Pack case with lower venting structure having partition member that forms venting channel

Abstract

The disclosed pack case comprises: a support plate having an upper surface on which a plurality of battery assemblies are mounted; a heat sink which is in close contact with the bottom surface of the support plate and which has a cooling channel therein; a pack lower plate disposed to be spaced below the heat sink so as to form a lower venting channel; and a hollow partition member which is stood on the support plate, and which has an inlet communicating with the lower venting channel, so as to form a side venting channel.

Description

Pack case with a lower venting structure having a partition member forming a venting channel

[0001] The present invention relates to a pack case with a lower venting structure designed so that a venting channel for responding to a thermal event occurring in a battery pack flows into the lower space of the pack through a partition member of the pack case.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0154155 filed on November 4, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the document of said Korean patent application are incorporated herein as part of this specification.

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries are rechargeable and are currently the subject of extensive research and development due to their potential for miniaturization and high capacity. The demand for secondary batteries as an energy source is increasing rapidly due to the growing technological development and demand for mobile devices, as well as the rise of electric vehicles and energy storage systems driven by the contemporary need for environmental protection.

[0004] Rechargeable batteries are classified into coin batteries, cylindrical batteries, prismatic batteries, and pouch batteries according to the shape of the battery case. In rechargeable batteries, the electrode assembly mounted inside the battery case is a power generation device capable of charging and discharging, consisting of a laminated structure of electrodes and separators.

[0005] Since secondary batteries require continuous use over long periods, it is necessary to effectively control the heat generated during the charging and discharging process. To effectively dissipate the heat generated by secondary batteries, heat sinks (also called cooling plates) through which a refrigerant flows are widely used. Heat sinks are mounted on the bottom surface of a group of multiple secondary batteries, for example, a battery pack containing multiple batteries, and perform a cooling function by absorbing heat generated inside the pack using a refrigerant and releasing it to the outside.

[0006] However, if the amount of heat generated by the secondary battery is excessive and the cooling of the secondary battery is not carried out smoothly, a positive feedback chain reaction occurs in which the temperature rise of the secondary battery causes an increase in current, and the increase in current again causes a temperature rise, eventually leading to a catastrophic state of thermal runaway.

[0007] In addition, when secondary batteries are grouped in the form of modules or packs, a thermal propagation phenomenon occurs in which surrounding secondary batteries are continuously overheated due to thermal runaway occurring in one secondary battery. That is, when thermal runaway occurs in a battery module within a battery pack, a large amount of conductive dust, gas, and flames are ejected from the high-voltage terminal of the battery module, and consequently, dust accumulates on the high-voltage terminal of an adjacent battery module, and the thermal propagation phenomenon is triggered by heat transfer caused by the gas and flames.

[0008] When thermal propagation occurs within a battery pack, the internal pressure and temperature rise rapidly. To withstand this surge in pressure and temperature, the battery pack must maintain structural robustness for a significant period. If the battery pack collapses and external air enters, combustion reactions intensify rapidly, posing a major risk to the exterior of the pack, such as fire or explosion.

[0009] To maintain the battery pack's structure for as long as possible in response to such thermal events, an appropriate venting structure is designed into the battery pack. By discharging high-pressure, high-temperature gases within the pack through venting channels, pressure is relieved, thereby preventing structural collapse. However, since the high-temperature gases flowing along the venting channels can adversely affect other normally operating battery modules and cause heat propagation, this issue must be fully considered in the design of the venting channels. Nevertheless, most battery packs are equipped with venting channels that discharge gases through the sidewalls via the space within the pack where the battery modules are mounted, so improvements are required in this regard.

[0010] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a pack case capable of effectively suppressing the expansion to a heat propagation state when a thermal event occurs within the pack.

[0011] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and other unmentioned problems will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the description of the invention below.

