Battery module and battery pack comprising same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack comprising same and, more specifically, to: a battery module which, when flames and gas are generated inside the case of a battery module, can uniformly discharge the gas to the outside of the module case while confining the flames to the inside of the module case; and a battery pack comprising the battery module. The battery module according to the present invention comprises: battery cells; a module case accommodating a plurality of battery cells; and a module gas discharge portion which, among flames and gas generated in the module case, discharges the gas to the outside while delaying the discharge of the flames, wherein the module gas discharge portion is provided with check valves installed on respective corners of the upper surface of the module case, and thus can uniformly discharge the gas in the module case to the outside while confining the flames to the inside of the module case so as to prevent the spread of fire to the surroundings.

Description

Battery module and battery pack including same

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0105930, filed August 11, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Technology field

[0004] The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the same, and more particularly, to a battery module and a battery pack including the same, which can uniformly discharge gas to the outside of the module case while confining the flame inside the module case when flame and gas are generated inside the case of the battery module.

[0005] Secondary batteries (rechargeable batteries) are rechargeable and dischargeable, unlike primary batteries, which are non-rechargeable. Low-capacity secondary batteries are used in small, portable electronic devices such as cell phones, laptops, and camcorders, while high-capacity batteries are widely used as power sources for motors in hybrid vehicles and other vehicles.

[0006] Secondary batteries can be utilized in the form of battery cells. A battery cell may have a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode sequentially stacked within an outer shell, with the internal space of the outer shell filled with an electrolyte. Multiple battery cells can be electrically connected to form a battery module, and multiple battery modules can be electrically connected to form a battery pack.

[0007] Battery packs containing multiple battery modules, like this one, can be vulnerable to thermal chain reactions between battery modules. For example, if a fire breaks out within a single battery module, the fire can spread to surrounding battery modules. This fire propagation can lead to thermal runaway, which can cause the battery modules within the pack to explode.

[0008] Previously, various attempts have been made to delay this thermal runaway phenomenon. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional battery module, illustrating that venting units are connected to both sides of the battery module to delay the thermal runaway phenomenon.

[0009] Specifically, a conventional battery module (10) may include a module case having a venting hole (11) formed therein for discharging flames (heat) to the outside in the event of a fire within the module. A venting unit (12) is attached to the module case, through which flames discharged from the venting hole (11) pass, and a protruding path (13) may be formed on the venting unit (12). Here, flames within the module case are discharged to the outside through the protruding path (13) formed on the venting unit (12), so that the flames may be delayed from being transmitted to surrounding battery modules (10).

[0010] However, since the venting unit (12) is attached to one side and the other side of the battery module (10), the flame discharged through the venting unit (12) can be directly transmitted to other battery modules (10) arranged on both sides of the battery module (10). In this case, although the flame discharge of the battery module (10) is delayed, there was a problem in that the discharged flame was directly sprayed to the surrounding battery modules (10).

[0011] The present invention has been conceived in recognition of the above problems, and provides a battery module and a battery pack including the same, which can evenly discharge gas to the outside of the module case while confining the flame inside the module case when flame and gas are generated inside the case of the battery module.

[0012] A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a battery cell; a module case housing a plurality of the battery cells; and a module gas discharge unit for delaying the discharge of flames and gases generated inside the module case and discharging gases to the outside, wherein the module gas discharge unit includes a check valve installed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case.

[0013] A gas discharge port for discharging gas through the check valve may be formed at each corner of the upper surface of the above module case.

[0014] An installation groove in which the check valve is installed can be formed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case.

[0015] The above check valve can be attached and installed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case.

[0016] An adhesive layer may be formed between the above-mentioned installation groove and the above-mentioned check valve.

[0017] The above check valve can be screw-connected to the above installation groove.

[0018] A clamping member for clamping a check valve installed in the installation groove may be installed at each corner of the upper surface of the above module case.

[0019] The check valve may include a lower unit having an opening (hereinafter, a first opening); an upper unit having an opening (hereinafter, a second opening) formed therein and provided above the lower unit; an intermediate member between the lower unit and the upper unit that surrounds a portion of the lower unit and the upper unit; and a gas discharge member provided between the first opening and the second opening and opening the first opening only when the internal gas pressure of the module case is greater than a certain pressure.

