Patent Application
20250096403
The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0099862 filed on Aug. 10, 2022, in the Republic of Korea, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present disclosure relates to a battery module, a battery pack, and a vehicle, and, more specifically, relates to a battery module having a plurality of battery cells capable of being charged and discharged, and a battery pack and a vehicle including such a battery module.
In general, secondary batteries refer to batteries capable of being repeatedly charged and discharged, such as lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and the like. The output voltage of a battery cell, which is a basic secondary battery, is approximately 2.5V to 4.2V.
Recently, secondary batteries have been applied to devices that require high output voltage and a large amount of charging capacity, such as electric vehicles or ESSs (Energy Storage Systems), and accordingly, a battery module configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series, parallel, or a combination thereof and a battery pack configured by reconnecting the battery modules in series, parallel, or a combination thereof have been widely used.
However, as disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2022-0052183, according to the existing technology, the battery module is manufactured by simply storing a plurality of battery cells stacked in one direction inside a battery module case, so there is a problem in which the venting direction of gas generated from the battery cells is unable to be controlled.
Moreover, in the existing technology, if thermal runaway occurs in any one battery cell among the multiple battery cells, heat transfers to other battery cells or other battery modules within a short period of time, resulting in chain thermal runaway or ignition of other battery cells or other battery modules.
The present disclosure is designed to solve the problems of the related art, and therefore the present disclosure is directed to providing a battery module that controls the gas from battery cells accommodated in the battery module to be vented in an intended direction, and a battery pack and a vehicle including this battery module.
The present disclosure is also directed to providing a battery module, when thermal runaway occurs in a battery cell, capable of delaying the heat transfer and preventing chain thermal runaway or ignition in other battery cells or other battery modules, and a battery pack and a vehicle including this battery module.
A battery module according to one aspect of the present disclosure may include: a module case having an internal space and an opening leading to the internal space, and configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells in the internal space; and a venting structure configured to divide the plurality of battery cells accommodated in the internal space into a plurality of cell groups, each cell group including at least one battery cell and provide an independent gas venting passage to each cell group.
In an embodiment, the venting structure may include: a first venting structure configured to cover the opening of the module case and configured to divide the plurality of battery cells into the plurality of cell groups; and a second venting structure configured to be coupled to the first venting structure to form a plurality of gas venting passages corresponding to the plurality of cell groups.
In an embodiment, each of the plurality of gas venting passages may be configured to provide a gas movement path in a zigzag or meander shape.
In an embodiment, the first venting structure may include: a first plate configured to cover the opening; and at least one blocking wall configured to extend downward from a first surface of the first plate, divide the plurality of battery cells into the plurality of cell groups, and block gas movement between the plurality of cell groups.
In an embodiment, the first plate may have a plurality of gas inlets corresponding to the plurality of cell groups, and each of the plurality of gas inlets may be configured to be provided at a position adjacent to a corresponding cell group among the plurality of cell groups and lead to one gas venting passage among the plurality of gas venting passages.
In an embodiment, the first venting structure may further include a partition structure configured to protrude upward from a second surface of the first plate and come into contact with the second venting structure to form the plurality of gas venting passages.
In an embodiment, the first plate and the partition structure may be integrally configured.
In an embodiment, the second venting structure may have an insertion groove configured such that at least a portion of the partition structure is inserted into and comes into close contact with the insertion groove.
In an embodiment, the second venting structure may have a plurality of gas outlets corresponding to the plurality of gas venting passages.
In an embodiment, the second venting structure may include: a second plate facing a second surface of the first plate; and a partition structure configured to protrude from the second plate and come into contact with the second surface of the first plate so as to form the plurality of gas venting passages.
In an embodiment, the second plate and the partition structure of the second venting structure may be integrally formed.
In an embodiment, the module case may have at least one guide groove configured such that an edge portion of the at least one blocking wall is inserted into and guided by the at least one guide groove.
A battery pack according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes the battery module according to any one of the embodiments described above.
A vehicle according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes the battery module according to any one of the embodiments described above.
