Battery pack

Abstract

According to exemplary embodiments, a battery pack is provided. The battery pack includes: a pack housing including plates and side walls; first and second battery cell assemblies on the plates; first and second venting devices coupled to the side walls, the first venting device being closer to the first battery cell assembly than the second venting device, and the second venting device being closer to the second battery cell assembly than the first venting device; a first forced venting motor configured to open the first venting device; and a second forced venting motor configured to open the second venting device.

Description

battery pack

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack. This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 10-2023-0149598, filed November 2, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. They are widely used as a power source for various wireless devices, including handsets, laptops, and cordless vacuum cleaners. Recently, improved energy density and economies of scale have dramatically reduced the per-unit manufacturing cost of secondary batteries. Furthermore, as the range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has increased to match that of fuel-powered vehicles, the primary use of secondary batteries is shifting from mobile devices to mobility.

[0003] The technological development trend for secondary batteries for mobility is improving energy density and safety. The safety of secondary batteries for mobility is crucial, as it directly impacts the lives of passengers. Safety in secondary batteries can be achieved through mechanical robustness, reliable electrical insulation, and delayed heat transfer in the event of thermal runaway.

[0004] The technical idea of ​​the present invention aims to solve a problem by providing a battery pack with improved safety.

[0005] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention for solving the above-described problem, a battery pack is provided. The battery pack includes a pack housing including plates and side walls; first and second battery cell assemblies on the plates; first and second exhaust devices coupled to the side walls, wherein the first exhaust device is closer to the first battery cell assembly than the second exhaust device, and the second exhaust device is closer to the second battery cell assembly than the first exhaust device; a first forced exhaust motor configured to open the first exhaust device; and a second forced exhaust motor configured to open the second exhaust device.

[0006] The battery pack further includes a Battery Management System (BMS) configured to control the first and second forced exhaust motors.

[0007] The BMS is configured to determine the occurrence and location of a thermal runaway event within the pack housing.

[0008] The BMS is configured to control the first and second forced exhaust motors based on the location of the thermal runaway event.

[0009] When a thermal runaway event occurs in the first battery cell assembly, the BMS is configured to operate the first forced exhaust motor to open the first exhaust device.

[0010] When the thermal runaway event occurs in the first battery cell assembly, the BMS does not operate the second forced exhaust motor.

[0011] According to exemplary embodiments, a battery pack is provided. The battery pack includes a pack housing including a plurality of plates and first and second sidewalls; first to fourth battery cell assemblies on the base plate; a BMS configured to monitor the first to fourth battery cell assemblies; first and second exhaust devices coupled to the first sidewall; third and fourth exhaust devices coupled to the second sidewall; first and second forced exhaust motors interposed between the first and second battery cell assemblies and the first sidewall; and third and fourth forced exhaust motors interposed between the third and fourth battery cell assemblies and the second sidewall.

[0012] The first forced exhaust motor is configured to open the first exhaust device, the second forced exhaust motor is configured to open the second exhaust device, the third forced exhaust motor is configured to open the third exhaust device, and the fourth forced exhaust motor is configured to open the fourth exhaust device.

[0013] The BMS is configured to determine the location of a thermal runaway event within the pack housing.

[0014] The BMS is configured to control the first to fourth forced exhaust motors based on the location of the thermal runaway event.

[0015] The BMS is configured to control the first to fourth forced exhaust motors to open the one of the first to fourth exhaust devices closest to the thermal runaway event.

[0016] The BMS is configured to control the first to fourth forced exhaust motors to open only the one of the first to fourth exhaust devices closest to the thermal runaway event.

[0017] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, when a thermal runaway event occurs within a battery pack, only some of the exhaust devices can be opened based on the location of the thermal runaway event. This prevents flames and high-temperature gases generated from a battery cell assembly from causing a thermal runaway event in adjacent battery cell assemblies, thereby enhancing the safety of the battery pack.

[0018] The effects that can be obtained from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly derived and understood by those skilled in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure pertain from the following description. In other words, unintended effects resulting from practicing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can also be derived by those skilled in the art from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a battery pack according to exemplary embodiments.

[0020] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line 1I-1I' of Figure 1.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a battery pack according to exemplary embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating the operation of a battery pack according to exemplary embodiments.

