Battery pack

Abstract

A battery pack (10) comprises: a battery module (100) (battery cell); a housing (200) that accommodates the battery module (100); a gas releasing portion (300) provided in the housing (200); and a partition plate (400) provided between the gas releasing portion (300) and the battery module (100), the partition plate (400) being separated from the housing (200) and covering the gas releasing portion (300).

Description

Battery pack

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, battery packs have been developed for use in a variety of applications, such as automobiles, etc. A battery pack includes at least one battery module and a housing that houses the at least one module.

[0003] Examples of battery packs are described in Patent Documents 1 to 3. In these battery packs, the housing has a filter structure that filters out sparks generated together with gas from the battery module.

[0004] Chinese Utility Model No. 219067137 Chinese Utility Model No. 217062397 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-508957

[0005] For example, as described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, a filter structure filters out sparks that are generated along with the gas, but if the sparks pass through the pressure release valve and escape to the outside of the battery pack, it can be difficult to suppress the impact on other components.

[0006] One example of an object of the present invention is to prevent sparks generated along with the gas from escaping to the outside when the gas is discharged from the container. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification.

[0007] An aspect of the present invention is as follows: 1. A battery pack (also referred to as a battery unit) having a battery cell (also referred to as a battery module), a housing (also referred to as a housing) that houses the battery cell, a gas release section provided in the housing, and a protective member that is provided between the gas release section and the battery cell, is spaced from the housing (more specifically, the gas release section), and covers the gas release section. 2. The battery pack described in 1., in which the gas release section has a through-hole and a release valve (also referred to as a pressure release valve) that closes the through-hole. 3. The battery pack described in 1. or 2., in which the protective member has a plate-shaped member. 4. The battery pack described in 1. or 2., in which the protective member has a structure in which a plurality of plate-shaped members are arranged alternately. 5. The battery pack described in 1. or 2., in which the protective member has a buffer region. 6. The battery pack described in 1. or 2., in which the protective member is supported on the inner surface of the housing. 7. The battery pack described in 1., in which the protective member is formed using metal. Or the battery pack according to 2.

[0008] According to the above aspect of the present invention, when gas is discharged from the container, sparks generated along with the gas are prevented from escaping to the outside.

[0009] 3 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a plan view of a state in which an upper case is removed from the battery pack according to an embodiment; FIG. 5 is a plan view of a portion of the battery pack according to an embodiment; FIG. 6 is an inner side view of a side frame as seen from arrow A in FIG. 3; FIG. 7 is an inner side view of a side frame as seen from arrow B in FIG. 3; FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the battery pack taken along line CC in FIG. 3; FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the battery pack taken along line DD in FIG. 3; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the basic structure of a partition plate according to an embodiment; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the basic structure of a partition plate according to a first modified embodiment; FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the basic structure of a partition plate according to a second modified embodiment; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the basic structure of a partition plate according to a third modified embodiment;

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, similar components are designated by similar reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack 10 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the battery pack 10 according to an embodiment with an upper case 220 removed.

[0012] In the embodiment, the battery pack 10 is mounted, for example, on an automobile. Specifically, the battery pack 10 is mounted between the front and rear wheels of the automobile. Unless otherwise specified, the following description will be given assuming that the battery pack 10 is mounted on an automobile. However, the battery pack 10 can also be used for purposes other than automobiles.

[0013] For the purpose of explanation, the X, Y, and Z directions are shown in each figure. The X direction indicates the front-to-rear direction of the battery pack 10. The Y direction is perpendicular to the X direction. The Y direction indicates the left-to-right direction of the battery pack 10. The Z direction is perpendicular to both the X and Y directions. The Z direction indicates the up-to-down direction of the battery pack 10. The arrows pointing to the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction indicate the front, left, and up directions of the battery pack 10, respectively. In FIG. 2, the white circle with a black dot indicating the Z direction indicates that the arrow pointing to the Z direction extends from the back of the page to the front. However, the relationship between the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction and the front-to-rear direction, left-to-right direction, and up-to-down direction of the battery pack 10 is not limited to this example.

