KR20210093636A - Battery Module Including Fire Extinguisher Plate, Battery Rack Including the Same and Power Storage System - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a battery module which reduces riskiness of secondary ignition and explosion. In order to achieve the objective, a battery module according to the present invention comprises: at least one cell assembly equipped with a plurality of secondary batteries, respectively; a module housing configured to form an internal space to receive the at least one cell assembly therein; and a fire extinguishing plate positioned in the module housing and emitting a fire extinguishing chemical when an internal temperature is raised to be more than or equal to a predetermined temperature.

Description

Battery Module Including Fire Extinguisher Plate, Battery Rack Including the Same and Power Storage System

The present invention relates to a battery module including a fire extinguishing plate, a battery rack including the same, and a power storage system, and more particularly, to a battery module that reduces the risk of secondary ignition or explosion.

Currently commercialized secondary batteries include nickel cadmium batteries, nickel hydride batteries, nickel zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Among them, lithium secondary batteries have almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, so charging and discharging are free, The self-discharge rate is very low and the energy density is high, attracting attention.

These lithium secondary batteries mainly use a lithium-based oxide and a carbon material as a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material, respectively. A lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate to which the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material are applied, respectively, are disposed with a separator interposed therebetween, and a casing for sealing and housing the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte, that is, a battery pouch casing.

Recently, secondary batteries have been widely used not only in small devices such as portable electronic devices, but also in medium and large devices such as automobiles and power storage devices. When used in such a medium-large device, a large number of secondary batteries are electrically connected to increase capacity and output. In particular, a pouch-type secondary battery is widely used in such a medium-to-large device due to the advantage of easy stacking.

On the other hand, in recent years, as the need for a large-capacity structure including use as an energy storage source increases, a plurality of secondary batteries electrically connected in series and/or parallel, and a battery module having a module housing accommodating these secondary batteries therein. Demand is increasing.

However, the battery module of the prior art includes a plurality of secondary batteries, and when each secondary battery ignites or explodes, heat or flame is transferred to an adjacent secondary battery to cause secondary explosion. Efforts are being made to prevent ignition or explosion.

Moreover, there is also a possibility that the flame of the ignited secondary battery may be propagated to an adjacent secondary battery through a gas passage formed to discharge gas, so it is necessary to develop a technology to prevent this.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module that has been devised to solve the above problems, and reduces the risk of secondary ignition or explosion.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention may be understood by the following description, and will become more clearly understood by the examples of the present invention. Moreover, it will be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the claims.

The battery module according to the present invention for achieving the above object,

at least one cell assembly each having a plurality of secondary batteries;

a module housing configured to form an inner space to accommodate the at least one cell assembly therein; and

and a fire extinguishing plate positioned inside the module housing and configured to discharge an extinguishing agent when the internal temperature rises above a predetermined temperature.

In addition, a gas passage configured to flow the gas generated from the cell assembly is formed between the cell assembly and the module housing,

The fire extinguishing plate may be located in the gas passage.

Furthermore, the gas passage of the module housing is formed with a raised portion protruding in the direction in which the cell assembly is located,

The fire extinguishing plate may be attached to the protruding outer surface of the raised portion.

In addition, the plurality of secondary batteries may be stacked on each other in the front-rear direction, and electrode leads may be positioned at left and right ends, respectively.

Furthermore, the battery module,

At least one bus bar in contact with electrode leads provided in the plurality of secondary batteries to electrically interconnect the plurality of secondary batteries, and the at least one bus bar is mounted thereon and provided on both sides of the cell assembly in the left and right direction It may further include a bus bar assembly provided with at least two or more bus bar frames.

In addition, the bus bar frame,

a body portion having a plate shape to mount the at least one bus bar on an outer surface and extending along a direction in which the plurality of secondary batteries are stacked; and

It may include at least two or more fixing parts that protrude outwardly from the main body.

And, the fire extinguishing plate may be inserted to be sandwiched between the at least two or more fixing parts.

Furthermore, in the fire extinguishing plate, a plurality of perforated welding holes may be formed so that a portion of the electrode lead in contact with the bus bar may be exposed to the outside.

In addition, the fixing part may have a fixing protrusion configured to press and fix the fire extinguishing plate in an inward direction.

Furthermore, the battery module may include: an elastic member having one end connected to the fire extinguishing plate and the other end connected to the inner surface of the module housing; and

The elastic member may further include a fixing member configured to be fixed in a contracted form and melted and lost at a predetermined temperature to release the fixed state of the elastic member.

And, the battery rack according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes at least one or more of the battery module.