[0023] 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 aligns with the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0024] Accordingly, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace them at the time of filing this application.

[0025] In addition, when describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description is omitted.

[0026] Since the embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, the shapes and sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for clearer explanation. Accordingly, the sizes and proportions of each component do not fully reflect the actual sizes or proportions.

[0027]

[0028] (Example 1)

[0029] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a battery pack (100) according to exemplary embodiments.

[0030] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line 1I-1I' of Figure 1.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a battery pack (100) may include a pack housing (110), a plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126), cross beams (130), a plurality of exhaust devices (141, 142, 143, 144), a plurality of motors (151, 152, 153, 154), and a BMS (Battery Management System) (160). The battery pack (100) may be a final product mounted in an application such as a vehicle.

[0032] The pack housing (110) may provide a space for mounting battery cell assemblies (120). The pack housing (110) may include plates (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) and side walls (116, 117, 118, 119).

[0033] Battery cell assemblies (120) may be arranged on the mounting surface (110M) of the pack housing (110). Two directions substantially parallel to the mounting surface (110M) of the pack housing (110) are defined as the X direction and the Y direction, and a direction substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface (110M) of the pack housing (110) is defined as the Z direction. Each of the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction may be substantially perpendicular to each other. Unless otherwise stated, the definitions of the directions are the same for the drawings below. The X direction and the Y direction may be referred to as horizontal directions, and the Z direction may be referred to as a vertical direction.

[0034] Each of the plates (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) and the side walls (116, 117) may be provided by an extrusion process. The extrusion direction of each of the plates (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) and the side walls (116, 117) may be the X direction. The plates (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) and the side walls (116, 117) may be arranged in the Y direction. The side walls (118, 119) may also be provided by an extrusion process.

[0035] In FIG. 1, a pack housing (110) is disclosed that includes five plates (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) between side walls (116, 117), but this is a non-limiting example and does not limit the technical idea of ​​the present invention in any sense. The number of plates (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) may vary depending on the design of the battery pack (100) to be ultimately manufactured.

[0036] The plate (111) may be interposed between the plates (112, 114). The plate (112) may be interposed between the plates (111, 113). The plate (113) may be interposed between the plate (112) and the side wall (116). The plate (114) may be interposed between the plates (111, 115). The plate (115) may be interposed between the plate (114) and the side wall (117).

[0037] Adjacent ones of the plates (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) and side walls (116, 117) can be joined to each other. Adjacent ones of the plates (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) and side walls (116, 117) can be welded to each other.

[0038] Plate (111) can be welded to plates (112, 114). Plate (112) can be welded to plates (111, 113). Plate (113) can be welded to plate (112) and side wall (116). Plate (114) can be welded to plates (111, 115). Plate (115) can be welded to plate (114) and side wall (117).

[0039] According to exemplary embodiments, the plates (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) and the side walls (116, 117) can be joined by friction stir welding. Friction stir welding (FSW) can include treating the joining materials (i.e., the plates (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) and the side walls (116, 117)) with a non-consumable tool (typically including a probe) that rotates at high speed. Frictional heat is generated between the tool and the joining materials, and the joining materials around the tool are softened by the frictional heat. The plastic flow of the joining materials softened by the stirring of the tool can mix the materials on both sides of the joining surface, thereby joining the joining materials to each other. The side walls (118, 119) can be joined to the plates (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) by methods such as friction stir welding.

[0040] During the friction stir welding process, the materials to be joined undergo intensive plastic deformation at high temperatures. The resulting product of friction stir welding may have a microstructure characterized by fine equiaxed grains and may exhibit improved mechanical properties. As a result of friction stir welding, the pack housing (110) may include a weld bead.

[0041] One skilled in the art will readily arrive at an embodiment in which the plates (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) and the side walls (116, 117) are joined by arc welding such as carbon arc welding, plasma arc welding, shielded arc welding, submerged arc welding, MIG (Metal inert gas) welding, TIG (Tungsten inert gas) welding, gas welding, electroslag welding, laser welding, and ultrasonic welding, based on the description herein.

[0042] Each of the plate sections (116P, 117P) of the plates (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) and the side walls (116, 117) may include cooling channels (CH), cavities (CV) and ribs. Each of the cooling channels (CH), cavities (CV) and ribs may extend in the extrusion direction (i.e., X direction).

