阅读说明：本技术 电池组、电子装置及车辆 (Battery pack, electronic device, and vehicle ) 是由 朴地受 于 2020-10-06 设计创作，主要内容包括：根据本发明的电池组包括：至少两个单元组件,其在左右方向上布置并且每个包括在前后方向上布置的多个罐型二次电池,其中罐型二次电池具有每个罐型二次电极铺设使得电极端子位于左右方向上的形状；以及电池组外壳。电池组外壳包括：外壁,其用于形成能够容纳至少两个单元组件的内部空间；以及屏蔽壁,其位于所容纳的至少两个单元组件之间,使得它们不面对彼此并且具有凹陷部分,屏蔽壁的至少一部分与罐型二次电池的端部间隔开预定距离,使得当火焰或气体从多个罐型二次电池中的一部分排出时减少火焰或气体向其它罐型二次电池的扩散程度。(The battery pack according to the present invention includes: at least two unit assemblies arranged in a left-right direction and each including a plurality of can-type secondary batteries arranged in a front-rear direction, wherein the can-type secondary batteries have a shape in which each can-type secondary electrode is laid such that an electrode terminal is located in the left-right direction; and a battery pack case. The battery pack case includes: an outer wall for forming an interior space capable of accommodating at least two unit assemblies; and a shielding wall located between the accommodated at least two unit assemblies such that they do not face each other and have a recessed portion, at least a portion of the shielding wall being spaced apart from an end of the can-type secondary battery by a predetermined distance such that a degree of diffusion of flame or gas to the other can-type secondary battery is reduced when the flame or gas is discharged from a portion of the plurality of can-type secondary batteries.)

1. A battery pack, comprising:

at least two unit assemblies respectively including a plurality of can-type secondary batteries arranged in a front-rear direction in a laid form such that electrode terminals of the plurality of can-type secondary batteries are located in a left-right direction, the at least two unit assemblies being arranged in the left-right direction; and

a battery pack case, the battery pack case comprising: an outer wall configured to form an inner space for accommodating the at least two unit assemblies; and a shielding wall located between the received at least two unit assemblies such that the at least two unit assemblies do not directly face each other, the shielding wall having a recessed portion such that at least a portion of the shielding wall is spaced apart from an end of the can-type secondary battery by a predetermined distance to reduce propagation of flames or gases to other can-type secondary batteries when the flames or gases are discharged from some of the plurality of can-type secondary batteries.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the battery pack,

wherein the electrode terminal includes a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal,

the positive electrode terminal of each of the plurality of can-type secondary batteries has a gas discharge portion configured to discharge gas inside the can-type secondary battery to the outside when the internal pressure of the can-type secondary battery increases beyond a predetermined level,

the plurality of can-type secondary batteries are arranged such that at least one can-type secondary battery having a positive electrode terminal on the left side and at least one can-type secondary battery having a positive electrode terminal on the right side are alternately disposed, and

the recessed portion is provided such that a portion of the shielding wall facing the positive terminal is recessed in a leftward direction or a rightward direction.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the battery pack,

wherein a discharge rib protruding in an inward direction is formed at an inner surface of the outer wall of the battery pack case such that the outer wall has a space to be spaced apart from the can-type secondary battery by a predetermined distance.

4. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the battery pack,

wherein the battery pack case has a vent hole perforated in the outer wall of the battery pack case to discharge internal gas to the outside, and

the concave portion has a moving hole perforated in a portion thereof such that the gas discharged through the gas discharge portion moves toward the gas discharge hole through the moving hole.

5. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the battery pack,

wherein the recess portion has a guide rib configured to guide the gas to move toward the moving hole.

6. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the battery pack,

wherein some of the plurality of can-type secondary batteries are arranged in an up-down direction, and

the shield wall has a stepped portion formed in a region of the shield wall facing the plurality of can-type secondary batteries stacked in the up-down direction such that the stepped portion is higher in height in the up-down direction than the remaining region.

7. The battery pack according to claim 6, wherein the battery pack,

wherein the shield wall includes a shield rib located at a middle height of the plurality of can-type secondary batteries stacked in the up-down direction, configured to protrude in the left-right direction to prevent gas discharged from the gas discharge part from moving in the up-down direction, and provided to linearly extend in the front-rear direction.