[0020] The gas discharge member comprises a spherical ball unit provided on the upper side of the first opening and having a diameter longer than the diameter of the first opening; and a spring whose upper end is coupled to the lower end of the upper unit, wherein the ball unit is coupled to the lower end of the spring and can move upward only when the gas pressure inside the module case is greater than a certain pressure.

[0021] The diameter of the above spring may become smaller from top to bottom.

[0022] The above lower unit and upper unit may be composed of a metal material.

[0023] The above lower unit and upper unit can be made of SUS or aluminum.

[0024] Meanwhile, a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery module; and a pack housing that accommodates a plurality of the battery modules.

[0025] The above battery pack may further include a pack gas exhaust unit that delays the emission of flames and gases generated inside the pack housing and exhausts the gases to the outside.

[0026] The above pack gas discharge unit may include a check valve installed on at least one of one side and the other side of the pack housing.

[0027] A battery module according to the present invention includes a battery cell, a module case for accommodating a plurality of battery cells, and a module gas discharge unit for delaying the discharge of flames and gases generated inside the module case and discharging the gases to the outside, wherein the module gas discharge unit has a check valve installed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case, thereby advantageously preventing the fire from spreading to the surroundings by uniformly discharging the gas inside the module case to the outside while confining the flame inside the module case.

[0028] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional battery module and a venting unit that delays flame emission within the battery module.

[0029] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a battery module according to the present invention.

[0030] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the Z-Z' direction of Figure 2.

[0031] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of part A of Figure 3.

[0032] FIG. 5a is a cross-sectional view showing an adhesive layer formed between an installation groove and a check valve in a battery module according to the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 5b is a cross-sectional view showing a clamping member clamping a check valve in a battery module according to the present invention.

[0034] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a check valve mounted on a battery module according to the present invention.

[0035] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a check valve mounted on a battery module according to the present invention.

[0036] Figure 8 is a drawing showing a state in which gas is discharged through a check valve in a battery module according to the present invention.

[0037] Figure 9 is a drawing showing a battery pack according to the present invention.

[0038] Figure 10 is a drawing showing gas being discharged through a check valve in a battery pack according to the present invention.

[0039] Figure 11 is an enlarged view of part B of Figure 10.

[0040] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the invention. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited or restricted by the following examples.

[0041] In order to clearly explain the present invention, a detailed description of a part that is irrelevant to the description or a related known technology that may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention has been omitted, and when adding reference signs to components of each drawing in this specification, the same or similar reference signs are attached to the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0042] In addition, terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts that conform to the technical idea of ​​the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term to explain his or her own invention in the best way.

[0043] Hereinafter, a battery module and a battery pack including the same according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0044]

[0045] battery module

[0046] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a battery module according to the present invention, Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the Z-Z' direction of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of part A of Fig. 3.

[0047] FIG. 5a is a cross-sectional view showing an adhesive layer formed between an installation groove and a check valve in a battery module according to the present invention, and FIG. 5b is a cross-sectional view showing a clamping member clamping a check valve in a battery module according to the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a check valve mounted on a battery module according to the present invention, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a check valve mounted on a battery module according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a state in which gas is discharged through a check valve in a battery module according to the present invention.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a battery module (10) according to the present invention includes a battery cell, a module case (100) that houses a plurality of battery cells, and a module gas discharge unit that delays the discharge of flames and gases generated inside the module case (100) and discharges gas to the outside, and the module gas discharge unit includes a check valve (200) installed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case (100).

[0050] Battery cells, which are comprised of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator impregnated with an electrolyte and housed within a case such as a pouch, can have various structures. For example, battery cells can have a structure such as a stack cell in which unit cells are stacked in one direction, or a jelly-roll structure in which a stack of alternating positive electrodes, negative electrodes, and separators are wound.

[0051] When a plurality of battery cells are electrically connected, they form a battery module (10), and the battery module (10) may include a module case (100) that accommodates the battery cells. The module case (100) may have various structures and shapes, and as illustrated in FIG. 3, it may have a rectangular parallelepiped case structure having a cell loading section (130) for loading battery cells therein.