According to the present disclosure, since a venting structure that covers an opening of a module case is configured to divide a plurality of battery cells accommodated in the internal space of the module case into a plurality of cell groups each including at least one battery cell and provide independent gas venting passage to each cell group, it is possible to control the gases generated from the battery cells to be vented in an intended direction and, if thermal runaway occurs in any one of the plurality of cell groups, delay the heat transfer time to other cell groups and prevent chain thermal runaway or ignition of other cell groups or other battery modules.
In addition, since a first venting structure included in the venting structure is coupled to the module case and configured to cover the opening of the module case and divide the plurality of battery cells into a plurality of cell groups, and since a second venting structure included in the venting structure is coupled to the first venting structure and configured to form a plurality of gas venting passages respectively corresponding to the plurality of cell groups, it is possible to simplify the manufacturing process of battery modules, which have independent gas venting passages for each cell group, and reduce the manufacturing time and manufacturing costs of battery modules.
In addition, each of the plurality of gas venting passages is configured to provide a gas movement path in a zigzag or meander shape, so that heat energy of high-temperature gas or flame moving through the gas venting passage can be appropriately dispersed and the flame can be prevented from being discharged outside the battery module.
Furthermore, those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains will be able to clearly understand from the following description that various embodiments according to the present disclosure are able to solve various technical problems not mentioned above.
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in order to clarify solutions to the technical problems of the present disclosure. However, in describing the present disclosure, a description of related known technology, which may obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure, may be omitted. In addition, the terms used in this specification are defined in consideration of the functions in the present disclosure and may vary depending on the intention of the designer, manufacturer, etc. or custom thereof. Therefore, definitions of the terms described below should be made based on the description throughout this specification.
Meanwhile, the same reference numerals indicate the same components in the attached drawings. In addition, the components of the present disclosure or parts of each component shown in the attached drawings may be exaggerated, reduced, or simplified in order to effectively explain the technical features of the present disclosure.
As shown in
The module case 120 may have an internal space and an opening leading to the internal space, and may be configured to accommodate a plurality of battery cells in the internal space. In addition, the module case 120 may be provided with terminals 120a and 120b that are electrically connected to the battery cells accommodated in the internal space.
The venting structures 130 and 140 may cover the opening of the module case 120 and may be configured to divide a plurality of battery cells accommodated in the internal space of the module case 120 into a plurality of cell groups, each including at least one battery cell, and provide an independent gas venting passage to each cell group.
As described above, since an independent gas venting passage is provided to each cell group in order to vent gas from the plurality of cell groups, it is possible to control the gas generated from the battery cells to be vented in an intended direction and, if thermal runaway occurs in any one of the plurality of cell groups, delay the heat transfer to other cell groups and prevent sequential thermal runaway or ignition of other cell groups or other battery modules.
As will be explained again below, the venting structures 130 and 140 may include a first venting structure 130 and a second venting structure 140 that form a plurality of gas venting passages respectively corresponding to the plurality of cell groups by coupling therebetween. As described above, the plurality of gas venting passages formed by coupling of the first venting structure 130 and the second venting structure 140 may be configured independently of each other to block gas movement between the gas venting passages.
The extension member 150 may be configured to change the electrical connection position of the battery module 100. To this end, the extension member 150 may be made of a conductive material. In addition, the extension member 150 may be configured to extend along one surface of the battery module 100 such that one end thereof is electrically connected to the terminal 120b located at one end of the battery module 100 and such that the other end thereof is disposed at the other end of the battery module 100. In this case, the other end of the extension member 150 may be electrically connected to another battery module or an external electric circuit.
As shown in
As describe above, the battery cells accommodated in the module case 120 may be electrically connected to the terminals 120a and 120b provided in the module case 120.
The venting structures 130 and 140 may be configured to divide the battery cells accommodated in the internal space of the module case 120 into a plurality of cell groups, each including at least one battery cell, and provide an independent gas venting passage to each cell group. To this end, the venting structures 130 and 140 may include a first venting structure 130 and a second venting structure 140.
