Battery module, and battery pack and vehicle including same

Abstract

A battery module according to the present invention comprises a cell stack having a plurality of battery cells; a module case which accommodates the cell stack and which has a venting hole in a top plate covering the top part of the cell stack; and a venting channel forming sheet which is coupled to the top plate and which has, at a position corresponding to the venting hole, a folding portion folded in one or more layers, wherein the folding portion is unfolded over the venting hole by a predetermined pressure so as to form a gas movement passage above the top plate.

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. Specifically, the present invention relates to a battery module capable of suppressing heat transfer between battery cells when a thermal event occurs in the battery module, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0053175, filed on April 22, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of that application are incorporated herein by reference.

[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 batteries 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 pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in a battery module or pack can vary depending on the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0005] Meanwhile, since battery cells undergo chemical reactions during charging and discharging, their performance can deteriorate if used in environments above their optimal temperature. Furthermore, if thermal control fails to maintain optimal temperatures, there's a constant risk of unexpected fire or explosion. Furthermore, battery modules are structured to house these cells tightly within the module housing. Therefore, if a thermal event occurs in a single battery cell, the resulting high-temperature gases or flames can spread to adjacent cells, potentially triggering a chain reaction of battery cell explosions, posing a significant risk.

[0006] Therefore, even if a thermal event occurs in some battery cells within a battery module, a battery module having a structure capable of suppressing and delaying heat propagation is required to prevent high-temperature gas or flames from being transferred to other battery cells within the battery module and causing thermal runaway.

[0007] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery module that can prevent venting gas and the like from spreading to other battery cells when a thermal event occurs in a battery cell and can direct and discharge the gas in a specific direction.

[0008] The technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems described above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0009] According to the present invention, a battery module can be provided, comprising: a cell stack having a plurality of battery cells; a module case having a venting hole in a top plate that is provided to accommodate the cell stack and covers an upper portion of the cell stack; and a venting channel forming sheet that is coupled to the top plate and has a folding part folded at least once at a position corresponding to the venting hole, wherein the folding part is provided to unfold over the venting hole by a predetermined pressure to form a gas movement passage in an upper portion of the top plate.

[0010] The above venting channel forming sheet can be placed on the lower surface of the top plate, facing the cell laminate.

[0011] The above venting channel forming sheet can be made of a material having electrical insulation and fire resistance.

[0012] The above venting channel forming sheet may include a first fixing part and a second fixing part that are fixed to the lower surface of the top plate with the folding part therebetween.

[0013] The first fixing part and the second fixing part may be bonded or bolted to the lower surface of the top plate.

[0014] Each of the first sheet fixing members protruding downward from the top plate and connected to the first fixing member may include a second sheet fixing member connected to the second fixing member.

[0015] The first sheet fixing member and the second sheet fixing member may have the same structure, and the first sheet fixing member may include a body penetrating the first fixing part and a support part formed at the lower end of the body to support the lower surface of the first fixing part.

[0016] The top plate may include N venting holes spaced apart from each other along the stacking direction of the battery cells.

[0017] The above venting channel forming sheet may have the above folding portion corresponding one-to-one to the N number of the above venting holes.

[0018] The above module case may further include a flame-retardant cover coupled to the upper portion thereof, and the flame-retardant cover may have an opening and closing portion configured to be ruptured or at least partially separated by a predetermined pressure or heat in an area corresponding to the venting hole of the top plate.

[0019] The above opening and closing portion may be provided in a form in which a notch line or a shredding line is formed in the flame-retardant cover.

[0020] The above module case may include a case body having at least an open upper surface; and a top plate covering an upper surface of the case body and coupled to the case body.

[0021] The above battery cells are pouch-type battery cells, and the pouch-type battery cells can be stacked in one direction.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present invention, a battery pack including the above-described battery module can be provided.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle including the battery pack can be provided.

[0024] The battery module according to the present invention includes a venting channel forming sheet, so that when a thermal event occurs in a battery cell, venting gas, etc., can be discharged by guiding it in a specific direction without being transmitted to other battery cells.

