Battery pack and vehicle including same

Abstract

Disclosed are a battery pack and a vehicle including same. A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a plurality of battery modules in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a pack case in which the plurality of battery modules are accommodated; and a fastening member fastening the pack case, wherein at least a portion of the fastening member is directly fastened to the pack case, and at least a portion of the fastening member is configured to melt or burn when the temperature increases.

Description

Battery pack and vehicle including same

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0046650, filed on April 5, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the said application are incorporated by reference into this application.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery pack and a vehicle including the same, and more particularly, to a battery pack and a vehicle including the same, which can evenly spread heat and smoothly discharge gas when a thermal event occurs.

[0003] Generally, secondary batteries refer to batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, such as lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. A battery cell, the most basic type of secondary battery, can provide an output voltage of approximately 2.5 V to 4.2 V.

[0004] Recently, as these battery cells are applied to devices that require high output voltage and large charging capacity, such as electric vehicles and Energy Storage Systems (ESS), battery modules composed of multiple battery cells connected in series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel, and battery packs composed of these battery modules connected again in series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel, are widely used.

[0005] Lithium secondary batteries are currently in the spotlight due to their advantages such as high operating voltage and significantly higher energy density. However, because they use organic electrolytes, there is a problem that lithium secondary batteries can cause overcurrent and overheating when overcharged, which in severe cases can cause fire due to explosion or ignition.

[0006] Various types of secondary batteries include battery modules in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked and inserted into a module case that is equipped with a module case that can protect the battery cells, and battery packs including a plurality of battery modules.

[0007] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional battery pack.

[0008] Referring to Fig. 1, in the case of a conventional battery pack (1), the upper frame (2) is fixed to the bulkhead frame (4) by a bolt (3). That is, in the conventional battery pack (1), since the upper frame (2) is firmly fixed to the bolt (3), no free space or buffer space is formed through which heat or gas caused by the flame can move when a flame occurs.

[0009] In this state, if a flame occurs in the battery cell (5), the heat caused by the flame is blocked by the upper frame (2) and cannot spread, but is concentrated within the battery module (6) where the flame occurred. In addition, since the gas generated within the battery module (6) cannot be discharged, the internal pressure increases and the possibility of explosion of the battery module (6) or battery pack (1) increases.

[0010] At this time, if an explosion occurs in the battery module (6) where the flame occurred, the flame may spread to other battery modules (6) and a thermal runaway phenomenon may occur. If the flame leaks out due to this thermal runaway phenomenon, there is a problem that the driver of the electric vehicle may be burned or put in a dangerous situation.

[0011] Alternatively, there is a problem in that the battery module (6) or battery pack (1) is damaged or burned down by a chain reaction of flames due to flame propagation, making it impossible to secure the stability of the battery module (6) or battery pack (1).

[0012] Accordingly, the technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a battery pack and an automobile including the same, which can prevent heat concentration by evenly dispersing heat caused by a flame within the battery pack when a flame occurs from a single battery cell, thereby achieving uniform thermal distribution.

[0013] In addition, the present invention provides a battery pack and a vehicle including the same, which enable easy venting and easy discharge of gases.

[0014] In addition, the present invention provides a battery module capable of preventing a thermal runaway phenomenon by preventing a chain reaction of flames due to flame propagation, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle.

[0015] However, the technical 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.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, a battery pack may be provided, comprising: a plurality of battery modules in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a pack case in which the plurality of battery modules are accommodated; and a fastening member fastening the pack case, wherein at least a portion of the fastening member is directly fastened to the pack case and is characterized in that at least a portion thereof melts or burns when the temperature rises.

[0017] In one embodiment, the fastening member may include a bolt, and the bolt may include: a head portion; a body portion coupled to the head portion, having an insertion groove formed therein, and screw-connected to the pack case; and a melting portion made of a meltable or flammable material and inserted into the insertion groove of the body portion.

[0018] In one embodiment, the insertion groove may be formed in the body portion on an opposite side of the head portion.

[0019] In one embodiment, the melting portion may include a first portion that is in close contact with one side of the insertion groove; and a second portion that is extended symmetrically with respect to the first portion and is in close contact with the other side of the insertion groove.

