Battery module, and battery pack and vehicle including same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module comprising: a cell assembly comprising a plurality of batter cells; a module case accommodating the cell assembly; and a thermally conductive adhesive interposed between the cell assembly and module case, and having a heat transfer-blocking section at least a portion of which undergoes pyrolysis at a reference temperature and incrementally expands.

Description

Battery modules, battery packs containing the same, and vehicles

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0028334, filed on February 27, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the said application are incorporated by reference into this application.

[0003] Secondary batteries, which boast high electrical properties such as high energy density and easy applicability across a wide range of product categories, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) powered by electrical power sources. These batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for environmental friendliness and energy efficiency, not only because they can dramatically reduce fossil fuel use, but also because they produce no byproducts from energy use.

[0004] Commonly used secondary battery types today include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. When high output voltage is required, multiple battery cells are connected in series to form a battery module or battery pack. Furthermore, to increase charge / discharge capacity, multiple battery cells are connected in parallel to form a battery module or battery pack.

[0005] When connecting multiple battery cells in series or parallel to form a battery pack, it's common to first construct a battery module containing at least one battery cell, and then use this at least one battery module to add other components to form a battery pack or battery rack. Recently, battery packs in the cell-to-pack form, where multiple battery cells are housed directly in a pack housing or other device, without modularization, have also been manufactured.

[0006] Meanwhile, in the case of conventional battery modules, a thermally conductive adhesive (such as thermal resin) may be applied to one side of a cell assembly in which such battery cells are stacked to cool the battery cells or secure the cell assembly. Furthermore, in a battery pack including multiple battery modules, a thermally conductive adhesive may be applied to the exterior of each battery module.

[0007] In the case of conventional battery modules or battery packs, various problems can arise when a thermal event occurs. For example, if a thermal runway occurs within a battery module, heat generated from the trigger cell can be transferred to adjacent battery cells or battery modules through the thermally conductive adhesive. This can trigger thermal runway propagation between battery cells or battery modules.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need to develop a structure that can prevent thermal runaway propagation by suppressing heat transfer between battery cells or battery modules through a thermally conductive adhesive when thermal runaway occurs within a battery module.

[0009] Accordingly, the present invention was created to solve the above problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a battery module that can effectively prevent or delay the propagation of thermal runaway between modules by minimizing the high-temperature gas or flames generated from a battery cell in an abnormal situation of the battery module from reaching other adjacent battery modules.

[0010] However, the problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems described above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0011] To solve the above problem, a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a cell assembly including a plurality of battery cells; a module case configured to accommodate the cell assembly; and a thermally conductive adhesive interposed between the cell assembly and the module case, the thermally conductive adhesive being configured such that a heat transfer inhibition section in which at least a portion of the adhesive is thermally decomposed at a reference temperature is gradually expanded.

[0012] The above battery cell is provided as a pouch-type battery cell, and is configured to be laminated face to face so that the side from which the electrode lead is not drawn faces downward, and the thermally conductive adhesive may be provided at the bottom of the cell assembly.

[0013] The above module case may have a venting hole on the upper surface configured to discharge venting gas generated from the battery cell.

[0014] The above thermally conductive adhesive is used as a heat transfer path for cooling the battery cell in a normal state, and when a thermal event occurs, the heat transfer suppression section can be configured to expand to block the heat transfer path between adjacent battery cells.

[0015] The above heat transfer suppression section may be configured to gradually expand along the stacking direction of the plurality of battery cells.

[0016] The above heat transfer suppression section may be configured to gradually expand along the length direction of the battery cell.

[0017] Each of the above battery cells has an electrode lead, and the heat transfer suppression section can be configured to gradually expand along the direction in which the electrode lead is drawn out.

[0018] In addition, the present invention provides a battery pack characterized by including a battery module according to the present invention.

[0019] A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a pack case configured to accommodate a plurality of battery modules, and a pack thermally conductive adhesive interposed between the module case and the pack case, the pack thermally conductive adhesive being configured to gradually expand a heat transfer inhibition section in which at least a portion of the thermally decomposed portion is thermally decomposed at a reference temperature.

