Battery pack having flame flow path design

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery pack having a flame flow path design. The battery pack comprises: a pack body; a top base which is disposed on the pack body and has a hole communicating with the inside of the pack body and a flow path connected to the hole; a pressure valve mounted in the hole of the top base; a handle disposed on the top base; and a handle cover disposed on the handle.

Description

Battery pack with flame-proof design

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack, and more particularly to a battery pack having a flame path design.

[0002] If a cell explodes due to an internal issue in the battery pack, the resulting flames can escape from the battery pack, which is dangerous.

[0003] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack that prevents direct flame exposure to the outside of the battery pack when an internal cell of the battery pack ignites.

[0004] In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides a battery pack comprising: a pack body; a base cover (top base) disposed at one end of the pack body and having a hole communicating with the interior of the pack body and a flow path connected to the hole; a pressure valve installed in the hole of the base cover; and a handle disposed on the base cover so as to surround the pressure valve.

[0005] In the present invention, the euro may include a central euro formed around the hole, and a plurality of branch euros extending from the central euro to the edge of the base cover.

[0006] In the present invention, a plurality of branch flow paths can be arranged at predetermined intervals.

[0007] In the present invention, each branch flow path may be arranged so that the flow path cross-sectional area increases along the direction toward the edge of the base cover.

[0008] In the present invention, the plurality of branch channels can be arranged so that the gap between the plurality of branch channels widens from the center channel toward the edge of the base cover.

[0009] In the present invention, the euro is formed in a groove shape on the upper surface of the base cover, the upper part of the euro is sealed by being covered with a handle, and an outlet of the euro can be formed on the edge of the handle.

[0010] The battery pack according to the present invention may further include a handle cover arranged to surround the handle and the outlet.

[0011] In the present invention, the pressure valve may include: a bottom member installed in a hole, a cap member disposed on the bottom member, a porous membrane disposed between the bottom member and the cap member, and an O-ring fitted around the circumference of the bottom member.

[0012] A battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a pack body; a base cover mounted at one end of the pack body and having a hole communicating with the interior of the pack body and a flow path connected to the hole; a pressure valve installed in the hole of the base cover and configured to open when the pressure inside the pack body is higher than a predetermined pressure; and a handle mounted on the base cover so as to surround the pressure valve and the flow path.

[0013] In the present invention, when the pressure valve is opened, the flame ejected toward the base cover can be guided toward the flow path by the base cover.

[0014] A battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a pack body; a base cover mounted at one end of the pack body and having a hole communicating with the interior of the pack body and a flow path connected to the hole; a pressure valve installed in the hole of the base cover and configured to open when the pressure inside the pack body is higher than a predetermined pressure; a handle surrounding the pressure valve, surrounding a portion of the flow path, and forming an outlet of the flow path; and a handle cover arranged to surround the handle and the outlet.

[0015] According to the present invention, when an internal cell of a battery pack ignites, the direction of flame propagation can be obstructed through a flow path structure to prevent direct flame exposure to the outside of the battery pack, and specifically, the flame can be prevented from being transmitted to the outside of the battery pack through a design that limits the flow path through which the flame can escape.

[0016] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the entire conventional battery pack.

[0017] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the upper side of a conventional battery pack.

[0018] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the entire battery pack according to the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the upper part of the entire battery pack according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the euro structure of the base cover according to the present invention.

[0021] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a pressure valve installed in a base cover according to the present invention.

[0022] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a handle mounted on a base cover according to the present invention.

[0023] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a handle cover mounted on a handle according to the present invention.

[0024] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a pressure valve according to the present invention.

[0025] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, since the pressure valve (pressure reducing valve) (2) for controlling the internal and external pressure of the battery pack (1) is conventionally exposed to the outside of the battery pack (1), when a cell explodes or ignites due to an internal issue, high-pressure flames are ejected upwards through the pressure valve (2). In this way, since the pressure (pressure reducing) valve (2) is conventionally located on the outside of the battery pack (1), when an internal cell ignites, flames can be exposed to the outside of the battery pack (1), which is dangerous.

[0027] The present invention relates to a flame path design for a battery pack, and more particularly, to the positioning and path design of a pressure (pressure-reducing) valve. The present invention features a structure in which a pressure (pressure-reducing) valve is positioned within the battery pack, and the flame path design prevents flames from being exposed to the outside of the battery pack when a flame occurs within the pack.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 9, the battery pack according to the present invention may be composed of a pack body (10), a base cover (20), a pressure valve (30), a handle (40), a handle cover (50), etc., and other components may be added in addition to the above-described components as needed.

[0029] The pack body (10) is a body that occupies most of the volume of the battery pack, and may include a case and an accommodation space formed inside the case. The case is a member that forms the exterior of the pack body (10), and as illustrated, may be configured as a roughly rectangular parallelepiped with a high height, but its shape and size are not particularly limited and may be appropriately set. The accommodation space, which is an internal space, occupies most of the volume of the pack body (10) (at least half or more), and a plurality of battery modules may be accommodated (built-in) in the accommodation space, and each battery module may include a plurality of battery cells. The type of battery may be a pouch-type battery, a cylindrical battery, or a square battery. In particular, the battery pack according to the present invention can be used in light or small electric vehicles (EVs), such as electric motorcycles and electric bicycles.