[0052] Meanwhile, during the process of charging or discharging the battery cells within the battery module (10), flames (heat) and gases may be generated within the module case (100) due to chemical reactions of the battery cells. If these gases accumulate within the battery case (100), the battery case (100) may explode, which may cause the flames within the battery case (100) to spread to the surroundings, leading to fires in the surrounding battery modules (10). To prevent this, a module gas exhaust port may be formed within the battery case (100) to exhaust the internal gases to the outside.

[0053] In particular, when the flame inside the battery case (100) is emitted to the outside, the emitted flame spreads to the surrounding battery modules (10) and promotes fire in the surrounding battery modules (10), so it is important to delay the emission of the flame inside the battery case (100) as much as possible. Accordingly, the module gas exhaust unit must eject the internal gas of the module case (100) to the outside while simultaneously suppressing the internal flame of the module case (100) from being emitted to the outside.

[0054] The module gas discharge unit may include a check valve (200) installed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case (100). The check valve (200) is a valve that can discharge a fluid in one direction and can discharge a high-pressure gas inside the module case (100) to the outside. Specifically, the check valve (200) discharges only a high-pressure fluid to the outside, so the gas inside the module case (100) can pass through the check valve (200) in a high-pressure state, but the flame inside the module case (100) can pass through the check valve (200) in an extremely limited manner.

[0055] Accordingly, the battery module (10) according to the present invention includes a check valve (200) installed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case (100), so that high-pressure gas within the module case (100) can be discharged to the outside of the battery module (10) while simultaneously confining a flame within the module case (100) inside. In addition, since the check valves (200) are installed at all corners of the upper surface of the module case (100), high-pressure gas generated in all areas within the module case (100) can be discharged to the outside, and a pressure difference within the module case (100) can be eliminated to suppress heat flow from one side to the other side within the module case (100).

[0056] Moreover, if a long time has passed since a fire broke out in the battery module (10), there may be cases where the flames trapped inside the battery module (10) are discharged to the outside through the check valve (200). Even in this case, since the check valve (200) is formed on the upper surface of the battery case (100), the flames may be discharged upward from the battery module (10). Since the battery modules (10) are arranged in a left-right direction inside the battery pack, the flames discharged upward from the battery module (10) are not directly transmitted to the surrounding battery modules (10), so that the propagation of the fire to the surrounding battery modules (10) can be suppressed as much as possible.

[0057] Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a gas discharge port (110) for discharging gas to a check valve (200) may be formed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case (100). The gas discharge port (110) may be formed at a position corresponding to the opening formed on the upper side of the cell loading portion (130) described above. In this case, gas and flame generated by the chemical reaction of the battery cells may flow into the lower part of the check valve (200) through the opening formed on the upper side of the cell loading portion (130) and the gas discharge port (110).

[0058] An installation groove (120) in which a check valve (200) is installed may be formed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case (100). In this case, the lower region of the check valve (200) is fitted into the installation groove (120), so that the check valve (200) can be firmly coupled to the module case (100). When high-pressure gas is discharged to the outside of the battery module (10), the high-pressure gas must pass through the check valve (200), so that a momentary pressure can be transmitted to the check valve (200) in the direction in which the high-pressure gas passes (upward). Since the check valve (200) is fitted into the installation groove (120) and the check valve (200) is firmly fixedly coupled to the upper surface of the module case (100), the check valve (200) can be prevented from being detached even when the check valve (200) is pressurized upward by the high-pressure gas.

[0059] In addition, the check valve (200) can be attached and installed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case (100). In this case, the check valve (200) is attached to the upper surface of the module case (100), so that even when the check valve (200) is pressurized upward by high-pressure gas, the check valve (200) can be prevented from being detached.

[0060] In addition, the check valve (200) may be installed by being attached to the installation groove (120). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, an adhesive layer (140) may be formed between the upper surface of the installation groove (120) and the check valve (200) to improve the bonding force between the installation groove (120) and the check valve (200). In this case, the check valve (200) is fitted into the installation groove (120) and simultaneously attached to the adhesive layer (140) formed on the upper surface of the installation groove (120), so that even when the check valve (200) is subjected to upward pressure by high-pressure gas, the check valve (200) can be prevented from being detached.