[0020] In one embodiment, the melting portion may further include a third portion extending from the center of the first portion and the second portion in a direction different from the first portion and the second portion and in close contact with the insertion groove; and a fourth portion extending symmetrically with the third portion and in close contact with the insertion groove.

[0021] In one embodiment, the melting portion may be formed with a cross-sectional shape.

[0022] In one embodiment, the melting portion may include a first portion that is in close contact with the insertion groove; a second portion that extends from the first portion at a preset angle and is in close contact with the insertion groove; and a third portion that is spaced apart from the second portion and extends from the first portion at a preset angle and is in close contact with the insertion groove.

[0023] In one embodiment, the melting portion may be made of plastic.

[0024] In one embodiment, the pack case includes an upper frame; a bulkhead frame fastened to the upper frame by the fastening member, and the melting portion may be located inside the bulkhead frame.

[0025] In one embodiment, the bulkhead frame has a screw thread formed thereon, the fastening member includes a nut coupled to the upper frame, and the bolt can be fastened to the nut and the bulkhead frame.

[0026] In one embodiment, the nut may be welded to the upper frame.

[0027] In one embodiment, the nut may be separate from the bulkhead frame.

[0028] In one embodiment, when a flame is generated in the battery cell and the melting portion melts, the bolt may be separated from the bulkhead frame, causing the upper frame to deform upward, and a buffer space may be formed between the upper frame and the battery module.

[0029] In one embodiment, a venting portion is formed in the pack case, and when the upper frame is deformed, gas generated from the battery cell can move to the venting portion.

[0030] Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle including at least one battery pack as described above can be provided.

[0031] Embodiments of the present invention have the effect of preventing heat concentration by evenly dispersing heat caused by a flame within a battery pack when a flame occurs from one battery cell, thereby achieving uniform thermal distribution.

[0032] Additionally, it has the effect of facilitating venting, allowing gas to be discharged easily.

[0033] Additionally, it has the effect of preventing thermal runaway by preventing a chain reaction of flames due to flame propagation.

[0034] However, the effects that can be obtained through the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other technical effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0035] 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.

[0036] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional battery pack.

[0037] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, with the bolt separated from the bulkhead frame.

[0039] Figure 4 is a drawing showing the bolts in Figure 3 attached to the bulkhead frame.

[0040] Figure 5 is a drawing showing the melting portion in Figure 4 melting and the upper frame and bolts being separated from the bulkhead frame.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bolt in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the melting portion is separated from the body portion.

[0042] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a bolt in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein a melting portion is joined to a body portion.

[0043] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the bottom surface of Figure 7.

[0044] Fig. 9 is a modified embodiment of Fig. 8.

[0045] Fig. 10 is another modified embodiment of Fig. 8.

[0046] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a buffer space formed when a melting portion of a bolt melts and the upper frame is deformed in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to a modified embodiment of the present invention, with only a portion shown.

[0048] FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including a battery pack according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted with meanings and concepts that conform to the technical idea of ​​the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term to best explain his or her own invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and various equivalents and modifications may exist as of the time of this application.

[0050] In the drawings, the sizes of each component or specific parts of that component are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for convenience and clarity of explanation. Therefore, the size of each component does not entirely reflect its actual size. If a detailed description of a related known function or configuration is deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, such description will be omitted.

[0051] The term 'joint' or 'connection' as used herein includes not only cases where one member is directly joined or directly connected to another member, but also cases where one member is indirectly joined or indirectly connected to another member through a connecting member.

[0052] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention in which a bolt is separated from a bulkhead frame, FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a bolt coupled to a bulkhead frame in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a state in which a melting portion is melted and an upper frame and a bolt are separated from the bulkhead frame in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bolt in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a melting portion is separated from a body portion, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a bolt in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a melting portion is coupled to a body portion, FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a bottom surface of FIG. 7, FIG. 9 is a modified embodiment of FIG. 8, FIG. 10 is another modified embodiment of FIG. 8, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a buffer space is formed when a melting portion of a bolt is melted and an upper frame is deformed in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 2, a battery pack (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a plurality of battery modules (100), a pack case (200), and a fastening member (300).