[0025] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from this specification and the attached drawings.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module of Figure 1.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the lower surface of a top plate to which a venting channel forming sheet is attached according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a battery module along line A-A' of Fig. 1.

[0030] Figure 5 is a partially enlarged view of Figure 4.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing an example of unfolding of the folding part of the outermost battery cell in the battery module of FIG. 4 during thermal runaway.

[0032] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a battery module in which a gas movement passage corresponding to Fig. 6 is formed.

[0033] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an example of unfolding of the folding part of the battery cell in the outermost region and the battery cell in the central region in the battery module of FIG. 4 during thermal runaway.

[0034] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a battery module in which a gas movement passage corresponding to Fig. 8 is formed.

[0035] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 11 is a drawing showing the folding part of Figure 10 in an unfolded state.

[0037] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 13 is a drawing showing the folding part of Figure 12 in an unfolded state.

[0039] Figure 14 is a perspective view of another battery module of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 15 is a perspective view of the flame-retardant cover separated from the battery module of Figure 14.

[0041] FIG. 16 is a schematic drawing of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 17 is a schematic drawing of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] 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 interpreted as limited to their typical or dictionary meanings, and should be interpreted with meanings and concepts that conform to the technical spirit 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, 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 spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modified examples may exist as of the time of this application.

[0044] In addition, when describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description is omitted.

[0045] Since the embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, the shapes and sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for clearer explanation. Accordingly, the sizes and proportions of each component do not fully reflect the actual sizes or proportions.

[0046] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the lower surface of a top plate to which a venting channel forming sheet is attached according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the battery module taken along line A-A' of FIG. 1.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a battery module (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a cell stack (100), a module case (200), and a venting channel forming sheet (300).

[0048] The above cell assembly is an assembly of a plurality of battery cells (110). The battery cells (110) may be pouch-type battery cells (110).

[0049] The above pouch-type battery cell (110) may include an electrode assembly and a pouch case that accommodates the electrode assembly. The pouch case may accommodate the electrode assembly in a storage portion, and a periphery of the storage portion may be heat-sealed to form a sealing portion. The sealing portion may be provided on three of the four sides of the pouch case.

[0050] The above pouch-type battery cell (110) may be provided in an upright state with the side that does not include the sealing portion facing downward. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of pouch-type battery cells (110) may be arranged in a vertical direction (Z-axis direction) and in a parallel manner in the left-right direction (X-axis direction). At this time, each battery cell (110) may have its sealing portion facing forward-backward (Y-axis direction) and upward (+Z-axis direction), and its storage portion facing left-right (X-axis direction). When the battery cells (110) are arranged in this manner, it is easy to control the venting direction to one side, and cooling performance can be secured by performing edge cooling through the side that does not include the sealing portion.

[0051] In addition, the pouch-type battery cell (110) includes a pair of electrode leads (111) that are connected to an electrode assembly inside a pouch case and extended to the outside of the pouch case to function as electrode terminals. The pair of electrode leads (111) may be provided in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction (±Y direction) of the pouch-type battery cell (110). If necessary, the pouch-type battery cell (110) may have a form in which two electrode leads (111) are positioned only at one end in the Y-axis direction, for example, at an end in the +Y-axis direction.

[0052] The present invention is not limited by the specific type or shape of the battery cell (110), and various battery cells (110) known at the time of filing of the present invention may be employed. In the present embodiment, a pouch-type battery cell (110) with high energy density and easy stacking is used as the target, as shown in the drawing, but a cylindrical or square secondary battery may also be employed as the battery cell (110).

[0053] The cell stack (100) according to the present embodiment may include a barrier member (120). The barrier member (120) may be provided in the form of a plate having a thickness thinner than the battery cell (110). For example, the barrier member (120) may be provided in the form of a pad having excellent heat resistance and / or fire resistance and compressibility. Materials such as silicone or aerogel may be employed as the material for the barrier member (120).