[0061] In addition, the check valve (200) may be screw-connected to the installation groove (120). Specifically, screw threads may be formed on the outer circumference of the lower region of the check valve (200) and the inner circumference of the installation groove (120), and the check valve (200) may be screw-connected to the installation groove (120). In this case, since the check valve (200) is firmly connected to the installation groove (120), the check valve (200) can be prevented from being detached even when the check valve (200) is pressurized upward by high-pressure gas.

[0062] In addition, as shown in FIG. 5b, a clamping member (150) for clamping a check valve (200) installed in an installation groove (120) may be installed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case (100). The clamping member (150) may rotate in accordance with the rotation of a motor installed at the upper end of the installation groove (120) to clamp the upper end of the check valve (200) fitted into the installation groove (120). In this case, the check valve (200) is clamped by the clamping member (150) while being firmly coupled to the installation groove (120), so that even when the check valve (200) is subjected to upward pressure by high-pressure gas, the check valve (200) can be prevented from being detached.

[0063] Meanwhile, the check valve (200) may include, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a lower unit (210) having a first opening (211) formed therein, an upper unit (220) having a second opening (221) formed therein and provided on the upper side of the lower unit (210), an intermediate member (230) that surrounds a portion of the lower unit (210) and the upper unit (220) between the lower unit (210) and the upper unit (220), and a gas discharge member (240) that is provided between the first opening (211) and the second opening (221) and opens the first opening (211) only when the internal gas pressure of the module case (100) is greater than a certain pressure.

[0064] The lower unit (210) may include a lower body (212) having a step formed therein and a cross-sectional area that becomes smaller as it goes upward. A first opening (211) is formed in the lower body (212) through which gas discharged from the inside of the module case (100) passes, and a gas discharge member (240) may be formed on an upper side of the first opening (211). The gas discharge member (240) normally blocks the upper surface of the first opening (211), but when the gas passing through the first opening (211) has a pressure higher than a certain level, the gas discharge member (240) can move upward. When the gas discharge member (240) moves upward, the first opening (211) is opened, and the gas can pass through the opened first opening (211).

[0065] The gas discharge member (240) may include a spherical ball unit (241) provided on the upper side of the first opening (211) and having a diameter greater than the diameter of the first opening (211) and a spring (242) whose upper end is coupled to the lower end of the upper unit (220). At this time, the ball unit (241) provided on the upper side of the first opening (211) may be coupled to the lower end of the spring (242) in various ways. For example, a groove may be formed in the ball unit (241) into which the lower end of the spring (242) is fitted, so that the ball unit (241) and the spring (242) may be fitted. In addition, the ball unit (241) may be attached to the lower end of the spring (242) using an adhesive or the like.

[0066] The upper part of the spring (242) is coupled to the lower part of the upper body (222), and the spring (242) and the upper body (222) can be coupled in various ways. For example, the upper part of the spring (242) can be fitted to the lower part of the upper body (222), and the upper part of the spring (242) can be attached to the outer surface of the lower part of the upper body (222) using an adhesive or the like.

[0067] The diameter (D1) of the ball unit (241) may be formed to be larger than the diameter (D2) of the first opening (211), and the diameter (D1) of the ball unit (241) may be formed to be larger than the diameter (D3) of the second opening (221). In this case, the ball unit (241) provided between the first opening (211) and the second opening (221) can be prevented from being separated from the lower portion of the first opening (211) or the upper portion of the second opening (221).

[0068] In addition, the distance between the upper end of the lower body (212) and the lower end of the upper body (222) may be smaller than the diameter of the ball unit (241). That is, the diameter of the ball unit (241) provided in the area between the first opening (211) and the second opening (212) is larger than the height of the empty space formed between the upper end of the lower body (212) and the lower end of the upper body (211), so that even when the ball unit (241) is separated from the lower end of the spring (242), it can be prevented from being separated left and right.