In addition, the power storage system according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes at least one or more battery racks.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the battery module of the present invention is located inside the module housing and includes a fire extinguishing plate configured to discharge an extinguishing agent when the internal temperature rises above a predetermined temperature, whereby at least one or more cells In the event of a fire or thermal runaway in an assembly, the extinguishing plate may contain or extinguish the flame of the cell assembly, thereby preventing thermal runaway or propagation of the fire to other adjacent cell assemblies.

In addition, according to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a gas passage configured to flow gas generated from the cell assembly is formed between the cell assembly and the module housing, and the fire extinguishing plate is located in the gas passage, so that the cell High-temperature gas generated due to thermal runaway or fire of the assembly may be moved through the gas passage, and at this time, the fire extinguishing capsule of the fire extinguishing plate provided in the gas passage may come into contact with the high-temperature gas to discharge the extinguishing material. Accordingly, the flame of the cell assembly can be suppressed or the fire can be extinguished, thereby preventing thermal runaway or propagation of fire to other adjacent cell assemblies.

And, according to another aspect of the present invention, according to the present invention, a raised portion protruding in the direction in which the cell assembly is located is formed in the gas passage of the module housing, and the fire extinguishing plate is attached to the protruding outer surface of the raised portion, so that the fire extinguishing plate is a cell It can be provided in a position closer to the assembly. Accordingly, when a thermal runaway or fire occurs in the cell assembly, a larger amount of the extinguishing agent may be quickly injected into the cell assembly by the fire extinguishing plate located adjacently. Ultimately, it is possible to further increase the digestibility and digestibility of the battery module.

Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present invention, the battery module of the present invention further includes an elastic member and a fixing member inside the module housing, so that when a thermal runaway or fire of the internal cell assembly occurs, the higher internal By releasing the fixed state of the fixing member in the contracted form of the elastic member by the temperature, the extinguishing plate may be moved in the direction in which the cell assembly is located by the extension of the elastic member. Accordingly, the fire extinguishing plate can be positioned closer to the cell assembly, so that a larger amount of the fire extinguishing agent can be quickly injected into the cell assembly where thermal runaway or fire is to occur. Ultimately, it is possible to further increase the digestibility and digestibility of the battery module.

The following drawings attached to the present specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and serve to further understand the technical spirit of the present invention together with the detailed description of the present invention to be described later. should not be construed as being limited to
1 is a perspective view schematically showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a state in which components of a battery module are separated according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a schematic diagram schematically showing internal configurations of a fire extinguishing plate of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an internal view of the battery module cut along the line C-C' of FIG. 1 .
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal appearance of the battery module cut along the line D-D' of FIG. 1 .
6 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cut inside view of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cut inside view of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a plan view schematically illustrating an internal appearance of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a side view schematically illustrating internal configurations of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a side view schematically illustrating internal configurations of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a plan view schematically showing an internal appearance of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view schematically illustrating components of a fire extinguishing plate, an elastic member, and a fixing member of the battery module of FIG. 11 .
13 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a state of a power storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms or words used in the present specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, and the inventor should properly understand the concept of the term in order to best describe his invention. Based on the principle that it can be defined, it should be interpreted as meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of the present invention.

Therefore, the configuration shown in the embodiments and drawings described in the present specification is only the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not represent all of the technical idea of the present invention, so at the time of the present application, various It should be understood that there may be equivalents and variations.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a state in which components of a battery module are separated according to an embodiment of the present invention. And, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram schematically showing internal configurations of a fire extinguishing plate of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 3 , the battery module 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include at least one cell assembly 100 , a module housing 210 , and a fire extinguishing plate 230 . .

Here, the cell assembly 100 may include a plurality of secondary batteries 110 stacked on each other in the front-rear direction. The secondary battery 110 may be a pouch-type secondary battery 110 . For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , each of the two cell assemblies 100 may be configured in a form in which 21 pouch-type secondary batteries 110 are stacked side by side in the front-rear direction (Y-direction).

In particular, the pouch-type secondary battery 110 may include an electrode assembly (not shown), an electrolyte (not shown), and a pouch 116 .

Each of the secondary batteries 110, when viewed in the F direction (shown in FIG. 1), has two wide surfaces respectively located in the front and rear directions, and sealing portions are located in the upper, lower, left, and right directions. It may be arranged in the form of standing perpendicular to the (Z direction). In other words, each secondary battery 110 may be configured in a vertical direction. On the other hand, in the present specification, unless otherwise specified, with respect to the up, down, front, rear, left, and right directions, when viewed in the F direction as a reference.

Here, the pouch 116 may be configured as a pouch in which a concave-shaped accommodating part is formed. In addition, the electrode assembly and the electrolyte may be accommodated in the accommodating part. In addition, each pouch includes an outer insulating layer, a metal layer, and an inner adhesive layer, and the inner adhesive layer is adhered to each other on the edge of the pouch, thereby forming a sealing portion. Furthermore, terraces may be formed at each end of the secondary battery 110 in the left and right direction (X direction) where the positive lead 111a and the negative lead 111b are formed.