[0012] The present invention relates to a pack case, and according to one embodiment, comprises a support plate on which a plurality of battery assemblies are mounted on an upper surface; a heat sink that is in close contact with the lower surface of the support plate and has a cooling channel inside; a pack lower plate spaced apart from the heat sink to form a lower venting channel; and a hollow partition member that is erected on the support plate and has an inlet communicating with the lower venting channel to form a side venting channel.

[0013] The above bulkhead member may be at least one of a center frame, a side frame, and a cross beam.

[0014] The inlet of the above bulkhead member may be positioned between adjacent battery assemblies along the extension direction of the above bulkhead member.

[0015] Alternatively, the inlet of the bulkhead member may be positioned to face the battery assembly, and the distance between the inlet and the battery assembly may be shorter than the distance between adjacent battery assemblies positioned along the extension direction of the bulkhead member.

[0016] Battery assemblies are arranged on both sides based on the extension direction of the above bulkhead member, and the inlets are provided on both sides to form paired side venting channels.

[0017] According to an embodiment, at least one baffle may be provided in the hollow interior of the bulkhead member to suppress backflow from the lower venting channel.

[0018] The above baffle may be composed of a bent plate that forms an opening toward the lower venting channel.

[0019] The above baffles are provided in a plurality, and the plurality of baffles can be alternately arranged in the vertical direction along both sides of the hollow inner wall of the bulkhead member.

[0020] The above baffle may be positioned directly below the inlet.

[0021] In one embodiment, the outlet of the lower venting channel is formed as an opening on the edge of the support plate adjacent to the venting device, and the inner edge of the opening may form an inclined surface facing the venting device from the lower venting channel.

[0022] The pack case of the present invention, having the above-described configuration, induces high-temperature, high-pressure gas and particles generated by a thermal event to be discharged to the outside through a lower venting channel separated from the space inside the pack where the battery assembly is mounted, via a hollow partition member.

[0023] That is, the pack case of the present invention allows the gas and particles of high temperature and high pressure generated by a thermal event to be discharged to the outside of the pack through a side venting channel formed by a hollow partition member and a lower venting channel communicating with the side venting channel, thereby effectively suppressing the problem of overheating other battery assemblies and reaching the heat propagation phenomenon.

[0024] However, the technical effects obtainable through the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the description of the invention below.

[0025] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further enhance understanding of the technical concept of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention provided below; therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited only to the matters described in such drawings.

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

[0027] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the line "AA" of FIG. 1.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the "BB" line of FIG. 1.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating an embodiment regarding the arrangement of the inlet of a bulkhead member.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating another embodiment regarding the arrangement of the inlet of a bulkhead member.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating the internal hollow structure of a bulkhead member having a baffle.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the outlet structure of the lower venting channel.

[0033] The present invention is capable of various modifications and may have various embodiments, and specific embodiments are to be described in detail below.

[0034] However, this is not intended to limit the invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that it includes all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0035] In the present invention, terms such as "comprising" or "having" are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not excluding in advance the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0036] Furthermore, in the present invention, when a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is described as being "on" another part, this includes not only cases where it is "immediately above" the other part, but also cases where there is another part in between. Conversely, when a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is described as being "under" another part, this includes not only cases where it is "immediately below" the other part, but also cases where there is another part in between. Additionally, in the present application, being "placed on" may include cases where it is placed on the lower part as well as on the upper part.

[0037]

[0038] The present invention relates to a pack case, and according to one embodiment, comprises a support plate on which a plurality of battery assemblies are mounted on an upper surface; a heat sink that is in close contact with the lower surface of the support plate and has a cooling channel inside; a pack lower plate spaced apart from the heat sink to form a lower venting channel; and a hollow partition member that is erected on the support plate and has an inlet communicating with the lower venting channel to form a side venting channel.

[0039] The pack case of the present invention, having the above-described configuration, induces high-temperature, high-pressure gas and particles generated by a thermal event to be discharged to the outside through a lower venting channel separated from the space inside the pack where the battery assembly is mounted, via a hollow partition member.