8. The battery pack according to claim 2, further comprising:

external input/output wires electrically connected to the plurality of can-type secondary batteries,

wherein the outer wall of the battery pack case includes: a receiving groove recessed in an inward direction to receive therein a portion of the electric wire and formed to extend linearly along the outer wall; and a plurality of fixing ribs configured to protrude in an upward direction or a downward direction at an inner surface of the receiving groove and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8, wherein the battery pack,

wherein the fixing rib includes:

a first fixing rib configured to protrude upward at an inner lower surface of the receiving groove; and

a second fixing rib configured to protrude downward at an inner upper surface of the receiving groove.

10. The battery pack according to claim 2, further comprising:

a module case configured to form an empty space therein such that the plurality of can-type secondary batteries are accommodated in the empty space;

at least one bus bar electrically connected to the plurality of can-type secondary batteries;

a battery management unit having a printed circuit board configured to control charging and discharging of the plurality of can-type secondary batteries; and

a sensing line configured to electrically connect the bus bar and the battery management unit.

11. The battery pack according to claim 10, wherein the battery pack,

wherein the module case has an insertion groove, and the sensing line is inserted and disposed in the insertion groove.

12. The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein the battery pack,

wherein a plurality of fixing protrusions formed to protrude toward the sensing line are formed at an inner side of the insertion groove.

13. The battery pack according to claim 12, wherein the battery pack,

wherein the plurality of fixing protrusions are formed to protrude toward each other such that the sensing line is interposed between the plurality of fixing protrusions.

14. An electronic device comprising at least one battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A vehicle comprising at least one battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a battery pack having a handle, an electronic device, and a vehicle, and more particularly, to a battery pack that improves safety by effectively preventing the spread of fire.

This application claims priority from korean patent application No.10-2019-0127810, filed in korea at 10/15/2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Background

Currently commercially available secondary batteries include nickel cadmium batteries, nickel hydrogen batteries, nickel zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries, and the like. Among them, the lithium secondary battery is more prominent than the nickel-based secondary battery due to advantages such as free charge and discharge by substantially no memory effect, extremely low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

Lithium secondary batteries mainly use lithium-based oxides and carbonaceous materials as positive and negative electrode active materials, respectively. The lithium secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate coated with a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode plate coated with a negative electrode active material are disposed with a separator interposed therebetween; and an exterior, e.g., a cylindrical battery cell, hermetically containing the electrode assembly and the electrolyte.

In recent years, secondary batteries are widely used not only for small-sized devices such as portable electronic devices but also for medium-and large-sized devices such as vehicles and power storage systems. When used in such a middle-or large-sized device, a large number of secondary batteries are electrically connected to increase capacity and output. In particular, can-type secondary batteries are frequently used in such middle-or large-sized devices because they can be easily stacked and stored.

Meanwhile, in recent years, as the demand for a large-capacity structure has increased with the use as a power storage source, the demand for a battery pack including a plurality of secondary batteries electrically connected in series and/or in parallel has also increased. Further, in order to construct a battery pack having a high current and a high capacity with a smaller volume, in many cases, a plurality of secondary batteries electrically connected in an expanded manner are densely arranged.

Specifically, the battery pack may cause an accident in which a plurality of secondary batteries are ignited or exploded due to some factors (short circuit, poor operation, or structural failure) or the secondary batteries are ignited or exploded due to external impact. Also, since a plurality of secondary batteries are arranged very close to each other in a battery pack, even when one secondary battery is ignited or exploded, heat is easily transferred to adjacent other secondary batteries by hot gas or flame, thereby easily causing secondary explosion or ignition.

Therefore, when some of the plurality of can-type secondary batteries are in a fire or short-circuited state such that high-temperature gas or flame therein is discharged, it is very important to prevent the discharged high-temperature gas or flame from being propagated to other adjacent can-type secondary batteries (i.e., to minimize heat transfer).

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

The present disclosure is designed to solve the problems of the related art, and therefore the present disclosure is directed to providing a battery pack that improves safety by effectively preventing the spread of fire.

These and other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be understood from the following detailed description, and will become more apparent from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, it will be readily understood that the objects and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized by the means as set forth in the appended claims and combinations thereof.