In addition, the electrode assembly is an assembly of an electrode plate and a separator coated with an electrode active material, and may be configured in a form in which one or more positive electrode plates and one or more negative electrode plates are disposed with a separator interposed therebetween. Also, a positive electrode tab may be provided on the positive electrode plate of the electrode assembly, and one or more positive electrode tabs may be connected to the positive electrode lead 111a.

Here, the positive lead 111a has one end connected to the positive electrode tab and the other end exposed to the outside of the pouch 116 , and the exposed portion is an electrode terminal of the secondary battery 110 , for example, a secondary It may function as a positive terminal of the battery 110 .

In addition, a negative electrode tab may be provided on the negative electrode plate of the electrode assembly, and one or more negative electrode tabs may be connected to the negative electrode lead 111b. In addition, the negative lead 111b has one end connected to the negative electrode tab and the other end exposed to the outside of the pouch, and the exposed portion is an electrode terminal of the secondary battery 110 , for example, the secondary battery 110 . can function as the negative terminal of

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1 , when viewed directly in the F direction, the positive electrode lead 111a and the negative electrode lead 111b are in the left and right directions in opposite directions (X direction) with respect to the center of the secondary battery 110 . may be formed at the end of That is, the positive lead 111a may be provided at one end (left end) with respect to the center of the secondary battery 110 . In addition, the negative lead 111b may be provided at the other end (right end) with respect to the center of the secondary battery 110 .

For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , each secondary battery 110 of the cell assembly 100 may be configured such that a positive electrode lead 111a and a negative electrode lead 111b protrude in the left and right directions.

Here, terms indicating directions such as front, back, left, right, up, and down may vary depending on the position of the observer or the placed shape of the object. However, in the present specification, for convenience of explanation, directions such as front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom are separately indicated based on the time when viewed in the F direction.

Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, in one secondary battery 110 , there is no interference between the positive electrode lead 111a and the negative electrode lead 111b, and the area of the electrode lead 111 can be increased.

In addition, the positive lead 111a and the negative lead 111b may be formed in a plate shape. In particular, the positive lead 111a and the negative lead 111b may protrude in the horizontal direction (X direction) in a state in which their wide surfaces are erected to face the front-rear direction.

Here, the horizontal direction may mean a direction parallel to the ground when the secondary battery 110 is placed on the ground, and may also be referred to as at least one direction on a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction.

However, the battery module 200 according to the present invention is not limited to the pouch-type secondary battery 110 described above, and various secondary batteries 110 known at the time of filing of the present invention may be employed.

In addition, the at least one cell assembly 100 may be arranged in the front-rear direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the two cell assemblies 100 may be arranged in the front-rear direction, and the two cell assemblies 100 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

Meanwhile, the module housing 210 may have an internal space to accommodate the cell assembly 100 therein. Specifically, the module housing 210 may include an upper cover 220 , a base plate 240 , a front cover 250 , and a rear cover 260 .

Specifically, the base plate 240 may have an area larger than the size of the lower surface of the at least one cell assembly 100 so as to mount the at least one cell assembly 100 thereon. The base plate 240 may have a plate shape extending in a horizontal direction.

In addition, the upper cover 220 may include a top portion 224 and a side portion 226 . The top portion 224 may have a plate shape extending in a horizontal direction to cover an upper portion of the cell assembly 100 . The side part 226 may have a plate shape extending downward from both ends of the top part 224 in the left and right directions to cover both sides of the cell assembly 100 in the left and right directions.

In addition, the side portion 226 may be coupled to a portion of the base plate 240 . For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the upper cover 220 may include a top portion 224 having a plate shape extending in the front and rear left and right directions.

Furthermore, the upper cover 220 may include two side portions 226 extending downward from both ends of the top portion 224 in the left and right directions. Furthermore, the lower end of each of the two side portions 226 may be configured to be coupled to both ends of the base plate 240 in the left and right directions. In this case, the coupling method may be a male-female coupling method or a welding coupling method.

Furthermore, the side portion 226 may be provided with a beading portion B1 protruding inward in which the secondary battery 110 is positioned on a portion thereof. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , eight beading portions B1 protruding in the inward direction may be formed in one side portion 226 .

Furthermore, the front cover 250 may be configured to cover the front of the cell assembly 100 . For example, the front cover 250 may have a plate shape having a size larger than the size of the front surfaces of the plurality of secondary batteries 110 . The plate shape may be erected in a vertical direction.

Furthermore, a portion of the outer periphery of the front cover 250 may be coupled to the base plate 240 . For example, the lower portion of the outer periphery of the front cover 250 may be coupled to the front end of the base plate 240 . Furthermore, the upper portion of the outer periphery of the front cover 250 may be coupled to the front end of the upper cover 220 . Here, as the coupling method, bolt coupling may be applied.