[0069] Meanwhile, the ball unit (241) coupled to the lower end of the spring (242) can move upward only when the internal gas pressure of the module case (100) is greater than a certain pressure. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the gas inside the module case (100) can pressurize the ball unit (241) upward, passing through the gas outlet (110) and blocking the first opening (211).

[0070] Here, since the ball unit (241) is coupled to the lower end of the spring (242), the ball unit (241) can move upward by contracting the spring (242) only when the pressure of the gas pressurizing the ball unit (241) upward is greater than a certain value. In this case, the gas pressurizing the ball unit (241) upward can be discharged to the outside through the second opening (221) through the gap created between the first opening (211) and the ball unit (241).

[0071] Afterwards, when the gas is sufficiently discharged to the outside and the pressure of the gas pressurizing the ball unit (241) upward becomes lower than a certain value, the contracted spring (242) expands again, so that the ball unit (241) can move downward and block the first opening (211). In this case, since the first opening (211) is blocked, the gas inside the module case (100) cannot pass through the first opening (211).

[0072] In addition, the diameter of the spring (242) coupled to the lower end of the upper unit (220) may become smaller from the upper end to the lower end. Specifically, the upper end of the spring (242) is coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the lower end of the upper body (222), and the lower end of the spring (242) is coupled to the ball unit (241). Since the diameter of the lower end of the spring (242) coupled to the ball unit (241) is the smallest, even when pressure is transmitted upward to the ball unit (241), the ball unit (241) cannot escape upward by passing through the spring (242).

[0073] Meanwhile, the lower unit (210) and the upper unit (220) may be made of a metal material. In particular, the lower unit (210) and the upper unit (220) may be made of SUS or aluminum. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas inside the module case (100) passes through the first opening (211) formed in the lower unit (210) and the second opening (222) formed in the upper unit (220) to be discharged to the outside. However, if the lower unit (210) and the upper unit (220) are made of a material that is weak to heat and pressure, the lower unit (210) and the upper unit (220) may melt or deform due to heat, thereby forming a hole through which a flame is discharged in the lower unit (210) and the upper unit (220). Therefore, when the lower unit (210) and the upper unit (220) are composed of a metal material, the flame can be confined inside the module case (100) for a long period of time by preventing holes from being created in the lower unit (210) and the upper unit (220) by high temperature and high pressure gas.

[0074] The intermediate member (230) may also be made of a metal material, similar to the lower unit (210) and the upper unit (220). In this case, when the intermediate member (230) is made of a metal material, the intermediate member (230) can be prevented from being deformed by heat transferred to the intermediate member (230) through the lower unit (210) and the upper unit (220). Meanwhile, the intermediate member (230) may be made of various types of metal materials. For example, the intermediate member (230) may be made of stainless steel or aluminum.

[0075] The ball unit (241) and spring (242) of the gas discharge member (240) may each be made of a metal material. In this case, the ball unit (241) and spring (241) can be prevented from being deformed by high temperature and high pressure gas passing through the ball unit (241) and spring (242). Meanwhile, the ball unit (241) and spring (242) may be made of various metal materials. The ball unit (241) may be made of stainless steel or aluminum, and the spring (242) may be made of stainless steel, aluminum, or carbon steel.

[0076]

[0077] battery pack

[0078] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a battery pack according to the present invention, FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a state in which gas is discharged through a check valve in a battery pack according to the present invention, and FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of part B of FIG. 10.

[0079] Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11, a battery pack (500) according to the present invention includes a battery module (10) and a pack housing (510) that accommodates a plurality of battery modules (10). Here, the pack housing (510) is a frame with an open upper portion and may be composed of various materials. For example, the pack housing (510) may be a metal frame made of SUS or aluminum, which has high thermal conductivity, is easy to process, and can secure sufficient rigidity.

[0080] Meanwhile, a plurality of module loading portions (511) on which a plurality of battery modules (10) are loaded may be formed on the lower surface of the pack housing (510). Each of the module loading portions (511) is formed to fit the size of the battery module (10), and the module loading portions (511) may be configured in a plurality of rows on the pack housing (510). At this time, the plurality of battery modules (10) loaded on the module loading portions (511) may be electrically connected.