[0014] In the embodiment, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the battery pack 10 are determined by the vehicle in which the battery pack 10 is mounted. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction respectively indicate the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the vehicle. The arrow pointing to the X direction, the arrow pointing to the Y direction, and the arrow pointing to the Z direction respectively indicate the front, left, and up directions of the vehicle. However, the relationship between the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the battery pack 10 and the front-rear direction, left-right, and up-down directions of the vehicle is not limited to this example.

[0015] Hereinafter, the direction perpendicular to the Z direction will be referred to as the horizontal direction, as necessary.

[0016] The battery pack 10 includes four battery modules 100 and a housing 200. The four battery modules 100 include a pair of battery modules 100 on the left side aligned in the X direction and a pair of battery modules 100 on the right side aligned in the X direction. The housing 200 has a lower case 210 and an upper case 220. The lower case 210 may also be generally referred to as, for example, a tray or a main body. The lower case 210 includes a lower plate 212 and a side frame 214. The upper case 220 may also be generally referred to as, for example, a cover or a lid.

[0017] Each battery module 100 has a plurality of battery cells stacked in a horizontal direction. For example, each battery module 100 has a plurality of battery cell groups connected in series, each of which includes a plurality of battery cells connected in parallel. Alternatively, each battery module 100 may have a plurality of single battery cells connected in series.

[0018] A pair of terminals 110 is provided in front of the side frame 214. The pair of terminals 110 is arranged substantially parallel to one another in the Y direction. The front end of each terminal 110 protrudes forward from the front surface of the side frame 214. In the electrical path, the four battery modules 100 are connected in series between the pair of terminals 110.

[0019] The lower case 210 and the upper case 220 are attached to each other via a sealant 230. The lower case 210, the upper case 220, and the sealant 230 form an accommodation space 250. The accommodation space 250 accommodates four battery modules 100.

[0020] The lower plate 212 defines the bottom of the accommodation space 250. The side frames 214 define the sides of the accommodation space 250. Specifically, when viewed from the Z direction, the side frames 214 are provided along the outermost periphery of the lower plate 212. The upper case 220 defines the top of the accommodation space 250.

[0021] The sealing material 230 is an elastic material such as rubber. When viewed from the Z direction, the sealing material 230 is provided around the entire periphery of the side frame 214. As a result, when viewed from the Z direction, the sealing material 230 surrounds the storage space 250. Therefore, the sealing material 230 can seal the storage space 250 from the space outside the housing 200.

[0022] The number and arrangement of the battery modules are not limited to the examples according to the embodiments, and for example, the number of battery modules 100 may be only two, only three, or five or more.

[0023] Fig. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the battery pack 10 according to the embodiment. Fig. 4 is an inner side view of the side frame 214 as seen from the arrow A in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an inner side view of the side frame 214 as seen from the arrow B in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the battery pack 10 taken along line CC in Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the battery pack 10 taken along line DD in Fig. 3. For ease of explanation, Figs. 3, 6, and 7 do not show the battery module 100 accommodated in the accommodation space 250.

[0024] 6 and 7, the fastening structure between the lower plate 212 and the side frame 214 and the fastening structure between the lower plate 212 and the upper case 220 will be described.