[0043] The cooling channels (CH) can provide a path for the cooling fluid to flow. The cooling channels (CH) can be spaced apart in the Y direction. The cooling channels (CH) can be arranged along the Y direction.

[0044] The cavities (CV) are empty spaces formed inside the plates (111, 112, 113, 114, 115). Due to the formation of the cavities (CV), the mass of the plates (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) can be reduced, and thus the energy density of the battery pack (100) including the pack housing (110) can be increased.

[0045] The ribs can define cooling channels (CH) and cavities (CV). The ribs can surround the cooling channels (CH) and cavities (CV). The ribs can maintain the airtightness of the cooling channels (CH) and cavities (CV).

[0046] The plate (111) may be located at the center of the pack housing (110). The plate (111) may include a center beam (CB). The center beam (CB) may protrude from the mounting surface (111M) of the plate (111). The center beam (CB) may extend in the X direction. The center beam (CB) may be formed together with the plate (111) by an extrusion process, or a separately provided center beam (CB) may be welded to the mounting surface (111M) of the plate (111).

[0047] The side wall (116) may include a plate portion (116P), a side wall portion (116SW), and a wing portion (116W). The side wall portion (116SW) may be substantially perpendicular to the plate portion (116P). The wing portion (116W) may be on the outside of the side wall portion (116SW). The wing portion (116W) may be spaced apart from the plate portion (116P) with the side wall portion (116SW) therebetween. The wing portion (116W) may include a plurality of coupling holes. The wing portion (116W) may be used for transporting the pack housing (110) or for securing the pack housing (110) to a vehicle or other battery tray.

[0048] The side wall (117) may include a plate portion (117P), a side wall portion (117SW), and a wing portion (117W). The side wall portion (117SW) may be substantially perpendicular to the plate portion (117P). The wing portion (117W) may be on the outside of the side wall portion (117SW). The wing portion (117W) may be spaced apart from the plate portion (117P) with the side wall portion (117SW) therebetween. The wing portion (117W) may include a plurality of coupling holes. The wing portion (117W) may be used for transporting the pack housing (110), or may be used for securing (e.g., securing the pack housing (110) to a vehicle or other battery tray) and transporting the pack housing (110).

[0049] The side wall (117) can be spaced apart from the side wall (116) with plates (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) therebetween. The plate parts (116P, 117P) can form a base plate of the pack housing (110) together with the plates (111, 112, 113, 114, 115).

[0050] Plates (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) and plate parts (116P, 117P) can constitute a base plate of a pack housing (110). The mounting surface (110M) can include mounting surfaces (111M, 112M, 113M, 114M, 115M, 116M, 117M) of plates (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) and plate parts (116P, 117P). The mounting surfaces (111M, 112M, 113M, 114M, 115M, 116M, 117M) of the plates (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) and plate parts (116P, 117P) can form the mounting surface (110M) of the pack housing (110).

[0051] The bottom surface (110B) may be opposite to the mounting surface (110M). The bottom surface (110B) may be substantially parallel to the mounting surface (110M). The bottom surface (110B) may include bottom surfaces (111B, 112B, 113B, 114B, 115B, 116B, 117B) of the plates (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) and plate parts (116P, 117P). The bottom surfaces (111B, 112B, 113B, 114B, 115B, 116B, 117B) of the plates (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) and the plate parts (116P, 117P) can form the bottom surface (110B) of the pack housing (110).

[0052] A plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) can be arranged on plates (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) and plate sections (116P, 117P) of a pack housing (110). The plates (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) and plate sections (116P, 117P) can support the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126). The side walls (116, 117, 118, 119) can horizontally surround the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126). The side walls (116, 117, 118, 119) can protect the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126).

[0053] For example, the battery pack (100) may be of a modular type, and each of the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) may not include a module frame. As another example, the battery pack (100) may be of a module type, and each of the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) may include a module frame.

[0054] Each of the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) may include a plurality of banks connected in series with each other. Each of the plurality of banks may include one or more parallel-connected battery cells. The number of the series-connected banks and the number of the parallel-connected battery cells may be determined depending on the magnitude of the voltage and current to be output from each of the battery cell assemblies (120).

