Battery pack and vehicle comprising same

Abstract

A battery pack of the present invention may comprise: a battery module comprising a plurality of battery cells; a pack case accommodating the battery module and comprising a venting hole, on one side surface, for discharging venting gas generated in the battery cells; a venting valve covering the venting hole; and a filter assembly, covering the venting hole, for filtering venting gas to the outside and controlling the discharge of particles to the outside.

Description

Battery pack, vehicle containing same

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

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0080548, filed on June 20, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the said application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003]

[0004] Secondary batteries, with their high applicability across product categories and electrical properties such as high energy density, 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.

[0005] 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.

[0006] When connecting multiple battery cells in series or parallel to form a battery pack, it's common to first construct a battery module containing at least one battery cell, and then use this at least one battery module to add other components to form a battery pack or battery rack. Recently, battery packs in the cell-to-pack form, where multiple battery cells are housed directly in a pack housing or other device, without modularization, have also been manufactured.

[0007] However, if thermal runaway occurs in a battery module housed within a battery pack, heat can spread to adjacent battery modules, resulting in venting gases within the battery pack and the potential for sparks or flames. Therefore, the battery pack is equipped with a venting valve to discharge this venting gas.

[0008] Meanwhile, in addition to venting gas, dust, and other particles can be released through the venting valve. Dust and other particles released at high temperatures and pressures can ignite when released externally, potentially causing fire or explosion, posing a safety risk.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need to develop a venting structure that can control the discharge of venting gas, etc. through the venting valve, but prevent the discharge of dust, dirt, etc.

[0010]

[0011] Accordingly, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery pack that can quickly discharge high-temperature gases or flames generated in a battery module to the outside when thermal runaway of the battery module occurs, while controlling dust or dirt generated during thermal runaway to not be discharged to the outside of the battery pack.

[0012] Another problem that the present invention seeks to solve is to provide a vehicle including such a battery pack.

[0013] However, the problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems described above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0014]

[0015] To solve the above problem, the battery pack of the present invention may include a battery module including a plurality of battery cells, a pack case that accommodates the battery module and includes a venting hole configured to discharge venting gas generated from the battery cells on one side thereof, a venting valve that covers the venting hole, and a filter assembly that covers the venting hole and is configured to induce external discharge of the venting gas and control external discharge of dust.

[0016] The filter assembly may be characterized by including a first filter including a plate including a plurality of openings and a plurality of first louvers formed to protrude and be inclined at a specified acute angle with respect to the plate.

[0017] The first louver may be characterized in that at least a portion thereof is arranged to face approximately in the first diagonal direction and includes a curved surface covering at least a portion of the opening.

[0018] The above curved surface may be characterized by extending inwardly from the plate toward the battery pack and being bent downward.

[0019] The above curved surface may be characterized by extending from the plate toward the outside of the battery pack and being bent upward.

[0020] The first filter may be characterized by including a left side surface extending from the left end of the curved surface toward the plate and covering the left side of the opening, and a right side surface extending from the right end of the curved surface toward the plate and covering the right side of the opening.

[0021] The above first louver may be characterized in that it is configured so that only venting gas rising upward passes through the opening.

[0022] The filter assembly may be characterized by including a second filter arranged parallel to the first filter, a first frame coupled to the venting hole, and a second filter including a plurality of second louvers coupled to the first frame so as to face a second diagonal direction that is approximately perpendicular to the first diagonal direction.

[0023] The filter assembly may be characterized by including a third filter arranged parallel to the second filter, a second frame coupled to the venting hole, and a plurality of third louvers coupled to the second frame so as to face a third diagonal direction that is approximately perpendicular to the second diagonal direction.

[0024] The first filter, the second filter, and the third filter may be characterized in that they are stacked side by side in a horizontal direction.

[0025] The first louver, the second louver, and the third louver may be characterized in that they are arranged in a direction approximately perpendicular to adjacent louvers.

[0026] It may be characterized in that the ends of the first louver and the second louver facing each other are located at different heights, and the ends of the second louver and the third louver facing each other are located at different heights.