[0054] The battery module (100) is housed in a pack case (200). Furthermore, a plurality of battery cells (110, see FIG. 11) are stacked on each battery module (100), and a plurality of battery modules (100) may be arranged in various ways. For example, the battery modules (100) may be arranged in horizontal and vertical directions, but are not limited thereto.

[0055] A battery module (100) may include a plurality of battery cells (110) and a module case (120, see FIG. 11).

[0056] A plurality of battery cells (110) can be stacked on top of each other. The battery cells (110) can have various structures, and furthermore, the plurality of battery cells (110) can be stacked in various ways.

[0057] The battery cell (110) may have a structure in which a plurality of unit cells arranged in the order of positive plate-separator-negative plate or bi-cells arranged in the order of positive plate-separator-negative plate-separator-positive plate-separator-negative plate are stacked according to the battery capacity.

[0058] The battery cell (110) may be equipped with an electrode lead. The electrode lead is a type of terminal that is exposed to the outside and connected to an external device, and may be made of a conductive material. The electrode lead may include a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead.

[0059] The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead may be positioned in opposite directions with respect to the longitudinal direction of the battery cell (110), or the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead may be positioned in the same direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the battery cell (110).

[0060] A battery cell (110) may be provided with a plurality of cartridges (not shown) for storing the battery cell (110). Each cartridge (not shown) may be manufactured by injection molding plastic, and a plurality of cartridges (not shown) having a storage portion capable of storing the battery cell (110) may be stacked. A cartridge assembly in which a plurality of cartridges (not shown) are stacked may be provided with a connector element or a terminal element.

[0061] The connector element may include various types of electrical connection components or connecting members for connection to, for example, a BMS (Battery Management System, not shown) that can provide data on the voltage or temperature of the battery cell (110).

[0062] In addition, the terminal element is a main terminal connected to the battery cell (110) and includes a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The terminal element is provided with a terminal bolt so that it can be electrically connected to the outside. Meanwhile, the battery cell (110) may have various shapes.

[0063] A plurality of battery cells (110) are stacked and stored in a module case (120). The module case (120) surrounds the plurality of battery cells (110), thereby protecting the battery cells (110) from external vibrations or shocks.

[0064] The module case (120) may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of a stacked body in which a plurality of battery cells (110) are stacked. For example, if the stacked body in which a plurality of battery cells (110) are stacked is formed in a hexahedral shape, the module case (120) may also be formed in a hexahedral shape corresponding thereto. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Here, the module case (120) may include an upper module case (120), a lower module case (120), and a side module case (120).

[0065] In addition, the module case (120) can be manufactured by, for example, bending a metal plate, whereby the module case (120) can be manufactured as an integral part. When the module case (120) is manufactured as an integral part, the joining process is simplified and simplified. Alternatively, the module case (120) can be provided in a detachable form and joined by welding or the like. However, the material of the module case (120) is not limited to a metal material.

[0066] A plurality of battery modules (100) are stored in the pack case (200). The pack case (200) may be configured to include, for example, an upper frame (210), a lower frame (220), a side frame (230), and a bulkhead frame (240).

[0067] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 11, the upper frame (210) is coupled to the side frame (230) and the bulkhead frame (240). Here, the upper frame (210) is fixed to the side frame (230) by a commonly used bolt (310a), but the bulkhead frame (240) is fastened by a fastening member (300) configured to melt or burn at least a portion thereof when the temperature rises, for example, a bolt (310) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] That is, when a thermal event occurs in the battery cell (110), etc., the upper frame (210) is fixed to the side frame (230) by a normal bolt (310a), but the fastening member (300) that fastens the bulkhead frame (240) melts or burns, so that the upper frame (210) is separated from the bulkhead frame (240) in the thermal event situation (see FIG. 11), and thereby a buffer space (400) can be formed between the upper frame (210) and the bulkhead frame (240). A detailed description thereof will be provided later.

[0069] A plurality of battery modules (100) are configured to be mounted on the lower frame (220). The lower frame (220) may be formed in a square plate shape, but is not limited thereto. The lower frame (220) forms the bottom of the pack case (200).

[0070] The side frame (230) may be configured to extend upward from the edge of the lower frame (220). The side frame (230) defines the height of the pack case (200) and forms a preset space between it and the lower frame (220).