[0040] That is, the pack case of the present invention allows the gas and particles of high temperature and high pressure generated by a thermal event to be discharged to the outside of the pack through a side venting channel formed by a hollow partition member and a lower venting channel communicating with the side venting channel, thereby effectively suppressing the problem of overheating other battery assemblies and reaching the heat propagation phenomenon.

[0041] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the pack case (10) according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. For reference, the directions of front, back, up, down, left, and right used to specify relative positions in the following description are intended to aid in understanding the invention, and unless otherwise specifically defined, the directions shown in the drawings are used as the reference.

[0042]

[0043] [First embodiment]

[0044] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pack case (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the line "AA" of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line "BB" of FIG. 1. With reference to FIG. 1 to 3, the pack case (10) of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0045] The illustrated pack case (10) includes a support plate (100) on which a plurality of battery assemblies (600) are mounted on its upper surface, and a heat sink (200) that is in close contact with the lower surface of the support plate (100) and has a cooling channel (210) inside. The support plate (100) has strength capable of supporting the load of the plurality of battery assemblies (600), which are heavy objects. Then, heat generated from the plurality of battery assemblies (600) is transferred to the heat sink (200) in the form of heat conduction through the support plate (100), and the transferred heat is dissipated to the outside through a refrigerant (e.g., cooling water) flowing through the cooling channel (210) inside the heat sink (200). The support plate (100) and the heat sink (200) may be manufactured as a single unit or may be manufactured separately and then joined together.

[0046] Here, the battery assembly (600) referred to in this specification means a collection of battery cells in which a plurality of battery cells are structurally and electrically connected. Depending on the method of structurally binding the plurality of battery cells, the battery assembly (600) may be referred to by various terms such as battery module, battery block, or battery unit, but the pack case (10) of the present invention is not limited to a specific structure of battery assembly (600). For example, the pack case (10) of the present invention may be a pack case in which a battery module containing a plurality of battery cells is housed within a closed housing, or it may be a pack case with a Cell-to-Pack structure in which a plurality of battery cells are bundled with a minimal structure and mounted directly into the pack case without a modular structure that contains the plurality of battery cells within the housing.

[0047] A pack bottom plate (300) is spaced apart from the heat sink (200). The pack bottom plate (300) is a plate forming the bottom surface of the pack case (10), and by being spaced apart from the heat sink (200), the space below the heat sink (200) can be configured to form a lower venting channel (520). The support plate (100), the heat sink (200), and the pack bottom plate (300) are all connected to a side frame (420) forming the side wall of the pack case (10), thereby maintaining an upper and lower stacked structure between the support plate (100), the heat sink (200), and the pack bottom plate (300).

[0048] Additionally, the pack case (10) includes a hollow partition member (400) that communicates with the lower venting channel (520). The partition member (400) corresponds to a wall that isolates the space inside the pack from the outside or isolates the battery assembly (600) within the pack. The partition member (400) is installed upright on the support plate (100) and is equipped with an inlet (402) to communicate the space inside the pack with the lower venting channel (520) through the internal hollow. In this respect, the hollow partition member (400) equipped with the inlet (402) can be said to form a side venting channel (510) with respect to the lower venting channel (520).

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, when a thermal event such as thermal runaway occurs within the pack and generates a large amount of gas and particles, the gas containing particles (gas containing particles) may flow into the inlet (402) of the bulkhead member (400) positioned adjacent to the battery assembly (600) before spreading throughout the entire space within the pack. Alternatively, even if the gas and particles spread throughout almost the entire space within the pack, the inlet (402) acts as an outlet to discharge pressure when the pressure rises, so the gas containing particles within the pack is rapidly drawn into the bulkhead member (400). Thus, the hollow bulkhead member (400) forms a side venting passage (510).

[0050] Dust-laden gas flowing into the side venting channel (510) enters the lower space of the pack case (10), specifically the space between the heat sink (200) and the pack bottom plate (300). As will be explained later, the dust-laden gas flowing into the lower space of the pack case (10) is discharged to the outside of the pack through a venting device (530) provided on the side frame (420) of the pack case (10). In this respect, the space between the heat sink (200) and the pack bottom plate (300) forms a lower venting channel (520).

