Battery module, battery pack, and vehicle including same

Abstract

A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: battery cells; and a module case having an inner space in which the battery cells are disposed, wherein the module case includes a first plate disposed above the battery cell, a flame-blocking member is disposed on one side of the lower surface of the first plate, and the flame-blocking member is in contact with a terrace portion of the battery cell.

Description

Battery modules, battery packs, and automobiles including the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack, and an automobile including the same.

[0002]

[0003] The demand for rechargeable batteries has been increasing significantly recently due to the growing adoption of electric vehicles and various electronic devices. Rechargeable batteries are widely adopted as core components of electric vehicles due to their ability to be recharged and discharged while in use. However, rechargeable batteries carry the risk of generating heat through internal chemical reactions, which can lead to flames and explosions in the worst-case scenario. In particular, within battery modules or packs where cells are densely packed, a fire originating in a single cell can rapidly spread to adjacent cells, potentially causing significant damage to the entire system. Therefore, new technologies are required to efficiently prevent such thermal runaway and flame propagation.

[0004]

[0005] To solve the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a technology capable of preventing flames from spreading to adjacent battery cells when a fire occurs in a battery cell within a battery module. Specifically, the present invention aims to minimize the speed of fire propagation and the risk by designing a structure that effectively blocks the space between battery cells and between a battery cell and a module case, and allows flames to be rapidly discharged to the outside of the module.

[0006]

[0007] A battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a battery cell; and a module case in which the battery cell is disposed in an internal space; wherein the module case comprises a first plate disposed on one side of the battery cell; a flame blocking member disposed on one side of the first plate, and the flame blocking member contacts a terrace portion of the battery cell.

[0008] The flame blocking member is positioned in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the battery cell.

[0009] The flame blocking members are provided in plurality, and the plurality of flame blocking members include a first flame blocking member disposed on one side of the first plate and a second flame blocking member disposed on the other side of the first plate.

[0010] A hole is disposed in the first plate, and the hole is disposed in the area between the first flame blocking member and the second flame blocking member.

[0011] The length direction of the above hole is parallel to the length direction of the above first plate.

[0012] The above holes are provided in multiple numbers.

[0013] The flame blocking member is positioned between one end of the first plate and the hole.

[0014] The flame blocking member mentioned above is a silicone pad.

[0015] The above flame-blocking member is a foamed fire-resistant paint that expands upon heat.

[0016] The above battery cells are provided in plurality, and the plurality of battery cells are stacked in the longitudinal direction of the flame blocking member.

[0017] Alternatively, the battery module comprises: a battery cell; and a module case in which the battery cell is disposed in an internal space; wherein the battery cell comprises: a sealing portion extending along the longitudinal direction of the battery cell; and a terrace portion disposed at one end of the battery cell; and a flame-blocking member is applied at a position adjacent to the sealing portion on the terrace portion.

[0018] The above module case includes a first plate disposed on one side of the battery cell, and the flame blocking member contacts the first plate.

[0019]

[0020] According to the present invention, the spread of flames generated in a battery cell to other battery cells within a battery module can be effectively prevented. Specifically, a flame-blocking member disposed in a module case expands or adheres in the event of a fire to block the space between cells, prevents the flame from spreading laterally, and guides the flame to be rapidly discharged to the outside through a hole disposed in the module case. Accordingly, the spread of fire to the entire battery module and pack can be effectively prevented, and the safety of the battery system can be significantly improved.

[0021] The effects according to the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other unmentioned technical effects will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the description of the invention below.

[0022]

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 shows the battery module of Figure 1 exploded.

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates a module case according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates the lower surface of a first plate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 6 illustrates the location where a flame blocking member is placed in a battery module.

[0029] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the effect when the flame blocking member is a silicone pad.

[0030] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the effect when the flame blocking member is a foamed fire-resistant paint.

[0031] FIG. 9 illustrates a battery cell according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 10 illustrates a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034]

[0035] Hereinafter, specific details for implementing the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, in the following description, specific descriptions regarding widely known functions or configurations will be omitted if there is a risk of unnecessarily obscuring the essence of the present invention.

