Battery pack and vehicle including same

Abstract

Disclosed are a battery pack and a vehicle including same. The battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a plurality of battery cells; a pack case accommodating the plurality of battery cells; and a fire-resistant member coupled to the battery cells and having a discharge portion formed therein.

Description

Battery pack and vehicle including same

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0094190, filed on July 17, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the said application are incorporated by reference into this application.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery pack and a vehicle including the same, and more particularly, to a battery pack capable of directional venting of flames, gases or high-temperature particles and a vehicle including the same.

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

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

[0005] That is, various types of secondary batteries may be provided with a module case capable of protecting battery cells, and include a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked and inserted into the module case, and a battery pack including a plurality of battery modules.

[0006] Alternatively, the battery module may not have a module case and the battery cells may be placed directly inside the battery pack.

[0007] Lithium secondary batteries are currently in the spotlight due to their advantages such as high operating voltage and significantly higher energy density. However, because they use organic electrolytes, there is a problem that lithium secondary batteries can cause overcurrent and overheating when overcharged, which in severe cases can cause fire due to explosion or ignition.

[0008] Specifically, when a thermal event occurs in at least one of the plurality of battery cells, gases and hot particles (e.g., hot sparks) are generated. If the gases are not vented to the outside of the battery pack, the internal pressure and temperature may increase, accelerating heat transfer to adjacent battery cells within the battery pack.

[0009] For example, if gas is not discharged to the outside of the battery pack and meets high-temperature particles inside the battery pack, the gas explodes and a flame is generated. If the flame spreads to a neighboring battery cell, the chain reaction of the flame may cause the entire battery cell or battery pack to be damaged or explode, and as a result, there is a problem in that the stability of the battery cell or battery pack cannot be secured.

[0010] Alternatively, flames, gases, or high-temperature particles may move in various directions within the battery pack case, backflowing into the battery cells where the thermal event occurred. This can lead to thermal runaway, and if the flames leak out due to this thermal runaway, the driver of the electric vehicle could suffer burns or be in a dangerous situation.

[0011] Accordingly, the technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a battery pack and a vehicle including the same that allows flames, gases or high-temperature particles generated by ignition in a battery cell to be discharged in a preset direction (directional venting).

[0012] In addition, the present invention provides a battery pack and a vehicle including the same that can prevent serial thermal runaway and improve the stability of battery cells through directional venting of flames, gases or high-temperature particles.

[0013] In addition, the present invention provides a battery pack and a vehicle including the same, which can prevent heat concentration by evenly dispersing heat caused by the flame inside the battery pack when a flame occurs from one battery cell, thereby achieving uniform thermal distribution.

[0014] In addition, the present invention provides a battery pack and a vehicle including the same, which can prevent flames, gases or high-temperature particles from flowing back into battery cells and prevent flames, gases or high-temperature particles from being transferred or propagated to other battery cells.

[0015] However, the technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems described above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0016] In one embodiment, a battery pack may be provided, comprising: a plurality of battery cells; a pack case housing the plurality of battery cells; and a fireproof member coupled to the battery cells and having a discharge portion formed therein.

[0017] In one embodiment, the refractory member may include a first refractory sheet coupled to the battery cell and having a first discharge portion formed therein; and a second refractory sheet coupled to the first refractory sheet and having a second discharge portion formed therein at a location spaced from the first discharge portion.

[0018] In one embodiment, the first discharge portion and the second discharge portion may be formed in the first refractory sheet and the second refractory sheet at opposing positions, respectively.

[0019] In one embodiment, the first discharge portion may be located on the right side of the cross-section of the refractory member, and the second discharge portion may be located on the left side of the first discharge portion.

[0020] In one embodiment, the first discharge portion may be located on the left side of the cross-section of the refractory member, and the second discharge portion may be located on the right side of the first discharge portion.

[0021] In one embodiment, the first discharge portion and the second discharge portion may be configured to have different shapes.