[0051] The entire venting path (500), which is discharged from inside the pack through the side venting path (510) and the bottom venting path (520) to the outside of the pack, forms a path separated from the battery assembly (600) mounted inside the pack case (10). That is, the pack case (10) of the present invention is provided with the side venting path (510) and the bottom venting path (520) schematically illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, thereby reducing the adverse effect of high-temperature dust-laden gas on the battery assembly (600) that has not yet overheated during a thermal event. Accordingly, the pack case (10) of the present invention can effectively suppress the spread and deterioration of a thermal event.

[0052] The partition member (400) may be at least one of a center frame (410), a side frame (420), and a cross beam (430), depending on the embodiment of the pack case (10). Although FIG. 1 shows the center frame (410), the side frame (420), and the cross beam (430) as hollow partition members (400) having inlets (402), this should be understood as an exemplary embodiment. Furthermore, the inlets (402) of the partition member (400) may be provided as one or multiple for each corresponding battery assembly (600), and if there are multiple, they may be appropriately arranged in any direction, up, down, left, or right.

[0053] However, the relative arrangement of the inlets (402) of the partition member (400) with respect to the plurality of battery assemblies (600) needs to be appropriately selected because the high-temperature dust-laden gas flowing through the venting channel (500) can heat the adjacent other battery assembly (600).

[0054] FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating an embodiment regarding the arrangement of an inlet (402) of a partition member (400). In the exemplary drawing of FIG. 4, the inlet (402) of the partition member (400) is arranged between adjacent battery assemblies (600) along the extension direction of the partition member (400). By doing so, the main path of the dust-laden gas flowing through the side venting passage (510) and the lower venting passage (520) is directed toward the space between the battery assemblies (600), thereby mitigating the problem of heating other battery assemblies (600).

[0055] Alternatively, as in another embodiment of FIG. 5, the inlet (402) of the partition member (400) may be positioned to face the battery assembly (600), but the distance between the inlet (402) and the battery assembly (600) (i.e., the distance between the partition member and the battery assembly) may be made shorter than the distance between adjacent battery assemblies (600) positioned along the extension direction of the partition member (400). By doing so, the dust-laden gas generated in the battery assembly (600) where the thermal event occurred is induced to flow into the immediately adjacent inlet (402), which is closer than the inlet (402) assigned to the adjacent other battery assembly (600), thereby suppressing the other battery assembly (600) from being heated by the dust-laden gas during the venting process.

[0056] And, when battery assemblies (600) are arranged on both sides with the partition member (400) in between, for example, when the partition member (400) is a center frame (410) or a cross beam (430), as shown in FIG. 2, the inlet (402) of the partition member (400) is provided on both sides to form a pair of side venting channels (510).

[0057]

[0058] [Second embodiment]

[0059] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating the internal hollow structure of a bulkhead member (400) having a baffle (404). The pack case (10) of the second embodiment relates to a structure that prevents dust-laden gas from flowing back into the pack through the side venting passage (510) from the lower venting passage (520).

[0060] Referring to FIG. 6, at least one baffle (404) may be provided in the hollow interior of the bulkhead member (400) to suppress flow flowing backward from the lower venting channel (520). For example, the baffle (404) may be made of a bent plate that forms an opening (406) toward the lower venting channel (520). By generating strong resistance to the flow of dust-laden gas rising from the lower venting channel (520), the baffle (404) may cause the flow flowing from the side venting channel (510) toward the lower venting channel (520) to be relatively dominant.

[0061] To enhance the effect of preventing backflow, a plurality of baffles (404) are provided, and the plurality of baffles (404) can be alternately arranged in the vertical direction along both sides of the hollow inner wall of the bulkhead member (400). When a plurality of baffles (404) are alternately arranged vertically along both sides of the hollow inner wall, backflow is suppressed more strongly, and the flow from the side venting channel (510) toward the lower venting channel (520) is not obstructed.

