Battery pack and vehicle comprising same

Abstract

A battery pack according to the present invention may comprise: a cell array structure comprising a plurality of battery cells; a pack case accommodating the cell array structure and having first venting paths formed under the cell array structure; and a lower casing disposed at one end of the cell array structure inside the pack case and having, formed therein, a second venting path communicating with the first venting paths.

Description

Battery pack and vehicle including same

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack, and more particularly, to a battery pack and a vehicle including the same, in which venting gas generated from a trigger cell can be quickly discharged outside the pack case and heat can be quickly and efficiently dissipated to the pack case in a conductive manner, thereby suppressing the risk of ignition of the battery pack.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0123393, filed on September 15, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the said application are incorporated by reference into this application.

[0003] Recently, as the demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, video cameras, and mobile phones has rapidly increased, and the development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, and satellites has been in full swing, research on high-performance secondary batteries capable of repeated charging and discharging is actively being conducted.

[0004] Currently commercially available secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium-ion batteries. Among these, lithium-ion batteries are attracting attention for their advantages over nickel-based batteries: virtually no memory effect, free charging and discharging, a very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0005] These lithium-ion secondary batteries primarily use lithium oxide and carbon materials as the positive and negative electrode active materials, respectively. Furthermore, the lithium-ion secondary battery comprises a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate coated with the positive and negative electrode active materials, respectively, an electrode assembly in which the positive and negative electrode plates are arranged with a separator interposed therebetween, and an outer case that seals and houses the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

[0006] Meanwhile, lithium ion secondary batteries can be classified into pouch-type secondary batteries in which the electrode assembly is built into a pouch of aluminum laminate sheet, and can-type secondary batteries in which the electrode assembly is built into a metal can, depending on the shape of the battery case. In addition, can-type secondary batteries can be further classified into cylindrical batteries and square batteries, depending on the shape of the metal can. These lithium ion secondary batteries are assembled into a dense structure by overlapping or stacking multiple battery cells mounted on their own or in cartridges, etc., and then electrically connecting them to form a battery module or battery pack that can provide high voltage and high current.

[0007] Recently, active research and development has been conducted on battery packs consisting of a single module or cell assembly with enhanced structural rigidity, consisting of multiple cylindrical battery cells arranged in a vertical arrangement, and a pack frame surrounding the module. In particular, the size of single modules or cell assembly is trending toward larger areas.

[0008] However, if a thermal event such as thermal runaway occurs in a single battery cell within a large-area cell assembly, there is a problem in that flammable gas triggered by the trigger cell is emitted, and the ignited trigger cell itself becomes a heated electrode and an ignition source, triggering heat accumulation and leading to a chain reaction of heat transfer to adjacent battery cells and an explosion of the entire battery pack.

[0009] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a method to suppress the risk of ignition of the battery pack and delay or block heat transfer through a venting structure that quickly discharges venting gas emitted from the trigger cell outside the pack case and a heat dissipation structure that quickly and efficiently conducts high heat generated from the trigger cell to the outside before heat accumulation.

[0010] The present invention has been created in consideration of the above problems, and the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery pack in which venting gas generated in a trigger cell can be quickly discharged outside a pack case through a first venting path formed on the lower side of a cell array structure and a second venting path connected to the first venting path as a separate structure, and high heat generated in the trigger cell can be quickly and efficiently conducted to the pack case through a cooling tube and port block before heat accumulation, thereby suppressing the risk of ignition of the battery pack and delaying or blocking heat transfer.

[0011] The technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems described above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0012] A battery pack according to the present invention may include: a cell array structure including a plurality of battery cells; a pack case accommodating the cell array structure and forming a first venting path at a lower portion of the cell array structure; and a lower casing disposed at one end of the cell array structure within the pack case and forming a second venting path connected to the first venting path.

[0013] The second venting path may be formed to intersect perpendicularly with the first venting path.

[0014] In the lower casing, a plurality of venting holes can be formed at positions corresponding to the first venting path along the longitudinal direction.

[0015] The above pack case may be provided with at least one venting valve on both sides.

[0016] Venting gas generated from the battery cell can be discharged to the outside through the venting valve via the first venting path and the second venting path.