[0054] The above barrier member (120) may be arranged in multiple numbers with a predetermined number of battery cells (110) interposed therebetween along the direction in which the battery cells (110) are arranged. In particular, the barrier member (120) may be configured to partition the battery cells (110) into a predetermined number. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a barrier member (120) may be arranged for every four battery cells (110), thereby grouping the battery cells (110) into groups of four.

[0055] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, when the battery cell (110) experiences thermal runaway, the propagation of flame or heat can be blocked by the barrier member (120). In addition, the battery member can contribute to suppressing structural deformation of the module case (200) by absorbing the expansion force of the battery cell (110) when the battery cell (110) is swelling.

[0056] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 2, a battery module (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a busbar frame assembly (400). The busbar frame assembly (400) includes a busbar frame (410) and a plurality of busbars (420) and may be arranged at the front and rear of the cell stack (100).

[0057] The busbar frame (410) may be injection-molded with an electrically insulating material and may be provided in a roughly plate-shaped shape having a size that can cover the front (+Y direction) or the rear (-Y direction) of the cell stack (100). In addition, the busbar frame (410) may be provided with a plurality of lead slots through which the electrode leads (111) of the battery cells (110) can pass in the front-back direction. The plurality of lead slots may be provided along the stacking direction of the battery cells (110). In addition, the busbar frame (410) may be configured to be able to attach a plurality of busbars (420) to the outer surface.

[0058] The above-described plurality of bus bars (420) may be made of a metal such as copper, aluminum, nickel, etc. as an electrically conductive material as a means for connecting the battery cells (110) in series and / or in parallel. The bus bars (420) may be arranged on the bus bar frame (410) along the same direction as the stacking direction of the battery cells (110). For example, the electrode leads (111) of the battery cells (110) may be drawn out to the outside of the bus bar frame (410) through the lead slots and welded to the designated bus bars (420).

[0059] The above module case (200) is a component for protecting the cell stack (100) from external impacts, etc., and may preferably be made of a material with excellent mechanical strength.

[0060] The above module case (200) may include a case body (210) and a top plate (220). The case body (210) may be configured such that at least the upper surface is open. For example, the case body (210) may be configured such that the upper surface, front surface, and rear surface are open. The case body (210) may be provided in a so-called U-frame shape in which a bottom plate (211), a left side plate (212), and a right side plate (213) are formed integrally.

[0061] The top plate (220) is configured to cover the upper portion of the cell stack (100) and may be provided to be coupled with the case body (210). For example, the top plate (220) may be coupled by welding both corner portions along the length direction to the upper portions of the pair of side plates (212, 213). At this time, the shape in which the top plate (220) and the case body (210) are coupled may be a square tubular shape with the front and back sides open.

[0062] The above module case (200) may include end covers (230, 240) provided on the open front and rear sides of the case body (210). The end covers (230, 240) may be welded and joined to the case body (210). Meanwhile, although not shown for convenience, the end covers (230, 240) may have, for example, an inner side made of an insulating material and an outer side made of a metal material. In addition, the end covers (230, 240) may be partially provided with holes or slits to expose components that need to be exposed to the outside, such as a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the battery module (10) or a connector.

[0063] Meanwhile, the top plate (220) may be provided with a venting hole (221) for discharging venting gas to the outside of the module case (200) when the battery cell (110) is ignited.

[0064] The top plate (220) may include N venting holes (221) spaced apart from each other along the stacking direction of the battery cells (110). As illustrated in FIG. 2, the venting holes (221) may be provided at predetermined intervals in the width direction (X direction) of the top plate (220). The venting holes (221) may preferably be provided in the form of a long hole having a larger diameter in the longitudinal direction of the top plate (220). In addition, the venting holes (221) may be provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the top plate (220).

[0065] The top plate (220) may have venting holes (221) arranged roughly in a matrix configuration. For example, the top plate (220) of the present embodiment may be said to have venting holes (221) having a 6-row, 3-column configuration. However, it is sufficient that the venting holes (221) according to the present invention are configured to be spaced apart from each other in the width direction (X direction) of the top plate (220). That is, the venting holes (221) do not necessarily need to be divided in the length direction (Y direction) of the top plate (220). In other words, the top plate (220) may have a N-row, 1-column configuration. As will be described in detail later, the configuration in which venting holes (221) are provided at predetermined intervals in the width direction of the top plate (220) is to prevent gas generated from any battery cell (110) inside the module case (200) from spreading to other battery cells (110) inside the module case (200) and to induce discharge in the upper direction of the module case (200) through the shortest path.

