Battery pack and electric vehicle having same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery pack that facilitates fire suppression, and an electric vehicle comprising same. The battery pack of the present invention comprises: a housing and an upper cover forming an internal space; an inlet provided in the upper cover; a water outlet provided in the housing; and an inlet cap for sealing the inlet and an outlet cap for sealing the water outlet, so as to seal the internal space. The inlet cap and the outlet cap are formed of a material having a lower melting point than those of the housing and the upper cover.

Description

Battery pack and electric vehicle equipped with it

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack and an electric vehicle equipped with the same, and more particularly, to a battery pack that is easy to extinguish a fire and an electric vehicle equipped with the same.

[0002] Battery packs typically installed in electric vehicles have a sealed structure. Consequently, in the event of a fire, fire extinguishing agents have difficulty penetrating the battery pack, making fire extinguishing difficult. In particular, battery packs for electric vehicles are continually increasing in capacity to increase driving range. To achieve this, energy density within a given volume must be increased. Consequently, higher-capacity batteries are being installed or packing densities are being increased, further increasing the risk of fire.

[0003] Conventional battery packs are equipped with high-temperature insulation materials, such as aerogel or mica sheets, inside the battery pack to prepare for emergencies. However, even if a fire were to break out, these materials only delay the spread of the fire, giving drivers and passengers time to evacuate. Consequently, their effectiveness in extinguishing the fire is limited.

[0004] In the event of an electric vehicle fire, submerging the vehicle in a tank of water to cool the battery pack and extinguish the fire was considered the best method for rapid extinguishment. However, this method requires lifting the burning vehicle with a forklift or similar device and submerging it in a tank, or installing a temporary dam around the burning vehicle and filling it with water. This method is both time-consuming and costly. Furthermore, this method requires close proximity to the burning vehicle, making it extremely dangerous. Furthermore, if the vehicle is inside a building or in an inaccessible location, such as by a forklift, extinguishing the fire becomes extremely difficult.

[0005] If the extinguishment of an electric vehicle fire is delayed, the fire can spread to the surrounding area, leading to a large-scale fire and increased loss of life and property.

[0006] The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problems, and its purpose is to provide a battery pack that is easy to extinguish in the event of a fire without changing the internal structure, and an electric vehicle equipped with the same.

[0007] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a battery pack and an electric vehicle equipped with the same that can extinguish a fire through basic fire extinguishing equipment without requiring separate special fire extinguishing devices.

[0008] The battery pack according to the present invention includes an internal space.

[0009] The battery pack comprises a housing having an opening at the upper side and a receiving space formed therein, a partition member formed in the housing so as to divide the receiving space into a plurality of arrangement spaces, a plurality of battery modules each mounted in the plurality of arrangement spaces, an upper cover coupled to the upper side of the housing and forming the internal space together with the housing, at least one inlet formed in the upper cover so as to allow fluid to flow from the outside to the internal space, at least one outlet formed in the housing so as to allow fluid to flow from the internal space to the outside, at least one inlet cap sealing the at least one inlet so as to seal the internal space, and at least one outlet cap sealing the at least one outlet so as to seal the at least one outlet.

[0010] At this time, the at least one inlet plug and the at least one outlet plug are formed of a material having a lower melting point than the housing and the upper cover.

[0011] Additionally, the at least one inlet plug and the at least one outlet plug may be a plastic or a low-melting-point alloy having a melting point of 80 degrees or more and less than 400 degrees.

[0012] Additionally, the at least one inlet port may be formed in the upper cover so as to penetrate the upper portion of the internal space, and the at least one outlet port may be formed in the housing so as to penetrate one side of the internal space.

[0013] In addition, the at least one inlet port and the at least one outlet port may be formed in the upper cover and the housing with different shapes, respectively, and the at least one inlet plug and the at least one outlet plug may be provided with different shapes corresponding to the shapes of the at least one inlet port and the at least one outlet port.

[0014] Additionally, the at least one inlet may be formed as a circular opening penetrating the upper cover, and the at least one outlet may be formed as a horizontally extending square opening penetrating the side surface of the housing.

[0015] Meanwhile, the electric vehicle according to the present invention includes a battery pack installed at the lower part of the lower panel and including an internal space.

[0016] The battery pack comprises a housing having an open upper side and in which a plurality of battery modules are mounted, an upper cover coupled to an upper side of the housing to form the internal space together with the housing and disposed on a lower side of the lower panel, at least one inlet formed in the upper cover to allow fluid to flow into the internal space, at least one outlet formed in the housing to allow fluid to flow in the internal space, at least one inlet plug for sealing the at least one inlet and at least one outlet plug for sealing the at least one outlet so that the internal space is sealed, and the at least one inlet plug and the at least one outlet plug are formed of a material having a lower melting point than those of the housing and the upper cover.