[0025] 6 , the outer periphery of the lower plate 212 and the lower part of the side frame 214 are fastened to each other by lower bolts 242. For example, the lower bolts 242 are fastened to nuts provided on the side frame 214. In the embodiment, a plurality of lower bolts 242 are provided around the entire circumference of the side frame 214 when viewed from the Z direction. However, the number of lower bolts 242 provided around the entire circumference of the side frame 214 may be only one. The fasteners that fasten the lower plate 212 and the side frame 214 to each other are not limited to the lower bolts 242. Examples of such fasteners include not only bolts but also screws.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 6 , the upper portion of the side frame 214 and the outer periphery of the upper case 220 are fastened to each other by upper bolts 244 via a sealant 230. In the example shown in Fig. 6 , the upper bolts 244 penetrate the sealant 230 substantially parallel to the Z direction. For example, the upper bolts 244 are fastened to nuts provided on the side frame 214. In the embodiment, a plurality of upper bolts 244 are provided around the entire circumference of the side frame 214 as viewed from the Z direction. However, the number of upper bolts 244 provided around the entire circumference of the side frame 214 may be only one. The fastener that fastens the side frame 214 and the upper case 220 to each other is not limited to the upper bolts 244. Examples of the fastener include not only bolts but also screws.

[0027] The side frame 214 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 7. The side frame 214 defines a central internal space 260, a lower internal space 262, an upper internal space 264, a plurality of large communication holes 270L, and a plurality of small communication holes 270S. As shown in Figures 3 and 7, a plurality of gas release sections 300 are provided on the outer surface of the side frame 214. Each gas release section 300 has a through-hole 290 provided in the side frame 214 and a pressure release valve 280 arranged to close the through-hole 290.

[0028] 6 and 7 , the central internal space 260 is located approximately at the center of the side frame 214 in the Z direction. When viewed from the Z direction, the central internal space 260 extends around at least a portion of the entire circumference of the side frame 214. In this embodiment, when viewed from the Z direction, the central internal space 260 extends continuously between the region indicated by arrow A on the side frame 214 and the region indicated by arrow B on the side frame 214. In this embodiment, when viewed from the Z direction, the central internal space 260 may be partially interrupted except between the region indicated by arrow A on the side frame 214 and the region indicated by arrow B on the side frame 214.

[0029] The accommodation space 250 and the central internal space 260 are in communication with each other via a plurality of large communication holes 270L and a plurality of small communication holes 270S. The central internal space 260 allows gas generated from the accommodation space 250 to pass through. For example, under certain conditions, such as charging and discharging of the battery module 100, high-temperature gas may be generated from the battery module 100. The central internal space 260 allows, for example, the high-temperature gas generated from the accommodation space 250 to pass through. However, examples of gases that the central internal space 260 allows to pass through are not limited to the high-temperature gas.

[0030] Gas generated from the storage space 250 enters the central internal space 260 through the multiple large communication holes 270L and the multiple small communication holes 270S. The size of each small communication hole 270S as viewed from the arrow B in FIG. 3 is smaller than the size of each large communication hole 270L as viewed from the arrow A in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, each large communication hole 270L has a substantially rectangular shape as viewed from the arrow A. As shown in FIG. 5, each small communication hole 270S has a substantially rectangular shape as viewed from the arrow B. However, the shapes of each large communication hole 270L and each small communication hole 270S are not limited to this example. When the pressure inside the central internal space 260 exceeds a certain value due to factors such as gas generation from the storage space 250, each pressure release valve 280 operates, and the gas is discharged to the external space through each pressure release valve 280. In this manner, the pressure release valve 280 functions as a gas discharge unit. The gas exhaust section that exhausts the gas passing through the central internal space 260 to the external space is not limited to the pressure release valve 280 .

[0031] Inside the housing 200, i.e., in the housing space 250, a partition plate 400 is provided between the gas release section 300 (through-hole 290, pressure release valve 280) and the battery pack 10, at a position a predetermined distance away from the housing 200. Covering the gas release section 300 means that the gas release section 300 is hidden by the partition plate 400 when viewed from the inside. As shown in the figure, the partition plate 400 and the side frame 214 are spaced apart, allowing high-temperature gas to pass through. The partition plate 400 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11 .