[0020] The above heat transfer suppression section may be configured to gradually expand along the arrangement direction of the plurality of battery modules.

[0021] The pack case has a plurality of accommodation spaces configured to accommodate a plurality of the battery modules, and the pack thermally conductive adhesive can be provided in each of the accommodation spaces.

[0022] The heat transfer suppression section within the above-described receiving space may be configured to extend to another adjacent receiving space.

[0023] And, the present invention provides an automobile characterized by including a battery pack according to the present invention.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in a battery module or battery pack comprising a plurality of battery cells in a stacked configuration, the battery cells or battery modules can be cooled smoothly under normal conditions. Furthermore, when thermal runaway occurs in the battery module, the heat transfer path to adjacent battery cells or battery modules can be blocked.

[0025] In particular, according to one embodiment of the present invention, when a battery module experiences an abnormal condition, high-temperature gases or flames generated from a battery cell can be minimized from reaching adjacent battery modules, effectively preventing or delaying the spread of thermal runaway between modules. This ensures the safety and reliability of the battery module.

[0026] Accordingly, according to these aspects of the present invention, events resulting from thermal runaway of a battery pack including a plurality of battery modules or a device equipped with the same, such as fire or explosion, can be prevented or delayed.

[0027] In addition, the present invention may have various other effects, which will be described in each embodiment configuration, or an explanation of effects that can be easily inferred by a person skilled in the art will be omitted.

[0028] 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.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. For example, Fig. 3 may be a drawing illustrating cross-section I-I' of Fig. 1.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a thermally conductive adhesive that is at least partially thermally decomposed when a thermal event occurs in a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a heat transfer suppression zone that gradually expands when a thermal event occurs in a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a thermally conductive adhesive that is at least partially thermally decomposed when a thermal event occurs in a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating a heat transfer suppression zone that gradually expands when a thermal event occurs in a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating a heat transfer suppression zone that gradually expands when a thermal event occurs in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] Furthermore, the present invention includes various embodiments. For each embodiment, redundant descriptions of substantially identical or similar components will be omitted, and the differences will be described.

[0043] Meanwhile, in the present invention, terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back may be used, but it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms are only for convenience of explanation and may vary depending on the location of the target object or the location of the observer.

[0044] For example, in an embodiment of the present invention, the X-axis direction shown in the drawing may mean the left-right direction, i.e., the stacking direction of the battery cells, the Y-axis direction may mean the front-back direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction and the horizontal plane (XY plane), i.e., the length direction of the battery cells, and the Z-axis direction may mean the up-down direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, i.e., the height direction of the battery cells.

[0045]

[0046] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example, FIG. 3 may be a view showing a cross-section taken along line I-I' of FIG. 1. In addition, FIG. 4 is a view explaining a thermally conductive adhesive that is at least partially thermally decomposed when a thermal event occurs in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. And, FIG. 5 is a view explaining a heat transfer suppression section that gradually expands when a thermal event occurs in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a battery module (10) according to the present invention includes a cell assembly (100), a module case (200), and a thermally conductive adhesive (300).

[0048] A cell assembly (100) may include one or more battery cells (110), particularly a plurality of battery cells (110). Here, each battery cell (110) may refer to a single secondary battery or may refer to a battery group comprising multiple secondary batteries. In this specification, the description will be based on the assumption that a battery cell (110) represents a single secondary battery.

[0049] A plurality of battery cells (110) may include an electrode assembly, a cell case that accommodates the electrode assembly, and an electrode lead (111) that is connected to the electrode assembly and extends outward from the cell case to function as an electrode terminal.

[0050] The electrode leads (111) may be provided as a pair, and the pair of electrode leads (111) may be extended from both ends of the battery cell (110), i.e., in the longitudinal direction (±Y direction). At this time, the pair of electrode leads (111) may be a positive lead and a negative lead. If necessary, the battery cell (110) may have a form in which the two electrode leads (111) are positioned only at one end in the Y-axis direction, for example, only at the end in the +Y-axis direction.