Technical scheme

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a battery pack including:

at least two unit assemblies respectively including a plurality of can-type secondary batteries arranged in a front-rear direction in a laid form such that electrode terminals thereof are located in a left-right direction, the at least two unit assemblies being arranged in the left-right direction; and

a battery pack case, the battery pack case comprising: an outer wall configured to form an inner space for accommodating at least two unit assemblies; and a shielding wall located between the received at least two unit assemblies such that the at least two unit assemblies do not directly face each other, the shielding wall having a recessed portion such that at least a portion of the shielding wall is spaced apart from an end of the can-type secondary battery by a predetermined distance to reduce propagation of flames or gases to other can-type secondary batteries when the flames or gases are discharged from some of the plurality of can-type secondary batteries.

Also, the electrode terminals may include a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal,

the positive electrode terminal of each of the plurality of can-type secondary batteries may have a gas discharge portion configured to discharge gas inside the can-type secondary battery to the outside when the internal pressure of the can-type secondary battery increases beyond a predetermined level.

Also, the plurality of can-type secondary batteries may be arranged such that at least one can-type secondary battery having a positive electrode terminal located on the left side and at least one can-type secondary battery having a positive electrode terminal located on the right side are alternately disposed.

In addition, the recessed portion may be provided such that a portion of the shielding wall facing the positive terminal is recessed in the left direction or the right direction.

Further, a discharge rib protruding in an inward direction may be formed at an inner surface of an outer wall of the battery pack case such that the outer wall has a space to be spaced apart from the can-type secondary battery by a predetermined distance.

Also, the battery pack case may have a vent hole perforated in an outer wall thereof to discharge internal gas to the outside.

Furthermore, in the recessed portion,

there may be a moving hole perforated in a portion thereof such that gas exhausted through the exhaust portion moves therethrough toward the exhaust hole.

Also, the recess portion may have a guide rib configured to guide the gas to move toward the moving hole.

Further, some of the plurality of can-type secondary batteries may be arranged in the up-down direction, and

the shielding wall is provided with a shielding layer,

there may be step portions formed in regions thereof facing the plurality of can-type secondary batteries stacked in the up-down direction such that the step portions are higher in height in the up-down direction than the remaining regions.

In addition, the shielding wall may include,

a shielding rib located at an intermediate height of the plurality of can-type secondary batteries stacked in the up-down direction, configured to protrude in the left-right direction to prevent gas discharged from the gas discharge part from moving in the up-down direction, and provided to linearly extend in the front-rear direction.

Further, the battery pack may further include electric wires electrically connected to external input/output of the plurality of can-type secondary batteries, and

the outer wall of the battery pack case may include: a receiving groove recessed in an inward direction to receive a portion of the electric wire therein and formed to extend linearly along the outer wall; and a plurality of fixing ribs configured to protrude in an upward direction or a downward direction at an inner surface of the receiving groove and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

Also, the fixing rib may include:

a first fixing rib configured to protrude upward at an inner lower surface of the receiving groove; and

a second fixing rib configured to protrude downward at an inner upper surface of the receiving groove.

Further, the battery pack may further include: a module case configured to have an empty space formed therein such that a plurality of can-type secondary batteries are accommodated therein;

at least one bus bar electrically connected to the plurality of can-type secondary batteries;

a battery management unit having a printed circuit board configured to control charging and discharging of a plurality of can-type secondary batteries; and

a sensing line configured to electrically connect the bus bar and the battery management unit.

Also, the module case may have an insertion groove into which the sensing line is inserted and disposed.

In addition, a plurality of fixing protrusions formed to protrude toward the sensing line may be formed inside the insertion groove.

Also, the plurality of fixing protrusions may be formed to protrude toward each other such that the sensing line is interposed between the plurality of fixing protrusions.

Further, in another aspect of the present disclosure, there is also provided an electronic device including at least one battery pack.

Further, in another aspect of the present disclosure, there is also provided a vehicle including at least one battery pack.

Technical effects

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, since the battery pack case includes the shielding wall having the recessed portion such that at least a portion of the shielding wall is spaced apart from the end of the can type secondary battery by the predetermined distance, when a flame or gas is sprayed from some of the plurality of can type secondary batteries, propagation of the flame or gas to other can type secondary batteries may be reduced. That is, since the concave portion has a space that is concave to accommodate gas and flame, the amount of gas and flame spread to the surroundings can be effectively reduced. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the spread of fire between the plurality of can-type secondary batteries, thereby improving the safety of the battery pack.