In addition, the rear cover 260 may be configured to cover the rear of the cell assembly 100 . For example, the rear cover 260 may have a plate shape having a size larger than that of the rear surfaces of the plurality of secondary batteries 110 .

In addition, a portion of the outer periphery of the rear cover 260 may be coupled to the base plate 240 . For example, the lower portion of the outer periphery of the rear cover 260 may be coupled to the front end of the base plate 240 . Furthermore, the upper portion of the outer periphery of the rear cover 260 may be coupled to the rear end of the upper cover 220 . Here, as the coupling method, bolt coupling may be applied. The rear cover 260 may be provided with an outlet 264h through which external air is introduced or internal air is discharged to the outside.

Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, the module housing 210 has a structure that can stably protect the plurality of secondary batteries 110 from external impact, safety can be increased.

Meanwhile, the battery module 200 of the present invention may further include a module BMS 290 configured to control charging and discharging of the cell assembly 100 . The module BMS 290 may include various sensors and electric circuits to sense the temperature and current of the battery module 200 . These sensors and circuits are not shown in the drawings here.

Meanwhile, the battery module 200 of the present invention may include a heat insulating sheet 280 . The heat insulating sheet 280 may be positioned between the two cell assemblies 100 . Openings 286 configured to allow air to pass through the heat insulating sheet 280 may be formed at both sides in the left and right directions.

Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, in the present invention, by configuring the heat insulating sheet 280 to be interposed between two or more cell assemblies 100 , even if thermal runaway or fire occurs in any one cell assembly 100 , , it is possible to prevent heat from being conducted to the adjacent cell assembly 100 .

Meanwhile, the fire extinguishing plate 230 may be configured to discharge the fire extinguishing agent 235 when the internal temperature of the battery module 200 rises above a predetermined temperature. The fire extinguishing plate 230 may include a fire extinguishing capsule 232 containing a fire extinguishing agent that expands in response to external heat. For example, the extinguishing agent 235 may be calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) in powder form, primary ammonium phosphate, or a halogen compound. Alternatively, the extinguishing agent 235 may be a material that releases extinguishing gas at a high temperature. For example, the extinguishing gas may be carbon dioxide.

In addition, when the fire extinguishing capsule 232 occurs in the battery module 200, the fire extinguishing capsule 232 receiving the thermal energy of the flame expands, and when the fire extinguishing capsule 232 expands to a size greater than a predetermined size, This burst and the fire extinguishing agent 235 inside is released to the outside of the capsule, so that the fire can be extinguished. For example, the fire extinguishing plate 230 may have a form in which the digestive capsule 232 is coated on a plate-shaped substrate. In this case, the digestive capsule 232 may be coated on the substrate using an adhesive.

Furthermore, the fire extinguishing plate 230 may be located inside the module housing 210 . For example, the fire extinguishing plate 230 may be configured to be attached to the inner surface of the module housing 210 .

Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, the battery module 200 of the present invention is located inside the module housing 210, and when the internal temperature rises above a predetermined temperature, the extinguishing agent 235 is emitted. By including the fire extinguishing plate 230 configured to do so, when a fire or thermal runaway occurs in at least one cell assembly 100 , the fire extinguishing plate 230 can suppress or extinguish the flame of the cell assembly 100 , , it is possible to prevent thermal runaway or propagation of fire to other adjacent cell assemblies 100 .

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an internal view of the battery module cut along the line C-C' of FIG. 1 . And, FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal appearance of the battery module cut along the line D-D' of FIG. 1 .

4 and 5 together with FIG. 2 , a gas passage T1 configured to flow the gas generated from the cell assembly 100 may be formed in the module housing 210 of the present invention. Specifically, the gas passage T1 may be formed between the cell assembly 100 and the inner surface of the module housing 210 . For example, as shown in FIG. 4 , a gas passage T1 may be formed between the left side portion 226 of the module housing 210 and the left end of the cell assembly 100 . 5 , a gas passage T1 may be formed between the side portion 226 of the module housing 210 and the right end of the cell assembly 100 .

Also, the fire extinguishing plate 230 may be located in the gas passage T1 . For example, as shown in FIG. 4 , the fire extinguishing plate 230 may be configured to be attached to the inner surface of the right side part 226 of the module housing 210 . As shown in FIG. 5 , the fire extinguishing plate 230 may be configured to be attached to the inner surface of the left side part 226 of the module housing 210 .