[0032] 6 and 7 , the lower internal space 262 is located below the central internal space 260. In this embodiment, the lower internal space 262 is a hollow space. Therefore, the lower internal space 262 can function as a cooling structure that cools the gas passing through the central internal space 260. This makes it possible to suppress the temperature of the gas discharged from the pressure release valve 280 via the central internal space 260. Furthermore, when the lower internal space 262 is a hollow space, the weight of the side frame 214 can be reduced compared to when the lower internal space 262 is solid.

[0033] As shown in Figure 6, the tip of the lower bolt 242 is inserted into the lower internal space 262. The central internal space 260 and the lower internal space 262 are physically separated from each other via a lower partition wall 266 around at least a portion of the entire circumference of the side frame 214. This makes it possible to reduce the influence of high-temperature gas passing through the central internal space 260 on the tip of the lower bolt 242. The lower partition wall 266 may be partially discontinued around the entire circumference of the side frame 214. For example, the lower partition wall 266 may be provided in a region that overlaps with the lower bolt 242 in the Z direction, and may not be provided in at least a portion of a region that does not overlap with the lower bolt 242 in the Z direction.

[0034] The lower internal space 262 may be solidified with a refrigerant such as a liquid. In this case, the lower internal space 262 can also function as a cooling structure that cools the gas passing through the central internal space 260. Note that the cooling structure is not limited to the lower internal space 262.

[0035] 6 and 7 , the upper internal space 264 is located above the central internal space 260. In this embodiment, the upper internal space 264 is a hollow space. Therefore, the upper internal space 264 can function as a cooling structure that cools the gas passing through the central internal space 260. This makes it possible to suppress the temperature of the gas discharged from the pressure release valve 280 via the central internal space 260. Like the lower internal space 262, the upper internal space 264 may be made solid by filling it with a refrigerant such as a liquid.

[0036] 6 , the tip of the upper bolt 244 is inserted into the upper internal space 264. The central internal space 260 and the upper internal space 264 are physically separated from each other via an upper partition wall 268 over at least a portion of the entire circumference of the side frame 214. This makes it possible to reduce the influence of high-temperature gas passing through the central internal space 260 on the tip of the upper bolt 244. The upper partition wall 268 may be partially discontinued over the entire circumference of the side frame 214. For example, the upper partition wall 268 may be provided in a region that overlaps with the upper bolt 244 in the Z direction, and may not be provided in at least a portion of a region that does not overlap with the upper bolt 244 in the Z direction.

[0037] The cross sections of the central internal space 260, the lower internal space 262, and the upper internal space 264 are not limited to the examples shown in Figures 6 and 7. The cooling structure described above can be located around at least a portion of the periphery of the central internal space 260. For example, one of the lower internal space 262 and the upper internal space 264 may not exist. Furthermore, the central internal space 260 may be shifted upward or downward from approximately the center of the side frame 214 in the Z direction.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7 , in this embodiment, the length of the central internal space 260 between the pressure release valve 280 and each large communication hole 270L is longer than the length of the central internal space 260 between the pressure release valve 280 and each small communication hole 270S. Under certain conditions, such as charging and discharging of the battery module 100, fine particles may be generated from the battery module 100 along with high-temperature gas. The gas and the fine particles pass through the central internal space 260 together. In this case, the longer the period during which the gas and the fine particles pass through the central internal space 260, the more the fine particles can lower the temperature of the gas. Therefore, the temperature of the gas that enters the central internal space 260 through the large communication hole 270L is more easily lowered by the fine particles than the temperature of the gas that enters the central internal space 260 through the small communication holes 270S.

[0039] In the embodiment, when a relatively large amount of gas is generated from the storage space 250, the gas can be discharged through both the large communication holes 270L and the small communication holes 270S. In this case, due to the difference in size between the large communication holes 270L and the small communication holes 270S, the amount of gas entering the central internal space 260 from the large communication holes 270L can be made greater than the amount of gas entering the central internal space 260 from the small communication holes 270S. Therefore, in the embodiment, the temperature of the gas passing through the central internal space 260 can be efficiently lowered by the above-described fine particles, thereby suppressing the temperature of the gas discharged from the pressure release valve 280.