Also, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, since the depression part has the moving hole perforated in a portion thereof such that the gas discharged through the gas discharge part moves toward the gas discharge hole, it is possible to smoothly move the high-temperature gas to the gas discharge hole, thereby preventing the high-temperature gas from being stagnant inside the battery pack. Therefore, thermal runaway or an increase in fire can be effectively prevented.

In addition, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, since the shielding wall includes the shielding rib which is at an intermediate height of the plurality of can-type secondary batteries stacked in the up-down direction and is configured to protrude in the left-right direction and to linearly extend in the front-rear direction in order to prevent the gas discharged from the gas discharge part from moving in the up-down direction, when a fire occurs in the first stage among the plurality of can-type secondary batteries stacked in two layers, it is possible to prevent the discharged gas or flame from being propagated to the can-type secondary battery located in the second stage, thereby effectively reducing an increase in fire. Therefore, the safety of the battery pack can be greatly improved.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the foregoing disclosure, serve to provide a further understanding of the technical features of the present disclosure, and therefore, the present disclosure is not to be construed as being limited to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating some components of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view schematically illustrating a can-type secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a unit assembly employed in a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view schematically illustrating a portion of the battery pack taken along line C-C' of fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a perspective sectional view schematically illustrating a battery pack case employed in the battery pack, taken along line a-a' of fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective sectional view illustrating a region C of fig. 6 in a battery pack case according to another embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional perspective view schematically illustrating a portion of a battery pack case employed in a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional perspective view schematically illustrating a part of a battery pack case employed by a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 10 is a perspective enlarged view schematically illustrating a region D of the unit assembly of fig. 4.

Fig. 11 is a right side view schematically illustrating a battery pack case employed by the battery pack according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before the description, it should be understood that the terms used in the specification and the appended claims should not be construed as limited to general and dictionary meanings, but interpreted based on the meanings and concepts corresponding to technical aspects of the present disclosure on the basis of the principle that the inventor is allowed to define terms appropriately for the best explanation.

Accordingly, the description proposed herein is just a preferable example for the purpose of illustrations only, not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure, so it should be understood that other equivalents and modifications could be made thereto without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating some components of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is a sectional view schematically illustrating a can-type secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Also, fig. 4 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a unit assembly employed in a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 1 to 4, a battery pack 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least two unit assemblies 200 and a battery pack case 310.

Specifically, at least two unit assemblies 200 may be arranged in the left-right direction when viewed in the F direction. For example, as shown in fig. 4, two unit assemblies 200 may be disposed adjacent to each other in the left-right direction.

Meanwhile, terms indicating directions such as "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper" and "lower" used in the present specification may be different depending on the position of the viewer or the form of the placed object. However, in this specification, for convenience of explanation, directions such as "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper", and "lower" are expressed distinctively based on the case of viewing in the F direction.

Each of the at least two unit assemblies 200 may include a plurality of can-type secondary batteries 100. Each of the plurality of can-type secondary batteries 100 may be shaped such that the electrode terminals 111 are laid in the left-right direction. In addition, a plurality of can-type secondary batteries 100 may be arranged in the front-rear direction. For example, 40 can-type secondary batteries 100 may be arranged in a subsidiary fashion in the front-rear direction such that the electrode terminals 111 are positioned in the left-right direction.

The plurality of can-type secondary batteries 100 may be arranged such that at least one can-type secondary battery 100 having the positive electrode terminal 111a on the left side and at least one can-type secondary battery 100 having the positive electrode terminal 111a on the right side are alternately disposed in the front-rear direction. For example, as shown in fig. 2, 32 can-type secondary batteries 100 stacked in two layers may be arranged such that two can-type secondary batteries 100 having a positive electrode terminal 111a on the left side and two can-type secondary batteries 100 having a positive electrode terminal on the right side are alternately disposed in the front-rear direction.

Here, the can-type secondary battery 100 may include an electrode assembly 110, a battery can 112, and a cap assembly 113.

The electrode assembly 110 may have a structure in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are wound while a separator is interposed therebetween. Also, a positive electrode tab 114 may be attached to the positive electrode plate to be connected to the cap assembly 113, and a negative electrode tab 115 may be attached to the negative electrode plate to be connected to the lower end of the battery can 112.