[0027] The above dust may be configured to fall into the interior of the battery pack by hitting the first louver, the second louver, or the third louver.

[0028] The venting hole may include a first area having a first size of the hole and a second area having a second size of the hole that is larger than the first size, the venting valve may cover the first area, the second filter and the third filter may be configured to be inserted into the second area, and the first filter may be configured to cover the second area.

[0029] And, it is possible to provide a vehicle characterized by including a battery pack according to the present invention.

[0030]

[0031] According to one aspect of the present invention, a filter assembly can rapidly discharge high-temperature gases or flames generated from a battery module when a thermal runaway occurs in the battery module, while preventing dust or other particles generated during the thermal runaway from being discharged to the outside of the battery pack. This ensures the safety and reliability of the battery pack.

[0032] According to another aspect of the present invention, the filter assembly includes a curved surface, such that foreign substances (e.g., venting gas, dust, etc.) generated by a thermal event of the battery cell can pass through the opening only when they rise upward. In this case, the venting gas can pass through the opening, but foreign substances with a certain weight, such as dust, are more likely to fall downward due to gravity. In this way, foreign substances such as dust, dust, etc., are prevented from passing through the opening, thereby controlling ignition outside the battery pack.

[0033] In addition, the present invention may have various other effects, which will be described in each embodiment configuration, or the description of effects that can be easily inferred by those skilled in the art will be omitted.

[0034]

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

[0037] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a filter assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a filter assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a first filter according to one embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a first filter according to one embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the bottom.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack including a filter assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view for comparing the height of each louver of a filter assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack including a filter assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle including a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0045]

[0046] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, it should be noted that the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings. Based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms to best explain his or her invention, they should be interpreted in a way that aligns with the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0047] Accordingly, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace them at the time of filing this application.

[0048] Furthermore, the present invention includes various embodiments. For each embodiment, redundant descriptions of substantially identical or similar components will be omitted, and the differences will be described.

[0049] Additionally, to facilitate understanding of the invention, the attached drawings are not drawn to scale and some components may have exaggerated dimensions. Furthermore, identical components may be assigned the same reference numbers in different embodiments.

[0050] Although terms like "first" and "second" are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one component from another, and unless otherwise specified, a "first" component may also be a "second" component.

[0051] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specifically stated, each element may be singular or plural.

[0052] Hereinafter, the phrase "any configuration is placed on (or above) (or below)" a component or "on (or below)" a component may mean not only that any configuration is placed in contact with the upper surface (or lower surface) of the component, but also that other configurations may intervene between the component and any configuration placed on (or below) the component.

[0053] Additionally, when it is described that a component is "connected," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the components may be directly connected or connected to one another, but that other components may also be "interposed" between the components, or that each component may be "connected," "coupled," or "connected" through another component.

[0054] As used herein, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "consisting of" or "comprising" should not necessarily be construed to include all of the components or steps described in the specification, and should be construed to mean that some of the components or steps may not be included, or that additional components or steps may be included.

[0055] Throughout the specification, when we refer to "A and / or B", this means A, B, or A and B, unless otherwise stated, and when we refer to "C to D", this means C or more and D or less, unless otherwise stated.

[0056] Meanwhile, in the present invention, terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back may be used, but it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms are only for convenience of explanation and may vary depending on the location of the target object or the location of the observer.

[0057] For example, in an embodiment of the present invention, the X-axis direction shown in the drawing may mean a width direction or a left-right direction, the Y-axis direction may mean a length direction or a front-back direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction and a horizontal plane (XY plane), and the Z-axis direction may mean an up-down direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

[0058] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 1, a battery pack (1) may include a battery module (100) including a plurality of battery cells, and a pack case (2) that accommodates the battery modules (100).

[0060] The battery module (100) may include a battery cell and a module case that accommodates the battery cell. The battery cell may be provided in multiple numbers. In this case, the multiple battery cells may be electrically connected to each other. The multiple battery cells may be stacked along one direction. For example, the multiple battery cells may be arranged in a vertical direction (Z-axis direction) and in a horizontal direction (X-axis direction) in a parallel manner.