[0030] The base cover (20) may be a member that is placed on the pack body (10) and closes the upper end of the pack body (10). The base cover (20) may be configured in a roughly plate shape and may be provided with holes, grooves, protrusions, steps, etc. for coupling with other members, etc. Referring to FIG. 5, the base cover (20) may be provided with a hole (21) and a passage (22, 23, 24, 25) connected to the hole (21). The hole (21) is a hole that penetrates the base cover (20) and communicates with the internal space of the pack body (10), and a flame generated inside the pack body (10) can be ejected through the hole (21). As illustrated, the hole (21) may be formed in a circular shape (based on a plan view) near one edge of the base cover (20), but its position, shape, number, size, etc. are not particularly limited and may be appropriately set.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 5, the flow paths (22, 23, 24, 25) may include a central flow path (22) and branch flow paths (23, 24, 25). The central flow path (22) may be formed to surround the hole (21) around the hole (21), and may also be formed in a groove shape on the upper surface of the base cover (20). The central flow path (22) may be formed in a shape such as a circular ring (based on a plan view), and may be formed in correspondence with the position, shape, number, size, etc. of the hole (21).

[0032] Referring to FIG. 5, the branch passages (23, 24, 25) may extend from the central passage (22) to the edge (end) of the base cover (20), and may also be formed in a groove shape on the upper surface of the base cover (20). The branch passages (23, 24, 25) may be composed of a plurality of branch passages branching off from one central passage (22), and may specifically include a first branch passage (23), a second branch passage (24), a third branch passage (25), etc. At this time, the plurality of branch passages (23, 24, 25) may be arranged such that the intervals between the plurality of branch passages (23, 24, 25) widen from the central passage (22) toward the edge of the base cover (20). Specifically, based on the second quarter flow path (24) positioned in the center, the first quarter flow path (23) and the third quarter flow path (25) on either side of the second quarter flow path (24) can be positioned so as to spread out toward the edge of the base cover (20). Accordingly, the flame can be widely spread and dispersed rather than concentrated in one place.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 5, the branch passages (23, 24, 25) can be formed short in a straight shape as illustrated, but can also be formed in a curved shape or a combination of straight and curved shapes, and can also be formed long, and for example, a complex zigzag-shaped passage structure is also possible. The cross-section (longitudinal cross-section) of the branch passages (23, 24, 25) can be rectangular as illustrated, but other polygonal, circular, oval, etc. shapes are also possible, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the branch passages (23, 24, 25) can be expanded intermittently or continuously toward the edge of the base cover (20) as illustrated. However, the number, arrangement, spacing, shape, length, cross-sectional shape, etc. of the branch passages (23, 24, 25) can be appropriately set other than those illustrated.

[0034] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 5, since the euros (22, 23, 24, 25) are formed in a groove shape on the upper surface of the base cover (20), the upper portions of the euros (22, 23, 24, 25) are open, and when the base cover (20) is covered with the handle (40), the upper portions (specifically, the tops) of the open euros (22, 23, 24, 25) are sealed, thereby completing the sealed euros (22, 23, 24, 25). That is, the side and lower surfaces of the euros (22, 23, 24, 25) can be formed on the base cover (20), and the upper surfaces of the euros (22, 23, 24, 25) can be provided by the handle (40) (refer to FIG. 7).

[0035] The pressure valve (30) can be installed in the hole (21) of the base cover (20) to control the pressure of the battery pack. Referring to FIG. 9, the pressure valve (30) can be composed of a lower member (31), a cap member (32), a porous membrane (33), an O-ring (34), etc. The lower member (31) is a hole-joining member and a membrane-mounting member installed in the hole (21), and is configured in an approximately T shape so that the lower part thereof can be inserted into the hole (21), and the horizontal protrusions on both sides of the upper part can be supported by being seated on the lower surface of the central passage (22). The cap member (32) is a cover member that is placed on the lower member (31) and is combined with the upper end of the lower member (31), and can cover and protect the porous membrane (33). The porous membrane (33) is a porous material disposed between the lower member (31) and the cap member (32), and can substantially perform the function of controlling pressure. The O-ring (34) is a sealing member fitted around the circumference of the lower member (31), and can improve sealing performance when inserted into the hole (21).

[0036] The lower member (31) and the cap member (32) of the pressure valve (30) are composed of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and 30±10 wt% glass fiber (GF), etc., to improve strength, hardness, and heat resistance, etc. The porous membrane (33) is composed of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), etc., to improve heat resistance, chemical resistance, etc. The O-ring (34) can be composed of silicone rubber, etc., having a Shore A hardness of 70±20. The pressure valve (30) can be opened when the pressure inside the pack body (10) is higher than a predetermined pressure.