An empty space may be formed in the battery can 112 such that the electrode assembly 110 is received therein. Specifically, the battery can 112 may be configured in a cylindrical or rectangular shape having an open top. In addition, the battery can 112 may be made of a metal material such as steel or aluminum to ensure rigidity. In addition, a negative electrode tab may be attached to the lower end of the battery can 112, so that not only the lower portion of the battery can 112 but also the battery can 112 itself may serve as the negative electrode terminal 111 b.

A cap assembly 113 may be coupled to the open top of the battery can 112 to seal the open end of the battery can 112. The cap assembly 113 may have a circular shape or a rectangular shape according to the shape of the battery can 112, and may include sub-assemblies such as a top cap C1, a vent part C2, and a gasket C3.

Here, the top cap C1 is located at the top of the cap assembly 113 and may be configured to protrude in an upward direction. Specifically, the top cap C1 may function as the positive electrode terminal 111a in the can-type secondary battery 100. Accordingly, the top cap C1 may be electrically connected to another secondary battery 100 or a charging device through an external device such as the bus bar 230. For example, the top cap C1 may be made of a metallic material such as stainless steel or aluminum.

The vent part C2 may be configured to change its shape when the internal pressure of the secondary battery 100 (i.e., the internal pressure of the battery can 112) increases beyond a certain level. In addition, the gasket C3 may be made of a material having electrical insulation such that edge portions of the vent part C2 and the top cap C1 are insulated from the battery can 112.

For example, as shown in fig. 3, the exhaust part C2 may also be provided to the positive terminal 111a of each of the plurality of can-type secondary batteries 100, and the exhaust part C2 may not be provided to the negative terminal 111b thereof. The gas discharge portion C2 may be configured to discharge gas inside the battery can to the outside when the pressure inside the battery can increases beyond a predetermined level.

Meanwhile, the cap assembly 113 may further include a current blocking member C4. The Current cutoff member C4 is also called CID (Current Interrupt Device). If the shape of the gas exhaust portion C2 is reversed as the internal pressure of the battery increases due to gas generation, the contact between the gas exhaust portion C2 and the current blocking member C4 is cut off, or the current blocking member C4 is damaged, thereby cutting off the electrical connection between the gas exhaust portion C2 and the electrode assembly 110.

The construction of the can-type secondary battery 100 is well known to those skilled in the art at the time of filing the present application, and thus will not be described in detail in the present specification. In addition, although an example of the can-type secondary battery 100 is shown in fig. 3, the battery pack 300 according to the present disclosure is not limited to a specific configuration of the can-type secondary battery 100. That is, various secondary batteries 100 known at the time of filing the present application may be employed in the battery pack 300 according to the present disclosure.

In addition, the can-type secondary battery 100 of fig. 3 is exemplified as the cylindrical secondary battery 100, but the rectangular secondary battery 100 may also be applied to the battery pack 300 according to the present disclosure.

Referring again to fig. 1 and 2, the battery pack case 310 may include an outer wall 311 forming an inner space capable of accommodating at least two unit assemblies 200. Specifically, the outer wall 311 of the battery pack case 310 may include a front wall 311a, a rear wall 311b, a left wall 311c, a right wall 311d, an upper wall 311e, and a lower wall 311 f. In addition, the battery pack case 310 includes an upper case 312 formed to cover the upper portions of the at least two unit assemblies 200, and a lower case 314 coupled to the lower portion of the upper case 312 and having a space for accommodating the at least two unit assemblies 200 therein.

Meanwhile, referring again to fig. 2, the unit assembly 200 may include a module case 210.

The module case 210 may have an empty space formed therein to accommodate a plurality of can-type secondary batteries 100. In the module case 210, a plurality of hollows H1 may be formed to provide a space for accommodating each can-type secondary battery 100. Additionally, the module housing 210 may be at least partially made of an electrically insulating polymer material. For example, the polymeric material may be polyvinyl chloride.

In addition, referring to fig. 2, the module case 210 may have a mounting portion 217 formed therein such that the bus bar 230 is mounted thereto. Specifically, the mounting portions 217 may be disposed at the left and right sides of the module case 210, respectively. For example, as shown in fig. 2, the mounting portion 217 may be provided on each of the left and right sides of one module case 210. Each of the mounting portions 217 may have a mounting space in which three bus bars 230 may be mounted.