[0051] At this time, the shape of the battery case can be configured in various ways, and depending on the shape of the battery case, the battery cell (110) can be classified into a pouch-shaped cell, a cylindrical cell, a square cell, etc. Since the types of these battery cells (110) were widely known at the time of filing of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The present invention can be applied to all types of secondary batteries known at the time of filing of the present invention, and is not limited to a specific type of secondary battery.

[0052] In the cell assembly (100), a plurality of battery cells (110) may be configured in a form in which they are stacked in at least one direction. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of battery cells (110) may be stacked in a form in which they are arranged in a horizontal direction, particularly in the left-right direction (X-axis direction). In addition, a plurality of battery cells (110) provided in the cell assembly (100) may be electrically connected to each other in series and / or in parallel through a bus bar (not illustrated) or the like.

[0053] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 2, the module case (200) may be configured to accommodate a cell assembly (100). Specifically, a receiving space may be formed in the module case (200), and the cell assembly (100) may be configured to be accommodated in the receiving space.

[0054] For example, the module case (200) may have a case body (210), a top plate (220), and an end plate (230) to define a receiving space. Then, the cell assembly (100) may be positioned in this limited receiving space. The module case (200) may be at least partially composed of metal and / or plastic materials.

[0055] At least some of the various plate-shaped members constituting the module case (200) may be configured in an integrated form. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the module case (200) may include a case body (210) in a U-frame shape in which a lower plate (210a), a left plate, and a right plate (210b) are integrated with each other, and a top plate (220) and an end plate (230) may be configured to cover or seal the upper, front, and rear of the case body (210).

[0056] At this time, various fastening methods such as welding, bonding, bolting, and hooking can be used to secure the connection between the top plate (220) and the end plate (230) and the case body (210).

[0057] Alternatively, the module case (200) may be manufactured in a monoframe form in which the top plate (220) and the case body (210) are integrated with each other. Alternatively, the module case (200) may be configured in a form in which each plate is manufactured separately and then joined and fixed through welding or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to a specific material or form of the module case (200).

[0058] The thermally conductive adhesive (300) may be interposed between the cell assembly (100) and the module case (200). For example, referring to FIG. 2, the thermally conductive adhesive (300) may be provided between one side of the cell assembly (100), for example, the lower portion of the cell assembly (100) and the lower surface (210a) of the module case (200).

[0059] Meanwhile, although the various drawings of this specification have been described with a focus on a configuration in which the thermally conductive adhesive (300) is positioned on the lower side of the battery module (10), the thermally conductive adhesive (300) may be positioned on other sides, such as the upper side of the battery module (10). In addition, the thermally conductive adhesive (300) may be positioned on two or more sides of the battery module (10). For example, the thermally conductive adhesive (300) may be applied to the upper side and the lower side of the cell assembly (100), respectively.

[0060] The thermally conductive adhesive (300) may be configured to transfer heat between the cell assembly (100) and the module case (200). The battery cell (110) may generate heat during use, and if this heat is not properly discharged, the performance of the battery cell (110) cannot be reliably guaranteed, and in severe cases, it may lead to thermal runaway, ignition, explosion, etc. of the battery cell. In this regard, the heat generated in the battery cell (110) needs to be properly discharged to the outside through the module case (200). At this time, the thermally conductive adhesive (300) may ensure good heat transfer between the battery cell (110) and the module case (200), thereby stably securing cooling performance for the battery module (10).

[0061] The thermally conductive adhesive (300) may include a material capable of transmitting heat. In particular, the thermally conductive adhesive (300) may be made of a resin material, and in this case, the thermally conductive adhesive (300) may be referred to as a thermal resin. The thermally conductive adhesive (300) may include at least one of various materials, such as urethane, silicone, epoxy, etc. The thermally conductive adhesive (300) may be expressed by other terms such as TIM (Thermal Interface Material), potting resin, etc., and as the material of the thermally conductive adhesive (300) of the battery module (10) according to the present invention, various thermally conductive adhesives or TIMs known at the time of filing of the present invention may be used.

