KR20240003786A - Battery module including cartridge for extinguishing - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses a battery module with enhanced safety through an improved frame structure and fire extinguishing cartridge. A battery module according to one aspect of the present invention includes a module housing that includes a side frame and forms an internal space; One or more cell assemblies accommodated in the interior space of the module housing and including one or more battery cells; and a fire extinguishing cartridge provided on the side frame and configured to release a fire extinguishing agent when a trigger condition for starting operation is met.

Description

Battery module containing a fire extinguishing cartridge {BATTERY MODULE INCLUDING CARTRIDGE FOR EXTINGUISHING}

The present invention relates to a battery module, and more specifically, to a battery module with improved safety through an improved frame structure and a fire extinguishing cartridge provided therewith.

As the demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, video cameras, and mobile phones that use electricity as a driving source is rapidly increasing, and mobile robots, electric bicycles, electric carts, and electric vehicles are becoming widely commercialized, repetitive charging and discharging is possible. Research on high-performance secondary batteries is actively underway.

Commercially available secondary batteries include nickel cadmium batteries, nickel hydrogen batteries, nickel zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Among these, lithium secondary batteries rarely have a memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, so they can be freely charged and discharged, and are self-sustaining. Not only does it have the advantage of a very low discharge rate, but it also has high energy density and high operating voltage, so it is being studied more intensively than other types of secondary batteries and is being applied more extensively to actual products.

Recently, secondary batteries have been widely used not only in small devices such as portable electronic devices, but also in medium-to-large devices such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS).

In this case, a battery module in which multiple electrically connected secondary batteries are stored together inside a module case is mainly applied. Furthermore, when high power or large capacity is required, a battery pack in which multiple such battery modules are electrically connected is sometimes applied.

Secondary batteries with these advantages are increasingly being used in various forms, but due to their operating characteristics, secondary batteries are subject to swelling, rush current, and overheating due to Joule heating. Alternatively, thermal runaway due to a decomposition reaction of the electrolyte may occur, so securing safety may be an important issue.

Battery modules or battery packs may be more vulnerable to thermal events because multiple secondary batteries (battery cells) or multiple battery modules are space-intensively crowded. In particular, when thermal runaway occurs inside the battery module, high temperature gas, flame, heat, etc. are generated, and if these are not quickly controlled, thermal propagation occurs. This may cause a chain fire or explosion in the relevant battery module as well as adjacent battery modules.

In the case of medium-to-large battery packs applied to vehicles such as electric vehicles that users ride, a large number of battery cells and battery modules are installed more intensively to increase output and capacity, which may cause large-scale fires. Of course, human damage can also occur, so it can be said that there is a great need to more strongly suppress dangerous situations such as fire that may occur in battery modules in the initial stage.

The present invention was created to solve the above-described problems against the above background. In addition to structural improvements to improve the durability of the battery module, safety is further improved through the composition of the fire extinguishing cartridge that is organically combined with the improved structure. The purpose is to provide improved battery modules, etc.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood from the description below, and will be more clearly understood through embodiments of the present invention. In addition, the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the configuration indicated in the patent claims and the combination of the configuration.

A battery module according to one aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a module housing that includes a side frame and forms an internal space; One or more cell assemblies accommodated in the interior space of the module housing and including one or more battery cells; and a fire extinguishing cartridge provided on the side frame and configured to release a fire extinguishing agent when a trigger condition for starting operation is met.

Here, the trigger condition may be configured as a case where the internal temperature is above the reference temperature or when the internal pressure is above the reference pressure.

Specifically, the side frame of the present invention includes a first plate provided on the outside; a second plate spaced apart from the first plate and facing the cell assembly inward; And it may include a support part that physically supports between the first and second plates so that there are a plurality of mounting spaces between the first and second plates, and in this case, the fire extinguishing cartridge is one of the plurality of mounting spaces. It can be provided as above.