[0017] Additionally, it may further include at least one connecting port formed in the lower panel corresponding to the at least one inlet port.

[0018] In addition, the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet are formed in the upper cover and the housing with different shapes, respectively, and the at least one connecting port is formed in the lower panel with the same shape as the at least one inlet and can be arranged vertically parallel to the at least one inlet.

[0019] In addition, to form a passage through which a fluid can flow, the at least one connecting port may be formed to extend downward to the at least one inlet port, and the at least one inlet plug and the at least one outlet plug may be formed of a material having a lower melting point than the at least one connecting port.

[0020] According to the battery pack of the present invention and the electric vehicle including the same, there is an advantage in that a fire can be easily extinguished when a fire occurs.

[0021] In particular, since the basic structure of the battery pack is maintained in normal conditions and the structure is changed so that the fire extinguishing agent can flow into the internal space only when a fire occurs, it has the advantage of being easy to extinguish a fire without changing the internal structure.

[0022] Additionally, it has the advantage of not requiring any special fire extinguishing devices and of not requiring additional costs or time because fire extinguishing is possible with basic fire extinguishing equipment.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Fig. 2 is an exploded view showing the configuration of the battery pack illustrated in Fig. 1.

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic drawing illustrating the X-X' cross-section of Figure 1.

[0026] Fig. 4 is a schematic drawing of the Y-Y' cross-section of Fig. 1.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a cutaway view of an electric vehicle equipped with a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the state of Figure 3 along with the flow of fire extinguishing agent during fire suppression.

[0029] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the state of Figure 4 along with the flow of fire extinguishing agent during fire suppression.

[0030] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the presented embodiments, and those skilled in the art who understand the spirit of the present invention will be able to easily propose other regressive inventions or other embodiments included within the spirit of the present invention by adding, modifying, or deleting other components within the scope of the same spirit. However, this will also be considered to be included within the spirit of the present invention.

[0031] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis shown in the drawings represent a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction, respectively. Each direction may be understood as any direction perpendicular to each other, and in particular, the third direction may be understood as an up-down direction. In addition, each direction generally includes both directions as an axial direction, and the description is limited to one direction if necessary.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a battery pack (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded drawing showing the configuration of the battery pack (1) shown in FIG. 1. In addition, FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of a cross-section taken along line X-X' of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of a cross-section taken along line Y-Y' of FIG. 1.

[0033] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the battery pack (1) includes a housing (10), an upper cover (20), an inlet cap (30), an outlet cap (40), and a battery module (50). In addition, the battery pack (1) includes an internal space (5), as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The internal space (5) may be understood as the inside of the battery pack (1) where the battery module (50) is placed, and the outside of the battery pack (1) that does not include the internal space (5) is referred to as the 'outside'.

[0034] The housing (10) may be formed in a roughly box shape with a predetermined space formed therein and an open upper side. Specifically, the housing (10) may be provided in a laterally extending square box shape, or may be provided in a rectangular box shape with one side extending approximately twice as far as the other side. Such a shape is exemplary and may be modified by design.

[0035] At this time, for the sake of convenience of understanding, the upper open space formed by the housing (10) is referred to as a receiving space. The receiving space corresponds to a portion of the internal space (5) described above, and can be understood to mean the lower portion formed by the housing (10) among the internal space (5).

[0036] The battery pack (1) may further include a partition member (12) formed in the housing (10) so that the receiving space is divided into a plurality of spaces. The space divided by the partition member (12) is referred to as a placement space, and the battery modules (50) may be respectively installed in the placement space. That is, the placement space may be formed to correspond to the shape and number of the battery modules (50).

[0037] For example, referring to FIG. 2, eight battery modules (50) are mounted in the housing (10). Accordingly, the partition wall member (12) is formed to divide the housing (10) into eight spaces. Specifically, four battery modules (50) are arranged in a parallel manner on one side in the lateral direction, and two are arranged on the other side in the lateral direction. Accordingly, the partition wall member (12) can be formed to divide the housing (10) into four spaces on one side in the lateral direction, and into two spaces on the other side in the lateral direction.

[0038] The battery pack (1) may further include at least one outlet (15) formed in the housing (10). The at least one outlet (15) is formed through the housing (10) so that a predetermined fluid can flow through the housing (10). In particular, the fluid can flow from the internal space (5) to the outside through the outlet (15).

[0039] The above-mentioned outlet (15) may be formed in the housing (10) so as to penetrate one side of the internal space (5). For example, the outlet (15) may be formed as a square opening extending horizontally through the side surface of the housing (10). Referring to Fig. 2, it can be seen that the outlet (15) is formed as a square opening extending laterally to one side.