[0061] Meanwhile, the present invention is not limited by the specific type or shape of the battery cell, and various battery cells known at the time of filing of the present invention may be employed to construct the battery module (100) of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a pouch-type secondary battery with high energy density and easy stacking is used as the target, as shown in the drawing, but it is of course possible for a cylindrical or square secondary battery to be applied as the battery cell.

[0062] The pack case (2) may be configured to accommodate a plurality of battery modules (100). Specifically, the pack case (2) may be configured to have a receiving space formed therein, and to accommodate a plurality of battery modules (100) in the receiving space. The pack case (2) may include a metal material having rigidity and heat resistance to physically or chemically protect the accommodated battery modules (100).

[0063] The pack case (2) may be composed of a lower case (21) that provides a space for placing a plurality of battery modules (100), an upper case (22) that packages and stores a plurality of battery modules (100) together with the lower case (21), and a side wall (23) that surrounds the lower case (21).

[0064] Referring to FIG. 1, a battery pack (1) according to the present embodiment can be configured using a total of 10 battery modules (100), and each battery module (100) can be mounted on the upper surface of the lower case (21) in a 2X5 matrix form and packaged by the upper case (22) and the side wall (23).

[0065] The lower case (21) and the upper case (22) can be configured in the form of a plate (211) having a substantially large area, and can be positioned at the lower and upper portions of the battery modules (100), respectively, to cover the lower and upper portions of the battery modules (100). The side wall (23) can be arranged to surround the side surface of the lower case (21) to cover the side surface of the battery modules (100).

[0066] The pack case (2), which is composed of a lower case (21), an upper case (22), and a side wall (23), can provide mechanical support for the battery modules (100) and protect the battery modules (100) from external impacts, etc. Accordingly, the lower case (21), the upper case (22), and the side wall (23) can include a metal material such as steel so that rigidity can be secured.

[0067] The pack case (2) may further include a partition member (24) to align a plurality of battery modules (100) within the lower case (21). The partition member (24) divides the mounting area of ​​the battery module (100) into a plurality of sections, and the battery modules (100) may be respectively accommodated in the battery module mounting areas between the partition members (24). The partition member (24) may be fixedly installed in the battery module mounting area, i.e., the lower case (21).

[0068] The side wall (23) may include a venting hole (e.g., the venting hole (4) of FIG. 6) configured to discharge venting gas (g) generated from the battery cell to the outside. The venting hole (4) may be provided in multiple numbers. For example, the venting holes (4) may be arranged in the side wall (23) corresponding to the arrangement direction of the battery module (100) arranged in the pack case (2). For example, the venting holes (4) may be arranged in a parallel manner at a regular interval on the side wall (23) facing the left and right direction (X-axis direction). Alternatively, the venting holes (4) may be arranged in all four side walls (23) surrounding the lower case (21). Therefore, according to the present invention, the gas (g) and flame generated inside the battery pack (1) may be discharged to the outside through the venting holes (4) formed in the side wall (23). The location, size, number, and installation interval of the venting holes (4) can be appropriately determined so that gas (g) and flames within the battery pack (1) can be easily discharged.

[0069] The battery pack (1) may include a venting valve (3) that covers the venting hole (4) corresponding to the installation position of the venting hole (4). For example, the venting valve (3) may be mounted on the outer surface of the side wall (23) to cover the venting hole (4) from the outside.

[0070] The venting valve (3) can discharge venting gas (g) from the inside to the outside when the pressure inside the pack case (2) is higher than the reference pressure. The venting valve (3) can discharge gas (g) from the inside to the outside of the battery pack (1) when the internal pressure of the battery pack (1) rises above the reference pressure due to the generation of gas (g) due to venting of the battery cell (110). That is, the venting valve (3) blocks air from flowing in from the outside of the battery module (100), and opens only when the internal pressure increases, thereby discharging gas only in the direction from the inside to the outside.