[0022] In one embodiment, the second exhaust portion is formed to allow venting of gas when ruptured upon occurrence of a thermal event, and a portion of the second exhaust portion may be configured to guide the movement of gas when the second exhaust portion ruptures.

[0023] In one embodiment, the second discharge portion may include a notched portion formed to rupture when a thermal event occurs; and a guide portion that is deformed to be inclined when the notched portion ruptures to guide the movement of the gas.

[0024] In one embodiment, the pack case includes an upper frame, a gas movement channel through which gas can be discharged is formed between the upper frame and the second refractory sheet, and when a thermal event occurs, the guide portion can be deformed to contact the upper frame.

[0025] In one embodiment, the notching portion may include a reference line portion formed on the second refractory sheet; and extension portions extending from both ends of the reference line portion at a preset angle.

[0026] In one embodiment, the second discharge portion may include a cut portion formed in the second refractory sheet; and a guide portion that is deformed to be inclined with respect to the cut portion when a thermal event occurs and guides the movement of the gas.

[0027] In one embodiment, the pack case includes an upper frame, a gas movement channel through which gas can be discharged is formed between the upper frame and the second refractory sheet, and when a thermal event occurs, the guide portion can be deformed to contact the upper frame.

[0028] In one embodiment, the cut portion may include a reference line portion formed on the second refractory sheet; and extension portions extending from both ends of the reference line portion at a preset angle.

[0029] In one embodiment, the first discharge portion may be formed as a notch or cut portion formed in a straight or dotted line shape.

[0030] In one embodiment, the pack case may have a venting portion formed therein.

[0031] In one embodiment, the venting portion may include a venting hole through which gas generated from the battery cell is discharged; and a venting valve that closes the venting hole and opens when the internal pressure of the pack case exceeds a preset value.

[0032] In one embodiment, a gas movement channel through which gas can be discharged is formed between the pack case and the refractory member, and the gas can move to the venting portion through the gas movement channel.

[0033] Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle including at least one battery pack as described above can be provided.

[0034] Embodiments of the present invention have the effect of allowing flames, gases or high-temperature particles generated by ignition in a battery cell to be discharged in a preset direction (directional venting).

[0035] Additionally, it has the effect of preventing serial thermal runaway and improving the stability of battery cells through directional venting of flames, gases or high-temperature particles.

[0036] In addition, in the event of a flame occurring from one battery cell, the heat caused by the flame is evenly spread within the battery pack, thereby preventing heat concentration and achieving a uniform thermal distribution.

[0037] In addition, it has the effect of preventing flames, gases or high-temperature particles from flowing back into the battery cell and preventing flames, gases or high-temperature particles from being transferred or propagated to other battery cells.

[0038] However, the effects that can be obtained through the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other technical effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0039] 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.

[0040] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a separation diagram of a battery cell, a refractory member, and a cover in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 3 is a drawing showing the battery cell, the refractory member, and the cover combined in Figure 2.

[0043] Figure 4 is a drawing viewed along direction A of Figure 3.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing the cover and the second refractory sheet from FIG. 4 removed and the first refractory sheet coupled to the battery cell.

[0045] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of Figure 4.

[0046] Figure 7 is a drawing illustrating a thermal event occurring in Figure 6, resulting in the emission of flames, gas, or high-temperature particles.

[0047] Figure 8 is an enlarged view of a modified embodiment of Figure 6.

[0048] FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating a venting portion in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Fig. 10 is a drawing showing a venting hole of the venting part in Fig. 9.

[0050] FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating a state in which gas moves to a venting portion through a gas movement channel in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module housed inside a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including a battery pack according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted with meanings and concepts that conform to the technical idea of ​​the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term to best explain his or her own invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and various equivalents and modifications may exist as of the time of this application.

[0054] In the drawings, the sizes of each component or specific parts of that component are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for convenience and clarity of explanation. Therefore, the size of each component does not entirely reflect its actual size. If a detailed description of a related known function or configuration is deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, such description will be omitted.