[0040] In this embodiment, when a relatively small amount of gas is generated in the storage space 250, the gas can be discharged mainly through the small communication hole 270S rather than through the large communication hole 270L. The length of the central internal space 260 from the small communication hole 270S to the pressure release valve 280 is shorter than the length of the central internal space 260 from the large communication hole 270L to the pressure release valve 280. Therefore, in this embodiment, a small amount of gas can be efficiently discharged from the pressure release valve 280 during the initial operation of the pressure release valve 280.

[0041] The communication holes that connect the storage space 250 and the central internal space 260 to each other are not limited to the large communication hole 270L and the small communication hole 270S. For example, the size of the multiple communication holes may all be the same. Furthermore, communication holes may be provided in only one of the area indicated by arrow A in FIG. 3 and the area indicated by arrow B in FIG. 3.

[0042] The gas release section 300 (pressure release valve 280) will be described with reference to FIG.

[0043] The gas release section 300 has a through-hole 290 provided in the side frame 214 and a pressure release valve 280 provided to close the through-hole 290. The pressure release valve 280 has a valve body 281, a lower mounting surface 280a, and an upper mounting surface 280b. The lower mounting surface 280a and the upper mounting surface 280b are attached to the outer surface of the side frame 214 (more specifically, the periphery of the through-hole 290).

[0044] At least a portion of the top and at least a portion of the side of the pressure release valve 280 are covered by an outer cover 282a. At least a portion of the bottom of the pressure release valve 280 is covered by an inner cover 282b. The lower ends of the outer cover 282a and the inner cover 282b define a discharge opening 282c. The discharge opening 282c opens substantially downward from the pressure release valve 280. The valve body 281 is normally biased by a spring to close the through-hole 290 (when the pressure in the accommodation space 250 is normal). When the pressure in the accommodation space 250 increases above a predetermined level due to the generation of gas G, the valve body 281 moves outward (to the right in FIG. 7 , indicated by the dashed line) against the biasing force of the spring, opening the through-hole 290. As a result, the gas G is released to the outside from the discharge opening 282c along the path indicated by the thick dashed line in the figure. The gas G discharged from the pressure release valve 280 is discharged substantially downward from the pressure release valve 280 via the discharge opening 282c.

[0045] The inner cover 282b includes a shielding portion 282b1. At least a portion of the shielding portion 282b1 is located between the lower mounting surface 280a and the discharge opening 282c. Under certain conditions, such as when washing a vehicle in which the battery pack 10 is installed, high-pressure water may be sprayed from outside the housing 200. In the embodiment, even if high-pressure water is sprayed diagonally from below the housing 200 toward the discharge opening 282c, the shielding portion 282b1 can function as a structure that prevents the water from being sprayed directly onto the lower mounting surface 280a.

[0046] The partition plate 400 provided near the gas release section 300 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11. FIG.

[0047] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the basic structure of the partition plate 400, and is a schematic diagram of FIG. 7 focusing on the gas release section 300 and the partition plate 400. The gas release section 300 has a through-hole 290 and a pressure release valve 280. The pressure release valve 280 has a shielding plate 285 that closes the through-hole 290 and guide members (a valve support bar 286 and a valve base 287) that limit the movement of the shielding plate 285 within a predetermined range. The shielding plate 285 is pressed against the side frame 214 by a biasing means such as a spring, and as the pressure inside the housing 200 increases, it moves in a direction that opens the through-hole 290 (i.e., outward direction OUT) in response to the pressure.