[0017] The above pack case includes a bottom plate that partially faces the cell array structure from below and has a longitudinal cross-section formed in a convex shape, and the first venting path can be formed by the convex shape.

[0018] The above cell array structure includes a plurality of unit cell groups including the plurality of battery cells and cooling tubes attached to the plurality of battery cells; and a side frame disposed between the plurality of unit cell groups, wherein the first venting path may be formed parallel to the direction in which the plurality of battery cells, the cooling tubes, and the side frame are arranged in a row.

[0019] The above-mentioned shape is composed of a convex section that faces and supports the cell array structure, and a concave section that is formed to be sunken from the convex section and forms the first venting path, wherein the convex section is arranged to face the lower portion of the side frame, the concave section is arranged to be spaced apart from the lower portion of the unit cell group, and the first venting path may be a space formed by the lower surface of the unit cell group and the concave section.

[0020] A battery pack according to the present invention may include a cell array structure including a plurality of battery cells; a pack case accommodating the cell array structure; and a port block interconnecting the cell array structure and the pack case, and conducting heat generated from any one of the battery cells to the pack case to form a heat dissipation path.

[0021] The pack case may further include a lower casing disposed at one end of the cell array structure.

[0022] The port block is arranged to extend outward from one end of the cell array structure, and the lower casing can be arranged lower than the arrangement height of the cell array structure so that the port block is supported on the upper surface of the lower casing.

[0023] It may include a heat transfer member interposed between the lower casing and the port block.

[0024] The above cell array structure further includes a plurality of battery cells and a cooling tube attached to the plurality of battery cells, and the cooling tube may be provided to be connected to the port block.

[0025] The heat dissipation path may be configured to extend from the battery cell to the cooling tube, port block, and pack case, or from the battery cell to the cooling tube, port block, and lower casing to the pack case.

[0026] Additionally, according to the present invention, a vehicle including the above-described battery pack can be provided.

[0027] According to one aspect of the present invention, a first venting path formed on the lower side of a cell array structure and a second venting path connected to the first venting path as a separate structure can be formed so that venting gas generated in a trigger cell can be quickly discharged outside the pack case.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, high heat generated in the trigger cell is quickly and efficiently conducted to the pack case through the cooling tube and port block before heat accumulation, thereby enabling heat dissipation, thereby suppressing the risk of ignition of the battery pack and delaying or blocking heat transfer.

[0029] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from this specification and the attached drawings.

[0030] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and together with the detailed description of the invention described below, serve to further understand the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to matters described in such drawings.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the main components of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the main components of the battery pack of Figure 1.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention with the top cover plate removed.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pack case and a lower casing in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 5 is a top view of Figure 4.

[0036] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a cell array structure applied to a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a tube block connected to the cooling tube of Figure 6.

[0038] FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating an upper portion of a cell array structure accommodated in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cutaway perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 10 is an enlarged view of a longitudinal cross-sectional portion of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating a movement path of venting gas in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a heat dissipation path through which heat generated by a heating electrode is conducted and dissipated in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, it should be noted that the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings. Based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms to best explain his or her invention, they should be interpreted in a way that conforms to the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0045] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are only some of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention, and that there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace them at the time of filing this application.

[0046] In the drawings, the sizes of each component or specific parts of that component are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for convenience and clarity of explanation. Therefore, the size of each component does not entirely reflect its actual size. If a detailed description of a related known function or configuration is deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, such description will be omitted.

[0047]

[0048] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the main components of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the main components of the battery pack of FIG. 1.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a battery pack (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a cell array structure (100) including a plurality of battery cells (112), a pack case (200) accommodating the cell array structure (100), and a busbar assembly (300).

[0050] Referring primarily to FIG. 2, the cell array structure (100) may include a plurality of battery cells (112).

[0051] The plurality of battery cells (112) may be provided as secondary batteries, and may be cylindrical secondary batteries, pouch-shaped secondary batteries, or square secondary batteries. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described as being limited to the case where the plurality of battery cells (112) are provided as cylindrical secondary batteries. These battery cells (112) may be a plurality of cylindrical secondary batteries arranged horizontally and standing upright.