[0036] In the attached drawings, identical or corresponding components may be assigned the same reference numerals. Additionally, in the description of the following embodiments, the description of identical or corresponding components may be omitted. However, even if a description of a component is omitted, it is not intended that such component is not included in any embodiment.

[0037] The terms used in this specification will be briefly explained, and the disclosed embodiments will be described in detail. The terms used in this specification have been selected to be as generally used as possible, taking into account their functions in the present invention; however, these terms may vary depending on the intent of those skilled in the relevant field, case law, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Additionally, in specific cases, terms may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in such cases, their meanings will be described in detail in the relevant description of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in this invention should be defined not merely by their names, but based on their meanings and the overall content of the present invention.

[0038] In this specification, singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly specifies them as singular. Additionally, plural expressions may include singular expressions unless the context clearly specifies them as plural. Throughout the specification, when a part is described as including a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components.

[0039] In this specification, terms such as “comprising,” “comprising,” etc., may indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the addition of one or more other functions, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0040] In this specification, where a specific component is described as being "coupled," "combined," "connected," or "reacting" to any other component, the specific component may be directly coupled, combined, and / or connected, or reacting to the other component, but is not limited thereto. For example, one or more intermediate components may exist between the specific component and the other component. Additionally, in the present invention, "and / or" may include each of the one or more listed items or a combination of at least some of the one or more items.

[0041] In this specification, terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used to distinguish a specific component from another component, and the components described above are not limited by these terms. For example, the "first" component may be an element of the same or similar form as the "second" component.

[0042]

[0043] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the battery module of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the battery module (1) may include a module case (10), a battery cell assembly (20) disposed in the inner space of the module case (10), a cover (30) disposed on one side and the other side of the module case (10), an insulating cover (30), a busbar module (50), and a compression pad (60).

[0044] The battery cell assembly (20) may include a plurality of battery cells (210). Although the battery cells (210) are described as pouch-type battery cells, they may be provided as prismatic battery cells. The structure of the battery cells (210) will be described later.

[0045] A battery cell assembly (20) may include a plurality of battery cells (210). The plurality of battery cells (210) may be arranged side by side. The plurality of battery cells (210) may be arranged in a stacked structure. An adhesive member (220) may be disposed between the battery cells (210). The adhesive member (220) may be an adhesive sheet in the form of a thin film. Alternatively, the adhesive member (220) may be provided as an epoxy applied between the battery cells (210).

[0046]

[0047] A compression pad (60) may be placed on the side of a battery cell assembly (20). The compression pad (60) may be placed adjacent to a battery cell (210) that is placed on the outermost side based on the stacking direction of a plurality of battery cells (210). An adhesive member (220) may be placed between the battery cell (210) placed on the outermost side and the compression pad (60). The compression pad (60) may be placed between the battery cell assembly (20) and the third plate (110) of the module case (10). Although the compression pad (60) is shown as being provided on one side of the battery cell assembly (20) in FIG. 2, the compression pad (60) may be provided on the other side of the battery cell assembly (20). Additionally, the compression pad (60) may be provided on both one side and the other side of the battery cell assembly (20).

[0048] The compression pad (60) may be made of an elastic material. That is, the compression pad (60) is placed between the third plate (110) and the battery cell assembly (20) to apply force to the battery cell assembly (20). That is, the compression pad (60) can support the battery cell assembly (20) inwardly in the width direction of the module case (10). Therefore, when force is applied to the battery module (1), the compression pad (60) can prevent the battery cell assembly (20) or the battery cell (210) from moving.

[0049]

[0050] A busbar module (50) may be disposed in the battery module (1). For convenience of explanation, the busbar module (50) disposed in front of the battery cell assembly (20) may be referred to as the first busbar module (51), and the busbar module (50) disposed in rear of the battery cell assembly (20) may be referred to as the second busbar module (52). In FIG. 2, the busbar module (50) is provided in two, but alternatively, it is also possible to provide it on only one side of the battery module (1).