[0071] The battery pack (1) may include a filter assembly (200) that covers the venting hole (4) corresponding to the installation position of the venting hole (4). For example, the filter assembly (200) may be mounted on the inner surface of the side wall (23) to cover the venting hole (4) from the inside. Due to a thermal event of the battery cell, not only venting gas (g) but also dust (p), dirt, etc. may be generated. However, if dust (p), etc., discharged at high temperature and high pressure, is discharged to the outside of the battery pack (1), there is a possibility that it may ignite and cause a fire or explosion. According to the present invention, in order to prevent this, the filter assembly (200) may be configured to induce external discharge of the venting gas (g) generated by venting of the battery cell (110) and suppress external discharge of the dust (p). The configuration and structure of the filter assembly (200) will be described in detail below.

[0072] Fig. 2 is a drawing showing a first filter (210) according to one embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above. Fig. 3 is a drawing showing a first filter (210) according to one embodiment of the present invention as viewed from below.

[0073] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a battery pack (1) may include a battery module (100) including a plurality of battery cells, a pack case (2) accommodating the battery modules (100), a venting valve (3), and a filter assembly (200). The configuration of the filter assembly (200) of FIGS. 2 and 3 may be all or part of the same as the configuration of the filter assembly (200) of FIG. 1. The embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 may be partially combined with the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0074] The filter assembly (200) can be controlled to prevent dust (p), dirt, etc. generated inside the battery pack (1) from being discharged to the outside through the venting hole (4). For example, the filter assembly (200) can be configured to allow only venting gas (g) rising upward to pass through the venting hole (4). In other words, only venting gas (g) rising upward can pass through the venting hole (4) and be discharged to the outside of the battery pack (1), and dust (p), etc., which cannot rise upward due to gravity, can be configured to not pass through the venting hole (4).

[0075] The filter assembly (200) may include a first filter (210) coupled to a side wall (23). The first filter (210) may include a plate (211) including a plurality of openings (216), and a plurality of first louvers (212) formed to protrude and be inclined at a specified acute angle with respect to the plate (211).

[0076] The plate (211) may be in the shape of a plate having a substantially large area. For example, it may be in the shape of a rectangle. A plurality of openings (216) formed in the plate (211) may be arranged to be spaced apart in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). For example, the openings (216) may be formed to extend in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction). For example, the openings (216) may be arranged to be spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction). The shape, size, and arrangement of the plurality of openings (216) are not limited by the above embodiment and may be designed in various ways.

[0077] The first louver (212) may be formed to correspond to the opening (216) formed in the plate (211). There may be a plurality of first louvers (212). The plurality of first louvers (212) may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The first louver (212) may be arranged so that at least a portion thereof faces approximately in the first diagonal direction (e.g., the first diagonal direction (①) of FIG. 7), and may include a curved surface (213) covering at least a portion of the opening (216), a left side surface (214) extending from the left (-Y-axis direction) end of the curved surface (213) toward the plate (211) and covering the left side of the opening (216), and a right side surface (215) extending from the right (+Y-axis direction) end of the curved surface (213) toward the plate (211) and covering the right side of the opening (216).

[0078] According to one embodiment, the curved surface (213) may extend inwardly (+X-axis direction) of the battery pack (1) from the plate (211) and may be formed to be bent downwardly. For example, the curved surface (213) may extend in a substantially vertical direction from the plate (211) surrounding the upper side of the opening (216), at least a portion thereof may be curved to approximately face a first diagonal direction (①), and at least a portion thereof may be formed to face downwardly. Here, the first diagonal direction (①) may be defined as a diagonal direction facing inward and downward or a diagonal direction facing outward and upward.