[0062] The thermally conductive adhesive (300) may be interposed between all battery cells (110) provided in the cell assembly (100) and the module case (200). That is, the thermally conductive adhesive (300) may be configured to be in direct contact with all battery cells (110) included in the cell assembly (100). According to this embodiment of the present invention, heat dissipation through the thermally conductive adhesive (300) can be achieved for all battery cells (110) included in the battery module (10). Therefore, the overall cooling performance of the battery module (10) can be further improved.

[0063] In addition, the thermally conductive adhesive (300) may be configured to fix the cell assembly (100) to the module case (200). To this end, the thermally conductive adhesive (300) may include an adhesive component. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, when the thermally conductive adhesive (300) is positioned at the bottom of the cell assembly (100), the thermally conductive adhesive (300) may adhesively fix the lower side of the cell assembly (100) to the lower surface (210a) of the module case (200).

[0064] Such thermally conductive adhesive (300) can be applied to the lower surface (210a) of the module case (200) before the cell assembly (100) is accommodated in the module case (200) and then cured over time.

[0065] Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 , the thermally conductive adhesive (300) may be configured to be thermally decomposed at least in part at a reference temperature. That is, the thermally conductive adhesive (300) may be thermally decomposed when a thermal event occurs in a battery cell (110). Thermal decomposition refers to a reaction in which weak bonds are broken when heat is applied to a material to activate molecules. When a thermally conductive adhesive (300) made of an organic compound such as a thermal resin is thermally decomposed, its thermal conductivity may be reduced.

[0066] At this time, the reference temperature may mean the temperature at which a thermal event occurs in the battery cell (110) and the thermally conductive adhesive (300) begins to thermally decompose. For example, the reference temperature may be set higher than the normal operating temperature of the battery cell (110). The normal operating temperature of the battery cell (110) may mean the temperature when a thermal event does not occur in the battery cell (110). In addition, the normal operating temperature of the battery cell (110) may mean the temperature at which the battery cell (110) is repeatedly charged and discharged. For example, the normal operating temperature of the battery cell (110) may be approximately 60 degrees. In addition, the reference temperature may be set lower than the self-heating temperature of the battery cell (110).

[0067] The portion where the thermally conductive adhesive (300) is thermally decomposed may be defined as a heat transfer inhibition section (S). Referring to FIG. 5, this heat transfer inhibition section (S) may be configured to gradually expand. That is, the portion where the thermally conductive adhesive (300) is thermally decomposed and the thermal conductivity is reduced may gradually expand. The length or volume of the thermally conductive adhesive (300) that is thermally decomposed may gradually increase. The heat transfer inhibition section (S) may be configured to start from a portion that comes into contact with a battery cell (110) where a thermal event has occurred and gradually expand to an adjacent portion as heat is conducted to an adjacent battery cell (110). The heat transfer inhibition section (S) may expand along the horizontal direction in which the thermally conductive adhesive (300) is applied.

[0068] That is, the thermally conductive adhesive (300) is used as a heat transfer path for cooling the battery cell (110) in a normal state, and when a thermal event occurs, the heat transfer suppression section (S) can be configured to expand to block the heat transfer path between adjacent battery cells (110).

[0069] In particular, as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the heat transfer suppression section (S) can be configured to gradually expand along the stacking direction (X-axis direction) of the plurality of battery cells (110).

[0070] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, cooling of the cell assembly (100) can be smoothly achieved under normal conditions. In addition, when thermal runaway of the battery module (10) occurs, heat can be prevented from being transferred to adjacent battery cells (110) or battery modules (10) through the thermally conductive adhesive (300).