[0052] A plurality of battery cells (112) erected in this manner can be stacked horizontally or on a horizontal plane (XY plane) as shown in FIG. 2. A cooling structure may be interposed between each of the plurality of battery cells (112) or a structure (a configuration of a side frame (130) described below) that maintains the spacing between the battery cells (112) may be combined to form a cell array structure (100) which is a single assembly of battery cells (112).

[0053] Here, the cell array structure (100) may be a single assembly (structure) provided in a flat plate type with a predetermined thickness (e.g., the height of the battery cell (112)), as will be described in detail later. In addition, the cell array structure (100) may be expanded to a large area. Such a single structure expanded to a large area can secure a predetermined structural rigidity.

[0054] A port block (400) connected to a cooling tube (115) may be provided to protrude from one side of the above cell array structure (100). The configuration and operational effect of the port block (400) will be described in detail later.

[0055]

[0056] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention with the top cover plate removed, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pack case and a lower casing (250) in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a top view of FIG. 4.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5 and the preceding FIGS. 1 and 2, the pack case (200) can accommodate the cell array structure (100). As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the pack case (200) can include a bottom plate (210), an outer side wall (220) disposed on the edge of the bottom plate (210), and a top cover plate (230). Here, the cell array structure (100) can be accommodated in an internal space formed by the bottom plate (210), the outer side wall (220), and the top cover plate (230).

[0058] The bottom plate (210) may be placed at the bottom of the cell array structure (100). The bottom plate (210) may partially support the cell array structure (100) from the bottom by facing it.

[0059] To this end, the bottom plate (210) may be provided with a longitudinal cross-section in a protruding shape in one direction, as mainly illustrated in FIG. 4. The convex structure and the concave structure of the protruding shape themselves may each be formed parallel to the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the battery pack (10). In addition, the protruding shape may be formed in a direction (Y-axis direction) that intersects perpendicularly with the direction (X-axis direction) in which the plurality of battery cells (112), cooling tubes (115), and side frames (130) are arranged in a row. In addition, the first venting path (P1) may be formed by the protruding shape.

[0060] Specifically, the above-mentioned shape may be composed of a convex section (211) that faces and supports the cell array structure (100), and a concave section (212) that is formed to be sunken from the convex section (211). Here, the cell array structure (100) may be seated and supported by facing the convex section (211). In addition, the concave section (212) may be formed to be sunken from the convex section (211). In this way, the space between the convex sections (211), that is, the concave section (212), may form the first venting path (P1). That is, the first venting path (P1) may be a separation space formed by the lower surface of the unit cell group and the concave section (212). Accordingly, a first venting path (P1) can be secured in the direction (X-axis direction) in which the plurality of battery cells (112), cooling tubes (115), and side frames (130) are arranged in a row on the bottom plate (210) of the pack case (200).

[0061] The outer side wall (220) above refers to a kind of frame that has a predetermined height and is placed on the outer edge, and the bottom plate (210) can be combined at the bottom of the outer side wall (220). The outer side wall (220) is provided with a hollow interior, and a plurality of reinforcing bulkheads (221, see FIGS. 10 and 11) can be provided. At least one venting valve (260) can be provided on both sides of the outer side wall (220), which can be connected to a second venting path (P2), which will be described later.

[0062] Meanwhile, in the battery pack (10) according to the present embodiment, the pack case (200) may further include a lower casing (250) and a venting valve (260) forming a second venting path (P2).

[0063] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 and again to FIG. 2, the lower casing (250) may be placed at one end of the cell array structure (100) inside the pack case (200). And the lower casing (250) may be placed lower than the placement height of the cell array structure (100).

[0064] This lower casing (250) can form a second venting path (P2). The second venting path (P2) can be formed to perpendicularly intersect the first venting path (P1). That is, the second venting path (P2) can be formed in a direction (Y-axis direction) that perpendicularly intersects the direction (X-axis direction) in which the plurality of battery cells (112), cooling tubes (115), and side frames (130) are arranged in a row. In addition, the length of the lower casing (250) can be provided to be substantially the same as the width direction length of the cell array structure (100). Accordingly, both ends of the lower casing (250) can be arranged to almost reach the inner walls of the outer side walls (220) arranged on both sides in the width direction of the pack case (200).