[0079] The curved surface (213) may be arranged to cover the corresponding opening (216) when viewed in the X-axis direction. For example, the lower end of the curved surface (213) may be positioned at substantially the same height as the opening (216). In this way, when the shape of the curved surface (213) according to the present invention is considered, foreign substances (e.g., venting gas (g), dust (p)), etc., generated by a thermal event of the battery cell, can pass through the opening (216) only when they rise in an upward direction. In other words, when the foreign substances (e.g., venting gas (g), dust (p)), etc., generated by a thermal event of the battery cell move from an upward direction to a downward direction, they may collide with the curved surface (213) and may not pass through the opening (216). In addition, when foreign substances (e.g., venting gas (g), dust (p)) generated by a thermal event of a battery cell move from the downward direction to the upward direction, the venting gas (g) can pass through the opening (216), but foreign substances with a certain weight, such as dust (p), may have a high possibility of falling downward due to gravity. In this way, by preventing foreign substances such as dust (p), dust, etc. from passing through the opening (216), ignition outside the battery pack can be controlled.

[0080] The left side surface (214) and the right side surface (215) can connect the curved surface (213) and the plate (211). The left side surface (214) and the right side surface (215) can prevent foreign substances (e.g., venting gas (g), dust (p)), etc., flowing in from the left and / or right sides, from passing through the opening (216). In other words, when foreign substances (e.g., venting gas (g), dust (p)), etc., generated by a thermal event of the battery cell, flow in from the left and / or right sides, they may hit the left side surface (214) and / or the right side surface (215) and be prevented from passing through the opening (216). The left side surface (214) and the right side surface (215) may be curved or flat. For example, the left side surface (214), the curved surface (213), and the right side surface (215) may be formed integrally. In this way, when considering the shape of the first louver (212) according to the present invention, foreign substances (e.g., venting gas (g), dust (p)) flowing in from the left, right, upper side, and front can all collide with the first louver (212) and cannot pass through the opening (216), and only the venting gas (g) rising from the lower side to the upper side can pass through the opening (216). In this case, since foreign substances having a constant weight, such as dust (p), have a low possibility of rising in the upper direction due to gravity, the number of foreign substances passing through the first louver (212) can be significantly reduced.

[0081] Meanwhile, considering the structure of the filter assembly (200) for suppressing the emission of dust (P), dirt, etc., the battery module (100) of the present invention may be provided with a venting portion and / or an opening for cooling in the upper direction (+Z-axis direction). In addition, the venting portion and / or the opening of the battery module (100) may be positioned higher than the opening (216) provided at the uppermost among the plurality of openings (216) provided in the filter assembly (200).

[0082] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a filter assembly (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a filter assembly (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a battery pack (1) may include a battery module (100) including a plurality of battery cells, a pack case (2) accommodating the battery modules (100), a venting valve (3), and a filter assembly (200). The configuration of the first filter (210) provided in the filter assembly (200) of FIGS. 4 and 5 may be all or part of the same as the configuration of the first filter (210) provided in the filter assembly (200) of FIGS. 2 and 3. The embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 may be partially combined with the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0084] The filter assembly (200) may be provided in multiple units. For example, the filter assembly (200) may include a first filter (210), a second filter (220), and a third filter (230) that are stacked side by side in a horizontal direction (X-axis direction). However, the number of filter assemblies (200) is not limited by the above embodiment, and may be designed in various ways.

[0085] The above filter assembly (200) may further include a second filter (220) arranged parallel to the first filter (210). The second filter (220) may include a first frame (221) coupled with a venting hole (4), and a plurality of second louvers (222) coupled to the first frame (221).

[0086] The first frame (221) may be in the form of a hollow rectangular frame. That is, the front and rear sides facing the X-axis direction may be open. Accordingly, the venting gas (g) or the like that has passed through the first filter (210) may be configured to pass through the first frame (221).

[0087] There may be a plurality of second louvers (222). The second louvers (222) may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The second louvers (222) may be formed to extend in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction). The second louvers (222) may be coupled to face a second diagonal direction (e.g., the second diagonal direction (②) of FIG. 7). Here, the second diagonal direction (②) may be a direction that is approximately perpendicular to the first diagonal direction (①). In other words, the second diagonal direction (②) may be defined as a diagonal direction facing inward and upward or a diagonal direction facing outward and downward.