[0040] In addition, the water outlets (15) may be formed in multiple numbers in the housing (10). For example, the water outlets (15) may be formed on each of the four sides of the housing (10). In addition, the water outlets (15) may be installed in pairs spaced apart from each other on one side of the elongated housing (10). In addition, the water outlets (15) may be formed in pairs on opposite sides of the housing (10).

[0041] The upper cover (20) is coupled to the upper surface of the housing (10). The upper cover (20) may be provided in a square plate shape corresponding to the upper surface of the housing (10). Specifically, the upper cover (20) may be provided in a square plate shape extending laterally, and may be provided in a rectangular plate shape in which one side in the lateral direction is extended approximately twice as much as the other side. Such a shape is exemplary and may be changed by design.

[0042] The upper cover (20) can form the internal space (5) together with the housing (10). That is, the space formed by the housing (10) and the upper cover (20) is referred to as the internal space (5). In FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper space formed by the upper cover (20) is illustrated as being relatively large. This is to illustrate the internal space (5). In reality, the upper cover (20) may be provided as a flat plate so as to be in close contact with the battery module (50).

[0043] The battery pack (1) may further include at least one inlet (25) formed in the upper cover (20). The at least one inlet (25) is formed through the upper cover (20), so that a predetermined fluid can flow through the upper cover (20). In particular, the fluid can flow from the outside to the internal space (5) through the inlet (25).

[0044] The above inlet (25) may be formed in the upper cover (20) so as to penetrate the upper portion of the internal space (5). At this time, the inlet (25) may be formed in a different shape from the outlet (15). For example, the inlet (25) may be formed as a circular opening penetrating the upper cover (20). Referring to Fig. 2, it can be seen that the outlet (15) is formed as a square opening extending laterally to one side, whereas the inlet (25) is formed as a circular opening.

[0045] The shapes of the inlet (25) and outlet (15) may correspond to optimal shapes for smooth fluid flow. In the case of the inlet (25), it may be provided in a circular shape so that the fluid, such as a fire extinguishing agent flowing from the upper part, can flow more quickly into the internal space (5) of the battery pack (1). In addition, the outlet (15) may be provided in a laterally elongated shape so that the fluid can quickly flow from the internal space (5) to the outside.

[0046] In addition, the inlet (25) may be formed in multiple numbers in the upper cover (20). For example, the inlet (25) may be formed as four openings spaced apart from each other in four directions in the upper cover (20). In addition, the inlet (25) may be formed as one opening that is relatively large and formed in the center of the upper cover (20).

[0047] The above inlet plug (30) and the outlet plug (40) seal the inlet (25) and the outlet (15), respectively, so that the internal space (5) is sealed. That is, the inlet plug (30) and the outlet plug (40) are connected to the inlet (25) and the outlet (15), respectively, to prevent the flow of fluid.

[0048] In addition, the inlet plug (30) and the outlet plug (40) may be provided in different shapes corresponding to the shapes of the inlet (25) and the outlet (15). For example, referring to Fig. 2, the outlet plug (40) may be provided in a square shape corresponding to the outlet (15) formed as a square opening, and the inlet plug (30) may be provided in a circular shape corresponding to the inlet (25) formed as a circular opening.

[0049] At this time, the inlet plug (30) and the outlet plug (40) are formed of a material having a lower melting point than the housing (10) and the upper cover (20). For example, the inlet plug (30) and the outlet plug (40) may be formed of a plastic or a low-melting-point alloy having a melting point of 80 degrees or more and less than 400 degrees.

[0050] That is, the inlet plug (30) and the outlet plug (40) can be melted and removed in the event of a fire. In summary, in normal circumstances, the internal space (5) can be maintained in a sealed state by the inlet plug (30) and the outlet plug (40). In addition, in the event of a fire, as the inlet plug (30) and the outlet plug (40) are removed, the inlet (25) and the outlet (15) are opened, and fluid can flow into the internal space (5).

[0051] FIG. 5 is a cutaway view of an electric vehicle (100) equipped with a battery pack (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention. For ease of understanding, the electric vehicle (100) is cutaway and unnecessary components are omitted.

[0052] As illustrated in Fig. 5, the battery pack (1) is installed on the lower panel (110) of the electric vehicle (1). At this time, the lower panel (110) refers to the lower structure of the electric vehicle (1) and can be understood as a part of the interior space. The battery pack (1) is installed on the lower portion of the lower panel (110), and the upper cover (20) can be arranged parallel to each other on the lower side of the lower panel (110).

[0053] The lower panel (110) may include a connecting port (120) formed corresponding to the inlet (25). That is, the connecting port (120) is formed in the lower panel (110) in the same shape as the inlet (25) and may be arranged vertically parallel to the inlet (25). As illustrated in Fig. 5, the connecting port (120) may be formed as a circular opening like the inlet (25) and may be provided with four openings spaced apart in four directions.