[0071] Accordingly, according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, when a battery module (10) experiences an abnormal situation, the high-temperature gas or flame generated in the battery cell (110) can be minimized from spreading to other adjacent battery modules (10), thereby effectively preventing or delaying the propagation of thermal runaway in each battery module (10). As a result, the safety and reliability of the battery module (10) can be guaranteed.

[0072] In particular, as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the battery cells (110) may be provided as pouch-type battery cells and may be configured to be stacked face to face so that the side surface (the surface without a sealing portion) from which the electrode leads (111) are not drawn out faces downward. At this time, each battery cell (110) may have its sealing portion facing forward and backward (Y-axis direction) and upward (+Z-axis direction), and its storage portion facing left and right (X-axis direction).

[0073] The thermally conductive adhesive (300) may be provided at the bottom of the cell assembly (100). That is, as in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5, the thermally conductive adhesive (300) may be configured to be interposed only at the bottom of the cell assembly (100) to fix the bottom of the cell assembly (100).

[0074] Meanwhile, the module case (200) may be provided with a venting hole (H). The venting hole (H) may be configured to allow venting gas generated from the battery cell (110) to be discharged to the outside. Directional venting in one direction may be possible by the venting hole (H). A plurality of venting holes (H) may be provided, and may be provided at regular intervals in the horizontal direction (X-axis, Y-axis direction).

[0075] For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, a venting hole (H) may be formed on the upper surface of the module case (200). Accordingly, directional venting of the battery module (10) toward the top may be possible through the venting hole (H) formed on the upper surface of the module case (200).

[0076] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, in a situation where one of the battery cells (110) undergoes thermal runaway and generates gas, etc., the gas, etc. can be quickly directionally vented in a specific direction. As a result, the venting gas or flame generated inside the battery module (10) can be smoothly discharged to the outside of the battery module (10), so that the propagation of thermal runaway between the battery modules (10) can be effectively prevented or delayed.

[0077]

[0078] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a thermally conductive adhesive that is at least partially thermally decomposed when a thermal event occurs in a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating a heat transfer inhibition section that is gradually expanded when a thermal event occurs in a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the heat transfer suppression section (S) may be configured to gradually expand along the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the battery cell (110). The heat transfer suppression section (S) may expand not only along the stacking direction of the battery cell (110) but also along the longitudinal direction of the battery cell (110). In particular, the heat transfer suppression section (S) may be configured to gradually expand along the direction in which the electrode lead (111) is drawn out.

[0080] If a thermal event occurs in a battery cell (110) and venting gas or flames are generated, there is a high possibility that they will be ejected toward the sealing portion of the battery cell (110) where the electrode lead (111) is located. According to the above-described exemplary configuration of the present invention, as in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, even if a thermal event occurs in the battery cell (110) and flames or sparks are generated in the electrode lead (111) provided on one side of the battery cell (110), the heat of the gas or flames can be suppressed or blocked from being transferred to the electrode lead (111) provided on the other side as the heat transfer suppression section (S) expands along the direction in which the electrode lead (111) is drawn out.

[0081] Accordingly, it is possible to prevent thermal damage or structural collapse of components located at both ends of the battery module (10), such as adjacent components of the end plate (230) or busbar frame (not shown). In addition, it is possible to minimize heat transmission to adjacent battery modules (10) due to flames, etc. emitted to the outside through the end plate (230).

[0082]

[0083] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating a heat transfer suppression section that gradually expands when a thermal event occurs in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] Referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, a battery pack (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery modules (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention as described above.

[0085] In addition, the battery pack (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a pack case (2). The pack case (2) may be configured to accommodate a plurality of battery modules (10). The pack case (2) may have a plurality of accommodation spaces (PS) configured to accommodate a plurality of battery modules (10), respectively. The plurality of battery modules (10) may be arranged along a plurality of columns and rows within the pack case (2). The pack case (2) may be configured to accommodate a plurality of battery modules (10).

[0086] The pack case (2) may be formed in a rectangular box shape. More specifically, the pack case (2) may include a base frame (21), a side frame (22), a cross beam (23), and a pack lid (24).