[0062] Also, the baffle (404) is positioned directly below the inlet (402) to more effectively prevent the inlet (402) from becoming an outlet for backflow.

[0063]

[0064] [Third Embodiment]

[0065] In order to effectively suppress the rise in pressure and temperature inside the pack case (10) caused by a thermal event, it is necessary to smoothly discharge the dust-laden gas accumulated in the lower space of the pack case (10) to the outside of the pack case (10). FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the outlet structure of the lower venting channel (520) to induce smooth discharge of the dust-laden gas outside the pack.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 7, a venting device (530), such as a rupture disc or a relief valve, is installed on a side frame (420), and the outlet of the lower venting passage (520) is formed as an opening (110) on the edge of a support plate (100) adjacent to the venting device (530).

[0067] Additionally, the inner corner of the opening (110) of the support plate (100) forms an inclined surface (112) in the direction toward the venting device (530) from the lower venting channel (520). Due to the inclined surface (112) of the inner corner of the opening (110), a velocity component toward the venting device (530) is added to the dust-laden gas discharged from the outlet of the lower venting channel (520), thereby causing the dust-laden gas to reach the venting device (530) more quickly, thereby inducing rapid discharge.

[0068]

[0069] The present invention has been described in more detail above through drawings and embodiments. However, the configurations described in the drawings or embodiments described in this specification are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all technical concepts of the present invention; therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications that can replace them may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0070]

[0071] [Explanation of the symbol]

[0072] 10: Pack case

[0073] 100: Support plate

[0074] 110: Opening

[0075] 112: Slope

[0076] 200: Heatsink

[0077] 210: Cooling channel

[0078] 300: Pack bottom plate

[0079] 400: Bulkhead member

[0080] 402: Inlet

[0081] 404: Baffle

[0082] 406: Opening

[0083] 410: Center Frame

[0084] 420: Side frame

[0085] 430: Cross Beam

[0086] 500: Venting Euro

[0087] 510: Side Venting Euro

[0088] 520: Lower venting channel

[0089] 530: Venting device

[0090] 600: Battery Assembly

Claims

1. A support plate on which a plurality of battery assemblies are mounted on the upper surface; A heat sink that is in close contact with the bottom surface of the above-mentioned support plate and has a cooling channel inside; A pack lower plate spaced apart from the heatsink above to form a lower venting passage; and A hollow partition member that is installed upright on the support plate and has an inlet communicating with the lower venting passage to form a side venting passage; A pack case containing 2. In Paragraph 1, The above bulkhead member is, Pack case, at least one of a center frame, a side frame, and a cross beam.

3. In Paragraph 1, The inlet of the above bulkhead member is, A pack case disposed between adjacent battery assemblies along the extension direction of the above bulkhead member.

4. In Paragraph 1, The inlet of the above bulkhead member is positioned to face the battery assembly, and A pack case in which the distance between the inlet and the battery assembly is shorter than the distance between adjacent battery assemblies arranged along the extension direction of the bulkhead member.

5. In Paragraph 1, Battery assemblies are arranged on both sides based on the extension direction of the above bulkhead member, and A pack case in which the above-mentioned inlet is provided on both sides to form a pair of side venting channels.

6. In Paragraph 1, Inside the hollow of the above bulkhead member, A pack case having at least one baffle that suppresses backflow from the lower venting channel.

7. In Paragraph 6, The above baffle is, Pack case, which is a bent plate forming an opening toward the lower venting channel.

8. In Paragraph 6, The above baffles are provided in multiple numbers, and A pack case in which the plurality of baffles are alternately arranged in the vertical direction along both sides of the hollow inner wall of the bulkhead member.

9. In Paragraph 6, The above baffle is, A pack case positioned directly below the above-mentioned inlet.

10. In Paragraph 1, The outlet of the lower venting channel is formed as an opening on the edge of the support plate adjacent to the venting device, and A pack case in which the inner corner of the opening forms an inclined surface toward the venting device in the lower venting channel.

Images