Additionally, the support portion of the present invention may be configured to be arranged in a longitudinal direction corresponding to the cell assembly.

Depending on the embodiment, the second plate of the present invention may be made of a material that has a low elastic modulus or a high heat transfer coefficient or thermal expansion coefficient compared to the first plate.

Furthermore, the mounting space may be configured to form a flow path by being connected to a venting hole through which venting gas generated in the cell assembly flows to the outside.

Additionally, the second plate of the present invention may have an opening formed in a portion corresponding to the mounting space.

In this case, the battery module according to the present invention is preferably configured to further include a stopper provided in the opening and configured to open the opening when the temperature or pressure of the internal space exceeds a certain level.

More preferably, the stopper of the present invention may be provided with needle-like protrusions or have a wedge shape to create a perforation in the fire extinguishing cartridge when moved by pressure and may be made of an elastic material.

A battery pack according to another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a battery module according to the present invention, and a vehicle according to another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a battery pack according to the present invention. Includes battery module.

In the case of the present invention, not only can the durability of the battery module be enhanced through simple structural improvements, but the fire extinguishing cartridge can be simply installed in the improved structure to improve durability, thereby improving not only ease of assembly but also convenience of use. It can be improved further.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, critical changes in internal environmental factors (temperature, pressure, etc.) can be naturally incorporated into the operation of the fire extinguishing cartridge, enabling more rapid initial response to the occurrence of risk factors.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the fire extinguishing agent of the fire extinguishing cartridge can be induced to be sprayed intensively at the area where the cell assembly faces face to face (plane vs. plane), thereby increasing the efficiency of fire suppression, etc. Of course, the chain spread of overheating and fire to other adjacent battery modules or cell assemblies can be more effectively suppressed.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from this specification and the attached drawings.

The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and serve to further understand the technical idea of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention described later, so the present invention includes the matters described in such drawings. It should not be interpreted as limited to only .
Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal configuration of the battery module shown in FIG. 1.
Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal configuration of the battery module shown in FIG. 3.
Figure 5 is a view showing a front frame according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is equipped with a fire extinguishing cartridge.
Figure 6 is a view showing a front frame according to another embodiment of the present invention, which is equipped with a fire extinguishing cartridge.
Figure 7 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a second plate provided with an opening.
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a stopper provided in the opening shown in Figure 7.
9 and 10 are cross-sectional views showing stoppers according to other embodiments of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, the terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, and the inventor should appropriately define the concept of terms in order to explain his or her invention in the best way. It must be interpreted as meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of the present invention based on the principle of definability.

Accordingly, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only some of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of the present invention, so at the time of filing the present application, various options that can replace them are available. It should be understood that equivalents and variations may exist.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of the battery module 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal configuration of the battery module 1000 shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery module 1000 includes a module housing 1100 that functions as a case, and a cell assembly 1200 provided inside the module housing 1100 and including one or more battery cells 1210. ) may include.

As illustrated in the drawing, the module housing 1100 includes a top frame 1500 located at the top (based on the Z axis), a base frame 1600 coupled to the top frame 1500 and located at the bottom, and a lateral It may be composed of a side frame 1400 that is positioned. Like other embodiments of the present invention described later with reference to FIG. 3, etc., the module housing 1100 of the present invention has various structures including the embodiments illustrated in the drawings depending on the shape, structure, size, number of members to be combined, etc. Of course, it can be implemented in any form, etc.

The battery cell 1210 refers to a secondary battery including an electrode assembly, electrolyte, and battery case. In the drawing, a pouch-type secondary battery with high energy density and easy stacking is shown as an example, but a cylindrical or prismatic secondary battery is used. Of course, it can be applied as the battery cell 1210.