[0065] The lower casing (250) may have a plurality of venting holes (251) formed at positions corresponding to the first venting path (P1) along the longitudinal direction. Through the venting holes (251), the first venting path (P1) and the second venting path (P2) of the lower casing (250) may be mutually connected. Accordingly, a venting gas generated from any one trigger cell is vented in the X-axis direction through the first venting path (P1) on the lower side of the cell array structure (100), joins the lower casing (250) through the venting holes (251), and is quickly discharged toward the outer side wall (220) through the second venting path (P2) (Y-axis direction).

[0066] And, the venting valve (260) may be provided in the pack case (200). At least one venting valve (260) may be provided in the outer side wall (220). The venting valve (260) may be configured to forcibly discharge the venting gas inside the pack case (200) to the outside. For example, a pair of venting valves (260) may be provided in the outer side wall (220) of the pack case (200) where both ends of the lower casing (250) face each other. The venting gas discharged through the first venting path (P1) and the second venting path (P2) described above is quickly discharged to the outside through the adjacent venting valves (260).

[0067] According to the present embodiment, the venting gas generated from the trigger cell can be quickly discharged through the first venting path (P1) and the second venting path (P2) formed on the lower side of the cell array structure (100). That is, it is quickly vented to the edge of the pack case (200) and quickly discharged to the outside through the venting valve (260). In this process, adverse effects on adjacent battery cells (112) or other components can be minimized.

[0068]

[0069] Hereinafter, the cell array structure (100) and port block (400) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0070] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a cell array structure applied to a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a port block connected to the cooling tube of FIG. 6.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 and the preceding FIG. 2, the cell array structure (100) may include a plurality of unit cell groups (110) including the plurality of battery cells (112) and cooling tubes (115) attached to the plurality of battery cells (112), and a side frame (130) disposed between the plurality of unit cell groups (110).

[0072] The battery cell (112) may have a tab portion (113) and an upper surface (114) on the upper portion. The tab portion (113) may have a first polarity, and the upper surface (114) may have a second polarity. The tab portion (113) and the upper surface (114) may be electrically insulated from each other. The first polarity may be a positive pole of the battery cell (112), and the second polarity may be a negative pole of the battery cell (112). That is, the tab portion (113) may be a positive pole of the battery cell (112), and the upper surface (114) may be a negative pole of the battery cell (112). The tab portion (113) may be provided to protrude beyond the upper surface (114). Alternatively, the tab portion (113) may be configured not to protrude beyond the upper surface (114). For example, it may be a so-called tab-less structure in which the tab portion (113) is arranged on the same plane as the upper surface. Since the configurations of such battery cells (112) are widely known to those skilled in the art at the time of filing of the present invention, a more detailed description thereof is omitted herein.

[0073] A plurality of these battery cells (112) can be gathered together to form a single cell array (111). That is, a plurality of the cell arrays (111) can be arranged in a single row in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the battery pack (10). The number of battery cells (112) forming the cell array (111) is not limited.

[0074] In addition, the unit cell group (110) may include a cooling tube (115) between a pair of the cell arrays (111). That is, the unit cell group (110) may include a pair (two) of cell arrays (111) and a cooling tube (115) interposed between the pair of cell arrays (111). Here, the cooling tube (115) is a part that faces one surface of the cell array (111) and cools the battery cell (112). The cooling tube (115) may have a structure in which an empty space is provided and a cooling medium flows into the empty space, and is provided to face the outer surfaces of a plurality of battery cells (112), so that heat generated from the battery cells (112) can be directly transferred to the cooling medium.

[0075] A port block (400) may be connected to one end of the cooling tube (115). The port block (400) may be provided with a port portion (410a, 420b) that is coupled to a connecting pipe (410, 420). In addition, the port block (400) forms a part of a heat dissipation path described later, which will be described in detail later.

[0076] Such a unit cell group (110) inevitably has a curved section created by having multiple battery cells (112) positioned on the outer surface. Accordingly, the cell array structure (100) may be provided with a side frame (130) that accommodates the curved section while maintaining and fixing the spacing between the multiple battery cells (112).