The first venting structure 130 may be configured to cover the opening of the module case 120 and divide the battery cells accommodated in the module case 120 into a plurality of cell groups. To this end, the first venting structure 130 may include a first plate 132 and blocking walls 134, and may further include a partition structure 136 depending on the embodiment.
The first plate 132 may be configured to be coupled to edge portions of the module case 120 defining the opening shape of the module case 120, thereby covering the opening of the module case 120.
The blocking walls 134 may be configured to extend from the bottom surface of the first plate 132 adjacent to the internal space of the module case 120 toward the internal space, divide a plurality of battery cells accommodated in the internal space into a plurality of cell groups, and block gas movement between the cell groups.
To this end, the blocking wall 134 may have a height and a length corresponding to the height and the length of the internal space, respectively. In addition, the blocking wall 134 may be made of a flame-retardant material. For example, the blocking wall 134 may be made of a material containing aluminum.
In an embodiment, the first venting structure 130 may be integrally formed. That is, the first plate 132 and the blocking walls 134 of the first venting structure 130 may be formed integrally with each other.
In another embodiment, the first plate 132 and the blocking walls 134 of the first venting structure 130 may be provided separately. In this case, the blocking wall 134 may be configured to be inserted between battery cells and then coupled to the first plate 132 covering the top of the battery cells. In another embodiment, the blocking wall 134 may be configured to be coupled to the first plate 132 and then inserted between the battery cells. Various coupling methods such as an adhesive method, a fitting method using a groove structure and a protrusion structure, a fastening method using screws or bolts, and the like may be applied to the coupling between the first plate 132 and the blocking wall 134.
The first venting structure 130 may include one or more blocking walls 134 described above. For example, as shown in
The partition structure 136 may be configured to protrude upwards from the upper surface of the first plate 132 and come into close contact with the second venting structure 140 to form a plurality of gas venting passages. Depending on the embodiment, the first plate 132 and the partition structure 136 may be formed integrally with each other.
The second venting structure 140 may be configured to be coupled to the first venting structure 130 so as to form, together with the first venting structure 130, a plurality of gas venting passages corresponding to the plurality of cell groups. To this end, the second venting structure 140 may include a second plate 142 that is coupled to the first venting structure 130 and faces the upper surface of the first venting structure 130.
The second plate 142 may include a plurality of gas outlets 144 corresponding to the plurality of gas venting passages. In this case, each gas outlet 144 may be configured to be connected to a corresponding gas venting passage so as to vent the gas flowing through the corresponding gas venting passage to the outside.
As describe above, the first venting structure 130 and the second venting structure 140 may be coupled to each other to form a plurality of gas venting passages respectively corresponding to the plurality of cell groups, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process of battery modules, which have independent gas venting passages for the respective cell groups, and reducing the manufacturing time and manufacturing costs of battery modules.
Meanwhile, the second venting structure 140 may have a seating groove 146 into which the extension member 150 is inserted while being seated thereon. As described above, the extension member 150 may be configured to change the electrical connection position of the battery module 100. That is, the extension member 150 may extend along the upper surface of the second venting structure 140 such that one end thereof is electrically connected to the terminal 120b located at one end of the module case 120 and such that the other end thereof is disposed at the other end of the module case 120. In this case, the other end of the extension member 150 may be electrically connected to another battery module or an external electric circuit.
As shown in
A coupling structure 126 configured to be coupled to the first venting structure 130 may be provided on the edge portions of the module case 120 defining the shape of the opening 124.
In an embodiment, a guide groove 128a may be provided on the inner surface of the module case 120 into which both edge portions of the blocking wall 134 are inserted while being guided. In this case, the number of guide grooves 128a provided on the inner surface of the module case 120 may vary depending on the number of blocking walls 134 provided in the first venting structure 130.
Additionally, an insertion groove 128b may be provided on the bottom surface of the module case 120 into which at least the lower end of the blocking wall 134 is inserted while being in close contact therewith. In this case, the number of insertion grooves 128b provided on the bottom surface of the module case 120 may vary depending on the number of blocking walls 134 provided in the first venting structure 130.
