battery cell (100) is directly housed in the pack case (21) of the battery pack (20) will be described later.

[0045] A plurality of battery cells (100) are housed in a module case (200). Here, as described above, the plurality of battery cells (100) can be housed in the module case (200) in a stacked form, that is, in the form of a battery cell stack. The module case (200) surrounds the plurality of battery cells (100) and thereby protects the battery cells (100) from external vibrations or shocks.

[0046] For example, the module case (200) may include an upper module case (210), a lower module case (220), and a side module case (230). The module case (200) surrounds the battery cells (100) and thereby protects the battery cells (100) from external vibrations or shocks.

[0047] The module case (200) may include a mica plate formed of mica that has both thermal insulation and heat resistance to prevent the leakage of flames. Here, the mica plate may include not only a flat mica plate but also a shape that is a mixture of flat and curved surfaces.

[0048] The module case (200) can be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the battery cell stack. For example, if the cross-section of the battery cell stack is provided in a rectangular hexahedron shape, the module case (200) can also be provided in a hexahedron shape corresponding to this.

[0049] The module case (200) can be manufactured, for example, by bending a metal plate, thereby forming the module case (200) as a single unit. When the module case (200) is manufactured as a single unit, the joining process becomes simpler and easier. Alternatively, the module case (200) may be provided as a separate unit and joined by welding or the like. However, the material of the module case (200) is not limited to metal.

[0050] When the module case (200) is formed as a single unit or joined by welding, adhesive is unnecessary, so even if the temperature inside the battery module (10) rises, the upper module case (210) is not separated from the side module case (230), thereby preventing flames, gas, or high-temperature particles from being discharged all at once in an unwanted direction.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 2, a flame suppression pad (300) is disposed between a plurality of battery cells (100) inside a module case (200). Here, the flame suppression pad (300) may be coated with an insulating member (400), or the insulating member (400) may be included inside the flame suppression pad (300). This will be described in detail below.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, when the insulating member (400) is included inside the flame suppression pad (300), the insulating member (400) may be configured to contain an air layer or moisture. For example, the insulating member (400) may be made to contain an air layer or moisture during the manufacturing process, or the insulating member (400) may be manufactured using a material containing an air layer or moisture.

[0053] And, the insulating member (400) is inserted into the inner side of the flame suppression pad (300) while containing an air layer or moisture. When the insulating member (400) is inserted into the inner side of the flame suppression pad (300), if a flame occurs in any one of the battery cells (100), the propagation of the flame can be prevented by the insulating member (400) containing an air layer or moisture.

[0054] The insulating member (400) can be formed in various shapes. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the insulating member (400) may be formed in a circular shape and inserted into the inside of the flame suppression pad (300). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, the insulating member (400) may be formed in an elliptical shape and inserted into the inside of the flame suppression pad (300).

[0055] Alternatively, the insulating member (400) may be formed in a polygonal shape and inserted into the inner side of the flame suppression pad (300). Referring to FIG. 5, the insulating member (400) may be formed in a square (rhombus), but is not limited thereto, and the shape of the insulating member (400) may be more diverse.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the insulating members (400) may be multiple, and the multiple insulating members (400) may be distributed over the entire inner side of the flame suppression pad (300). In this case, they may be distributed randomly or according to a preset pattern. For example, the multiple insulating members (400) may be arranged in a dispersed manner with preset spacing.

[0057] The insulating member (400) can be made of various materials, for example, loess. Alternatively, it may be made of vermiculite having a crystal structure such as mica. However, the material of the insulating member (400) is not limited to these.

[0058] The insulating member (400) may be formed in the shape of a ball. For example, if the material of the insulating member (400) is loess, a plurality of loess balls (410) formed into a ball shape from loess may be inserted into the inner side of the flame suppression pad (300). Here, the plurality of loess balls (410) may be spaced apart from each other, so that a gap is formed between the plurality of loess balls (410). Alternatively, if the material of the insulating member (400) is vermiculite, vermiculite balls may be inserted into the inner side of the flame suppression pad (300).