As shown in FIG. 2, etc., the cell assembly 1200 has battery cells 1210 with their short axis vertically positioned (Z-axis based on the drawing) arranged side by side (stacked) in the left and right directions (X-axis based on the drawing). It can be configured in a way that

The drawing shows an example in which the cell assembly 1200 (G1, G2) consisting of a 1×2 matrix based on the vertical (X axis) and horizontal (Y axis) is accommodated in the module housing 1100, but the applied device Cell assemblies 1200 having various combinatorial arrangements such as 1×1, 2×4, and 3×2 matrices may be provided in the module housing 1100 depending on spatial characteristics, electrical capacity, power size, etc.

Additionally, although not shown in the drawing, the cell assembly 1200 may be electrically connected by a bus bar made of an electrically conductive metal material.

The module housing 1100 is configured to accommodate one or more cell assemblies 1200, and is made of a highly rigid and durable metal material or ABS resin to physically or chemically protect the battery cells 1210 provided therein. It may be made of plastic material.

In addition, as shown in the figure, the module housing 1100 has one or more venting holes 150a and 150b that function as a type of outlet for discharging venting gas generated from the battery cell 1210 to the outside. , 150c, 150d) can be formed.

Depending on the embodiment, the venting holes (150a, 150b, 150c, and 150d) may be equipped with a membrane that ruptures above a certain pressure. In this case, the membrane structure is ruptured by the venting gas generated inside, so it is normally blocked. As the venting hole 150 is opened, the venting gas generated inside may be discharged to the outside.

Of course, the number and location of the venting holes 150 may be configured differently from the example shown in the drawings depending on the embodiment, and in order to minimize damage, it is preferable that they be provided in a location where the venting gas is discharged in a specific direction. do.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of the battery module 1000 according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal structure of the battery module 1000 shown in FIG. 3.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is different from the previously described embodiment in terms of form or external structure, but since the essential functions, etc. substantially correspond, the same reference numerals are used for corresponding components, and both implementations are similar. It is obvious that the examples do not mean physical coincidence.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the module housing 1100 forming the internal space includes a top frame 1500, a base frame 1600, and side frames 1610, 1620, 1400a, and 1400b. You can.

The top frame 1500 is located at the top of the module housing 1100, and the base frame 1600 can be arranged at a predetermined distance from the top frame 1500 at the bottom of the top frame 1500, and the side frame (1610, 1620, 1400a, 1400b) may be arranged between the top frame 1500 and the base frame 1600 with the upper and lower ends respectively connected.

The top frame 1500, base frame 1600, and/or side frames 1610, 1620, 1400a, 1400b may be configured in a plate shape, but may be configured in the form of a polyhedron (for example, a rectangular parallelepiped) having a certain thickness or more. there is.

In order to implement the main technical idea of the present invention, among the frame structures constituting the module housing 1100 of the present invention, especially the side frames (1610, 1620, 1400a, 1400b), one or more fire extinguishing cartridges (1300) are installed therein. It is constructed to have an appropriate thickness so that space can be provided. Specific and detailed information about this will be described later.

At least some of the top frame 1500, base frame 1600, and side frames 1610, 1620, 1400a, and 1400b may be integrated with each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, among the four side frames 1610, 1620, 1400a, 1400b, the right frame 1610 and the left frame 1620 are configured to be integrated with the base frame 1600. You can. In this case, the right frame 1610, left frame 1620, and base frame 1600 that are integrated with each other may be referred to by terms such as U-frame depending on their shape characteristics.

In this case, the front frame (1400a) located at the front (based on the Y axis) among the side frames and the rear frame (1400b) located at the rear are the end frames (1400), which are the open portions of the front and rear ends of the U-frame. Can be coupled to each, and the top frame 1500 can be coupled to the upper opening of the U-frame. Of course, coupling between adjacent frames can be achieved by fastening flanges and bolts, as well as by laser welding or ultrasonic welding.

In the case of the battery module 1000 shown in FIG. 4, two cell assemblies 1200 are provided inside the module housing 1100, and each of these cell assemblies 1200 includes one or more battery cells 1210. .