In addition, the module case 210 may include a first frame 212a and a second frame 212 b. Here, the first frame 212a and the second frame 212b may be configured to meet and be coupled to each other at one side and the other side thereof in the left-right direction (X direction). For example, as shown in fig. 2, when viewed from the direction F of fig. 1, the first frame 212a may be disposed at the left side of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 to accommodate the left portions of the plurality of secondary batteries 100. In addition, the second frame 212b may be positioned at the right side of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 to accommodate the right portion of the plurality of secondary batteries 100.

Specifically, the first frame 212a and the second frame 212b may be configured to cover one side and the other side of the plurality of secondary batteries 100, respectively, to cover the outer surface of the can-type secondary battery 100 as a whole. For example, if the can-type secondary battery 100 is a cylindrical secondary battery, the first frame 212a and the second frame 212b may cover the outer surface of the can-type secondary battery 100 as a whole such that the upper and lower sides of the secondary battery 100 are not exposed outside the battery pack 300.

For example, as shown in fig. 2, the first frame 212a may be disposed at the left side of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 to accommodate the left portions of the plurality of secondary batteries 100. In addition, the second frame 212b may be positioned at the right side of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 to accommodate the right portion of the plurality of secondary batteries 100.

Therefore, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, since the module case 210 prevents the side portions of the secondary battery 100 from being exposed, the secondary battery 100 may be more effectively insulated, and the secondary battery 100 may be protected from external physical and chemical elements.

Meanwhile, referring to fig. 4 together with fig. 2, at least one bus bar 230 electrically connected to the plurality of can-type secondary batteries 100 may be further included. Further, the bus bar 230 may electrically connect a plurality of can-type secondary batteries 100 (e.g., all secondary batteries 100 or some secondary batteries 100) to each other. To this end, at least a portion of the bus bar 230 may be made of a conductive material. For example, the bus bar 230 may be made of a metal material such as copper, aluminum, or nickel. Specifically, in the present disclosure, the bus bar 230 may include a main body portion 232 and a connection portion 234 as shown in fig. 4.

The main body portion 232 of the bus bar 230 may be formed in a plate shape. Also, the bus bar 230 may be configured in the form of a metal plate to ensure rigidity and conductivity. Specifically, the body portion 232 may be configured to stand in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction in the drawing) along the electrode terminals 111 of the plurality of can-type secondary batteries 100.

That is, in the present disclosure, if a plurality of can-type secondary batteries 100 are arranged in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction in the drawing) and/or in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction in the drawing) to be laid in the left-right direction (X-axis direction in the drawing), the plurality of can-type secondary batteries 100 may be arranged such that the electrode terminals 111 are located in the left-right direction.

Therefore, the bus bar 230 may be disposed at each of the left and right sides of the plurality of can-type secondary batteries 100. The main body portion 232 of the bus bar 230 may be formed in a plate shape to stand flat in the front-rear direction or the up-down direction according to the arrangement direction of the electrode terminals 111 of the plurality of secondary batteries 100.

Meanwhile, referring again to fig. 2 and 4, the battery pack 300 may further include a battery management unit 250. The battery management unit 250 may include a printed circuit board 251. In addition, the printed circuit board 251 may be configured to control charging and discharging of the battery by turning on/off a switching element (not shown) according to a charging or discharging state of the unit assembly 200.

Also, the battery management unit 250 may include an element (not shown) capable of controlling the charge/discharge voltage and/or current of the secondary battery 100 or an element (not shown) for protecting the secondary battery 100 from an overcharge state and/or an overdischarge state. In addition, the external input/output connector 252 may be coupled to one side of the printed circuit board 251 of the battery management unit 250. The external input/output connector 252 may be electrically connected to an external device through a power cable 240 (fig. 11). In addition, the battery management unit 250 may include a connector 254 electrically connected to the bus bar 230 through a plurality of sensing lines 257. For example, as shown in fig. 4, the two connectors 254 may be electrically connected to the plurality of bus bars 230 through a plurality of sensing lines 257, respectively. That is, the battery pack 300 of the present application may further include a sensing line 257 that electrically connects the bus bar 230 and the connector 254.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view schematically illustrating a portion of the battery pack taken along line C-C' of fig. 1.

Referring to fig. 5 together with fig. 2 and 4, the battery pack case 310 may include a screen wall 315 located between the received at least two unit assemblies 200 such that the at least two unit assemblies 200 do not directly face each other. When flames or gas is ejected from some of the plurality of can-type secondary batteries 100, the shielding wall 315 may be configured to reduce propagation of flames or gas to other can-type secondary batteries 100. For example, the shielding wall 315 may have a shape extending upward from the inner lower surface of the battery pack case 310. Alternatively, the shielding wall 315 may have a shape extending downward from the inner upper surface of the battery pack case 310.