[0088] The second louver (222) may be in the form of a plate facing the second diagonal direction (②). The second louver (222) may be formed to face the second diagonal direction (②), and both ends of the second louver (222) may be coupled to the first frame (221). For example, the first frame (221) and the second louver (222) may be coupled to each other by welding, or may be coupled using a fastening member such as a screw. For example, the first frame (221) and the second louver (222) may be formed integrally.

[0089] The above filter assembly (200) may further include a third filter (230) arranged parallel to the second filter (220). The third filter (230) may include a second frame (231) coupled with the venting hole (4), and a plurality of third louvers (232) coupled to the second frame (231).

[0090] The second frame (231) may be in the form of a hollow square frame. That is, the front and rear sides facing the X-axis direction may be open. Accordingly, the venting gas (g) or the like that has passed through the second filter (220) may be configured to pass through the second frame (231). The second frame (231) of the third filter (230) may be substantially similar in shape and structure to the first frame (221) of the second filter (220).

[0091] There may be a plurality of third louvers (232). The third louvers (232) may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The third louvers (232) may be formed to extend in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction). The third louvers (232) may be coupled to face a third diagonal direction (e.g., the third diagonal direction (③) of FIG. 7). Here, the third diagonal direction (③) may be a direction that is approximately perpendicular to the second diagonal direction (②). In other words, the third diagonal direction (③) may be defined as a diagonal direction facing inward and downward or a diagonal direction facing outward and upward. In other words, the third diagonal direction (③) may be substantially parallel to the first diagonal direction (①) or a direction with a small margin of error.

[0092] For example, the third louver (232) may be in the form of a plate facing in the third diagonal direction (③). The third louver (232) may be formed to face in the third diagonal direction (③), and both ends of the third louver (232) may be coupled to the second frame (231). For example, the second frame (231) and the third louver (232) may be coupled to each other by welding, or may be coupled using a fastening member such as a screw. For example, the second frame (231) and the third louver (232) may be formed integrally.

[0093] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack (1) including a filter assembly (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view for comparing the heights of each louver of the filter assembly (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a battery pack (1) may include a battery module (100) including a plurality of battery cells, a pack case (2) accommodating the battery modules (100), a venting valve (3), and a filter assembly (200). The configuration of the filter assembly (200) of FIGS. 6 and 7 may be all or part of the same as the configuration of the filter assembly (200) of FIGS. 4 and 5. The embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 may be partially combined with the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0095] The first filter (210), the second filter (220), and the third filter (230) of the filter assembly (200) may be sequentially stacked from the inside to the outside. In addition, adjacent louvers in the first filter (210), the second filter (220), and the third filter (230) may be arranged in a direction that is approximately perpendicular to each other. For example, the first louver (212) and the second louver (222) may be arranged in a direction that is approximately perpendicular to each other. For example, the second louver (222) and the third louver (232) may be arranged in a direction that is approximately perpendicular to each other. In this way, according to the present invention, the louvers that are arranged diagonally in a direction that is perpendicular to each other may be sequentially arranged so that foreign substances such as dust (p) and dirt generated by a thermal event of a battery cell are sequentially removed. That is, gases such as venting gas (g) generated by a thermal event of a battery cell can be configured to sequentially pass through the first filter (210), the second filter (220), and the third filter (230), and dust (p), dirt, etc. can fall off by hitting the first louver (212), the second louver (222), or the third louver (232). As the number of horizontally stacked filters increases, dust (p), dirt, etc. cannot be discharged outside the battery and can fall off within the battery pack (1).