In the case of the embodiment previously described with reference to FIG. 2, a cell assembly 1200 consisting of a 1×2 matrix based on the vertical (X axis) and horizontal (Y axis) is provided in the module housing 1100, and In the case of the battery module 1000 of the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4, the cell assembly 1200 consisting of a 2 × 1 matrix based on the vertical (X axis) and horizontal (Y axis) is located in the module housing 1100. This is an embodiment provided in .

In the battery module 1000 shown in FIG. 4, as previously described, one or more venting holes 150a, 150b, and 150c through which venting gas is discharged may be formed in the top frame 1500 or/and the side frame 1610. Of course it exists.

At least one of the top frame 1500, base frame 1600, or side frames 1610, 1620, 1400a, 1400b has its inner surface (the surface facing the cell assembly) made of clad metal or GFRP, etc. Of course, flame retardant materials can be attached.

The axis shown in the drawings, terms referring to the axis, and terms referring to directions such as top, bottom, front, rear, vertical, etc. described with respect to the axis are used to provide a relative standard for explaining embodiments of the present invention. However, it is obvious that it is not intended to specify any direction or location on an absolute basis, and of course, it may vary relatively depending on the location of the target object, the location of the observer, the viewing direction, etc.

Hereinafter, as described above, an embodiment of the present invention will be described by defining the Z-axis as a reference in the up-down or vertical direction, and from a corresponding perspective, the Y-axis is defined as a reference in the front or rear, and the X-axis is defined as a reference in the left or right direction. Now, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Figure 5 is a view showing a front frame (1400a) according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is provided with a fire extinguishing cartridge (1300). In the following description, the technical idea of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5 based on an embodiment in which the fire extinguishing cartridge 1300 of the present invention is provided on the front frame 1400a located at the front of the end frame 1400. However, in general, The fire extinguishing cartridge 1300 of the present invention can be installed on one or more of the top frame 1500, base frame 1600, or other side frames 1610, 1620, and 1400b through structural changes applicable at the technician level. Of course it exists.

As shown in Figure 5, the fire extinguishing cartridge 1300 of the present invention is provided in the internal space provided by the front frame 1400a. The fire extinguishing cartridge 1300 is configured to release the fire extinguishing agent when a trigger condition for starting operation is met, as will be described later.

The front frame 1400a of the present invention may be specifically configured to include a first plate 1410, a second plate 1420, and a support portion 1430, as shown in the drawing.

The first plate 1410 is a plate located on the outside (based on the Y-axis) of the front frame 1400a and may be formed in a plate shape or a polyhedron having a volume, as shown in the drawing.

In addition, in order to effectively provide physical protection of the internal components, the first plate 1410 is made of a metal material such as high-strength SUS (stainless steel) or ABS resin (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer) with high heat resistance, temperature resistance, and impact resistance. ), etc., or other types of plastic materials. Depending on the embodiment, the first plate 1410 may be made of different materials for each part.

The second plate 1420 is a plate installed to be spaced apart from the first plate 1410 in the inner direction, and is a cell assembly (based on the negative Y axis) installed in the internal space provided by the module housing 1100. 1200).

The second plate 1420 may also be made of a material corresponding to the first plate 1410, but it reacts quickly to factors such as temperature and pressure of the internal space where the cell assembly 1200 is provided and is used as a fire extinguishing cartridge ( 1300), in order to effectively transmit it, it is desirable to make it from a material with a low elastic modulus (elastic modulus) or a high heat transfer coefficient or thermal expansion coefficient.

When the second plate 1420 is made of a material with a relatively low modulus of elasticity or a high coefficient of thermal expansion, when the internal pressure increases or the internal temperature increases due to the cell assembly 1200, the second plate 1420 Since physical displacement is easily and significantly induced, physical displacement due to changes in internal pressure/temperature, etc. can be more effectively transmitted to the fire extinguishing cartridge 1300.