[0071] And, a plurality of battery modules (100) are installed in the space between the side frame (230) and the lower frame (220). The side frame (230) may include a relatively long long side frame (230) and a relatively short short side frame (230). Alternatively, the lengths of the side frames (230) may all be the same.

[0072] The bulkhead frame (240) extends upwardly within the lower frame (220) and is coupled to the side frame (230). One or more bulkhead frames (240) may be provided, and the battery module (100) may be arranged between a plurality of bulkhead frames (240) or between the bulkhead frames (240) and the side frame (230). Here, the bulkhead frames (240) may be arranged in a horizontal or vertical direction within the side frame (230).

[0073] And, referring to FIG. 3, a fastening hole (241) may be formed in the bulkhead frame (240) so that the upper frame (210) is fastened by a fastening member (300).

[0074] The fastening member (300) is configured to fasten the upper frame (210) of the pack case (200). Here, at least a portion of the fastening member (300) is directly fastened to the pack case (200). That is, screw threads are formed on the inside of the bulkhead frame (240) of the pack case (200), and the fastening member (300), for example, a bolt (310), is directly screwed to the inside of the bulkhead frame (240) without a nut.

[0075] In addition, the fastening member (300) is configured to melt or burn at least partially when the temperature rises. That is, in the battery pack (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention, the fastening member (300) is configured to melt or burn when the temperature rises due to a flame or the like. In addition, as described above, the fastening member (300) configured to melt or burn due to a temperature rise fastens the upper frame (210) and the bulkhead frame (240).

[0076] The fastening member (300) may include, but is not limited to, a bolt (310). However, for convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the case where the fastening member (300) is a bolt (310) and a nut (320) described later.

[0077] Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the bolt (310) may include a head portion (311), a body portion (312), and a melting portion (314). The bolt (310) according to one embodiment of the present invention may have the desired effect in the present invention by changing the structure of a conventional bolt.

[0078] The head portion (311) is connected to the body portion (312) and comes into contact with the upper frame (210). The head portion (311) has a function common to a general bolt head.

[0079] And, the body part (312) is connected to the head part (311). Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an insertion groove (313) is formed in the body part (312), and a melting part (314) is connected to the insertion groove (313). And, a screw thread is formed in the body part (312), and is connected by screws to the bulkhead frame (240) of the pack case (200).

[0080] The insertion groove (313) formed in the body part (312) can be formed in the body part (312) on the opposite side of the head part (311). Here, insertion grooves (313) of various shapes can be formed in the body part (312), and the shape of the insertion groove (313) corresponds to the shape of the melting part (314).

[0081] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the melting portion (314) is inserted into the insertion groove (313) of the body portion (312) to support the body portion (312). In addition, the melting portion (314) is made of a material that melts or burns, and when a thermal event occurs in the battery cell (110), etc., the melting portion (314) melts or burns. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, when the melting portion (314) that supports the body portion (312) of the bolt (310) melts, the fastening force of the bolt (310) weakens, and the upper frame (210) together with the bolt (310) are separated from the bulkhead frame (240).

[0082] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 8, the melting portion (314) may include a first portion (315), a second portion (316), a third portion (317), and a fourth portion (318). The first portion (315) is in close contact with one side of the insertion groove (313). In addition, the second portion (316) extends symmetrically with respect to the first portion (315) and is in close contact with the other side of the insertion groove (313). In addition, the third portion (317) may extend from the center of the first portion (315) and the second portion (316) in a direction different from the first portion (315) and the second portion (316), for example, a vertical direction, and may be in close contact with the insertion groove (313). In addition, the fourth portion (318) may extend symmetrically with respect to the third portion (317) and be in close contact with the insertion groove (313). By this, the melting portion (314) can be formed in a cross-sectional shape as a whole, but the shape of the melting portion (314) is not limited thereto.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 9 as a modified embodiment, the melting portion (314) can be formed in a straight shape including only the first portion (315) and the second portion (316).

[0084] Alternatively, referring to FIG. 10 as another modified embodiment, the melting portion (314) may include a first portion (315a), a second portion (316a), and a third portion (317a). The first portion (315a) is in close contact with the insertion groove (313). Then, the second portion (316a) extends from the first portion (315a) at a preset angle and is in close contact with the insertion groove (313). Then, the third portion (317a) is spaced apart from the second portion (316a), extends from the first portion (315a) at a preset angle, and is in close contact with the insertion groove (313). Thus, the melting portion (314) may be formed in an approximately triangular shape. However, the shape of the melting portion (314) is not limited thereto and may be more diverse.