[0055] A plurality of battery cells are the basic units of a lithium-ion battery, i.e., a secondary battery. Each of the plurality of battery cells includes an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a case. Each of the plurality of battery cells may be any one of a cylindrical battery cell, a prismatic battery cell, and a pouch-type battery cell. The electrode assembly of the cylindrical battery cell is housed in a cylindrical metal can. The electrode assembly of the prismatic battery cell is housed in a prismatic metal can. The electrode assembly of the pouch-type battery cell is housed in a pouch case including an aluminum laminate sheet.

[0056] The electrode assembly may include an anode, a cathode, and a separator interposed between the anode and the cathode. The electrode assembly may be either a jelly-roll type or a stack type. The jelly-roll type electrode assembly may include a winding structure of the anode, the cathode, and the separator interposed therebetween. The stack type electrode assembly may include a plurality of sequentially stacked anodes, a plurality of cathodes, and a plurality of separators interposed therebetween.

[0057] The battery cell assemblies (121, 125) may be spaced apart in the X direction. A battery cell assembly (123) may be interposed between the battery cell assemblies (121, 125). The battery cell assemblies (122, 126) may be spaced apart in the X direction. A battery cell assembly (124) may be interposed between the battery cell assemblies (122, 126). The battery cell assemblies (121, 123, 125) may be spaced apart from the battery cell assemblies (122, 124, 126) in the Y direction.

[0058] Accordingly, the arrangement of these multiple battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) can be said to be a 3 * 2 arrangement. A person skilled in the art will be able to easily achieve a multiple battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) arranged in an M * N configuration (wherein, M and N are each integers greater than or equal to 2) based on the description herein.

[0059] A center beam (CB) may be interposed between battery cell assemblies (121, 123, 125) and battery cell assemblies (122, 124, 126). The center beam (CB) may isolate the battery cell assemblies (121, 123, 125) and battery cell assemblies (122, 124, 126) in the Y direction.

[0060] Cross beams (130) may be interposed between the battery cell assembly (121) and the side wall (118), between the battery cell assemblies (121, 125), between the battery cell assemblies (123, 125), between the battery cell assembly (123) and the side wall (119), between the battery cell assembly (122) and the side wall (118), between the battery cell assemblies (122, 126), between the battery cell assemblies (124, 126), and between the battery cell assembly (124) and the side wall (119).

[0061] The arrangement of the center beam (CB) and the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) disclosed in FIG. 1 is a non-limiting example and does not limit the technical idea of ​​the present invention in any sense. A person skilled in the art will readily arrive at a battery pack including various arrangements and numbers of center beams, cross beams, and battery cell assemblies based on the description herein.

[0062] Exhaust devices (141, 142) may be installed on the side wall (118). Exhaust devices (141, 142) may be coupled to the side wall (118). The side wall (118) may include exhaust holes connected to the exhaust devices (141, 142). Exhaust devices (143, 144) may be installed on the side wall (119). Exhaust devices (143, 144) may be coupled to the side wall (119). The side wall (119) may include exhaust holes connected to the exhaust devices (143, 144). Each of the exhaust devices (141, 142, 143, 144) may be configured to delay thermal propagation by releasing high-temperature gas inside the battery pack (100) to the outside when an adjacent one of the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124) is in a thermal runway state.

[0063] Here, thermal runaway of the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124) is a state in which temperature changes of the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124) further accelerate the temperature change, which is an uncontrollable positive feedback. The plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124) in a state of thermal runaway exhibit a rapid temperature increase and emit a large amount of high-pressure gas and combustion debris.

[0064] The cross beams (130) and side walls (118, 119) may provide a space for mounting electrical components. According to exemplary embodiments, forced exhaust motors (151, 152) may be interposed between the cross beams (130) and the side wall (118). According to exemplary embodiments, forced exhaust motors (153, 154) may be interposed between the cross beams (130) and the side wall (119). According to exemplary embodiments, the BMS (160) may be interposed between the cross beams (130) and the side wall (118).

[0065] The forced exhaust motor (151) may be configured to open the exhaust device (141). The forced exhaust motor (152) may be configured to open the exhaust device (142). The forced exhaust motor (153) may be configured to open the exhaust device (143). The forced exhaust motor (154) may be configured to open the exhaust device (144). The forced exhaust motors (151, 152, 153, 154) may be controlled by the BMS (160).