[0096] Adjacent louvers in the first filter (210), the second filter (220), and the third filter (230) may be positioned at different heights. For example, the facing ends of the first louver (212) and the second louver (222) may be positioned at different heights, and the facing ends of the second louver (222) and the third louver (232) may be positioned at different heights. For example, referring to FIG. 7, when the height of the end of the first louver (212) facing the second louver (222) is defined as the first height (H1), and the height of the end of the second louver (222) facing the first louver (212) is defined as the second height (H2), the first height (H1) and the second height (H2) may be different from each other. For example, referring to FIG. 7, when the height of the end where the second louver (222) faces the third louver (232) is defined as the fourth height (H4), and the height of the end where the third louver (232) faces the second louver (222) is defined as the third height (H3), the third height (H3) and the fourth height (H4) may be different from each other. That is, the adjacent louvers in the first filter (210), the second filter (220), and the third filter (230) may be configured so that their ends do not overlap each other but are positioned at different heights. By configuring the ends of each of the adjacent louvers in this way so that they do not overlap, the possibility of foreign substances such as dust (p) or dirt hitting the first louver (212), the second louver (222), or the third louver (232) can be increased, and the possibility of foreign substances such as dust (p) or dirt being discharged to the outside of the battery pack (1) can be minimized.In other words, dust (p) formed by a thermal event occurring in a battery cell, etc. may fall inside the battery pack (1) by hitting the first louver (212) of the first filter (210), dust (p) that has penetrated the first filter (210) may fall inside the battery pack (1) by hitting the second louver (222) of the second filter (220), and dust (p) that has penetrated the second filter (220) may fall inside the battery pack (1) by hitting the third louver (232) of the third filter (230). At this time, dust (p) that has struck the first louver (212), the second louver (222), or the third louver (232) may fall between the side wall (23) of the first louver (212) and the battery module (100) or at the bottom of the venting hole (4) formed in the side wall (23). In this way, according to the present invention, a plurality of filters are stacked and arranged so that the ends of each louver are positioned vertically apart from each other, thereby minimizing the possibility of dust (p) or the like being discharged to the outside of the battery pack (1) and causing ignition.

[0097] One side of the venting hole (4) may be covered by a venting valve (3), and the other side may be covered by a filter assembly (200). According to one embodiment, the venting hole (4) may include a first region (4a) having a first hole size, and a second region (4b) having a second hole size larger than the first size. A second filter (220) and / or a third filter (230) may be sequentially inserted into the second region (4b). In addition, the first region (4a) may be covered by the venting valve, and the second region (4b) may be covered by the first filter (210).

[0098] According to one embodiment, the venting valve (3), the filter assembly (200), etc. may be coupled to the pack case (2) via screws, etc. For example, one side of the venting valve (3) may cover the vent hole from the outside and may be coupled to the outer surface of the pack case (2) by at least one first fastening member (5). For example, the plate (211) of the first filter (210) may cover the inside of the vent hole and may be coupled to the inner surface of the pack case (2) by at least one second fastening member (7). For example, the first frame (221) and / or the second frame (231) of the second filter (220) and / or the third filter (230) may be sequentially inserted into the second region (4b) of the vent hole and may be coupled to the inner wall of the vent hole (4) by at least one third fastening member (6). However, the manner in which the venting valve (3) and the filter assembly (200) are coupled to the pack case (2) is not limited by the above embodiment and may be designed in various ways.

[0099] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack (1) including a filter assembly (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] Referring to FIG. 8, a battery pack (1) may include a battery module (100) including a plurality of battery cells, a pack case (2) accommodating the battery modules (100), a venting valve (3), and a filter assembly (200). The configuration of the second filter (220) and / or the third filter (230) provided in the filter assembly (200) of FIG. 8 may be all or part of the same as the configuration of the second filter (220) and / or the third filter (230) provided in the filter assembly (200) of FIGS. 6 and 7. The embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7 may be partially combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0101] According to one embodiment, the curved surface (213) of the first louver (212) may extend from the plate (211) in an outward direction (-X-axis direction) of the battery pack (1) and may be formed to be bent upward. For example, the curved surface (213) may be formed such that at least a portion thereof extends approximately vertically from the plate (211) surrounding the lower side of the opening (216), at least a portion thereof is curved to approximately face the first diagonal direction (①), and at least a portion thereof faces upward.