[0054] At this time, the connecting port (120) may be formed to extend downward to the inlet port (25) so as to form a passage through which the fluid can flow. That is, the fluid flowing downward through the connecting port (120) may flow directly to the inlet port (25). At this time, the inlet plug (30) and the outlet plug (40) may be formed of a material having a lower melting point than the connecting port (120). That is, the connecting port (120) may not be removed even in the event of a fire and may form a passage connected to the inlet port (25).

[0055] Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the process of suppressing a fire by the flow of a fire extinguishing agent into the internal space (5) when a fire occurs will be described. FIG. 6 is a drawing schematically illustrating the state of FIG. 3 when a fire is suppressed along with the flow of a fire extinguishing agent, and FIG. 7 is a drawing schematically illustrating the state of FIG. 4 when a fire is suppressed along with the flow of a fire extinguishing agent.

[0056] As previously explained, when a fire occurs, the inlet plug (30) and the outlet plug (40) having low melting points are removed, and the inlet (25) and the outlet (15) are opened. In this state, when a fire extinguishing agent is injected into the interior of the electric vehicle (1), it can flow to the inlet (25) along the connection port (120).

[0057] The fire extinguishing agent introduced through the inlet (25) can move laterally and flow while coming into contact with the battery module (50), as illustrated in FIG. 6. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the fire extinguishing agent that has moved to the lower portion of the receiving space (5) can be discharged to the outside through the outlet (15). Through this process, the fire can be extinguished and the temperature of the battery module (50) can be effectively lowered.

[0058] In summary, in the event of a fire, simply breaking a window or opening a door of the electric vehicle (1) and injecting the fire extinguishing agent without any additional measures can allow the fire extinguishing agent to flow into the internal space (5) of the battery pack (1). This simple extinguishing method can prevent additional risks and effectively save time and money.

[0059] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations are possible within a scope that does not depart from the technical spirit of the present invention described in the claims.

Claims

1. In a battery pack including an internal space, A housing with a formed receiving space and an open upper side; A partition member formed in the housing so that the above-mentioned accommodation space is divided into a plurality of arrangement spaces; A plurality of battery modules each mounted in the plurality of arrangement spaces; An upper cover coupled to the upper side of the housing and forming the internal space together with the housing; At least one inlet formed in the upper cover so that fluid can flow from the outside into the internal space; At least one outlet formed in the housing so that fluid can flow from the internal space to the outside; In order to seal the internal space, it includes at least one inlet plug that seals the at least one inlet and at least one outlet plug that seals the at least one outlet, A battery pack, characterized in that the at least one inlet plug and the at least one outlet plug are formed of a material having a lower melting point than the housing and the upper cover.

2. In paragraph 1, A battery pack, characterized in that the at least one inlet plug and the at least one outlet plug are made of a plastic or a low-melting-point alloy having a melting point of 80 degrees or more and less than 400 degrees.

3. In paragraph 2, A battery pack characterized in that at least one inlet is formed in the upper cover so as to penetrate the upper portion of the internal space, and at least one outlet is formed in the housing so as to penetrate one side of the internal space.

4. In paragraph 3, The at least one inlet and the at least one outlet are formed in different shapes in the upper cover and the housing, respectively, A battery pack characterized in that the at least one inlet plug and the at least one outlet plug are provided with different shapes corresponding to the shapes of the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet.

5. In paragraph 4, wherein at least one of the inlets is formed as a circular opening penetrating the upper cover, A battery pack characterized in that at least one outlet is formed as a horizontally extending square opening penetrating the side surface of the housing.

6. In an electric vehicle including a battery pack installed at the lower part of the lower panel and including an internal space, The above battery pack, A housing having an open top and housing multiple battery modules; An upper cover coupled to the upper surface of the housing to form the internal space together with the housing and disposed on the lower side of the lower panel; At least one inlet formed in the upper cover so that fluid can flow into the internal space; At least one outlet formed in the housing so that fluid can flow in the internal space; In order to seal the internal space, it includes at least one inlet plug that seals the at least one inlet and at least one outlet plug that seals the at least one outlet, An electric vehicle, characterized in that the at least one inlet plug and the at least one outlet plug are formed of a material having a lower melting point than the housing and the upper cover.

7. In paragraph 6, An electric vehicle characterized in that it further comprises at least one connecting port formed in the lower panel corresponding to the at least one inlet port.

8. In paragraph 7, The at least one inlet and the at least one outlet are formed in different shapes in the upper cover and the housing, respectively, An electric vehicle, characterized in that the at least one connecting port is formed in the lower panel with the same shape as the at least one inlet port and is arranged vertically parallel to the at least one inlet port.

9. In paragraph 8, At least one connecting port is formed to extend downward to at least one inlet port so as to form a passage through which a fluid can flow, An electric vehicle, characterized in that the at least one inlet plug and the at least one outlet plug are formed of a material having a lower melting point than the at least one connecting port.

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