[0048] The partition plate 400 is provided inside the housing 200 at a predetermined distance from the gas release section 300 (more specifically, the through-hole 290 and the pressure release valve 280), and is provided so that the entire pressure release valve 280 is hidden when the gas release section 300 is viewed from inside the housing 200. The partition plate 400 may be a part of the configuration of the housing 200 (e.g., a rib extending from and supported by the lower plate 212, the side frame 214, and the upper case 220), or may be a separate component attached to and supported by the housing 200 (e.g., the lower plate 212, the side frame 214, and the upper case 220). In this case, the member supporting the partition plate 400 is configured with an opening or the like, and a structure that does not obstruct the flow of the high-temperature gas HG is adopted. The partition plate 400 is preferably made of metal in order to be subjected to the impact of the high-temperature gas HG. For example, iron or an iron alloy is preferably used, and an aluminum alloy may be used if the temperature of the high-temperature gas HG is not very high.

[0049] The partition plate 400 is a plate-shaped member. The thickness of the partition plate 400 may be constant or may vary. The thickness of the partition plate 400 is set taking into consideration the expected pressure and impact of the high-temperature gas HG. Furthermore, the size of the partition plate 400 is preferably such that the gas release section 300 is sufficiently hidden by the partition plate 400 when viewed from the inside. This is because if the area of ​​the gas release section 300 that is not hidden by the partition plate 400 increases, the rate at which the high-temperature gas HG directly impinges on the gas release section 300 increases.

[0050] The partition plate 400 can prevent the gas (high-temperature gas HG) generated inside the container 200 from directly hitting the pressure release valve 280. In other words, without the partition plate 400, the high-temperature gas HG would hit the gas release part 300 while retaining its high energy.

[0051] However, by providing the partition plate 400, the high-temperature gas HG detours around the partition plate 400 and acts on the gas release section 300 (pressure release valve 280). In other words, the presence of the partition plate 400 reduces the energy of the high-temperature gas HG acting on the pressure release valve 280, and mitigates the impact of the high-temperature gas HG on the pressure release valve 280.

[0052] Furthermore, even if sparks are generated along with the high-temperature gas HG, the sparks disappear or are reduced when the high-temperature gas HG collides with the partition plate 400 or in a detour. As a result, the sparks that pass through the pressure release valve 280 and escape to the outside can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, by providing a fire filter in the gas release section 300, the escape of sparks to the outside can be further reduced. In this case, the size of the fire filter can be reduced.

[0053] The distance between the partition plate 400 and the pressure release valve 280 is determined taking into consideration the rapid pressure release valve 280 and the magnitude of the collision of the high-temperature gas HG with the pressure release valve 280. If the distance is too short, the detour path of the high-temperature gas HG becomes too long, which may excessively suppress the impact on the pressure release valve 280 and hinder the operation of the rapid pressure release valve 280. On the other hand, if the distance between the partition plate 400 and the pressure release valve 280 is too far, depending on the location where the high-temperature gas HG is generated, it is expected that a high proportion of the high-temperature gas HG will directly collide with the pressure release valve 280 without taking much of a detour. Therefore, the distance between the partition plate 400 and the pressure release valve 280 is set taking into consideration the rapid pressure release valve 280 and the magnitude of the collision of the high-temperature gas HG with the pressure release valve 280.

[0054] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a first modification of the partition plate 400. In this modification, the partition plate 400 has multiple members (plate-shaped members). Here, the partition plate 400 has a first partition plate 401 and a second partition plate 402 that are arranged alternately. More specifically, the first partition plate 401 is arranged on the right side as viewed from the inward direction IN and covers the right half of the gas release section 300. The second partition plate 402 is farther from the side frame 214 than the first partition plate 401 and is arranged on the left side as viewed from the inward direction IN (i.e., the direction perpendicular to the side frame 214) and covers the left half of the gas release section 300. When viewed from the inside direction IN, the left edge of the first partition plate 401 and the right edge of the second partition plate 402 are arranged to coincide with each other, but this is not intended to be limiting, and there may be an overlapping area when viewed from the inside direction IN (i.e., the direction perpendicular to the side frame 214). Furthermore, instead of multiple members, multiple pillar-shaped members may be arranged, for example.