[0055] The term 'joint' or 'connection' as used herein includes not only cases where one member is directly joined or directly connected to another member, but also cases where one member is indirectly joined or indirectly connected to another member through a connecting member.

[0056] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a separated view of a battery cell, a fire-resistant member, and a cover in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a view showing a state in which a battery cell, a fire-resistant member, and a cover are combined in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a view viewed along direction A of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a view showing a state in which a cover and a second fire-resistant sheet are removed and a first fire-resistant sheet is combined to a battery cell in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of FIG. 4, and FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which a thermal event occurs in FIG. 6 and flames, gas, or high-temperature particles are emitted.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a battery pack (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells (100), a pack case (200), and a plurality of fire-resistant members (300).

[0058] The types of battery cells (100) may vary. For example, the battery cells (100) may include at least one of a pouch-type battery cell (100), a cylindrical battery cell (100), and a square battery cell (100). However, for convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the case where the battery cell (100) is a pouch-type battery cell (100).

[0059] A plurality of battery cells (100) can be stacked on top of each other. The battery cells (100) can have various structures, and furthermore, the plurality of battery cells (100) can be stacked in various ways.

[0060] The battery cell (100) may have a structure in which a plurality of unit cells arranged in the order of positive plate-separator-negative plate or bi-cells arranged in the order of positive plate-separator-negative plate-separator-positive plate-separator-negative plate are stacked according to the battery capacity.

[0061] The battery cell (100) may be equipped with an electrode lead. The electrode lead is a type of terminal that is exposed to the outside and connected to an external device, and may be made of a conductive material. The electrode lead may include a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead.

[0062] The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead may be positioned in opposite directions with respect to the longitudinal direction of the battery cell (100), or the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead may be positioned in the same direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the battery cell (100).

[0063] The battery cell (100) is accommodated in a module case (21, see FIG. 12), and the module case (21) in which the battery cell (100) is accommodated may be accommodated in a pack case (200) to form a battery pack (10). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the module case (21) may be removed to reduce the weight and volume of the module case (21), in which case the battery cell (100) may be directly accommodated in the pack case (200) of the battery pack (10).

[0064] According to this method, more battery cells (100) can be stored in the space previously occupied by the module case (21) of the battery module (20) within the battery pack (10), thereby increasing space efficiency and improving battery capacity.

[0065] For convenience of explanation, the following first describes a case in which a battery cell (100) is directly stored in a pack case (200) without a module case (21), and then describes a configuration in which a pouch-type battery cell (100) of each embodiment of the present invention is stored in a module case (21) provided in a battery module (20).

[0066] There may be various ways in which the battery cell (100) is directly stored in the pack case (200). For example, the battery cell (100) may be supported by being wrapped in a cell cover (not shown). Here, the cell cover may have various shapes, and for example, may be configured in an 'n' shape, a 'u' shape, or a 'ㄷ' shape surrounding at least three sides of one battery cell (100). However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0067] Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of fire-resistant members (300) may be configured to be directly coupled to a plurality of battery cells (100) in a state where a plurality of pouch-type battery cells (100) are stacked without cell covers. For convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on a configuration where a plurality of fire-resistant members (300) are coupled to a plurality of battery cells (100) in a state where a plurality of pouch-type battery cells (100) are stacked.

[0068] In addition, the battery pack (10) according to the present embodiment may include, for example, a control module configured to control charging and discharging of pouch-type battery cells (100). This control module may include, for example, a battery management system (BMS) and a battery disconnect unit, and may be housed inside a pack case (200) together with the battery cells (100).

[0069] Referring to FIG. 1, a plurality of battery cells (100) are stored in a pack case (200).

[0070] The pack case (200) may be configured to include, for example, an upper frame (210), a side frame (220), a bulkhead frame (230), and a lower frame (240).