[0085] The melting portion (314) may be formed of various materials so as to be configured to melt or burn at least partially when the temperature rises, and may be made of, for example, various plastic materials that can melt at a preset temperature, but is not limited thereto.

[0086] As described above, the peck case may include an upper frame (210) and a bulkhead frame (240), and the upper frame (210) and the bulkhead frame (240) may be fastened by, for example, a bolt (310). Here, a screw thread may be formed on the inside of the bulkhead frame (240), and the bolt (310) is coupled to the screw thread of the bulkhead frame (240).

[0087] And, referring to FIG. 4, when the bolt (310) is coupled to the bulkhead frame (240), the melting portion (314) inserted into the insertion groove (313) of the body portion (312) of the bolt (310) is located inside the bulkhead frame (240). Here, the entire melting portion (314) may be located inside the bulkhead frame (240), but a part of the melting portion (314) may be configured to be located inside the bulkhead frame (240).

[0088] Referring to FIG. 4, the fastening member (300) includes a nut (320), and the nut (320) is coupled to the upper frame (210). There are various ways in which the nut (320) is coupled to the upper frame (210), and for example, it may be coupled by welding, but is not limited thereto.

[0089] In Fig. 4, the nut (320) is not coupled to the bulkhead frame (240) but is separated from the bulkhead frame (240). In Fig. 4, the nut (320) and the bulkhead frame (240) are in contact, but the nut (320) and the bulkhead frame (240) may be spaced apart from each other by a preset interval.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 4, a bolt (310) is coupled to a nut (320) coupled to an upper frame (210) to first fasten the upper frame (210) and the bulkhead frame (240), and further, a bolt (310) is coupled to a bulkhead frame (240) to second fasten the upper frame (210) and the bulkhead frame (240).

[0091] Referring to FIG. 11, when a flame is generated in the battery cell (110) and the melting portion (314) melts, the bolt (310) is separated from the bulkhead frame (240) and the upper frame (210) is deformed upward, thereby forming a buffer space (400) between the upper frame (210) and the battery module (100).

[0092] That is, the upper frame (210) is deformed upward by the flame and gas generated from the battery cell (110), thereby forming a buffer space (400), and as the heat from the flame spreads to other battery modules (100) through the buffer space (400), an overall uniform thermal distribution is achieved, and heat can be prevented from being concentrated in any one battery module (100).

[0093] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a battery pack (10) according to a modified embodiment of the present invention, and only a portion thereof is shown.

[0094] Referring to Fig. 12, there is a difference from the aforementioned embodiment in that a venting portion (250) is formed in the pack case (200). However, among the modified embodiments, the common content described in the aforementioned embodiment is replaced with the description of the aforementioned embodiment. In addition, the content applicable to the aforementioned embodiment among the portions described in the modified embodiments may be applied to the aforementioned embodiment.

[0095] Referring to Fig. 12, a venting portion (250) is formed in the pack case (200). As described above, when the temperature rises and the melting portion (314) melts and the upper frame (210) is deformed, gas generated from the battery cell (110) can move to the venting portion (250) and be discharged.

[0096] Referring to Fig. 12, the venting portion (250) may include a venting hole (251) and a venting valve (252). The venting hole (251) is a hole through which gas generated from the battery cell (110) is discharged, and may be formed in the pack case (200), for example, the side frame (230), but is not limited thereto.

[0097] In addition, a venting valve (252) may be installed in the venting hole (251). The venting valve (252) may be configured in various ways. For example, the venting valve (252) may be configured to close the venting hole (251) and open when the internal pressure of the pack case (200) exceeds a preset value.

[0098] That is, the venting valve (252) normally blocks the venting hole (251), but when gas leaks from the battery cell (110) and the internal pressure of the pack case (200) exceeds a preset value or range, the venting valve (252) opens and the gas is discharged from the pack case (200) through the venting hole (251).