[0066] Referring again to FIGS. 2 to 4, the venting channel forming sheet (300) may be placed on the lower surface of the top plate (220) facing the cell stack (100). The venting channel forming sheet (300) may be configured to form a gas movement path on the upper portion of the top plate (220) when a thermal event occurs in the battery module (10).

[0067] The above-described venting channel forming sheet (300) may be at least partially joined to the top plate (220) and may include a folding portion (310) folded one or more times at a position corresponding to the venting hole (221). The folding portion (310) may be configured to unfold over the venting hole (221) by a predetermined pressure to form a gas movement passage on the upper portion of the top plate (220). For example, the folding portion (310) at a position corresponding vertically to a battery cell (110) in which thermal runaway has occurred may unfold under the pressure of the venting gas generated from the battery cell (110) and rise above the venting hole (221) to form a predetermined gas movement passage. At this time, the formed gas movement passage may be a tunnel-shaped one with front and rear openings so that the venting gas can flow in the front-rear direction (Y direction) of the battery module (10).

[0068] The above-described venting channel forming sheet (300) may be prepared from a material having electrical insulation and flame resistance. For example, the above-described venting channel forming sheet (300) may be formed from a material having excellent electrical insulation and flame retardancy, such as graphite or silicon. This venting channel forming sheet (300) may normally serve to electrically insulate the battery cells (110) and the top plate (220).

[0069] Specifically, the venting channel forming sheet (300) may include a plurality of unit venting channel forming sheets (300A, 300B, 300C). For example, as in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the venting holes (221) arranged in 6 rows and 3 columns on the top plate (220) may be covered by three unit venting channel forming sheets (300A, 300B, 300C). That is, in FIG. 2, the 6 venting holes (221) in the 1st row may be covered by the 1st unit venting channel forming sheet (300A), the 6 venting holes (221) in the 2nd row may be covered by the 2nd unit venting channel forming sheet (300B), and the 6 venting holes (221) in the 3rd row may be covered by the 3rd unit venting channel forming sheet (300C).

[0070] The above-described venting channel forming sheet (300) may be provided with folding parts (310) that correspond one-to-one with the N venting holes (221). For example, the above-described venting channel forming sheet (300) may be provided with 18 folding parts (310) that correspond one-to-one with the total of 18 venting holes (221) of the top plate (220) illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 5, the venting channel forming sheet (300) may include a first fixing part (320) and a second fixing part (330) that are fixed to the lower surface of the top plate (220) with the folding part (310) interposed therebetween.

[0072] The first fixing part (320) and the second fixing part (330) may be configured to be fixed by bonding or bolting to the lower surface of the top plate (220). However, as long as the first fixing part (320) and the second fixing part (330) can be fixed to the lower surface of the top plate (220) by an attachment method, the bonding or bolting method is not necessarily required.

[0073] When the first fixing part (320) and the second fixing part (330) are fixed, when the pressure of the gas acts on the venting channel forming sheet (300) when a thermal event occurs, the first fixing part (320) and the second fixing part (330) do not flow, and only the folding part (310) can unfold and protrude to the upper part of the top plate (220) through the venting hole (221). At this time, a tunnel-shaped gas movement passage having a circumference corresponding to the folded length of the folding part (310) can be formed on the upper part of the top plate (220).

[0074] For reference, the venting channel forming sheet (300) according to the present embodiment has a plurality of venting holes (221) and a plurality of folding parts (310) corresponding to the plurality of venting holes (221) in the width direction (X direction) of the top plate (220), and two adjacent folding parts (310) share a fixing part. The first fixing part (320) and the second fixing part (330) are fixed parts located on the left and right sides with respect to one folding part (310). That is, the second fixing part (330) located on the right side of a certain folding part (310) may correspond to the first fixing part (320) with respect to another folding part (310) adjacent to the right side of the certain folding part (310).