[0055] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second modification of the partition plate 400. The partition plate 400 of this second modification has a main body portion 411 and a buffer region 412. The difference from the basic structure of the partition plate 400 of FIG. 8 is the provision of the buffer region 412. The main body portion 411 is a plate-shaped region without through holes or the like. The buffer region 412 is, for example, a region provided with a plurality of small holes that penetrate in the thickness direction. The small holes are provided, for example, as a mesh layer. The buffer region 412 may be made up of a plurality of mesh layers.

[0056] The impact of the high-temperature gas HG is reduced to a certain extent by the buffer region 412. By employing such a configuration, the impact force of the high-temperature gas HG on the pressure release valve 280 is not reduced too much, and rapid operation of the pressure release valve 280 can be ensured, while the buffer region 412 can extinguish sparks. The buffer region 412 is not limited to the above-described multiple small-diameter holes, and various structures can be employed as long as they can reduce the impact force of the high-temperature gas HG within an appropriate range.

[0057] 11 is a diagram illustrating a third modification of the partition plate 400. The partition plate 400 of this third modification has a thin portion 421 and a thick portion 422. That is, the thick portion 422 in the center of the partition plate 400 is thicker than the thin portion 421. This structure makes it possible to selectively strengthen the portion where the impact force of the high-temperature gas HG is stronger.

[0058] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various other configurations can also be adopted.

[0059] The above-described embodiments can be briefly summarized as follows: 1. A battery pack 10 (battery unit) comprising: a battery module 100 (battery cell); a housing 200 (housing) that houses the battery module 100; a gas release section 300 provided in the housing 200; and a partition plate 400 (protective member) that is provided between the gas release section 300 and the battery module 100 (battery cell), is spaced apart from the housing 200 (more specifically, the gas release section 300), and covers the gas release section 300. 2. The battery pack 10 (battery unit) described in 1., wherein the gas release section 300 comprises a through-hole 290 and a pressure release valve 280 that closes the through-hole 290. 3. The battery pack 10 (battery unit) described in 1. or 2., wherein the partition plate 400 is a plate-shaped member. 4. The partition plate 400 has a structure in which a plurality of plate-shaped members are arranged alternately. 5. The battery pack 10 (battery unit) according to 1. or 2., wherein the partition plate 400 has a buffer region 412. 6. The battery pack 10 (battery unit) according to 1. or 2., wherein the protective member (partition plate 400) is supported on the inner surface of the housing (housing body 200). 7. The battery pack 10 (battery unit) according to 1. or 2., wherein the protective member is formed using metal.

[0060] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-035590, filed March 8, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

[0061] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Battery pack (battery unit) 100 Battery module 110 Terminal 200 Housing 210 Lower case 212 Lower plate 214 Side frame 220 Upper case 230 Sealing material 242 Lower bolt 244 Upper bolt 250 Housing space 260 Central internal space 262 Lower internal space 264 Upper internal space 266 Lower partition wall 268 Upper partition wall 270L Large communication hole 270S Small communication hole 280 Pressure release valve 280a Lower mounting surface 280b Upper mounting surface 282a Outer cover 282b Inner cover 282b1 Shielding portion 282c Discharge opening 285 Shielding plate 286 Valve support bar 287 Valve base portion 300 Gas release portion 400 Partition plate 401 First partition plate 402 Second partition plate 411 Main body portion 412 Buffer area 421 Thin portion 422 Thick portion

Claims

1. A battery pack comprising: a battery cell; a housing that houses the battery cell; a gas release section provided in the housing; and a protective member that is provided between the gas release section and the battery cell, is spaced from the housing, and covers the gas release section.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the gas release section has a through hole and a release valve that closes the through hole.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protective member has a plate-like member.

4. The battery pack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protective member has a structure in which a plurality of plate-shaped members are arranged alternately.

5. The battery pack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protective member has a buffer area.

6. The battery pack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protective member is supported on the inner surface of the housing.

7. The battery pack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protective member is made of metal.

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