[0077] The side frame (130) may be provided between the unit cell group (110) and an adjacent unit cell group (110), or at the front end of the unit cell group (110). Specifically, the side frame (130) may include a side structure (131) interposed between the unit cell groups (110), and a side wall (132) interposed between the pack case (200) and the unit cell group (110).

[0078] The side structure (131) may be arranged between the pair of unit cell groups (110). The side structure (131) may be arranged between the unit cell groups (110) and the adjacent unit cell groups (110) to fix at least one pair of unit cell groups (110) and maintain a gap between the battery cells (112). As mainly illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the side structure (131) may have a concave groove (131a) formed on one side and the other side in the longitudinal direction, respectively, corresponding to the outer surface shape of the unit cell groups (110). The inner curvature or number of the concave grooves (131a) may be determined according to the outer surface specifications of the unit cell groups (110) or battery cells (112) that are shape-coupled to the side structure (131).

[0079] A pair of side walls (132) may be arranged on both sides of the assembly direction (Y-axis direction) in which the unit cell group (110) and the side structure (131) are assembled. The side wall (132) may be provided at the outermost side in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the cell array structure (100). One side of the side wall (132) may be formed with the aforementioned concave groove (133) to accommodate one side of the unit cell group (110), while the other side (opposite side) may be formed flat to face the outer side wall (220) of the pack case (200). Accordingly, the cell array structure (100) and the outer side wall (220) may face each other, and no unnecessary gap is formed.

[0080] In this way, a plurality of unit cell groups (110) and a plurality of side structures (131) and side walls (132) can be assembled to form a single cell array structure (100). The cell array structure (100) of this configuration can be a structure in which structural rigidity is secured without a separate module case.

[0081] Specifically, the side frame (130) may be arranged between a plurality of battery cells (112) within the cell array structure (100) or on one side of the cell array (111) to fix and support the plurality of battery cells (112). In addition, the side frame (130) may be attached to the plurality of battery cells (112) to form a single structure as the cell array structure (100), and may have a larger area compared to the existing structure.

[0082]

[0083] Hereinafter, a heat dissipation configuration according to the present embodiment is described.

[0084] FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating an upper portion of a cell array structure accommodated in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cutaway perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 8, FIG. 2, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 above, the battery pack (10) according to the present embodiment may include a port block (400) connected to the cell array structure (100).

[0086] The port block (400) may be connected to one end of the cooling tube (115). The port block (400) may be provided such that the port block (400) and the cooling tube (115) are mutually connected. The port block (400) may be provided to protrude from the side of the cell array structure (100). That is, when the cell array structure (100) is assembled, the port block (400) may be provided to protrude further than the end of the side frame (130). The port block (400) has a space formed therein in which a cooling medium is temporarily stored, and may be connected to an adjacent port block (400) via a pair of connecting pipes (410, 420). The upper connecting pipe (410) of the port block (400) may serve as an inlet path for the cooling medium, and the lower connecting pipe (420) may serve as an outlet path for the cooling medium. Accordingly, the introduced cooling medium can be moved along the connecting pipe (410, 420) and temporarily stored in the port block (400) and can be introduced or removed from the cooling tube (115).

[0087] The above port block (400) partially connects the cell array structure (100) and the pack case (200), and can form a heat dissipation path by conducting heat generated from one of the battery cells (112) to the pack case (200).

[0088] Specifically, the port block (400) is provided to extend outward from one end of the cell array structure (100) and can partially connect the cell array structure (100) and the pack case (200). That is, as illustrated in FIG. 8, both ends of the port block (400) can face the side of the cell array structure (100) and the outer side wall (220), respectively.

[0089] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the lower casing (250) may be placed at one end of the cell array structure (100) and may be placed lower than the placement height of the cell array structure (100). Accordingly, the port block (400) may be supported on the upper surface of the lower casing (250). In addition, one surface of the lower casing (250) may be placed to face the outer side wall (220).

[0090] It may include a heat transfer member (450) interposed between the lower casing (250) and the port block (400).