[0051] The busbar module (50) can be electrically connected to the electrode leads of a plurality of battery cells (210). The busbar module (50) may include a busbar terminal (510) and a busbar frame (520). The busbar terminal (510) may be a conductor made of a metal material. The busbar terminal (510) may be placed on the busbar frame (520). The busbar frame (520) may support the busbar terminal (510). The busbar frame (520) may be coupled to the battery cell assembly (20). That is, contact between the busbar terminal (510) and the electrode leads of the battery cell can be maintained through the busbar frame (520).

[0052]

[0053] An insulating cover (30) may be placed on the battery module (1). For convenience of explanation, the insulating cover (30) placed at the front of the battery module (1) may be referred to as the first insulating cover (41), and the insulating cover (30) placed at the rear of the battery module (1) may be referred to as the second insulating cover (42). The first insulating cover (41) may be placed between the first cover (31) and the first busbar module (51), which will be described later. The second insulating cover (42) may be placed between the second cover (32) and the second busbar module (52), which will be described later.

[0054] The insulating cover (30) can be made of an electrically insulating material. The insulating cover (30) can be made of a polymer material, such as plastic, for example. Insulation between the busbar module (50) and the cover (30) can be maintained through the insulating cover (30).

[0055]

[0056] A cover (30) may be placed on the battery module (1). For convenience of explanation, the cover (30) placed at the front of the battery module (1) may be referred to as the first cover (31), and the cover (30) placed at the rear of the battery module (1) may be referred to as the second cover (32). The module case (10) has a structure in which one side and the other side are open. The first cover (31) may be placed to cover one side of the module case (10), and the second cover (32) may be placed to cover the other side of the module case (10).

[0057] The cover (30) may be made of a material that is electrically insulating. The cover (30) may expose a portion of the busbar terminal (510) to the outside of the cover (30). Through the portion of the busbar terminal (510) exposed to the outside of the cover (30), the battery module (1) may be electrically connected to an external device.

[0058]

[0059] FIG. 3 illustrates a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. The battery cell (210) may be a secondary battery cell (210). The battery cell (210) may be a pouch-type battery cell (210). Accordingly, the outer material of the battery cell (210) may be a flexible pouch.

[0060] The battery cell (210) may include a storage portion (211), a sealing portion (212), and a terrace portion (213).

[0061] The storage portion (211) may refer to a portion on the inner side of the outer material where the electrode assembly is stored. The storage portion (211) may refer to a portion that protrudes convexly due to the electrode assembly inside the pouch.

[0062] The pouch may have a total of three distinct joints. The four corners of the battery cell (210) may include an upper corner, a lower corner, a front corner, and a rear corner. Among the four corners, the joints to which the pouch is joined may be the upper corner, the front corner, and the rear corner.

[0063] The sealing portion (212) may be part of the joint portion. The sealing portion may be placed in the edge area of ​​the battery cell (210). The sealing portion (212) may refer to a joint portion placed at the upper corner of the battery cell (210). Accordingly, the longitudinal direction of the sealing portion (212) may be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the battery cell (210).

[0064]

[0065] The terrace section (213) may refer to the joint between the front corner and the rear corner of the joint section. The terrace section (213) may be joined in a direction intersecting the sealing section (212). A portion of the electrode lead (214) may be placed on the terrace section (213). The electrode lead (214) of the battery cell (210) may protrude through a portion of the terrace section (213). The electrode lead (214) may be placed through the terrace section (213).

[0066]

[0067] FIG. 4 illustrates a module case according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the module case (10) may be a box structure with the front and rear open. A space for arranging a battery cell assembly (20) may be provided inside the module case (10). Accordingly, the module case (10) may include a first plate (120), a second plate (130), and a third plate (110). Although FIG. 4 shows the first plate (120), the second plate (130), and the third plate (110) as being provided integrally, they may each be provided separately and assembled.