Depending on the embodiment, when pressure or external force exceeding the standard value is applied to the fire extinguishing cartridge 1300, the finishing material or exterior material, etc. is damaged (ruptured) or the sealing means (cap, stopper, etc.) is separated, causing the internal fire extinguishing agent, fire extinguishing material, etc. It may be configured to be released.

In relation to this operation method, if the physical displacement of the second plate 1420 is large and easily induced as described above, the operating mechanism of the fire extinguishing cartridge 1300 can be more reliably implemented, so that the fire extinguishing function is included. Problems such as delayed discharge of fire extinguishing agent or failure to operate in conventional battery modules can be effectively solved.

As described above, from the perspective of corresponding to the form of effectively transmitting physical displacement (change), when the internal temperature is increased by the cell assembly 1200, the resulting thermal change can be more quickly and reliably transmitted to the fire extinguishing cartridge 1300. It is desirable that the second plate 1420 be made of a material with a high heat transfer coefficient.

Depending on the embodiment, the fire extinguishing cartridge 1300 may include a fire extinguishing agent in the form of a capsule, such as powdered calcium carbonate or a halogen compound, that expands due to heat above the standard temperature, and extinguishing gas at high temperature. It may contain substances that emit (carbon dioxide, etc.).

In addition, the fire extinguishing cartridge 1300 undergoes a phase transition when the finishing material or exterior material is physically changed (broken, ruptured, melted, etc.) at or above the standard temperature, or the sealing means (cap, stopper, etc.) made of material such as paraffin undergoes a phase transition. ) and can be configured so that internal fire extinguishing agents, fire extinguishing substances, etc. can be released.

In relation to this operation method, as described above, when the second plate 1420 is made of a material with a high heat transfer coefficient, the internal temperature change (temperature rise) is quickly transmitted to the fire extinguishing cartridge 1300, thereby extinguishing the fire extinguishing cartridge ( 1300), the operating mechanism can be implemented more reliably, thereby effectively solving conventional problems such as delayed release or non-operation of the fire extinguishing agent.

In this way, the fire extinguishing cartridge 1300 is configured to release the fire extinguishing agent contained therein when a trigger condition, which is a condition for starting operation, is achieved, and the trigger condition is based on the internal temperature as in the previously described embodiment. It may consist of one or more of the following: the temperature is higher than the temperature or the internal pressure is higher than the reference pressure.

The fire extinguishing agent (extinguishing material) provided inside the fire extinguishing cartridge 1300 may be various substances known at the time of filing of the present invention, including ammonium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, ammonium phosphate, etc., such as powder, etc. It may be in a solid state, liquid state, or gaseous state. Additionally, the exterior material or case of the fire extinguishing cartridge 1300 may be made of a material that melts at a reference temperature or higher, or may be made of a material that tears or ruptures/breaks when an external force is applied.

The interior of the fire extinguishing cartridge 1300 may be configured to be filled with a separate inert high-pressure gas in addition to the fire extinguishing agent. When configured in this way, the fire extinguishing agent inside the fire extinguishing cartridge 1300 can be ejected at a stronger pressure under a trigger condition, making it possible to more effectively suppress fire, block ignition, lower internal temperature, etc.

In order to effectively implement the technical idea of the present invention described above, the second plate 1420 is a base frame 1600 or other side frames 1610 to 1640 constituting the module housing 1100, and a second plate 1420 constituting the front frame 1400a. It is preferable that it is made of a material that has a relatively low elastic modulus or a relatively high thermal expansion coefficient or heat transfer coefficient compared to one or more of the plates 1410.

Characteristic values such as the elastic coefficient, thermal expansion coefficient, heat transfer coefficient, etc. of the second plate 1420 are determined not only by the previously described information, but also by the installation environment of the battery module 1000, product specifications, number of cell assemblies or battery cells, or safety standards, etc. Of course, it can be set by comprehensively considering.

As illustrated in the drawing, the second plate 1420 may have a guiding wall portion 1423 formed integrally or in a combined form on the entire or part of its outer circumference. Depending on the embodiment, the guiding wall portion 1423 may be It may be formed on the first plate 1410 in a form extending from the entire or part of the outer circumference of the first plate 1410.