[0091] Accordingly, the port block (400) is connected to the cooling tube (115) of the cell array structure (100), and the opposite side can partially face the outer side wall (220), and the lower surface of the port block (400) can be supported by the lower casing (250) with the heat transfer member (450) interposed therebetween. That is, when high heat is generated in a heating electrode (ignition source) such as a trigger cell due to a thermal event, the generated high heat is conducted along the cooling tube (115), transferred to the port block (400), and can be heat-conducted to the pack case (200) through the lower casing (250) in direct contact with the port block (400), so that various other components, especially the pack case (200), can function as a thermal mass.

[0092] According to this embodiment, high heat generated in the trigger cell is quickly and efficiently conducted to the pack case (200) through the cooling tube (115) and port block (400) before heat accumulation, thereby enabling heat dissipation, thereby suppressing the risk of ignition of the battery pack (10) and delaying or blocking heat transfer.

[0093]

[0094] FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating a movement path of venting gas in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrating a heat release path through which heat generated by a heating electrode is conducted and released in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] Hereinafter, the venting flow of the venting gas generated from the trigger cell of the cell array structure (100) in the battery pack (10) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11.

[0096] First, the process of assembling the above cell array structure (100) onto the pack case (200) is briefly described.

[0097] Referring mainly to FIG. 6, a plurality of battery cells (112) are arranged as one cell array (111), and a cooling tube (115) is interposed between a pair of cell arrays (111) and assembled into one unit cell group (110). A side structure (131) is interposed between the unit cell groups (110), and a side wall (132) is attached to the outermost part of the battery pack (10) in the width direction (Y-axis direction), thereby providing one cell array structure (100). The cell array structure (100) may additionally undergo a process of applying an adhesive resin material or a structural resin. In addition, when assembling the cell array structure (100), a separate assembly facility or a pressurizing facility may be required.

[0098] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 11, a lower casing (250) can be coupled to a pack case (200). The lower casing (250) can be in communication with the first venting path (P1) and form a second venting path (P2) in a direction perpendicular to the first venting path (P1).

[0099] As shown in Fig. 10, the cell array structure (100) can be mounted on the pack case (200). The convex section (211) can support the lower portion of the side structure (131) or the lower portion of the side wall (132). When the cell array structure (100) is mounted, the concave section (212) can be arranged to be spaced apart from the lower portion of the unit cell group (110). As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the first venting path (P1) can be formed as a space formed by the lower portion of the unit cell group (110) and the concave section (212).

[0100] Referring mainly to FIG. 11, a first venting path (P1) formed on the lower side of the cell array structure (100) and a second venting path (P2) connected to the first venting path (P1) as a separate structure can be formed so that the venting gas generated in the trigger cell can be quickly discharged out of the pack case (200).

[0101] According to the present embodiment, the venting gas generated from the trigger cell can be quickly discharged through the first venting path (P1) and the second venting path (P2) formed on the lower side of the cell array structure (100). That is, it is quickly vented to the edge of the pack case (200) and quickly discharged to the outside through the venting valve (260). In this process, high-temperature venting gas, etc. can be quickly discharged without contacting adjacent battery cells (112) or other components, thereby minimizing adverse effects such as heat accumulation in adjacent components, etc.

[0102]

[0103] Next, the heat release process is explained.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 12, the heat dissipation path may be configured to extend from the battery cell (112) to the cooling tube (115), port block (400) and pack case (200), or from the battery cell (112) to the cooling tube (115), port block (400) and lower casing (250) to the pack case (200).

[0105] Specifically, high heat generated from a heating electrode (ignition source) such as a trigger cell during a thermal event is conducted along a cooling tube (115), transferred to a port block (400), and heat is conducted to a pack case (200) through a lower casing (250) in direct contact with the port block (400). Alternatively, heat may be conducted directly from the port block (400) to the pack case (200) to form a heat dissipation path. Accordingly, as described above, various other components, particularly the pack case (200), can function as a thermal mass.

[0106] In this way, the high heat generated in the trigger cell is quickly and efficiently conducted to the pack case (200) through the cooling tube (115) and port block (400) before heat accumulation, thereby enabling heat dissipation, thereby suppressing the risk of ignition of the battery pack (10) and delaying or blocking heat transfer.