[0075] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing an example in which a folding part (310A) of a battery cell (110) in the outermost region of the battery module (10) of FIG. 4 is unfolded during thermal runaway, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a battery module (10) in which a gas movement path corresponding to FIG. 6 is formed, FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an example in which a folding part (310A, 310D) corresponding to a battery cell (110) in the outermost region and a battery cell (110) in the central region of the battery module (10) of FIG. 4 is unfolded during thermal runaway, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a battery module (10) in which a gas movement path corresponding to FIG. 8 is formed.

[0076] Referring to the above drawings 6 to 9, an example of gas discharge and formation of a directional venting channel when a thermal event occurs in a battery module (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 6, the battery module (10) according to the present embodiment may be configured such that a predetermined number of battery cells (110) may be partitioned by a barrier member (120), and may be provided with venting holes (221) provided in the upper region of the partitioned battery cells (110). For example, when a thermal event occurs in a battery cell (110) in the outermost region on the right side among the battery cells (110), the folding portion (310A) that was folded near the battery cell (110) where the thermal event occurred is unfolded by the pressure of the discharged material (pieces detached from the current collector or electrode active material, etc.) or the venting gas and rises above the venting hole (221). Then, a gas passage may be formed in the upper portion of the top plate (220) as shown in FIG. 7. At this time, the gas passage may be a tunnel-shaped one with the front and rear sides open.

[0078] According to this configuration, the discharged material or venting gas emitted from the battery cell (110) in the outermost region can be discharged to the upper portion of the top plate (220) through the open venting hole (221) and guided in the front-back direction (Y direction) of the battery module (10) along the gas movement path. At this time, since the movement of heat in the lateral direction of the top plate (220) is limited, thermal damage to other battery cells (110) can be minimized. In addition, since the internal pressure of the module case (200) is released, the folding parts (310) adjacent to other battery cells (110) in which no thermal event has occurred can remain folded. That is, except for the venting hole (221) located at the outermost end as shown in Fig. 7, the remaining venting holes (221) are kept covered by the corresponding folding parts (310B to 310F), so that the discharged material or venting gas does not flow from the outside to the inside of the top plate (220).

[0079] As another example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, when a thermal event occurs in the battery cell (110) in the outermost right region and the battery cell (110) in the central region among the battery cells (110), the folding parts (310A, 310D) corresponding to the battery cells (110) may unfold, so that an isolated gas movement path may be formed on the upper portion of the top plate (220), as illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0080] According to the above configuration, the discharged matter and venting gas generated from the battery cells (110) where a thermal event has occurred are directly discharged from the inside of the module case (200) upward to the outside of the module case (200) and do not spread to other battery cells (110). In addition, except for the venting hole (221) located at the outermost part and the venting hole (221) located in the central region, the remaining venting holes (221) are kept covered by the corresponding folding parts (310B, 310C, 310E, 310F), so that the discharged matter and venting gas do not flow back into the inside of the module case (200).

[0081] In addition, the discharged material and venting gas can be induced to flow in the front-back direction of the battery module (10) along the gas passage from the outside of the module case (200). In this way, since the flow of the discharged material and venting gas can be controlled in the intended direction when a thermal event occurs, thermal damage to other battery modules (10) arranged in the lateral direction (X direction) in the battery pack can be minimized.

[0082] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a battery module (10) according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11 is a view showing a state in which the folding part (310) of FIG. 10 is unfolded, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a battery module (10) according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a view showing a state in which the folding part (310) of FIG. 12 is unfolded.

[0083] The same reference numerals as in the previous drawings indicate the same reference parts, and duplicate descriptions of the same reference parts will be omitted, and the differences from the previously described embodiment will be mainly explained.

[0084] The embodiment configuration illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 13 of the present invention has a difference in the bonding structure of the top plate (220) and the venting channel forming sheet (300) compared to the embodiment described above.