[0071] The upper frame (210) can be coupled to the side frame (220). In a modified embodiment, the upper frame (210) can be formed integrally with the side frame (220), but is not limited thereto.

[0072] The side frame (220) may be configured to extend upward from the edge of the lower frame (240). The side frame (220) defines the height of the pack case (200) and forms a preset space between it and the lower frame (240).

[0073] And, a plurality of battery cells (100) are installed in the space between the side frame (220) and the lower frame (240). The side frames (220) may be provided in plurality, and referring to FIG. 1, the plurality of side frames (220) may include long side frames having a relatively long length and short side frames having a relatively short length. Alternatively, the lengths of the side frames (220) may all be the same.

[0074] The bulkhead frame (230) is connected to the side frame (220) and the lower frame (240), respectively. In addition, a plurality of bulkhead frames (230) may be provided, and a plurality of battery cells (100) may be arranged between the plurality of bulkhead frames (230). That is, the bulkhead frame (230) is interposed between the plurality of battery cells (100).

[0075] The lower frame (240) is configured to accommodate a plurality of battery modules (20). The lower frame (240) may be formed in a square plate shape, but is not limited thereto. The lower frame (240) forms the bottom of the pack case (200).

[0076] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a refractory member (300) is coupled to a battery cell (100). And, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a discharge portion (311, 321) through which flames, gas, or high-temperature particles can be discharged is formed in the refractory member (300).

[0077] The refractory member (300) may include a first refractory sheet (310) and a second refractory sheet (320). Here, referring to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6 together, the first refractory sheet (310) may be coupled to the battery cell (100), and a first discharge portion (311) may be formed. In addition, referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 together, the second refractory sheet (320) may be coupled to the first refractory sheet (310), and a second discharge portion (321) may be formed at a location spaced apart from the first discharge portion (311). A cover (400) may be coupled to the second refractory sheet (320).

[0078] The first discharge portion (311) and the second discharge portion (321) may be formed in the first refractory sheet (310) and the second refractory sheet (320) at opposing positions, respectively. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the first discharge portion (311) may be positioned on the right side and the second discharge portion (321) may be positioned on the left side relative to the first discharge portion (311) based on the cross-section of the refractory member (300) of FIG. 6.

[0079] Alternatively, although not shown in the drawing, the first discharge portion (311) may be positioned on the left side and the second discharge portion (321) may be positioned on the right side of the first discharge portion (311) based on the cross-section of the refractory member (300).

[0080] And, when a thermal event occurs in the battery cell (100), as shown in FIG. 7, flames, gas, or high-temperature particles can move to the left through the first discharge portion (311) formed on the right side of FIG. 7 and then be discharged to the outside of the battery cell (100) through the second discharge portion (321) formed on the left side of FIG. 7.

[0081] In this way, when the first discharge portion (311) and the second discharge portion (321) are formed in the first refractory sheet (310) and the second refractory sheet (320) at opposing positions, the first discharge portion (311) and the second discharge portion (321) are spaced apart from each other, so that flames, gases, or high-temperature particles can be prevented from flowing back into the battery cell (100).

[0082] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the first discharge portion (311) and the second discharge portion (321) can be configured to have different shapes.

[0083] For example, referring to FIG. 5, the first discharge portion (311) may be formed in a dotted line shape. Alternatively, the first discharge portion (311) may be formed in a straight line shape. However, this is only one embodiment and is not limited thereto, and the shape of the first discharge portion (311) is not limited thereto.

[0084] And, referring to FIG. 4, the second discharge portion (321) may be formed by a single long straight line and a short straight line extending from both ends of the long straight line. However, this is only one embodiment and the shape of the second discharge portion (321) is not limited thereto.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 5, the first discharge portion (311) may be configured as a notched portion (312) or a cut portion (318, see FIG. 8). In this way, if the first discharge portion (311) is configured as a notched portion (312) or a cut portion (318), when the pressure of the battery cell (100) increases, the first discharge portion (311) may be opened, allowing flames, gas, or high-temperature particles to move to the second discharge portion (321) through the first discharge portion (311).