[0107]

[0108] Meanwhile, referring back to FIG. 2, the battery pack (10) according to the present embodiment may include a busbar assembly (300). The busbar assembly (300) may be arranged on the upper portion of the cell array structure (100) to electrically connect the plurality of battery cells (112).

[0109] In addition, the battery pack (10) according to the present invention may further include various devices for controlling charging and discharging of the battery pack (10), such as a BMS (Battery Management System), a current sensor, a fuse, etc., although not shown.

[0110] FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0111] Referring to Fig. 13, the battery pack (10) according to the present invention can be applied to a vehicle (V), such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. That is, the vehicle (V) according to the present invention can include the battery pack (10) according to the present invention. The battery pack (10) can be installed in the body frame under the vehicle seat or in the trunk space, and when installed in the vehicle, the battery pack (10) can be arranged in a reversed order as needed.

[0112] In this specification, terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back are used, but these terms are only for convenience of explanation, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms may vary depending on the location of the target object or the location of the observer.

[0113] As described above, although the present invention has been described by limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and variations are possible by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention and the equivalent scope of the patent claims to be described below.

Claims

1. A cell array structure comprising a plurality of battery cells; A pack case that accommodates the cell array structure and forms a first venting path at the bottom of the cell array structure; and A lower casing arranged at one end of the cell array structure within the pack case and forming a second venting path connected to the first venting path. A battery pack comprising:

2. In paragraph 1, A battery pack, characterized in that the second venting path is formed to intersect perpendicularly with the first venting path.

3. In paragraph 1, A battery pack characterized in that a plurality of venting holes are formed in the lower casing at positions corresponding to the first venting path along the longitudinal direction.

4. In paragraph 2, A battery pack characterized in that the pack case has at least one venting valve provided on both sides.

5. In paragraph 4, A battery pack characterized in that the venting gas generated from the battery cell is discharged to the outside through the venting valve via the first venting path and the second venting path.

6. In paragraph 1, The above pack case partially supports the cell array structure from below and includes a bottom plate having a longitudinal cross-section in a convex shape. A battery pack, characterized in that the first venting path is formed by the uneven shape.

7. In paragraph 6, The above cell array structure is, A plurality of unit cell groups including the plurality of battery cells and cooling tubes attached to the plurality of battery cells; and It includes a side frame arranged between the above multiple unit cell groups, A battery pack, characterized in that the first venting path is formed parallel to the direction in which the plurality of battery cells, the cooling tubes, and the side frames are arranged in a row.

8. In paragraph 7, The above-mentioned shape is composed of a convex section that faces and supports the cell array structure, and a concave section that is formed to be sunken from the convex section and forms the first venting path. The above convex section is arranged to face the lower part of the side frame, The above concave section is positioned apart from the lower portion of the unit cell group, A battery pack characterized in that the first venting path is a separation space formed by the lower surface of the unit cell group and the concave section.

9. A cell array structure comprising a plurality of battery cells; A pack case accommodating the above cell array structure; and A battery pack characterized by including a port block that interconnects the cell array structure and the pack case and forms a heat dissipation path by conducting heat generated from one of the battery cells to the pack case.

10. In paragraph 9, A battery pack further comprising a lower casing disposed at one end of the cell array structure within the pack case.

11. In paragraph 10, The above port block is arranged to extend outward from one end of the above cell array structure, A battery pack, characterized in that the lower casing is arranged lower than the arrangement height of the cell array structure so that the port block is supported on the upper surface of the lower casing.

12. In paragraph 10, A battery pack characterized by including a heat transfer member interposed between the lower casing and the port block.

13. In paragraph 10, The above cell array structure further includes a plurality of battery cells and a cooling tube attached to the plurality of battery cells, A battery pack characterized in that the cooling tube is provided to be connected to the port block.

14. In paragraph 13, A battery pack characterized in that the heat dissipation path is configured to extend from the battery cell to the cooling tube, port block, and pack case, or from the battery cell to the cooling tube, port block, and lower casing to the pack case.

15. A vehicle characterized by including a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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