[0085] First, a battery module (10) according to another embodiment of the present invention may include, as illustrated in FIG. 10, a first sheet fixing member (223) protruding downward from the top plate (220) and connected to the first fixing member (320), and a second sheet fixing member (224) connected to the second fixing member (330). The first sheet fixing member (223) and the second sheet fixing member (224) may have the same structure, and the first sheet fixing member (223) may include a body (225) penetrating the first fixing member (320) and a support member (226) formed at the lower end of the body (225) to support the lower surface of the first fixing member (320).

[0086] The first sheet fixing member (223) and the second sheet fixing member (224) may be means, such as rivets, that can mechanically fix the first fixing part (320) and the second fixing part (330) to the top plate (220). By using the first sheet fixing member (223) and the second sheet fixing member (224), the fixing force may be further increased compared to when the first fixing part (320) and the second fixing part (330) are bonded to the top plate (220).

[0087] According to this embodiment configuration, compared to the above-described embodiment, even if the folding part (310) is very strongly unfolded by the pressure of the gas as shown in FIG. 11, there is less concern that the first fixing part (320) and the second fixing part (330) will fall off the top plate (220), so that the gas movement path can be maintained more stably.

[0088] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the battery module (10), as illustrated in FIG. 12, the first sheet fixing member (223A) and the second sheet fixing member (224) may have the same structure and may be configured at positions that are aligned vertically with the barrier member (120), respectively. In addition, the body (225A) may be provided in a form that protrudes downward from the top plate (220) more than in the above-described embodiment so that the barrier member (120) and the support member (226) come into contact. In particular, compared to the embodiment of FIG. 10, according to the embodiment of FIG. 12, the vertical upper portion of the battery member may be configured so that the left and right sides are blocked by the first sheet fixing member (223A) or the second sheet fixing member (224).

[0089] Therefore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the discharged material and venting gas of the battery cell (110) in which thermal runaway has occurred can be more intensively directed toward the venting hole (221) in the upper direction and discharged to the outside. In addition, the heat and gas of the battery cell (110) in which thermal runaway has occurred are difficult to propagate to other adjacent battery cells (110) beyond the barrier member (120) and the first and second sheet fixing members (224).

[0090] Fig. 14 is a perspective view of another battery module (10) of the present invention, and Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the battery module (10A) of Fig. 14 with the flame-retardant cover (500) separated.

[0091] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, a battery module (10A) according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a flame-retardant cover (500) compared to the battery module (10) of the above-described embodiment.

[0092] The above flame-retardant cover (500) may be configured to prevent venting gases or flames emitted when a thermal event occurs within a battery module (10A) from being transferred to other battery modules (10). To this end, the flame-retardant cover (500) may be made of a material with excellent heat- and / or fire-resistant properties, such as a mica sheet or a silicone composite material.

[0093] Since this flame-retardant cover (500) can maintain morphological stability without deformation even when high-temperature heat is generated, it can stably block high-temperature gases or flames generated from the battery cell (110).

[0094] The flame retardant cover (500) may be provided with an opening / closing part (510) configured to burst or at least partially separate when a pressure higher than the allowable pressure is applied to an area corresponding to the venting hole (221) of the top plate (220), as in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15.

[0095] To this end, the opening / closing portion (510) may be formed in a form that includes a notch line or a shredding line (511). The opening / closing portion (510) may be ruptured or at least partially separated by the pressure applied when the folding portion (310) is unfolded.

[0096] A battery module (10) according to another embodiment of the present invention has a structure in which, from the top layer, an opening / closing portion (510) of a flame-retardant cover (500), a venting hole (221) of a top plate (220), a folding portion (310) of a venting channel forming sheet (300), and a battery cell (110) are arranged in that order.

[0097] Accordingly, according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, when a thermal event occurs in a specific battery cell (110), the folding part (310) located at the upper portion of the specific battery cell (110) is unfolded by the pressure of the discharged material and gas and rises above the venting hole (221), and at this time, the opening / closing part (510) may be ruptured or at least partially separated by the pressure. Then, as described above, a gas movement path through which the discharged material and the venting gas can move in the front-back direction of the battery module (10) may be provided on the flame-retardant cover (500).