Accordingly, according to this configuration of the present invention, in the present invention, a gas passage T1 configured to flow the gas generated from the cell assembly 100 is formed between the cell assembly 100 and the module housing 210 . and the fire extinguishing plate 230 is located in the gas passage T1, so that the high-temperature gas generated due to thermal runaway or fire of the cell assembly 100 can move through the gas passage T1, and , at this time, the fire extinguishing capsule 232 of the fire extinguishing plate 230 provided in the gas passage T1 may come into contact with the high temperature gas to release the fire extinguishing material. Accordingly, the flame of the cell assembly 100 can be suppressed or the fire can be extinguished, thereby preventing thermal runaway or propagation of the fire to other adjacent cell assemblies 100 .

6 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cut inside view of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6 together with FIGS. 1 and 4 , the battery module 200 of FIG. 6 is located on the inner surface of the side part 226 of the module housing 210 when compared with the battery module 200 of FIG. 4 . A fire extinguishing plate 230 is provided, and an additional fire extinguishing plate 230 may be further provided on the inner surface of the upper cover 220 of the module housing 210 . Other configurations are the same as those of the battery module 200 of FIG. 4 .

Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, in the present invention, the fire extinguishing plate 230 is provided on the inner surface of the side portion 226 of the module housing 210 , and the upper cover 220 of the module housing 210 is provided. ) is additionally provided on the inner surface of the fire extinguishing plate 230 , so that the high-temperature gas generated due to thermal runaway or fire of the cell assembly 100 is combined with the fire extinguishing plate 230 located on the inner upper surface of the module housing 210 and Since the contact is easy, the extinguishing agent (refer to FIG. 3 , 235) can be rapidly discharged from the extinguishing plate 230, enabling rapid extinguishing or suppression of flame.

7 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cut inside view of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7 together with FIGS. 3 and 6 , the battery module 200 of FIG. 7 is on the inner surface of the base plate 240 of the module housing 210 when compared with the battery module 200 of FIG. 6 . A fire extinguishing plate 230 is further provided. Other configurations are the same as those of the battery module 200 of FIG. 6 .

Specifically, in the battery module 200 of FIG. 7 , the fire extinguishing plate 230 may be provided on the inner surface of each of the side portion 226 , the upper cover 220 , and the base plate 240 of the module housing 210 . there is. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 , the fire extinguishing plate 230 may be provided on each of the inner upper surface, the inner left surface, and the inner lower surface of the gas passage T1 of the module housing 210 .

Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, in the present invention, when compared with the battery module 200 of FIG. 6 , the fire extinguishing plate 230 is further provided on the inner surface of the base plate 240 of the module housing 210 . , the high-temperature gas generated due to thermal runaway or fire of the cell assembly 100 can easily come into contact with the fire extinguishing plate 230 located on the inner lower surface of the module housing 210, so that the extinguishing agent is quickly released from the fire extinguishing plate 230 can emit Accordingly, according to the present invention, it is possible to quickly extinguish or suppress the flame of the cell assembly 100 . In addition, as the number of fire extinguishing plates 230 is increased, the amount of fire extinguishing agent emitted can also be increased, thereby further enhancing fire extinguishing power.

8 is a plan view schematically illustrating an internal appearance of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention. 8 shows an internal view of the module housing, and for convenience of explanation, only some cell assemblies 100 that are internal components are shown.

Referring to FIG. 8 , in the module housing 210 of the battery module 200A of FIG. 8 , a protrusion 212 protruding in the direction in which the cell assembly 100 is located may be formed in the gas passage T1 . . The protruding portion 212 may have a rectangular outer surface protruding from the inner surface of the side portion 226 of the module housing 210 , and the protruding outer surface of the raised portion 212 corresponds to the fire extinguishing plate 230 . can have any size.

In addition, the fire extinguishing plate 230 may be attached to the protruding outer surface of the raised portion 212 . For example, as shown in FIG. 8 , on the inner surface of the left side part 226 of the module housing 210 , four protrusions 212 may be formed to protrude in the direction in which the cell assembly 100 is located. there is. Also, on the inner surface of the right side part 226 of the module housing 210 , four protruding parts 212 may be formed to protrude in a direction in which the cell assembly 100 is located.

Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, in the present invention, the protruding portion 212 protruding in the direction in which the cell assembly 100 is located is formed in the gas passage T1 of the module housing 210, and the Since the fire extinguishing plate 230 is attached to the protruding outer surface of the base 212 , the fire extinguishing plate 230 can be provided at a position more adjacent to the cell assembly 100 . Accordingly, when a thermal runaway or fire of the cell assembly 100 occurs, a larger amount of the extinguishing agent may be quickly injected into the cell assembly 100 by the fire extinguishing plate 230 located adjacently. Ultimately, it is possible to further increase the extinguishing speed and extinguishing ability of the battery module 200A.