[0066] The BMS (160) may be configured to perform monitoring, balancing, and control of the battery pack. Monitoring of the battery pack (100) may include measuring voltage and current of specific nodes within a plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) and measuring temperature of set locations within the pack housing (110). The battery pack (100) may include measuring instruments for measuring the voltage, current, and temperature described above.

[0067] Balancing of a battery pack (100) is an operation of reducing the deviation between a plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126). Control of the battery pack (100) includes preventing the occurrence of overcharge, overdischarge, and overcurrent. Through monitoring, balancing, and control, the battery pack (100) can operate under optimal conditions, and thus shortening of the lifespan of each of the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) can be prevented.

[0068] The battery pack (100) may further include additional electrical components such as a cooling device, a PRA (Power Relay Assembly), and a safety plug. The cooling device may include a cooling fan. The cooling fan may prevent overheating of each of the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) by circulating air inside the battery pack (100). The PRA may be configured to supply or cut off power from the high-voltage battery to an external load (e.g., a vehicle motor). The PRA may protect the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) and the external load (e.g., a vehicle motor) by cutting off power supply to the external load (e.g., a vehicle motor) in a situation where an abnormal voltage such as a voltage surge occurs.

[0069] The battery pack (100) may further include a plurality of bus bars configured to electrically connect a plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126). The plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) may be connected in series by the plurality of bus bars. Accordingly, the battery pack (100) may be configured to output a high voltage to an external load (e.g., a motor of a vehicle).

[0070] The battery pack (100) may further include a lead plate coupled to the side walls (116, 117, 118, 119). The lead plate may cover elements mounted inside the battery pack (100), such as battery cell assemblies (120) and electrical components. The lead plate may be secured to the battery pack (100) by a mechanical coupling means, such as a fastening member.

[0071]

[0072] (Example 2)

[0073] FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a battery pack (100) according to other exemplary embodiments.

[0074] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a battery pack (100) for explaining the operation of the battery pack (100) according to exemplary embodiments.

[0075] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a thermal runaway event (TR) can be detected at P110. The thermal runaway event (TR) can be detected by the BMS (160). According to exemplary embodiments, the BMS (160) can be configured to determine the occurrence and location of the thermal runaway event (TR) based on a temperature sensed by a temperature sensor. According to exemplary embodiments, the BMS (160) can be configured to determine the occurrence and location of the thermal runaway event (TR) based on a pressure sensed by a pressure sensor. According to exemplary embodiments, the BMS (160) can be configured to determine whether a thermal runaway event (TR) has occurred and the location of the occurrence based on an atmosphere inside a battery pack by a gas sensor.

[0076] Next, at P120, the forced exhaust motors (151, 152, 153, 154) can be operated based on the location of the thermal runaway event (TR). The BMS (160) can be configured to generate a signal to operate the forced exhaust motors (151, 152, 153, 154) based on the location of the thermal runaway event (TR).

[0077] The BMS may be configured to operate a corresponding one of the forced exhaust motors (151, 152, 153, 154) to open one of the plurality of exhaust devices (141, 142, 143, 144) adjacent to the location of a thermal runaway event (TR). As in the example of FIG. 4, when a thermal runaway event (TR) occurs in the battery cell assembly (121), the BMS (160) may be configured to generate a signal to operate the forced exhaust motor (151). Accordingly, the forced exhaust motor (151) may open the exhaust device (141), and through the exhaust device (141), flames and / or high-temperature gases inside the battery pack (100) may be discharged.

[0078] Here, the adjacent locations of the exhaust device (141) and the thermal runaway event (TR) mean that among the plurality of exhaust devices (141, 142, 143, 144), the exhaust device (141) is closest to the thermal runaway event (TR).

[0079] According to exemplary embodiments, when a thermal runaway event (TR) occurs in a battery cell assembly (121), the BMS (160) may not operate the forced exhaust motors (152, 153, 154), and the exhaust devices (142, 143, 144) may not be opened. Accordingly, a chain reaction of thermal runaway of adjacent battery cell assemblies (122, 123, 124, 125, 126) due to the flow of flame and / or high-temperature gas generated from the first battery cell assembly (121) may be prevented, and the stability of the battery pack (100) may be improved.