[0068] FIG. 5 illustrates the lower surface of a first plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the first plate (120) may have a flat plate structure. A hole (121) may be arranged in the first plate (120). A plurality of holes (121) may be arranged. The longitudinal direction of the hole (121) may be arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first plate (120).

[0069] A flame blocking member (70) may be disposed on the lower surface of the first plate (120). The flame blocking member (70) may be attached or applied to the lower surface of the first plate (120). The flame blocking member (70) may have a longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction of the flame blocking member (70) may be arranged parallel to the width direction of the first plate (120). That is, with respect to the battery module (1), the longitudinal direction of the flame blocking member (70) may be arranged parallel to the stacking direction of the battery cell (210).

[0070] A flame blocking member (70) may be disposed between the end (122) of the first plate (120) and the hole (121). A plurality of flame blocking members (70) may be provided. A plurality of flame blocking members (70) may include a first flame blocking member (71) disposed on one side of the first plate (120) and a second flame blocking member (72) disposed on the other side of the first plate (120). In the first plate (120), the hole (121) may be disposed between the first flame blocking member (71) and the second flame blocking member (72). The first flame blocking member (71) and the second flame blocking member (72) may be disposed spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the hole (121).

[0071] The flame blocking member (70) may include a silicone material. The flame blocking member (70) may be a silicone pad made of silicone rubber. The flame blocking member (70) may have heat resistance and flame retardancy. The flame blocking member (70) may have elasticity. Accordingly, the flame blocking member (70) may be placed between the terrace portion (213) of the battery cell (210) and the first plate (120) and be in close contact with the first plate (120) and the terrace portion (213) of the battery cell (210).

[0072]

[0073] The flame blocking member (70) may be a foamed fire-resistant paint that expands upon heat. Therefore, when heat is applied to the flame blocking member (70), the flame blocking member (70) may expand. Thus, when a flame occurs in the battery module (1), the flame blocking member (70) may expand to fill the empty space and prevent the flame from spreading.

[0074]

[0075] FIG. 6 illustrates the location where a flame blocking member is placed in a battery module, FIG. 7 is a diagram explaining the flame propagation path when the flame blocking member is a silicone pad, and FIG. 8 is a diagram explaining the flame propagation path when the flame blocking member is a foamed fire-resistant paint.

[0076] Referring to FIGS. 6 through 8, the flame blocking member (70) may be positioned in contact with a portion of the edge of the battery cell (210). Specifically, the flame blocking member (70) may be positioned to be in contact with the terrace portion (213) of the battery cell (210). The flame blocking member (70) may be positioned to be in contact with the end of the sealing portion (212) of the battery cell (210).

[0077] There are cases where a flame (f) occurs inside the battery cell (210). A flame may occur due to a chemical reaction in the electrode assembly placed within the housing (211) of the battery cell (210). The sealing portion (212) of the battery cell (210) is the part that joins the edge of the pouch. Therefore, if a flame (f) occurs in the electrode assembly, the joint of the sealing portion (212) may be partially damaged and the flame (f) may be released outside the pouch.

[0078] When a flame (f) is emitted outside the pouch, a hole (121) is provided in the first plate (120) of the module case (10), so the flame can be discharged through the hole (121). However, if the propagation speed of the flame (f) is fast, or if gas is generated and expands inside the electrode assembly, the flame (f) may propagate toward the front or rear of the battery module (1). When the flame (f) propagates toward the front or rear of the battery module (1), the propagation of the flame (f) toward the front or rear of the battery module (1) is blocked through the flame blocking member (70), so the flame (f) can be discharged toward the top of the battery module (1) through the hole (121) of the first plate (120).

[0079]

[0080] FIG. 9 illustrates a battery cell according to another embodiment of the present invention. The battery cell (210) of FIG. 9 may be applied to the battery module (1) of the preceding embodiment, and in the description related to FIG. 9, the description of the components of the battery module (1) other than the battery cell (210) may be omitted for convenience of explanation.