The support portion 1430, which is a component of the front frame 1400a, is a component corresponding to the wall portion located between the first plate 1410 and the second plate 1420, and as shown in the drawing, the first plate 1410 The space between the second plate 1420 is formed into a plurality of mounting spaces S in which the fire extinguishing cartridges 1300 are accommodated.

In addition, the support portion 1430 is configured to physically support the first plate 1410 and the second plate 1420 to structurally improve the overall physical rigidity and durability of the front frame 1400a, like a kind of H beam. .

Through this configuration, the battery module 1000 of the present invention can physically protect the battery module 1000 itself even when an external force, etc. is applied from the outside, as well as the fire extinguishing cartridge 1300 stored in the mounting space (S). ) can effectively prevent unnecessary operation due to unintended external factors.

The mounting space (S) of the present invention is preferably configured to form a flow path connected to the venting holes (150a, 150a, 150c, 140) through which venting gas generated in the cell assembly 1200 flows out.

The mounting space (S) of the present invention is formed by the support part 1430, but rather than being a closed structure, as illustrated in the enlarged view of FIG. 5, the space is formed between the support part 1430 and the guiding wall part 1423. It is preferable that a separation space 1431 is formed to form a flow path in relationship with the venting hole 140 formed in the first plate 1410 or the second plate 1420, etc. Through this configuration of the present invention, venting gas generated internally can be effectively discharged through the front frame 1400a, etc. In this case, the end frame 1400 may function as a venting unit that forms a venting channel through which venting gas or flame can flow. Moreover, according to the above-mentioned configuration, the end frame 1400 forms a long discharge path for the venting gas, thereby lowering the temperature when the venting gas is discharged. In addition, according to the above-mentioned configuration, when a flame is discharged together with the venting gas through the end frame 1400, the discharge direction of the flame is bent, thereby suppressing the discharge of the flame, which has a strong straight propagation. Therefore, in this case, the end frame 1400 may serve as a venting unit with excellent flame suppression performance.

A method of forming a flow path between the mounting space (S) and the venting hole 140 is to space the guiding wall portion 1423 and the support portion 1430 as illustrated in the drawing, as well as to space the support portion 1430. Various methods can be applied, such as forming one or more openings or dividing the support part 1430 itself into two or more parts to form a space between them.

Although not shown in detail in the drawings, in the case of an embodiment in which the fire extinguishing cartridge 1300 is provided in the front frame 1400a or the rear frame 1400b, the electrode structure (lead, etc.) of the cell assembly 1200 provided therein and the module An interfacing structure for electrically connecting the housings 1100 may be provided inside the front frame 1400a, or such an interfacing structure may be implemented through a line structure disposed along the outer circumference of the front frame 1400a. Of course it exists.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing a front frame 1400a according to another embodiment of the present invention, which is equipped with a fire extinguishing cartridge 1300.

The support portion 1430 of the present invention, which physically supports between the second plate 1420 and the first plate 1410 and forms a mounting space (S) in which the fire extinguishing cartridge 1300 is provided, is shown in FIG. 6. As shown, it may be configured to extend in the longitudinal direction corresponding to the vertical direction of the front frame 1400a.

Figure 6 is an example of this, showing five support parts 1430 that have a shape extending in the longitudinal direction (Z-axis) and are arranged at appropriate intervals (based on the X-axis). The arrangement of the support part 1430 corresponds to the direction in which the cell assembly 1200 is arranged (see FIG. 4), and the extension or arrangement direction of the support part 1430 itself is also the short axis of the cell assembly 1200 or the battery cell 1210. It is desirable to be configured to correspond to the longitudinal direction.