[0086] The second discharge portion (321) may be formed to enable venting of gas by rupturing when a thermal event occurs, and a portion of the second discharge portion (321) may be configured to guide the movement of gas when the second discharge portion (321) ruptures.

[0087] For example, referring to FIGS. 4 and 7 together, the second discharge portion (321) may include a notched portion (322) and a guide portion (326). Here, as in FIG. 6, the notched portion (322) is formed to be thinner than the surrounding portion so as to be ruptured when a thermal event occurs.

[0088] That is, when the pressure of the battery cell (100) increases, the second refractory sheet (320) ruptures at the notched portion (322) formed to be thinner than the surrounding area, thereby opening the second discharge portion (321). Then, flames, gas, or high-temperature particles can move through the opened second discharge portion (321).

[0089] Referring to Fig. 7, the guide portion (326) is configured to be deformed to be inclined upward with respect to Fig. 7 when the notching portion (322) is ruptured to guide the movement of gas.

[0090] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a gas movement channel (211) through which gas can be discharged can be formed between the upper frame (210) and the second refractory sheet (320). In addition, when a thermal event occurs, the guide portion (326) can be configured to be deformed and come into contact with the upper frame (210). In addition, when the second discharge portion (321) formed by the notched portion (322) is ruptured, flames, gas, or high-temperature particles can only move to the left side of the gas movement channel (211) based on FIG. 7 by the guide portion (326).

[0091] By this, flames, gases or high-temperature particles generated by ignition in the battery cell (100) can be discharged in a preset direction (directional venting).

[0092] Additionally, directional venting of flames, gases or high-temperature particles can prevent serial thermal runaway and improve the stability of the battery cell (100).

[0093] Additionally, it is possible to prevent flames, gases or high temperature particles from being transferred or propagated to other battery cells (100).

[0094] Referring to Fig. 4, the notching portion (322) may be configured to include a reference line portion (323) and an extension portion (324). The reference line portion (323) may be formed on the second refractory sheet (320). The reference line portion (323) may have various shapes, for example, may be formed in a long straight shape. The reference line portion (323) is configured to be formed to be thinner than other portions so that it is ruptured when the pressure inside the battery cell (100) increases.

[0095] In addition, the extension portion (324) extends from both ends of the reference line portion (323) at a preset angle. The extension portion (324) may have various shapes, and for example, may be formed in a short straight shape. The extension portion (324), like the reference line portion (323), is formed to be thinner than other portions and is configured to be ruptured when the pressure inside the battery cell (100) increases.

[0096] When the reference line portion (323) and the extension portion (324) are broken together due to the pressure increase of the battery cell (100), the guide portion (326) is deformed upward and comes into contact with the upper frame (210) as shown in FIG. 7.

[0097] Figure 8 is an enlarged view of a modified embodiment of Figure 6.

[0098] In the case of Fig. 8, there is a difference from the embodiment of Fig. 6 in that the first discharge portion (311) is formed as a cut portion (318) rather than a notched portion (312), and also the second discharge portion (321) is formed as a cut portion (328) rather than a notched portion (322). However, the common parts with the above-mentioned explanation can also be applied to Fig. 8.

[0099] Referring to Fig. 8, the second discharge portion (321) may include a cut portion (328) and a guide portion (326). The cut portion (328) may be formed in the second refractory sheet (320). In addition, the guide portion (326) is configured to be deformed to be inclined with respect to the cut portion (328) when a thermal event occurs so as to guide the movement of gas. Here, since the feature that the guide portion (326) is deformed and comes into contact with the upper frame (210) when a thermal event occurs is common to that described above, the description is replaced with the above.