[0099] As described above, when the upper frame (210) is deformed upwards by the flame and gas generated from the battery cell (110) to form a buffer space (400), the gas moves along the buffer space (400) to the venting portion (250), and when the venting valve (252) is opened by the pressure of the gas, the gas can be discharged outside the pack case (200).

[0100] That is, the venting is facilitated by the buffer space (400) formed by the deformation of the upper frame (210), so that gas can be easily discharged.

[0101] And, as described above, as the heat spreads to other battery modules (100) through the buffer space (400), concentration of heat in any one battery module (100) is prevented, thereby enabling uniform thermal distribution.

[0102] In addition, since the gas discharge is facilitated by the buffer space (400) formed between the upper frame (210) and the battery module (100), ultimately, a chain reaction of flames due to flame propagation is prevented, thereby preventing a thermal runaway phenomenon.

[0103] FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining an automobile including a battery pack (10) according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 13, a vehicle (20) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery packs (10) according to each of the embodiments described above. Here, the vehicle (20) includes various types of vehicles that are designed to use electricity, such as electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles.

[0105] In this specification, when terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, and right are used, these terms are only for convenience of explanation, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms may vary depending on the location of the target object or the location of the observer.

[0106] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various modifications and variations within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims to be described below. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed above should be considered from an illustrative rather than a restrictive perspective. In other words, the true scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is set forth in the claims, and all differences within the scope of equivalents thereof should be construed as being included in the present invention.

[0107] The present invention relates to a battery pack and an automobile including the same, and is particularly applicable to industries related to secondary batteries.

Claims

1. Multiple battery modules in which multiple battery cells are stacked; A pack case in which the plurality of battery modules are stored; and Includes a fastening member for fastening the above pack case, A battery pack characterized in that at least a portion of the above fastening member is directly fastened to the pack case, and at least a portion thereof melts or burns when the temperature rises.

2. In paragraph 1, The above fastening member includes a bolt, The above bolts, Head; A body part that is coupled to the head part, has an insertion groove formed therein, and is screw-coupled to the pack case; and A battery pack characterized by including a melting part made of a meltable or combustible material and inserted into the insertion groove of the body part.

3. In paragraph 2, A battery pack characterized in that the insertion groove is formed on the body portion on the opposite side of the head portion.

4. In paragraph 3, The above melting part, A first part that is in close contact with one side of the above insertion groove; and A battery pack characterized by including a second part that extends symmetrically with the first part and is in close contact with the other side of the insertion groove.

5. In paragraph 4, The above melting part, A third part extending from the center of the first part and the second part in a direction different from the first part and the second part and being in close contact with the insertion groove; and A battery pack characterized in that it further includes a fourth part that extends symmetrically with the third part and is in close contact with the insertion groove.

6. In paragraph 5, A battery pack characterized in that the melting portion has a cross-sectional shape.

7. In paragraph 3, The above melting part, A first part that is in close contact with the above insertion groove; A second part extending from the first part at a preset angle and in close contact with the insertion groove; and A battery pack characterized by including a third portion spaced apart from the second portion and extending at a preset angle from the first portion and being in close contact with the insertion groove.

8. In paragraph 2, A battery pack characterized in that the above melting part is made of plastic.

9. In paragraph 2, The above pack case is, upper frame; It includes a bulkhead frame that is connected to the upper frame by the above-mentioned fastening member, A battery pack characterized in that the melting portion is located inside the bulkhead frame.

10. In paragraph 9, The above bulkhead frame is formed with screw threads, The above fastening member includes a nut that is coupled to the upper frame, A battery pack characterized in that the bolt is fastened to the nut and the bulkhead frame.

11. In paragraph 10, A battery pack characterized in that the above nut is welded to the upper frame.

12. In paragraph 10, A battery pack, characterized in that the above nut is separated from the bulkhead frame.

13. In paragraph 12, A battery pack characterized in that when a flame is generated in the battery cell and the melting portion is melted, the bolt is separated from the bulkhead frame, the upper frame is deformed upward, and a buffer space is formed between the upper frame and the battery module.

14. In paragraph 9, A venting portion is formed in the above pack case, A battery pack characterized in that when the upper frame is deformed, gas generated from the battery cell moves to the venting portion.

15. A vehicle comprising at least one battery pack according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 14.

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