[0037] The handle (40) is a member that facilitates transportation and handling of the battery pack, and may be configured in an approximately T-shape as illustrated in FIG. 4, but its shape and size are not particularly limited and may be appropriately set. The handle (40) is placed on the base cover (20) and may be fixed to the base cover (20) using a fixing member (42) such as a screw or bolt illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0038] Referring to Fig. 7, the handle (40) may be provided with a grip member spaced apart from the base cover (20) so that the handle (40) can be held by the hand or the like. In addition, the handle (40) may be provided with a ring member that is perpendicular to the grip member, extends in the height direction, and has an opening on the inside, in an edge region where the passages (22, 23, 24, 25) are located. The ring member may be provided with a plate-shaped cover that is arranged below the opening and is in close contact with the upper surface of the base cover (20) and covers the passages (22, 23, 24, 25). As described above, by covering and sealing the upper part (top) of the open passage (22, 23, 24, 25) of the base cover (20) with the cover of the ring member of the handle (40), an outlet (41) of the passage (22, 23, 24, 25) can be formed at the edge of the handle (40). There may be a plurality of outlets (41), and they can be formed corresponding to the branch passages (23, 24, 25).

[0039] The handle cover (50) is a cover member placed on the handle (40), and as illustrated in FIG. 4, it can be fixed while covering the edge portions of the handle (40) and the base cover (20), and its shape and size are not particularly limited and can be appropriately set. Referring to FIG. 8, while covered by the handle cover (50), the outlet (41) of the handle (40) is sealed or not exposed to the outside, so that the flame may not be transmitted to the outside when the battery catches fire. In order to block or withstand the flame, the handle cover (50) may be manufactured from a material having excellent heat resistance and flame retardancy. In addition, since the handle cover (50) has a sealed internal space, it can confine the flame that may leak from the outlet (41) in the internal space, thereby blocking the flame from being transmitted to the outside of the handle cover (50).

[0040] Referring to Fig. 5, when the battery ignites, the flame can be ejected upwards in the direction of the arrow through the hole (21) of the base cover (20).

[0041] Referring to Fig. 6, the flame passing through the hole (21) can move upwards as indicated by the arrow through the open pressure valve (30) and along the central flow path (22) and multiple branch flow paths (23, 24, 25). That is, the movement of the flame can be guided by the flow paths (23, 24, 25).

[0042] Referring to FIG. 7, as the euros (22, 23, 24, 25) of the base cover (20) are covered with the handle (40), the flame can be ejected through multiple outlets (41) at the edge of the handle (40) as indicated by the arrows.

[0043] Referring to Fig. 8, since the handle (40) is covered with the handle cover (50), and the outlet (41) of the handle (40) is sealed or not exposed to the outside, the flame can be blocked without being transmitted to the outside.

[0044] [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1, battery pack, 2: pressure valve, 10: pack body, 20: base cover, 21: hole, 22: central flow path, 23, 24, 25: branch flow path, 30: pressure valve, 31: lower member, 32: cap member, 33: porous membrane, 34: O-ring, 40: handle, 41: outlet, 42: fixing member, 50: handle cover

Claims

1. Pack body; A base cover disposed at one end of the pack body, having a hole communicating with the interior of the pack body, and a path connected to the hole; A pressure valve installed in a hole in the base cover; and A battery pack comprising a handle positioned on the base cover to surround the pressure valve.

2. In paragraph 1, A battery pack comprising a central vortex formed around the perimeter of the hole, and a plurality of branch vortices extending from the central vortex to the edge of the base cover.

3. In paragraph 2, A battery pack with multiple branched euros spaced at predetermined intervals.

4. In paragraph 2, A battery pack in which each branch euro is arranged such that the euro cross-sectional area increases along the direction toward the edge of the base cover.

5. In paragraph 2, A battery pack in which a plurality of branch ducts are arranged such that the gap between the branch ducts widens from the center duct toward the edge of the base cover.

6. In paragraph 1, A battery pack in which the euro is formed in a groove shape on the upper surface of the base cover, the upper part of the euro is sealed when covered with a handle, and an outlet for the euro is formed on the edge of the handle.

7. In paragraph 6, A battery pack further comprising a handle cover arranged to surround the handle and outlet.

8. In paragraph 1, A pressure valve is a battery pack comprising: a lower member installed in a hole, a cap member disposed on the lower member, a porous membrane disposed between the lower member and the cap member, and an O-ring fitted around the circumference of the lower member.

9. Pack body; A base cover mounted on one end of the pack body, having a hole communicating with the inside of the pack body, and a path connected to the hole; A pressure valve installed in the hole of the base cover and designed to open when the pressure inside the pack body exceeds a predetermined pressure; and A battery pack including a handle mounted on the base cover to enclose the pressure valve and the euro.

10. In paragraph 9, When the pressure valve is opened, the flame ejected toward the base cover is guided to the euro side by the battery pack.

11. Pack body; A base cover mounted on one end of the pack body, having a hole communicating with the interior of the pack body, and a flow path connected to the hole; A pressure valve installed in a hole of the base cover and designed to open when the pressure inside the pack body exceeds a predetermined pressure; A handle surrounding the pressure valve, surrounding a portion of the flow path, and forming the flow path's outlet; and A battery pack comprising a handle cover arranged to surround the handle and outlet.

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