[0080] Additionally, the BMS (160) may be configured to open each of the plurality of exhaust devices (141, 142, 143, 144) when the nature of the thermal runaway event satisfies a critical condition (e.g., a thermal runaway event occurs in more than half of the plurality of battery cell assemblies (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126)).

[0081] As another example, if a thermal runaway event occurs in the battery cell assembly (122), the BMS (160) may be configured to generate a signal to operate the forced exhaust motor (152). Accordingly, the forced exhaust motor (152) may open the exhaust device (142). If a thermal runaway event (TR) occurs in the battery cell assembly (122), the BMS (160) may not operate the forced exhaust motors (151, 153, 154).

[0082] As another example, if a thermal runaway event occurs in the battery cell assembly (123), the BMS (160) may be configured to generate a signal to operate the forced exhaust motor (153). Accordingly, the forced exhaust motor (153) may open the exhaust device (143). If a thermal runaway event (TR) occurs in the battery cell assembly (123), the BMS (160) may not operate the forced exhaust motors (151, 152, 154).

[0083] As another example, if a thermal runaway event occurs in the battery cell assembly (124), the BMS (160) may be configured to generate a signal to operate the forced exhaust motor (154). Accordingly, the forced exhaust motor (154) may open the exhaust device (144). If a thermal runaway event (TR) occurs in the battery cell assembly (124), the BMS (160) may not operate the forced exhaust motors (151, 153, 153).

[0084]

[0085] The present invention has been described in more detail through drawings and examples. However, the configurations described in the drawings or examples described in this specification are merely embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modified examples may exist as of the time of this application.

Claims

1. Pack housing including plates and side walls; First and second battery cell assemblies on the above plates; First and second exhaust devices coupled to the side wall, wherein the first exhaust device is closer to the first battery cell assembly than the second exhaust device, and the second exhaust device is closer to the second battery cell assembly than the first exhaust device; a first forced exhaust motor configured to open the first exhaust device; and A battery pack comprising a second forced exhaust motor configured to open the second exhaust device.

2. In paragraph 1, A battery pack further comprising a BMS (Battery Management System) configured to control the first and second forced exhaust motors.

3. In paragraph 2, A battery pack characterized in that the BMS is configured to determine the occurrence and location of a thermal runaway event within the pack housing.

4. In paragraph 3, A battery pack characterized in that the BMS is configured to control the first and second forced exhaust motors based on the location of the thermal runaway event.

5. In paragraph 2, A battery pack characterized in that when a thermal runaway event occurs in the first battery cell assembly, the BMS is configured to operate the first forced exhaust motor to open the first exhaust device.

6. In paragraph 2, A battery pack characterized in that when the thermal runaway event occurs in the first battery cell assembly, the BMS does not operate the second forced exhaust motor.

7. A pack housing comprising a plurality of plates and first and second side walls; First to fourth battery cell assemblies on the base plate; A BMS configured to monitor the first to fourth battery cell assemblies; First and second exhaust devices coupled to the first side wall; Third and fourth exhaust devices coupled to the second side wall; First and second forced exhaust motors interposed between the first and second battery cell assemblies and the first side wall; and A battery pack comprising third and fourth forced exhaust motors interposed between the third and fourth battery cell assemblies and the second side wall.

8. In paragraph 7. The first forced exhaust motor is configured to open the first exhaust device, The second forced exhaust motor is configured to open the second exhaust device, The third forced exhaust motor is configured to open the third exhaust device, and A battery pack characterized in that the fourth forced exhaust motor is configured to open the fourth exhaust device.

9. In paragraph 7, A battery pack characterized in that the BMS is configured to determine the location of a thermal runaway event within the pack housing.

10. In paragraph 9, A battery pack characterized in that the BMS is configured to control the first to fourth forced exhaust motors based on the location of the thermal runaway event.

11. In paragraph 10, A battery pack characterized in that the BMS is configured to control the first to fourth forced exhaust motors to open the one of the first to fourth exhaust devices closest to the thermal runaway event.

12. In paragraph 10, A battery pack characterized in that the BMS is configured to control the first to fourth forced exhaust motors to open only the one of the first to fourth exhaust devices closest to the thermal runaway event.

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