[0081] Additionally, an upper cover (512) may be coupled to the open upper surface of the pack housing (510). The pack housing (510) and the upper cover (512) may be coupled in various ways. For example, the upper cover (512) may be welded to a wall portion of the pack housing (512) that extends upward from the lower surface of the pack housing (510). Additionally, the upper cover (512) may be screw-coupled to the wall portion of the pack housing (512).

[0082] Meanwhile, the battery pack (500) according to the present invention may further include a pack gas discharge unit that delays the discharge of flames and gases generated inside the pack housing (510) and discharges gas to the outside. Here, the pack gas discharge unit may include a check valve (520) installed on at least one of one side and the other side of the pack housing (510).

[0083] The above check valve (520) is a valve that can discharge fluid in one direction, and may have substantially the same structure as the check valve (200) of the module case (100) described above. The check valve (520) of the pack gas discharge unit and the check valve (200) of the module gas discharge unit are installed on one side and / or the other side of the pack housing (510), respectively, and are installed at the corner of the upper surface of the module case (100). Therefore, the check valve (520) of the pack gas discharge unit and the check valve (200) of the module gas discharge unit may have substantially the same internal structure, except for a difference in the installation position.

[0084] Meanwhile, the gas discharged through the check valve (200) of the module gas discharge unit inside the module case (100) can move to one side and / or the other side of the pack housing (510) through the space between the upper surface of the module case (100) and the upper cover (512) of the pack housing (510). Here, the gas that has moved to one side and / or the other side of the pack housing (510) can be discharged to the outside through the check valve (520) of the pack gas discharge unit only when the pressure is greater than a predetermined value.

[0085] Even in this case, the check valve (520) of the pack gas discharge unit discharges only high-pressure fluid to the outside, so the gas inside the battery pack (500) can pass through the check valve (520) of the pack gas discharge unit in a high-pressure state, but the flame inside the battery pack (500) can pass through the check valve (520) of the pack gas discharge unit in an extremely limited manner.

[0086] Accordingly, the battery pack (500) according to the present invention includes a check valve (520) installed on at least one of one side and the other side of the pack housing (510), thereby allowing high-pressure gas within the pack housing (510) to be discharged to the outside of the battery pack (500) while simultaneously confining a flame within the pack housing (510) within the pack housing. In addition, since the check valve (520) is installed on one side and / or the other side of the pack housing (510), the gas within the pack housing (510) can be discharged in the left-right direction (width direction) of the pack housing (510).

[0087] At this time, the upper cover (512) is coupled to the upper part of the pack housing (510), so that the gas discharged to the outside through the check valve (520) does not pass through the upper cover (512). In this case, the gas can be discharged while minimizing the pressure applied upward to the upper cover (512), thereby preventing the bonding strength between the upper cover (512) and the pack housing (510) from weakening as the gas is discharged.

[0088] Meanwhile, the check valve (520) may be attached and installed on one side and / or the other side of the pack housing (510). In this case, the check valve (520) is attached to the pack housing (510), and thus, even when the check valve (520) is pressurized in one side and / or the other side by high-pressure gas, the check valve (520) can be prevented from being detached.

[0089] Meanwhile, an installation groove in which a check valve (520) is installed may be formed on one side and / or the other side of the pack housing (510). In this case, a part of the check valve (520) is fitted into the installation groove, so that the check valve (520) can be firmly connected to the pack housing (510).

[0090] In addition, the check valve (520) may be installed by being attached to the installation groove. An adhesive layer may be formed between the installation groove and the check valve (520) to improve bonding strength. In this case, the check valve (520) is attached to the adhesive layer formed in the installation groove while being fitted into the installation groove, thereby preventing the check valve (520) from being detached even when the check valve (520) is pressurized in one direction and / or the other direction by high-pressure gas.

[0091] In addition, the check valve (520) may be screw-connected to the installation groove. Specifically, screw threads may be formed on the outer surface of the check valve (520) and the inner surface of the installation groove, and the check valve (520) may be screw-connected to the installation groove. In this case, since the check valve (520) is firmly connected to the installation groove, the check valve (520) can be prevented from being detached even when the check valve (520) is pressurized in one direction and / or the other direction by high-pressure gas.