[0087] The above base frame (21) can form the lower surface of the pack case (2) and can be provided in an approximately square plate shape. In addition, the base frame (21) can be provided with a flat upper surface so that a plurality of battery modules (10) can be stably installed.

[0088] The above side frame (22) may extend upward from each corner of the base frame (21). The side frame (22) may be provided with a plurality of unit walls so as to surround the battery module (10). More specifically, the side frame (22) may include a rear wall located at the +Y direction side end of the base frame (21), a right wall located at the -X direction side end, a front wall located at the -Y direction side end, and a left wall located at the +X direction side end to form a side of the pack case (2).

[0089] The cross beam (23) may be configured to partition between a plurality of battery modules (10). That is, the cross beam (23) may be configured to partition a plurality of receiving spaces (PS). For example, the cross beam (23) may be formed in the form of a partition wall that extends long in the left-right direction, and may be interposed between battery modules (10) that are adjacently arranged in the front-rear direction. In addition, the cross beam (23) may be formed in the form of a partition wall that extends long in the front-rear direction, and may be interposed between battery modules (10) that are adjacently arranged in the left-right direction.

[0090] The above pack lid (24) may be configured to cover the upper portion of a plurality of battery modules (10). The pack lid (24) may be provided to be coupled to the upper portion of the side frame (22) to form the upper surface of the pack case (2).

[0091] Additionally, although not shown in the drawing, the pack case (2) may be configured to accommodate components such as a BMS (Battery Management System), a current sensor, and a fuse for integrated control of charging and discharging of one or more battery cells (110) therein.

[0092] Meanwhile, the battery pack (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a pack thermally conductive adhesive (3). The pack thermally conductive adhesive (3) may be made of the same material as the thermally conductive adhesive (300) with only a different location. That is, the pack thermally conductive adhesive (3) may also be configured to transfer heat between the battery module (10) and the pack case (2), and to secure the battery module (10) to the pack case (2).

[0093] The pack thermally conductive adhesive (3) may be interposed between the module case (200) and the pack case (2). For example, referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, the pack thermally conductive adhesive (3) may be provided between the lower surface (210a) of the battery module (10) and the base frame (21) of the pack case (2). That is, the thermally conductive adhesive (300) may be provided on the inside of the battery module (10), and the pack thermally conductive adhesive (3) may be provided on the outside of the battery module (10).

[0094] Additionally, the pack thermally conductive adhesive (3) may be provided within each receiving space (PS). That is, the pack thermally conductive adhesive (3) may be provided for each of a plurality of battery modules (10). Accordingly, the pack thermally conductive adhesive (3) may be arranged along a plurality of columns and rows.

[0095] And, referring to FIG. 10, the pack thermally conductive adhesive (3) may be configured such that at least a portion thereof is thermally decomposed at a reference temperature. In addition, the pack thermally conductive adhesive (3) may be configured such that the heat transfer inhibition section (S) gradually expands. Accordingly, the sections (S1, S2) may start from the battery module (10) where the thermal event occurred and gradually expand to the adjacent battery module (10) as heat is conducted to the adjacent battery module (10).

[0096] The heat transfer suppression sections (S1, S2) may extend along the horizontal direction in which the pack thermally conductive adhesive (3) is applied. In addition, the heat transfer suppression sections (S1, S2) may be configured to gradually extend along the arrangement direction of the plurality of battery modules (10). In particular, referring to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, the heat transfer suppression sections (S1, S2) within a certain receiving space (PS1) may be configured to extend to another adjacent receiving space (PS2). That is, the heat transfer suppression sections (S1, S2) may extend beyond the cross beam (23) to another receiving space (PS).

[0097] More specifically, when a thermal event occurs in a battery cell (110) of a battery module (10A), heat can be sequentially transferred along a thermally conductive adhesive (300) provided on the side of the battery cell (110), a pack thermally conductive adhesive (3) provided on the outside of the battery module (10A), a pack thermally conductive adhesive (3) provided on the outside of an adjacent battery module (10B), a thermally conductive adhesive (300) provided on the inside of the adjacent battery module (10B), and a battery cell (110) of the adjacent battery module (10B).