[0059] Here, the clay ball (410) or vermiculite ball may be manufactured to contain an air layer and moisture inside, and the propagation of flames generated from the battery cell (100) may be prevented by the air layer and moisture contained in the clay ball (410) or vermiculite ball.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 6, the insulating member (400) may include a clay plate (420) coated with fire-resistant paint. Here, the clay plate (420) may be provided in multiple numbers, and the multiple clay plates (420) may be arranged vertically inside the flame suppression pad (300). The number of clay plates (420) may vary, and the arrangement of the clay plates (420) may also vary.

[0061] Also, the fire-resistant clay plate (420) has the effect of preventing the spread of flames.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 7, the surface of the flame suppression pad (300) may include a loess coating portion (430) coated with loess. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the loess coating portion (430) may be formed on the entire outer surface and inner surface of the flame suppression pad (300). Alternatively, the loess coating portion (430) may be formed only on the outer surface of the flame suppression pad (300), or the loess coating portion (430) may be formed only on the inner surface of the flame suppression pad (300).

[0063] In this way, by the configuration according to each embodiment of the present invention described above, it is possible to prevent a flame generated in one battery cell (100) from spreading to an adjacent battery cell (100) or another battery module (10).

[0064] In addition, thermal runaway can be prevented by preventing a chain reaction of flames caused by flame propagation.

[0065] Meanwhile, the battery pack (20) described below may include a pack case (21), and the pack case (21) may include an upper pack case (22), and a pre-set space may be formed between the upper pack case (22) and the upper module case (210).

[0066] And, a flame generated from any battery cell (100) can be discharged in a preset direction through the space between the upper pack case (22) and the upper module case (210).

[0067] Accordingly, the battery module (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention has the effect of enabling directional venting, which allows the flame to be discharged in a direction intended by the designer.

[0068] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a battery pack including a battery module according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 8, a battery pack (20) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery modules (10) according to each embodiment of the present invention described above.

[0070] Additionally, the battery pack (20) may further include a pack case (21) for housing the battery module (10) and various devices for controlling the charging and discharging of the battery cell (100) included in the battery module (10), such as a BMS, a current sensor, a fuse, etc.

[0071] Here, the pack case (21) accommodates a battery module (10) in which a plurality of battery cells (100) are stored. The pack case (21) may be configured to include, for example, an upper frame, a side frame, a bulkhead frame, and a lower frame.

[0072] Additionally, it may include a control module configured to control the charging and discharging of the battery cell (100). This control module may include, for example, a Battery Management System (BMS) and a battery cutoff unit.

[0073] FIG. 9 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 8.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 9, a vehicle (30) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery packs (20) according to each embodiment of the present invention described above. Here, the battery pack (20) may include one or more battery modules (10) according to each embodiment of the present invention described above.

[0075] Alternatively, a vehicle (30) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a battery module (10) according to each embodiment of the present invention described above.

[0076] Here, the above-mentioned vehicle (30) may include various vehicles configured to use electricity, such as electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles.

[0077] Meanwhile, in another embodiment, the battery pack (20) may include a plurality of battery cells (100) without a module case (200) of the battery module (10), a pack case (21) in which the plurality of battery cells (100) are housed, and a flame suppression pad (300) disposed between the plurality of battery cells (100) inside the pack case (21).

[0078] Here, the flame suppression pad (300) is coated with an insulating member (400) or configured to contain an insulating member (400) inside.

[0079] However, when a plurality of battery cells (100) are directly stored in a pack case (21) without a module case (200) of a battery module (10), and a flame suppression pad (300) according to one embodiment of the present invention is placed between the plurality of battery cells (100) inside the pack case (21), the function of the pack case (21) is basically similar to that of the module case (200), and the function, operation, and effect of the flame suppression pad (300) are also common; therefore, the specific description of the battery cells (100), the pack case (21), and the flame suppression pad (300) is replaced by the description given above.

[0080] And, when the module case (200) of the battery module (10) is removed, the battery cell (100) can be directly stored in the pack case (21) of the battery pack (20).

[0081] Here, a cell cover that supports the battery cell (100) may be provided so that the battery cell (100) can be directly stored in the pack case (21). The cell cover may have various shapes, for example, it may be configured in an 'n' shape, a 'u' shape, or a 'U' shape that surrounds three sides of at least one battery cell (100). However, it is not limited thereto.

[0082] According to this method, more battery cells (100) can be stored in the space occupied by the module case (200) of the battery module (10) within the battery pack (20), thereby increasing space efficiency and improving battery capacity.