[0081] A flame blocking member (70) may be disposed in the battery cell (210). The flame blocking member (70) may be a foamed fire-resistant paint. The flame blocking member (70) may be disposed between the terrace portion (213) and the sealing portion (212) of the battery cell (210). Some part of the flame blocking member (70) may be in contact with the terrace portion (213) of the battery cell (210), and other part of the flame blocking member (70) may be in contact with the sealing portion (212) of the battery cell (210).

[0082] The battery cell (210) is placed in the internal space of the module case (10). Accordingly, the flame blocking member (70) can be placed in contact with the lower surface of the first plate (120) of the module case (10). When a flame occurs in the electrode assembly of the battery cell (210), the flame can be emitted through the sealing portion (212), and the flame blocking member (70) can expand due to the flame.

[0083]

[0084] FIG. 10 illustrates a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 10, the effects of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained.

[0085] A battery pack (2) may be provided with a plurality of battery modules (1). A plurality of battery modules (1) may be arranged adjacent to each other. A plurality of battery modules (1) may be arranged in a parallel direction to each other.

[0086] A flame may occur in any part of the plurality of battery cells provided in the plurality of battery modules (1). The flame may be discharged through the sealing portion of the battery cell. The battery cell module is provided with a flame blocking member, and the first plate of the module case is provided with a hole through which the flame can be discharged. Accordingly, the flame does not propagate to the front or rear of the battery cell module, but is discharged upward through the hole of the first plate. Therefore, when a flame occurs in any one of the plurality of battery modules (1) of the battery pack (2), the propagation of the flame to the battery module (1) adjacent to the battery module (1) where the flame occurred can be prevented.

[0087]

[0088] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 11, the automobile (3) according to an embodiment of the present invention may be, for example, an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or a plug-in hybrid vehicle using a motor as a power device, and includes a battery pack (2) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The automobile (3) includes four-wheeled vehicles and two-wheeled vehicles. The automobile (3) may operate by receiving power from a battery pack (2) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0089]

[0090] Although the present invention has been described in relation to some embodiments, various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as understood by a person skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Furthermore, such modifications and changes should be considered to fall within the scope of the claims appended to this specification.

Claims

1. Battery cell; and A module case in which the battery cell is disposed in an internal space; comprising, The above module case is, A first plate disposed on one side of the battery cell; comprising, A flame blocking member is disposed on the first plate above, and The flame blocking member is a battery module in contact with the terrace portion of the battery cell.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above flame blocking member is a battery module arranged in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the battery cell.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above flame blocking members are provided in multiple numbers, and A battery module comprising a plurality of flame blocking members, a first flame blocking member disposed on one side of the first plate and a second flame blocking member disposed on the other side of the first plate.

4. In Paragraph 3, A hole is arranged in the first plate above, and The above hole is a battery module disposed in the area between the first flame blocking member and the second flame blocking member.

5. In Paragraph 4, A battery module in which the longitudinal direction of the above hole is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the above first plate.

6. In Paragraph 4, The above holes are provided in a plurality of battery modules.

7. In Paragraph 4, The flame blocking member above is, A battery module disposed between one end of the first plate and the hole.

8. In Paragraph 1, The flame blocking member above is, Battery module in the form of a silicone pad.

9. In Paragraph 1, The flame blocking member above is, A battery module that is a foamed fire-resistant paint that expands upon heat.

10. In Paragraph 1, The above battery cells are provided in multiple numbers, and A battery module in which a plurality of the above-mentioned battery cells are stacked in the longitudinal direction of the flame blocking member.

11. Battery cell; and A module case in which the battery cell is disposed in an internal space; comprising, The battery cell comprises a sealing portion extending along the longitudinal direction of the battery cell; and Includes a terrace portion disposed at one end of the battery cell; and A battery module in which a flame-blocking member is applied at a location adjacent to the sealing portion on the above-mentioned terrace portion.

12. In Paragraph 11, The above module case includes a first plate disposed on one side of the battery cell, and The flame blocking member is a battery module in contact with the first plate.

13. A battery pack comprising any one of the battery modules of paragraphs 1 through 12.

14. An automobile including a battery pack pursuant to Paragraph 13.

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