In this case, when the fire extinguishing agent is ejected or discharged from the fire extinguishing cartridge 1300 according to a trigger condition, the fire extinguishing agent is discharged into the cell assembly 1200 located inside (based on the Y axis) with respect to the second plate 1420. In addition to allowing the cell assembly 1200 or the battery cell 1210 to be ejected in a plane-to-plane manner, the efficiency of fire suppression can be increased. , the spread of fire, etc. to other adjacent battery modules or cell assemblies 1200 can be more effectively suppressed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a second plate 1420 provided with an opening 1421.

One or more openings 1421 may be formed in an area or portion of the second plate 1420 corresponding to the mounting space S where the fire extinguishing cartridge 1300 is provided, as shown in FIG. 7 .

If the fire extinguishing agent is composed of gas such as carbon dioxide, the opening 1421 may not be limited to a specific location, but as shown in the figure, the fire extinguishing agent is sprayed at the shortest distance to the fire extinguishing cartridge 1300, thereby increasing the temperature. It is preferable that the opening 1421 is formed in the second plate 1420 corresponding to the mounting space (S) so that the efficiency of fire reduction and fire suppression can be further increased.

When a plurality of openings 1421 are formed in the second plate 1420, at least some of the plurality of openings 1421 may be formed in different sizes. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the opening 1421 located in the center may be formed to be larger in size than the other openings 1421 located on the sides. Since the temperature of the central portion of the cell assembly 1200 in the stacking direction is often relatively higher, the possibility of thermal runaway or ignition may be higher. However, according to the above-mentioned implementation configuration, it is possible to deal more effectively with the possibility of ignition in the central portion. However, if the extinguishing agent inside the fire extinguishing cartridge 1300 can be discharged into the cell assembly 1200 located inside the second plate 1420, the number, shape, size, etc. of the openings 1421 can be applied in various ways. Of course, depending on the embodiment, the area corresponding to the mounting space S of the second plate 1420 may be entirely or partially configured to be in the form of a mesh.

Based on the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the opening 1421 allows the extinguishing agent to be sprayed intensively at the area where the cell assembly 1200 or the battery cell 1210 faces face to face (plane vs. plane). ) In addition, it is preferable that a plurality of cells are arranged in the longitudinal direction corresponding to the cell assembly 1200.

Even in this embodiment, the end frame 1400 may function as a venting unit that provides a venting channel through which venting gas or flame passes. Furthermore, the opening 1421 may function as an inlet that allows venting gas or flame to flow into the venting channel inside the end frame 1400.

8 to 10 are diagrams showing embodiments of the present invention for the stopper 1700 provided in the opening 1421 shown in FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 8, one or more openings 1421 formed in the second plate 1420 are normally provided with a stopper 1700 that functions as a kind of stopper or cap to block the openings 1421. It can be.

The stopper 1700 is made of a material that melts above a certain temperature, such as paraffin, and can be configured to naturally open the opening 1421 when the internal temperature rises. In addition, when the internal pressure rises above a certain level, the stopper 1700 and the opening 1421 are not fixedly coupled but are physically fitted so that the stopper 1700 can be separated from the opening 1421 (upward on the X-axis). It may be provided in the opening 1421 by a method or the like.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 9, the stopper 1700 of the present invention has a kind of wedge shape with gradually narrowing ends and may be made of an elastic material. In this way, when the stopper 1700 is formed in a wedge shape, etc., not only can the stopper 1700 effectively maintain the function of blocking or sealing the opening 1421 up to an appropriate level of pressure, but also the stopper 1700 can move in an outward direction. The pressurizing force can be condensed or accumulated, so that the moment the internal pressure reaches a critical value, it can be rapidly separated from the opening 1421 with a strong breakaway force.

In this way, when the stopper 1700 is configured to suddenly deviate in an outward direction with a strong separation force, the fire extinguishing cartridge 1300 provided in the mounting space S of the second plate 1420 uses this physical displacement as a trigger. It is possible to more reliably rupture and fracture the exterior materials, and through this, the operating mechanism for releasing the fire extinguishing agent can be implemented more reliably.