[0100] The cut portion (328) may include a reference line portion (323) formed on the second refractory sheet (320) and an extension portion (324) extending at a preset angle from both ends of the reference line portion (323). Here, detailed descriptions of the reference line portion (323) and the extension portion (324) are replaced with the descriptions given above.

[0101] In addition, since the description of the incision (318) is also basically common to the aforementioned notching portion (312), it is replaced with the aforementioned description.

[0102] FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating a venting portion in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating a venting hole of the venting portion in FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating a state in which gas moves to the venting portion through a gas movement channel in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11, a venting portion (250) may be formed in the pack case (200).

[0104] The venting portion (250) may include a venting hole (251) and a venting valve (252). Referring to FIG. 10, the venting hole (251) is a hole through which gas generated from the battery cell (100) is discharged, and may be formed in the pack case (200), for example, the side frame (220), but is not limited thereto.

[0105] And, referring to FIG. 9, a venting valve (252) may be installed in the venting hole (251). The venting valve (252) may be configured in various ways. For example, the venting valve (252) may be configured to close the venting hole (251) and open when the internal pressure of the pack case (200) exceeds a preset value.

[0106] That is, the venting valve (252) normally blocks the venting hole (251), but when gas leaks from the battery cell (100) and the internal pressure of the pack case (200) exceeds a preset value or range, the venting valve (252) opens and the gas is discharged from the pack case (200) through the venting hole (251).

[0107] And, referring to FIG. 11, a gas movement channel (211) through which gas can be discharged can be formed between the pack case (200) and the refractory member (300). Here, the gas is discharged from the battery cell (100) through the first discharge portion (311) and the second discharge portion (321) and moves to the venting portion (250) through the gas movement channel (211) (refer to the arrow in FIG. 11), and when the venting valve (252) is opened by the gas moved in this way, the gas can be discharged to the outside of the pack case (200).

[0108] That is, the venting is facilitated by the venting section (250), which has the effect of allowing gas to be easily discharged.

[0109] And, when a flame occurs from one of the battery cells (100) as the heat spreads, the heat caused by the flame is evenly spread throughout the battery pack (10) through the gas movement channel (211), thereby preventing heat concentration and thereby achieving a uniform thermal distribution.

[0110] In addition, since the gas is discharged smoothly through directional venting by the gas movement channel (211), ultimately, a chain reaction of flames due to flame propagation is prevented, thereby preventing thermal runaway.

[0111] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module housed inside a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] Referring to Fig. 12, a battery cell (100) can be accommodated in a module case (21) of a battery module (20). In addition, a refractory member (300) having the aforementioned discharge portion (311, 321) formed thereon can be coupled to the module case (21).

[0113] And, a module case (21) containing a battery cell (100) can be accommodated in a pack case (200) to form a battery pack (10).

[0114] The battery module (20) may have a plurality of battery cells (100) and a module case (21).

[0115] The battery cell (100) is as described above. Furthermore, a plurality of battery cells (100) are stacked and stored in the module case (21). The module case (21) surrounds the plurality of battery cells (100), thereby protecting the battery cells (100) from external vibrations or shocks.

[0116] The module case (21) may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of a stacked body in which a plurality of battery cells (100) are stacked. For example, if the stacked body in which a plurality of battery cells (100) are stacked is formed in a hexahedral shape, the module case (21) may also be formed in a hexahedral shape corresponding thereto. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Here, the module case (21) may include an upper module case (21), a lower module case, and a side module case.

[0117] In addition, the module case (21) can be manufactured by, for example, bending a metal plate, whereby the module case (21) can be manufactured in an integral form. When the module case (21) is manufactured in an integral form, the joining process is simplified and simplified. Alternatively, the module case (21) can be provided in a detachable form and joined by welding or the like. However, the material of the module case (21) is not limited to a metal material.

[0118] Here, a specific description of the refractory member (300) coupled to the module case (21) is replaced with the description described above.