Referring back to FIG. 8 , the module housing 210 of the battery module 200A of FIG. 8 is configured to reduce the movement speed of the gas G1 generated due to thermal runaway or fire of the cell assembly 100 . It may further include a bypass block provided. For example, referring to FIG. 8 , the module housing 210 includes four bypass blocks in the gas passage T1 formed on the left side with respect to the cell assembly 100 , and the gas passage T1 formed on the right side. ) may be provided with four bypass blocks. Accordingly, the high-temperature gas G1 generated from the cell assembly 100 may move in a zigzag manner in the gas passage T1 to effectively increase the moving distance of the gas G1 . Accordingly, it is possible to secure sufficient time for the fire extinguishing plate 230 to react by the high-temperature gas G1 and release the fire extinguishing agent 235, so that the fire extinguishing agent (heat of vaporization) causes the high temperature of the fire extinguishing agent (heat of vaporization) to be released. It is possible to effectively lower the temperature of the gas G1.

Furthermore, a fire extinguishing plate 230 may be additionally attached to the bypass block. The fire extinguishing plate 230 may be attached to an outer surface where the bypass block may come into contact with the high-temperature gas G1 generated from the cell assembly 100 . Accordingly, the high-temperature gas G1 generated from the cell assembly 100 may contact more fire extinguishing plate 230 to induce a large amount of fire extinguishing agent to be discharged. Accordingly, the fire in the battery module 200A can be quickly extinguished, and the propagation of thermal runaway of the cell assembly 100 to the adjacent cell assembly 100 can be effectively suppressed.

9 is a side view schematically illustrating internal configurations of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring back to FIGS. 2 and 9 , the bus bar assembly 270 may include at least one bus bar 272 and at least two bus bar frames 276 on which the bus bar 272 is mounted. can

Specifically, the bus bar 272 may be an alloy including a metal having excellent electrical conductivity, such as copper, nickel, and aluminum. The bus bar 272 may be configured to electrically interconnect the plurality of secondary batteries 110 . That is, the bus bar 272 may be configured to contact a portion of the electrode lead 111 . The bus bar 272 may have a plate shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the bus bar 272 may have a plate shape extending in the front-rear direction and the vertical direction.

In addition, the bus bar frame 276 may include an electrically insulating material. For example, the busbar frame 276 may be made of a plastic material. More specifically, the plastic material may be polyvinyl chloride.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the battery module 200 may include four busbar assemblies 270 . The bus bar assembly 270 may be positioned on the left and right sides of the cell assembly 100 , respectively. Each of the four bus bar assemblies 270 may include four bus bars 272 and a bus bar frame 276 on which the four bus bars 272 are mounted outside.

Moreover, the bus bar frame 276 may include a body portion 276a and at least two fixing portions 276b. The body portion 276a may have a plate shape to mount the at least one bus bar 272 on an outer surface thereof. The body portion 276a may be erected in the vertical direction. The body portion 276a may be elongated in a direction in which the plurality of secondary batteries 110 are stacked (front-to-back direction).

In addition, the fixing part 276b may have a shape that protrudes outwardly from the main body 276a. The fixing part 276b may have a shape that protrudes outwardly from the upper and lower portions of the outer surface of the main body 276a, respectively.

In addition, in the bus bar 272 of the battery module 200 of the present invention, a plurality of insertion holes H2 through which the electrode leads 111 of the plurality of secondary batteries 110 pass may be formed. 9 , in the bus bar 272 , an insertion hole H2 may be formed at respective positions corresponding to the electrode leads 111 of the plurality of secondary batteries 110 . Accordingly, each electrode lead 111 of the plurality of secondary batteries 110 of the cell assembly 100 may be configured to protrude to the outside through the insertion hole H2 of the bus bar 272 . The insertion hole H2 may have a shape similar to that of the electrode lead 111 . For example, referring to FIG. 9 , two or five insertion holes H2 may be formed in any one bus bar 272 . The insertion hole H2 may have a rectangular hole elongated in the vertical direction. The electrode lead 111 of the secondary battery 110 is inserted into each of the two or five insertion holes H2, and the inserted part is bent in the front-rear direction to contact (weld) the outer surface of the bus bar 272 . there is.

10 is a side view schematically illustrating internal configurations of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10 together with FIG. 9 , the fixing part 276b may be configured to be coupled to the fire extinguishing plate 230 . For example, the fire extinguishing plate 230 may be configured to be sandwiched between the two fixing parts 276b. For example, the fire extinguishing plate 230 may be inserted between the fixing part 276b formed on the upper part of the main body part 276a and the fixing part 276b formed on the lower part to be assembled by force fitting.

In addition, the fire extinguishing plate 230 may have a plate shape. That is, the fire extinguishing plate 230 may have a sheet shape extending in the front-rear direction and the vertical direction. Furthermore, the fire extinguishing plate 230 may be configured to seal the insertion hole H2 of the bus bar 272 . The fire extinguishing plate 230 may be positioned in close contact with the outside of the bus bar 272 . That is, the fire extinguishing plate 230 may be fixed at a position facing the insertion hole H2 of the bus bar 272 .

Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, in the present invention, the fire extinguishing plate 230 is inserted to be sandwiched between the at least two or more fixing parts 276b, so that when a fire occurs in the cell assembly 100, When oxygen is prevented from being supplied to the cell assembly 100 inside through the insertion hole H2 of the bus bar assembly 270 and the flame is emitted through the insertion hole H2 of the bus bar 272 , by reacting with the extinguishing plate 230, it is possible to immediately release the extinguishing agent. Accordingly, the present invention enables faster fire suppression by such a configuration.

Meanwhile, referring back to FIG. 10 , a plurality of welding holes H1 may be formed in the fire extinguishing plate 230 . The welding hole H1 may be formed by perforating a portion of the fire extinguishing plate 230 so that a portion of the electrode lead 111 in contact with the bus bar 272 may be exposed to the outside. The plurality of welding holes H1 may be formed at positions corresponding to welding portions of the electrode lead 111 and the bus bar 272 . For example, as shown in FIG. 10 , a plurality of welding holes H1 perforated so that a portion in contact with the bus bar 272 is exposed to the outside may be formed in each of the four fire extinguishing plates 230 . .

Accordingly, according to this configuration of the present invention, the fire extinguishing plate 230 has a plurality of welding holes H1 perforated so that a portion of the electrode lead 111 in contact with the bus bar 272 can be exposed to the outside. ) is formed, so that even if the fire extinguishing plate 230 is positioned on the bus bar 272 of the bus bar assembly 270 , the bus bar 272 and the electrode lead are formed through the plurality of welding holes H1 . The contact portion of (111) can be heated by welding. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a decrease in manufacturing efficiency according to the fire extinguishing plate 230 .

Meanwhile, referring back to FIG. 10 , in the bus bar frame 276B of the battery module 200B according to another embodiment, at least one fixing protrusion 276p may be further formed on the fixing part 276b. The fixing protrusion 276p may be configured to press and fix the outer periphery of the fire extinguishing plate 230 in an inward direction. That is, the fixing protrusion 276p may be extended from the fixing part 276b to contact the outer surface of the fire extinguishing plate 230 to press the outer surface of the fire extinguishing plate 230 inward. .

For example, as shown in FIG. 10 , a fixing protrusion 276p may be formed on each of the two fixing parts 276b of the bus bar frame 276B. A fixing protrusion 276p protruding in a downward direction may be formed on the fixing part 276b located on the upper portion of the bus bar frame 276B. A fixing protrusion 276p protruding upwardly may be formed on the fixing part 276b located below the bus bar frame 276B. The fixing protrusion 276p formed on the fixing part 276b may be configured to press the outer periphery of the fire extinguishing plate 230 in an inward direction.

Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, in the present invention, at least one fixing protrusion 276p configured to press and fix the outer periphery of the fire extinguishing plate 230 in the inside direction is formed in the fixing portion 276b, The fire extinguishing plate 230 can be easily fixed to the bus bar frame 276B. Furthermore, after inserting the fire extinguishing plate 230 into the bus bar frame 276B, it is possible to prevent the fire extinguishing plate 230 from being detached from the bus bar frame 276B even when subjected to an external shock. Accordingly, durability of the battery module 200B may be increased.

11 is a plan view schematically illustrating an internal appearance of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention. And, FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view schematically illustrating the components of the fire extinguishing plate, the elastic member, and the fixing member of the battery module of FIG. 11 .

11 and 12 , the battery module 200C according to another embodiment may further include an elastic member 237 and a fixing member 239 . Specifically, one end of the elastic member 237 may be connected to the fire extinguishing plate 230 and the other end may be connected to the inner surface of the module housing 210 . For example, the elastic member 237 may be a spring. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 , eight elastic members 237 may be provided on inner surfaces of the right side part 226 and the left side part 226 of the module housing 210 . The eight elastic members 237 may have one end connected to the fire extinguishing plate 230 and the other end connected to the inner surface of the module housing 210 .

In addition, the fixing member 239 may be configured such that the elastic member 237 is fixed in a contracted form. The fixing member 239 may be melted and lost at a predetermined temperature (eg, 100 degrees Celsius) to release the fixing state of the elastic member 237 . For example, the fixing member 239 may undergo a phase change from a solid state to a liquid state at the predetermined temperature or higher. The fixing member 239 may have one end connected to the fire extinguishing plate 230 and the other end connected to the inner surface of the module housing 210 .