[0098] However, according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, when a thermal event occurs in a battery cell (110) of a battery module (10A), the thermally conductive adhesive (300) intervening on the side of the battery cell (110) is thermally decomposed to form a heat transfer suppression section (S1, S2), and the heat transfer suppression section (S1, S2) can gradually expand toward the side of the adjacent battery module (10B).

[0099] Accordingly, according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, cooling of the battery module (10) can be smoothly achieved in a normal state. In addition, when thermal runaway of the battery module (10) occurs, heat can be prevented from being transferred to the adjacent battery module (10) through the pack thermally conductive adhesive (3).

[0100] Accordingly, when a battery module (10) experiences an abnormal condition, the high temperature gas or flame generated in the battery module (10) can be minimized from spreading to other adjacent battery modules (10), thereby effectively preventing or delaying the propagation of thermal runaway in the battery pack (1). As a result, the safety and reliability of the battery pack (1) can be guaranteed.

[0101]

[0102] Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] Referring to FIG. 11, a vehicle (V) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery packs (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle (V) according to the present invention may be, for example, an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The vehicle (V) may include a four-wheel vehicle and a two-wheel vehicle. The vehicle (V) may operate by receiving power from a battery pack (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0104]

[0105] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is obvious that various modifications and variations can be made within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims to be described below by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

Claims

1. A cell assembly comprising a plurality of battery cells; a module case configured to accommodate the above cell assembly; and A battery module characterized by including a thermally conductive adhesive interposed between the cell assembly and the module case, the thermally conductive adhesive being configured to gradually expand a heat transfer inhibition section in which at least a portion of the thermally decomposed section is thermally decomposed at a reference temperature.

2. In paragraph 1, The above battery cell is provided as a pouch-type battery cell, and is configured by being stacked face to face so that the side from which the electrode lead is not drawn faces downward. A battery module characterized in that the thermally conductive adhesive is provided at the lower portion of the cell assembly.

3. In paragraph 1, A battery module characterized in that the module case has a venting hole on the upper surface configured to discharge venting gas generated from the battery cell.

4. In paragraph 1, A battery module characterized in that the thermally conductive adhesive is used as a heat transfer path for cooling the battery cell in a normal state, and when a thermal event occurs, the heat transfer suppression section is expanded to block the heat transfer path between adjacent battery cells.

5. In paragraph 1, A battery module characterized in that the heat transfer suppression section is configured to gradually expand along the stacking direction of the plurality of battery cells.

6. In paragraph 1, A battery module characterized in that the heat transfer suppression section is configured to gradually expand along the longitudinal direction of the battery cell.

7. In paragraph 1, Each of the above battery cells has an electrode lead, A battery module characterized in that the heat transfer suppression section is configured to gradually expand along the direction in which the electrode lead is drawn out.

8. A battery pack comprising a battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. In paragraph 8, A pack case configured to accommodate a plurality of the above battery modules, A battery pack further comprising a pack thermally conductive adhesive interposed between the module case and the pack case and configured such that a heat transfer inhibition section in which at least a portion of the heat is thermally decomposed at a reference temperature is gradually expanded.

10. In paragraph 9, A battery pack characterized in that the heat transfer suppression section is configured to gradually expand along the arrangement direction of the plurality of battery modules.

11. In paragraph 9, The above pack case has a plurality of accommodation spaces configured to accommodate a plurality of the above battery modules, A battery pack, characterized in that the above pack thermally conductive adhesive is provided in each of the above receiving spaces.

12. In paragraph 11, A battery pack characterized in that the heat transfer suppression section within the above-described receiving space is configured to extend to another adjacent above-described receiving space.

13. A vehicle comprising a battery pack according to any one of paragraphs 8 to 12.

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