[0119] FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including a battery pack according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0120] Referring to FIG. 13, a vehicle (30) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery packs (10) according to each of the embodiments described above. Here, the vehicle (30) includes various types of vehicles that are designed to use electricity, such as electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles.

[0121] In this specification, when terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, and right are used, these terms are only for convenience of explanation, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms may vary depending on the location of the target object or the location of the observer.

[0122] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various modifications and variations within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims to be described below. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed above should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. In other words, the true scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is set forth in the claims, and all differences within the scope of equivalents thereof should be construed as being included in the present invention.

[0123] The present invention relates to a battery pack and an automobile including the same, and is particularly applicable to industries related to secondary batteries.

Claims

1. Multiple battery cells; A pack case storing the plurality of battery cells; and A battery pack comprising a refractory member coupled to the above battery cell and having a discharge portion formed therein.

2. In paragraph 1, The above refractory material is, A first refractory sheet coupled to the battery cell and having a first discharge portion formed thereon; and A battery pack characterized by including a second refractory sheet coupled to the first refractory sheet and having a second discharge portion formed at a position spaced apart from the first discharge portion.

3. In paragraph 2, A battery pack characterized in that the first discharge portion and the second discharge portion are formed on the first refractory sheet and the second refractory sheet, respectively, at opposing positions.

4. In paragraph 2, A battery pack characterized in that the first discharge portion is located on the right side and the second discharge portion is located on the left side of the first discharge portion based on the cross-section of the refractory member.

5. In paragraph 2, A battery pack characterized in that the first discharge portion is located on the left side and the second discharge portion is located on the right side of the first discharge portion based on the cross-section of the refractory member.

6. In paragraph 2, A battery pack characterized in that the first discharge portion and the second discharge portion are configured to have different shapes.

7. In paragraph 2, The above second discharge portion is formed to enable venting of gas by bursting when a thermal event occurs, A battery pack characterized in that a portion of the second discharge portion is configured to guide the movement of gas when the second discharge portion is ruptured.

8. In paragraph 7, The above second discharge unit is, a notched portion formed to rupture when a thermal event occurs; and A battery pack characterized in that it includes a guide portion that is deformed in an inclined manner when the notched portion is ruptured and guides the movement of the gas.

9. In paragraph 8, The above pack case includes an upper frame, A gas movement channel through which gas can be discharged is formed between the upper frame and the second refractory sheet, A battery pack characterized in that the guide portion is deformed and comes into contact with the upper frame when a thermal event occurs.

10. In paragraph 8, The above notching part is, A reference line formed on the second refractory sheet; and A battery pack characterized by including extension parts each extending at a preset angle from both ends of the reference line portion.

11. In paragraph 7, The above second discharge unit is, A cut formed in the second refractory sheet; and A battery pack characterized in that it includes a guide portion that is deformed to be inclined with respect to the cut portion when a thermal event occurs and guides the movement of the gas.

12. In paragraph 11, The above pack case includes an upper frame, A gas movement channel through which gas can be discharged is formed between the upper frame and the second refractory sheet, A battery pack characterized in that the guide portion is deformed and comes into contact with the upper frame when a thermal event occurs.

13. In paragraph 11, The above incision is, A reference line formed on the second refractory sheet; and A battery pack characterized by including extension parts each extending at a preset angle from both ends of the reference line portion.

14. In paragraph 2, A battery pack characterized in that the first discharge portion is formed as a notched portion or a cut portion formed in a straight or dotted line shape.

15. In paragraph 1, A battery pack characterized in that a venting portion is formed in the above pack case.

16. In paragraph 15, The above venting part, A venting hole through which gas generated from the battery cell is discharged; and A battery pack characterized by including a venting valve that closes the venting hole and opens when the internal pressure of the pack case exceeds a preset value.

17. In paragraph 16, A gas movement channel is formed between the pack case and the refractory member through which gas can be discharged. A battery pack characterized in that the gas moves to the venting portion through the gas movement channel.

18. A vehicle comprising at least one battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

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