In an embodiment, a sealing material (not shown) may be placed or applied on the inner surface of at least one of the guide groove 128a and the insertion groove 128b. In this case, the sealing material may be made of synthetic resin with airtightness and heat resistance.
As describe above, the guide groove 128a and the insertion groove 128b into which the edge portions of the blocking wall 134 are inserted may be provided on the inner surface of the module case 120, thereby effectively blocking gas movement between the cell groups divided by the blocking walls 134.
As shown in
The first plate 132 may be configured to be coupled to edge portions of the module case 120 defining the opening shape of the module case 120, thereby covering the opening.
In addition, the first plate 132 may be provided with a plurality of gas inlets 132a corresponding to the plurality of cell groups. In this case, each gas inlet 132a may be configured to be provided at a position adjacent to a corresponding cell group among the plurality of cell groups and connected to one gas venting passage among the plurality of gas venting passages.
In an embodiment, a through hole 132b may be provided in an edge area located outside the area where the plurality of gas venting passages is formed, among the entire area of the first plate 132. This through hole 132b may be configured to allow one end of the extension member 150 to pass therethrough.
In an embodiment, a coupling structure 138 may be provided in an edge area located outside the area where the plurality of gas venting passages is formed, among the entire area of the first plate 132. This coupling structure 138 may be configured to be coupled to the edge portion of the module case 120 that forms the opening of the module case 120. For example, the coupling structure 138 may be configured to be coupled to the coupling structure 126 of the module case 120 by a fastening member such as a bolt or rivet.
The blocking wall 134 may be configured to extend from the bottom surface of the first plate 132 adjacent to the internal space of the module case 120 toward the internal space, divide a plurality of battery cells accommodated in the internal space into a plurality of cell groups, and block gas movement between the cell groups.
This blocking wall 134 may be made of a flame-retardant material. For example, the blocking wall 134 may be made of a material containing aluminum.
Depending on the embodiment, the blocking wall 134 described above may be formed integrally with the first plate 132.
In addition, the first venting structure 130 may include one or more blocking walls 134. In an embodiment, fire pads made of fire-resistant material may be disposed on both sides of each blocking wall 134.
The partition structure 136 may be configured to protrude upwards from the upper surface of the first plate 132 and come into close contact with the bottom surface of the second venting structure 140, thereby forming a plurality of independent gas venting passages.
In this case, each of the plurality of gas venting passages may be configured to provide a gas movement path in a zigzag or meander shape. To this end, the partition structure 136 may include main partitions 136a and sub-partitions 136b.
The main partitions 136b may be configured to form the overall outline of each gas venting passage. The sub-partitions 136b may be disposed to be distributed inside each gas venting passage and may be configured to form a gas movement path in a zigzag or meander shape.
Depending on the embodiment, the above-described partition structure 136 may be formed integrally with the first plate 132.
As shown in
The second plate 142 may be provided with gas outlets 144 for venting the gas flowing through the gas venting passages to the outside. The number of gas outlets 144 provided in the second plate 142 may correspond to the number of gas venting passages formed by coupling of the first venting structure 130 and the second venting structure 140.
In addition, as described with reference to
In an embodiment, the second plate 142 may have an insertion groove 148 configured to allow at least a portion of the partition structure 136 provided in the first venting structure 130 to be inserted so as to come into close contact therewith. In this case, the insertion groove 148 may have a shape corresponding to the main partitions 136a of the partition structure 136, which form the outline of the gas venting passage.
As shown in
The second plate 142′, the gas outlet 144′, and the seating groove 146′ of the second venting structure 140′ may be described in the same manner as the plate 142, the gas outlet 144, and the seating groove 146 of the second venting structure 140 described with reference to
In particular, the second venting structure 140 may include a partition structure 148′. The partition structure 148′ may be configured to protrude from the bottom surface of the second plate 142′ and come into close contact with the first plate 132 of the first venting structure 130 to form a plurality of gas venting passages corresponding to the plurality of cell groups.