[0102] Considering the shape of the curved surface (213) according to the present invention, foreign substances (e.g., venting gas (g), dust (p)), etc., generated by a thermal event of the battery cell, can pass through the opening (216) only when they rise upward. In other words, when foreign substances (e.g., venting gas (g), dust (p), etc., generated by a thermal event of the battery cell, move from the upward direction to the downward direction, they may collide with the curved surface (213) and may not pass through the opening (216). In addition, when foreign substances (e.g., venting gas (g), dust (p), etc., generated by a thermal event of the battery cell, move from the downward direction to the upward direction, the venting gas (g) can pass through the opening (216), but foreign substances having a constant weight, such as dust (p), are likely to fall downward due to gravity. In this way, it is possible to control ignition when foreign substances such as dust (p), dirt, etc. are discharged to the outside by preventing them from passing through the opening (216).

[0103] Meanwhile, similar to what was described above, considering the structure of the filter assembly (200) for suppressing the emission of dust (P), dirt, etc., the battery module (100) of the present invention may be provided with a venting portion and / or an opening for cooling in the upper direction (+Z-axis direction). In addition, the venting portion and / or the opening of the battery module (100) may be positioned higher than the opening (216) provided at the uppermost among the plurality of openings (216) provided in the filter assembly (200).

[0104] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle including a battery pack (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] Referring to FIG. 9, a vehicle (V) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include at least one battery pack (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle (V) according to the present invention may be, for example, an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The vehicle (V) includes a four-wheel vehicle and a two-wheel vehicle. The vehicle (V) operates by receiving power from the battery pack (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0106] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is obvious that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims to be described below by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

Claims

1. A battery module comprising a plurality of battery cells; A pack case that accommodates the battery module and includes a venting hole on one side configured to discharge venting gas generated from the battery cell; A venting valve covering the above venting hole; and A battery pack comprising a filter assembly configured to cover the venting hole, induce external discharge of the venting gas, and control external discharge of dust.

2. In paragraph 1, The above filter assembly, A battery pack comprising: a plate including a plurality of openings; and a first filter including a plurality of first louvers formed to protrude and be inclined at a specified acute angle with respect to the plate.

3. In paragraph 2, A battery pack characterized in that the first louver is arranged such that at least a portion thereof faces approximately the first diagonal direction and includes a curved surface covering at least a portion of the opening.

4. In paragraph 3, A battery pack characterized in that the above curved surface extends inwardly from the plate toward the battery pack and is bent downward.

5. In paragraph 3, A battery pack characterized in that the above curved surface extends outward from the plate toward the outside of the battery pack and is bent upward.

6. In paragraph 3, The above first filter is, A left side surface extending from the left end of the curved surface toward the plate and covering the left side of the opening, and A battery pack characterized by including a right side surface extending toward the plate from the right end of the curved surface and covering the right side of the opening.

7. In paragraph 2, A battery pack characterized in that the first louver is configured so that only venting gas rising upward passes through the opening.

8. In paragraph 3, The above filter assembly, A battery pack comprising a second filter arranged parallel to the first filter, the second filter comprising a first frame coupled to the venting hole, and a plurality of second louvers coupled to the first frame so as to face a second diagonal direction that is approximately perpendicular to the first diagonal direction.

9. In paragraph 8, The above filter assembly, A battery pack characterized in that it comprises a third filter arranged parallel to the second filter, a second frame coupled to the venting hole, and a plurality of third louvers coupled to the second frame so as to face a third diagonal direction that is approximately perpendicular to the second diagonal direction.

10. In paragraph 9, A battery pack characterized in that the first filter, the second filter, and the third filter are stacked side by side in a horizontal direction.

11. In paragraph 9, A battery pack characterized in that the first louver, the second louver, and the third louver are arranged in a direction approximately perpendicular to adjacent louvers.

12. In paragraph 9, The ends of the first louver and the second louver facing each other are located at different heights, A battery pack characterized in that the ends of the second louver and the third louver facing each other are positioned at different heights.

13. In paragraph 9, A battery pack characterized in that the dust is configured to fall into the interior of the battery pack by hitting the first louver, the second louver, or the third louver.

14. In paragraph 9, The above venting hole includes a first region having a hole size of a first size, and a second region having a hole size of a second size larger than the first size, A battery pack characterized in that the venting valve covers the first area, the second filter and the third filter are configured to be inserted into the second area, and the first filter is configured to cover the second area.

15. A vehicle characterized by including a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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