[0083] Meanwhile, a vehicle (30) according to another embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery packs (20) in which a battery cell (100) is directly stored in a pack case (21) without a module case (200) of the aforementioned battery pack (20), that is, a battery module (10).

[0084] Here, the above-mentioned vehicle (30) may include various vehicles configured to use electricity, such as electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles.

[0085] In this specification, where terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, and right are used, these terms are used merely for convenience of explanation, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that they may vary depending on the location of the object or the position of the observer.

[0086] Although the present invention has been described above by means of limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is obvious that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims set forth below by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed above should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. That is, the scope of the true technical spirit of the present invention is indicated in the claims, and all variations within the equivalent scope thereof should be interpreted as being included in the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0087] 10: Battery Module 100 : Battery cell 200 : Module case 210: Upper module case 220: Lower module case 230 : Side module case 300 : Flame suppression pad 400 : Insulating material 410 : Loess ball 420 : Loess plate 430 : Loess coating part 20: Battery pack 21 : Pack case 30 : Car

Claims

Claim 1 A battery module comprising: a plurality of battery cells; a module case in which the plurality of battery cells are housed; and a flame suppression pad disposed between the plurality of battery cells inside the module case, wherein the flame suppression pad is coated with an insulating material or contains an insulating material inside, wherein the insulating material is a plurality of clay balls formed into a ball shape using loess, wherein the plurality of clay balls are inserted into the inner side of the flame suppression pad, and wherein the plurality of clay balls are spaced apart from each other to form a gap between the plurality of clay balls. Claim 2 A battery module according to claim 1, wherein the insulating member contains an air layer or moisture and is inserted inside the flame suppression pad. Claim 3 A battery module according to paragraph 2, characterized in that the insulating member is manufactured in a circular or polygonal shape and inserted into the inner side of the flame suppression pad. Claim 4 A battery module according to claim 1, wherein the insulating members are plurality and the plurality of insulating members are distributed over the entire inner side of the flame suppression pad. Claim 5 A battery module according to claim 4, characterized in that the plurality of thermal insulation members are arranged in a distributed manner with a preset spacing. Claim 6 delete Claim 7 delete Claim 8 A battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that the loess balls are manufactured to contain both an air layer and moisture inside. Claim 9 A battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface of the flame suppression pad further includes a loess coating portion coated with loess. Claim 10 A battery module comprising: a plurality of battery cells; a module case in which the plurality of battery cells are housed; and a flame suppression pad disposed between the plurality of battery cells inside the module case, wherein the flame suppression pad is coated with an insulating material or has an insulating material contained therein, and the insulating material is a plurality of vermiculite balls formed into a ball shape by vermiculite, and the plurality of vermiculite balls are inserted into the inner side of the flame suppression pad, and the plurality of vermiculite balls are spaced apart from each other so that a gap is formed between the plurality of vermiculite balls. Claim 11 A battery module characterized in that, in claim 10, the surface of the flame suppression pad is coated with vermiculite. Claim 12 A battery module according to claim 1, wherein the insulating member further comprises a red clay plate coated with fire-resistant paint. Claim 13 A battery module according to claim 12, wherein the loess plates are provided in plurality, and the plurality of loess plates are arranged vertically within the flame suppression pad. Claim 14 A battery pack comprising a battery module according to any one of paragraphs 1 through 5 and paragraphs 8 through 13. Claim 15 An automobile comprising a battery module according to any one of paragraphs 1 through 5 and paragraphs 8 through 13. Claim 16 A battery pack comprising: a plurality of battery cells; a pack case in which the plurality of battery cells are housed; and a flame suppression pad disposed between the plurality of battery cells inside the pack case, wherein the flame suppression pad is coated with an insulating material or contains an insulating material inside, and the insulating material is a plurality of loess balls formed into a ball shape by loess or a plurality of vermiculite balls formed into a ball shape by vermiculite, wherein the plurality of loess balls or the plurality of vermiculite balls are inserted into the inner side of the flame suppression pad, and wherein the plurality of loess balls are spaced apart from each other to form a gap between the plurality of loess balls, or wherein the plurality of vermiculite balls are spaced apart from each other to form a gap between the plurality of vermiculite balls. Claim 17 An automobile including a battery pack pursuant to Paragraph 16.

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