In this case, each of the plurality of gas venting passages may be configured to provide a gas movement path in a zigzag or meander shape. To this end, the partition structure 148′ may include main partitions 148′a and sub-partitions 148′b.
The main partitions 148′a may be configured to form the overall outline of each gas venting passage. The sub-partitions 148′b may be disposed to be distributed inside each gas venting passage and may be configured to form a gas movement path in a zigzag or meander shape.
Depending on the embodiment, the above-described partition structure 148′ may be formed integrally with the second plate 142′.
In the case where this second venting structure 140′ is applied to the battery module 100, the partition structure 136 of the first venting structure 130 described with reference to
As shown in
Gas generated from each cell group divided as describe above may be vented to the outside of the battery module 100 through a gas venting passage P provided to each cell group. For example, when gas is generated in the battery cells 110 of a specific cell group among the plurality of cell groups, the gas may flow into the gas venting passage P corresponding to the specific cell group through the gas inlet 132a provided in the first venting structure 130. The gas flowing into the gas venting passage P may move along the path in a zigzag or meander shape, which is provided by the partition structure 136, and vent to the outside through the gas outlet 144 of the second venting structure 140.
As describe above, since the gas generated from each cell group moves only in the Y-axis and Z-axis directions through the gas venting passage P corresponding to the corresponding cell group, instead of moving in the stacking direction (X-axis direction) of battery cells, to be vented, it is possible to delay heat transfer to other cell groups and prevent chain thermal runaway or ignition of other cell groups or other battery modules.
As shown in
In addition, the battery pack 10 may further include various electrical components (not shown) that controls the charging/discharging operation of the battery module 100 accommodated in the pack case 12 or the battery cells 110 included in the battery module 100, or monitors SOC (state of charge), SOH (state of health), and the like. These electronic components may be accommodated in the pack case 12 together with the battery module 100.
As shown in
As describe above, the battery pack 10 provided in the vehicle 2 may provide electrical energy required for various operations of the vehicle 2.
For reference, the battery module 100 according to the present disclosure may be applied to ESSs (Energy Storage Systems), as well as battery packs used in various electric devices or electric systems in addition to vehicles.
As described above, according to the present disclosure, since a venting structure that covers the opening of the module case is configured to divide a plurality of battery cells accommodated in the internal space of the module case into a plurality of cell groups each including at least one battery cell and provide independent gas venting passage to each cell group, it is possible to control gases generated from the battery cells to be vented in an intended direction and, if thermal runaway occurs in any one of the plurality of cell groups, delay the heat transfer time to other cell groups and prevent chain thermal runaway or ignition of other cell groups or other battery modules.
In addition, since a first venting structure included in the venting structure is coupled to the module case and configured to cover the opening of the module case and divide the plurality of battery cells into a plurality of cell groups, and since a second venting structure included in the venting structure is coupled to the first venting structure and configured to form a plurality of gas venting passages respectively corresponding to the plurality of cell groups, it is possible to simplify the manufacturing process of battery modules, which have independent gas venting passages for each cell group, and reduce the manufacturing time and manufacturing costs of battery modules.
In addition, each of the plurality of gas venting passages is configured to provide a gas movement path in a zigzag or meander shape, so that heat energy of high-temperature gas or flame moving through the gas venting passage can be appropriately dispersed and the flame can be prevented from being discharged outside the battery module.
Furthermore, it goes without saying that the embodiments according to the present disclosure are able to solve various technical problems other than those mentioned in this specification in the relevant technical field as well as related technical fields.
So far, the present disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will clearly understand that various modified embodiments may be implemented within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the previously disclosed embodiments should be considered as those intended to describe the present disclosure, instead of those intended to limit the present disclosure. In other words, the true scope of the technical idea of the present disclosure is shown in the claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the present disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2022-0099862 | Aug 2022 | KR | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/KR2023/009794 | 7/10/2023 | WO |