From a corresponding point of view, the stopper 1700 of the present invention has a needle protrusion or a similar physical structure at the top so that a perforation occurs in the fire extinguishing cartridge 1300 when it moves outward by pressure as illustrated in FIG. 10. It can be provided.

The battery pack according to the present invention may include one or more battery modules according to the present invention described above. In addition, the battery pack according to the present invention includes various other components in addition to the battery module, such as components of the battery pack known at the time of filing of the present invention, such as BMS, bus bar, pack case, relay, current sensor, etc. More may be included.

The battery module according to the present invention can be applied to automobiles such as electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles. That is, the vehicle according to the present invention may include a battery module according to the present invention or a battery pack according to the present invention. Additionally, the vehicle according to the present invention may further include various other components included in the vehicle in addition to the battery module or battery pack. For example, the vehicle according to the present invention may further include a control device such as a vehicle body, a motor, or an electronic control unit (ECU), in addition to the battery module according to the present invention.

Although the present invention has been described above with limited examples and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the technical idea of the present invention and the description below will be understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Of course, various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of equivalence of the patent claims.

In the description of the present invention described above, modifiers such as first and second are merely instrumental terms used to relatively distinguish components from each other, and are therefore used to indicate a specific order, priority, etc. It should be interpreted that it is not a valid term.

The drawings attached to explain the present invention and illustrate its embodiments may be shown in a somewhat exaggerated form in order to emphasize or highlight the technical content of the present invention, but the contents described above and the matters shown in the drawings, etc. Considering this, it should be interpreted as obvious that various types of modifications and application examples may be possible at the level of a person skilled in the art.

1000: Battery module
1100: module housing 1200: cell assembly
1210: Battery cell 1300: Fire extinguishing cartridge
1400a: Front frame 1400b: Rear frame
1410: first plate 1420: second plate
1421: opening 1423: guiding wall
1430: support 1431: separation space
140: Venting Hall
1500: Top frame 150a, 150b, 150c, 150d: Venting hole
1600: Base frame 1610: Right frame (side frame)
1620: Left frame (side frame)
1700: Stopper S: Mounting space

Claims (12)

A module housing that includes a side frame and forms an internal space;
One or more cell assemblies accommodated in the interior space of the module housing and including one or more battery cells; and
A battery module comprising a fire extinguishing cartridge provided on the side frame and configured to release a fire extinguishing agent when a trigger condition for starting operation is met. According to paragraph 1,
The trigger condition is one or more of the case where the internal temperature is above the reference temperature or the internal pressure is above the reference pressure. According to paragraph 1,
The side frame is,
A first plate provided on the outside;
a second plate spaced apart from the first plate and facing the cell assembly inward; and
It includes a support part that physically supports between the first and second plates so that there are a plurality of mounting spaces between the first and second plates,
The fire extinguishing cartridge is a battery module, characterized in that provided in one or more of the plurality of mounting spaces, According to paragraph 3,
The battery module, wherein the support portion is arranged in a longitudinal direction corresponding to the cell assembly. According to paragraph 3,
The second plate is a battery module, characterized in that it is made of a material that has a low elastic modulus or a high heat transfer coefficient or thermal expansion coefficient compared to the first plate. According to paragraph 3,
The mounting space is connected to a venting hole through which venting gas generated in the cell assembly flows to the outside to form a flow path. According to paragraph 3,
The second plate is a battery module characterized in that an opening is formed in a portion corresponding to the mounting space. In clause 7,
A battery module further comprising a stopper provided in the opening and configured to open the opening when the temperature or pressure of the internal space exceeds a certain level. According to clause 8,
The stopper is a battery module, characterized in that, when moved by pressure, a needle-like protrusion is provided so that a perforation occurs in the fire extinguishing cartridge. According to clause 8,
The stopper is a battery module characterized in that it has a wedge shape and is made of an elastic material. A battery pack comprising the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 10. A vehicle comprising the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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