[0092] In addition, a clamping member for clamping a check valve (520) installed in an installation groove may be installed on one side and / or the other side of the pack housing (510). The clamping member may rotate according to the rotation of the motor to clamp the check valve (520) fitted into the installation groove. In this case, the check valve (520) is clamped by the clamping member while being firmly coupled to the installation groove, so that even when the check valve (520) is pressurized in one and / or the other direction by high-pressure gas, the check valve (520) can be prevented from being detached.

[0093] Meanwhile, the battery pack (500) according to the present invention may include other components in addition to the battery module (10), check valve (520), and pack housing (510). For example, the battery pack (500) according to the present invention may further include components of the battery pack (500) known at the time of filing of the present invention, such as a battery management system (BMS), a bus bar, a relay, a current sensor, a temperature sensor, etc.

[0094]

[0095] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various embodiments are possible within the scope equivalent to the technical idea of ​​the present invention and the patent claims to be described below by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

[0096]

[0097] [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 10: Battery module 11: Venting hole

[0099] 12: Venting unit 13: Protruding path section

[0100] 100: Module case 110: Gas outlet

[0101] 120: Installation home part 130: Cell loading part

[0102] 140: Adhesive layer 150: Clamping member

[0103] 200: Check valve 210: Lower unit

[0104] 211: First opening 212: Lower body

[0105] 220: Upper unit 221: Second opening

[0106] 222: Upper body 230: Middle member

[0107] 240: Gas exhaust member 241: Ball unit

[0108] 242: Spring 500: Battery Pack

[0109] 510: Pack housing 511: Module loading section

[0110] 512: Top cover 520: Check valve

Claims

1. Battery cell; A module case for storing a plurality of the above battery cells; and It includes a module gas discharge unit that delays the discharge of flames and gases generated inside the module case and discharges the gas to the outside. A battery module characterized in that the module gas discharge unit includes a check valve installed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case.

2. In claim 1, A battery module characterized in that a gas discharge port for discharging gas through the check valve is formed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case.

3. In claim 1, A battery module characterized in that an installation groove in which the check valve is installed is formed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case.

4. In claim 1, A battery module characterized in that the check valve is attached and installed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case.

5. In claim 3, A battery module characterized in that an adhesive layer is formed between the above-mentioned installation groove and the above-mentioned check valve.

6. In claim 3, A battery module characterized in that the check valve is screw-connected to the installation groove.

7. In claim 3, A battery module characterized in that a clamping member for clamping a check valve installed in the installation groove is installed at each corner of the upper surface of the module case.

8. In claim 1, The above check valve, A lower unit in which an opening (hereinafter, the first opening) is formed; An upper unit provided on the upper side of the lower unit, wherein an opening (hereinafter, a second opening) is formed; An intermediate member between the lower unit and the upper unit that surrounds a portion of the lower unit and the upper unit; and A battery module characterized by including a gas discharge member provided between the first opening and the second opening and opening the first opening only when the internal gas pressure of the module case is greater than a certain pressure.

9. In claim 8, The above gas discharge member is, A spherical ball unit provided on the upper side of the first opening and having a diameter longer than the diameter of the first opening; and The upper part includes a spring that is coupled to the lower part of the upper unit, A battery module characterized in that the ball unit is coupled to the lower end of the spring and moves upward only when the gas pressure inside the module case is greater than a certain pressure.

10. In claim 9, A battery module characterized in that the diameter of the spring decreases from the top to the bottom.

11. In claim 8, A battery module characterized in that the lower unit and the upper unit are made of a metal material.

12. In claim 11, A battery module characterized in that the lower unit and the upper unit are made of SUS or aluminum.

13. A battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 12; and A battery pack comprising a pack housing for accommodating a plurality of the above battery modules.

14. In claim 13, A battery pack characterized in that it further includes a pack gas discharge unit that delays the discharge of flames and gases generated inside the pack housing and discharges the gases to the outside.

15. In claim 14, A battery pack characterized in that the pack gas discharge unit includes a check valve installed on at least one side and the other side of the pack housing.

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