[0098] At this time, the flame-retardant cover (500) can more reliably block discharged substances or venting gas discharged to the outside of the module case (200) from flowing back into the inside of the module case (200). Therefore, according to the battery module (10A) of the present invention including the flame-retardant cover (500), heat propagation to adjacent battery cells (110) or other neighboring battery modules (10A) can be minimized, thereby more effectively preventing or delaying thermal runaway propagation.

[0099] FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a battery pack (20) including a battery module (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] Referring to FIG. 16, a battery pack (20) 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. The battery pack (20) according to the present invention may further include a pack case for accommodating the above-described components, such as a BMS (Battery Management System), a current sensor, a fuse, etc. for integrated control of charging and discharging of one or more battery modules (10).

[0101] The above pack case may include a pack tray (21) capable of storing battery modules (10) in compartments, a pack lid (22) that is mutually coupled with the pack tray (21) and covers the upper portions of the battery modules (10), and at least one gas discharge port (23). The gas discharge port (23) may preferably be provided on one side wall of the pack case located at the front or rear of the aforementioned battery module (10).

[0102] FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle including a battery pack (20) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] Referring to FIG. 17, a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery packs (20) according to an embodiment of the present invention or battery modules (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle (1) according to the present invention may be, for example, an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The vehicle includes a four-wheel vehicle and a two-wheel vehicle. The vehicle operates by receiving power from a battery pack or battery module (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] As described above, although the present invention has been described by limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and variations are possible by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention and the equivalent scope of the patent claims to be described below.

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

Claims

1. A cell stack having a plurality of battery cells; A module case having a venting hole in a top plate that is provided to accommodate the cell stack and covers the upper portion of the cell stack; and A venting channel forming sheet is included, which is connected to the top plate and has a folding portion folded at least once at a position corresponding to the venting hole. A battery module characterized in that the above folding part is arranged to unfold over the venting hole by a predetermined pressure to form a gas movement passage on the upper portion of the top plate.

2. In paragraph 1, The above venting channel forming sheet is, A battery module characterized in that it is arranged on the lower surface of the top plate, facing the cell stack.

3. In paragraph 1, A battery module characterized in that the above venting channel forming sheet is made of a material having electrical insulation and fire resistance.

4. In paragraph 1, The above venting channel forming sheet is, A battery module characterized by including a first fixing part and a second fixing part fixed to the lower surface of the top plate with the folding part interposed therebetween.

5. In paragraph 4, A battery module characterized in that the first fixing part and the second fixing part are bonded or bolted to the lower surface of the top plate.

6. In paragraph 4, A battery module characterized by including a first sheet fixing member protruding downward from the top plate and connected to the first fixing member; and a second sheet fixing member connected to the second fixing member.

7. In paragraph 6, The above first sheet fixing member and the above second sheet fixing member have the same structure, A battery module characterized in that the first sheet fixing member includes a body penetrating the first fixing part and a support part formed at the lower end of the body to support the lower surface of the first fixing part.

8. In paragraph 1, A battery module characterized in that the top plate includes N venting holes spaced apart from each other along the stacking direction of the battery cells.

9. In paragraph 8, The above venting channel forming sheet is, A battery module characterized by having the above folding part corresponding one-to-one to the N above venting holes.

10. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a flame retardant cover coupled to the upper portion of the above module case, A battery module characterized in that the flame-retardant cover has an opening and closing portion configured to be ruptured or at least partially separated by a predetermined pressure or heat in an area corresponding to the venting hole of the top plate.

11. In paragraph 10, The above opening and closing part is characterized in that the battery module is provided in a form in which a notch line or a shredding line is formed in the flame-retardant cover.

12. In paragraph 1, The above module case is, a case body open at least on the upper surface; and A battery module characterized by including the top plate covering the upper surface of the case body and being coupled to the case body.

13. In paragraph 1, The above battery cells are pouch-type battery cells, A battery module characterized in that the above pouch-shaped battery cells are stacked in one direction.

14. A battery pack comprising a battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A vehicle characterized by including a battery pack according to Article 14.

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