For example, the fixing member 239 may be made of a phase change material that phase changes from a solid state to a liquid state at the predetermined temperature, for example, 100 degrees Celsius or more. Representative examples of the phase change material include paraffin, polyethylene glycol, inorganic hydrate (eg, Na ₂ HPO ₄ ·12H ₂ O, Na ₂ SO ₄ ·10H ₂ O, Zn(NO _{3 ) 2} ·6H). ₂ O etc.), etc. are mentioned, but it is not limited only to these. Among them, paraffin, which is inexpensive and whose phase change temperature can be easily controlled according to molecular weight, is particularly preferable.

Accordingly, according to this configuration of the present invention, the battery module 200C of the present invention further includes an elastic member 237 and a fixing member 239 inside the module housing 210 , so that the cell assembly 100 therein ) in the event of a thermal runaway or a fire, the fixing member 239 is fixed in the contracted form of the elastic member 237 by the increased internal temperature to release the elastic member 237 in the extension of the elastic member 237 . Accordingly, the digestion plate 230 may be moved in a direction in which the cell assembly 100 is located. Accordingly, the fire extinguishing plate 230 can be positioned closer to the cell assembly 100, so that a larger amount of the fire extinguishing agent can be quickly injected into the cell assembly 100 where thermal runaway or fire will occur. there is. Ultimately, it is possible to further increase the extinguishing speed and extinguishing ability of the battery module 200C.

13 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a state of a power storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13 together with FIG. 2 , the battery rack 300 according to the present invention includes a plurality of modules BMS 290 inside or outside the rack case 310 and a rack BMS (Battery Management System) for exchanging information; BMS, 330) may be further included.

The power storage system according to the present invention may include one or more battery racks 300 according to the present invention described above. In particular, the power storage system may include a plurality of battery racks 300 according to the present invention. And, such a plurality of battery rack 300 may be electrically connected to each other. The power storage system according to the present invention may be implemented in various forms, such as a smart grid system or an electric charging station.

Meanwhile, in the present specification, terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back are used, but these terms are for convenience of explanation only, and may vary depending on the location of the object or the location of the observer. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may

As described above, although the present invention has been described with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the technical idea of the present invention and the following by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. Of course, various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of equivalents of the claims to be described.

200: battery module 100: cell assembly
110: secondary battery 210: module housing
T1: gas passage 212: ridge
270: busbar assembly 272, 276: busbar, busbar frame
H2: insert
276a: body portion 276b: fixed portion
276p: fixed protrusion
230: digestive plate 235, 232: extinguishing agent, extinguishing capsule
H1: Weld hole
237: elastic member 239: fixing member
300: battery rack 310: rack case

Claims (10)

at least one cell assembly each having a plurality of secondary batteries;
a module housing configured to form an inner space to accommodate the at least one cell assembly therein; and
Extinguishing plate located inside the module housing and configured to release the extinguishing agent when the internal temperature rises above a predetermined temperature
A battery module comprising a. According to claim 1,
A gas passage configured to flow gas generated from the cell assembly is formed between the cell assembly and the module housing,
The fire extinguishing plate is a battery module, characterized in that located in the gas passage. 3. The method of claim 2,
A raised portion protruding in a direction in which the cell assembly is located is formed in the gas passage of the module housing,
The battery module, characterized in that the fire extinguishing plate is attached to the protruding outer surface of the raised part. According to claim 1,
The plurality of secondary batteries are stacked on each other in the front-rear direction and are configured such that electrode leads are positioned at each of left and right ends,
The battery module is
At least one bus bar in contact with the electrode leads provided in the plurality of secondary batteries to electrically interconnect the plurality of secondary batteries, and the at least one bus bar is mounted and provided on both sides of the cell assembly in the left and right direction Further comprising a bus bar assembly provided with at least two or more bus bar frames,
The bus bar frame,
a body portion having a plate shape to mount the at least one bus bar on an outer surface and extending along a direction in which the plurality of secondary batteries are stacked; and
A battery module comprising at least two fixing parts protruding outwardly from the main body. 5. The method of claim 4,
The fire extinguishing plate is a battery module, characterized in that it is inserted so as to be sandwiched between the at least two or more fixing parts. 5. The method of claim 4,
The fire extinguishing plate is a battery module, characterized in that a plurality of perforated welding holes are formed so that a portion of the electrode lead in contact with the bus bar is exposed to the outside. 5. The method of claim 4,
The fixing part is a battery module, characterized in that the fixing protrusion configured to press and fix the fire extinguishing plate in the inside direction is formed. 3. The method of claim 2,
an elastic member having one end connected to the fire extinguishing plate and the other end connected to the inner surface of the module housing; and
A fixing member configured to fix the elastic member in a contracted form and melted and lost at a predetermined temperature to release the fixing state of the elastic member
Battery module, characterized in that it further comprises. According to any one of claims 1 to 8, Battery rack comprising at least one or more of the battery module according to any one of claims. 10. Power storage system comprising at least one or more of the battery rack according to claim 9.

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