In addition, the shielding wall 315 may have a recess portion 315a such that at least a portion of the shielding wall 315 is spaced apart from an end of the can-type secondary battery 100 by a predetermined distance. The recessed portion 315a may have a structure in which a portion of the shielding wall 315 facing the positive terminal 111a is recessed in the leftward direction (the negative direction of the X axis) or the rightward direction (the positive direction of the X axis). For example, as shown in fig. 5, in the shielding wall 315, a recessed portion 315a of the shielding wall 315 recessed in the left direction facing a portion of the positive terminal 111a of the cell assembly 200 located on the right side and a recessed portion 315a of the shielding wall 315 recessed in the right direction facing a portion of the positive terminal 111a of the assembly 200 located on the left side may be alternately formed in the front-rear direction. The shielding wall 315 may have two recessed portions 315a provided with a structure recessed in the left direction and three recessed portions 315a provided with a structure recessed in the right direction.

Therefore, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, since the battery pack case 310 includes the shielding wall 315 having the recessed portion such that at least a portion of the shielding wall 315 is spaced apart from the end of the can-type secondary battery 100 by a predetermined distance, when flames or gas is ejected from some of the plurality of can-type secondary batteries 100, propagation of flames or gas to other can-type secondary batteries 100 may be reduced. That is, since the recess portion 315a has a space recessed to accommodate gas and flame, the amount of gas and flame spread to the surroundings can be effectively reduced. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the spread of fire between the plurality of can-type secondary batteries 100, thereby improving the safety of the battery pack 300.

Referring again to fig. 5 and 6, a plurality of discharge ribs R1 may be provided at the inner surface of the outer wall 311 of the pack case 310. The discharge rib R1 may be shaped to protrude toward the can-type secondary battery 100 in an inward direction such that the outer wall 311 has a space to be spaced apart from the can-type secondary battery 100 by a predetermined distance. The discharge rib R1 may be shaped to linearly extend in the up-down direction so that gas discharged from the can-type secondary battery 100 moves up or down along the inner surface of the outer wall 311 of the battery pack case 310.

For example, as shown in fig. 5, a plurality of discharge ribs R1 protruding in the inward direction and extending in the up-down direction may be formed at each of the left and right inner surfaces of the outer wall 311 of the battery pack case 310.

Therefore, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, since the discharge rib R1 protruding in the inward direction is provided at the inner surface of the outer wall 311 of the battery pack case 310 such that the outer wall 311 has a space to be spaced apart from the can-type secondary batteries 100 by a predetermined distance, when flames or gas are ejected from some of the plurality of can-type secondary batteries toward the inner surface of the outer wall 311 of the battery pack case, the discharge rib R1 may guide the movement of the gas to reduce the propagation of the flames or gas to other can-type secondary batteries 100. That is, since the plurality of discharge ribs R1 have a moving space capable of accommodating the gas and the flame, the amount of diffusion of the gas and the flame to the surroundings can be effectively reduced. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the spread of fire between the plurality of can-type secondary batteries, thereby improving the safety of the battery pack 300.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective sectional view illustrating a region C of fig. 6 in a battery pack case according to another embodiment.

Referring to fig. 7 together with fig. 6, the outer wall 311 of the battery pack case 310 may have a vent hole H2 perforated to discharge the internal gas to the outside. For example, as shown in fig. 6, a plurality of exhaust holes H2 may be formed in the front wall 311a of the battery pack case 310.

The recess portion 315a may have a moving hole H3 perforated in a portion thereof such that gas discharged through the gas discharge portion C2 (fig. 3) moves toward the gas discharge hole H2. For example, as shown in fig. 7, the moving hole H3 may be formed in a portion 315a1 of each of five recess portions 315a that is bent in a diagonal direction, so that the gas may move into the separation space of the adjacent recess portion 315 a. Accordingly, the gas may move forward toward the gas discharge hole H2 along the moving hole H3 provided in each concave portion 315 a.

Therefore, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, since the recess portion 315a has the moving hole H3 perforated in a portion thereof such that the gas discharged through the gas discharge portion C2 (fig. 3) moves toward the gas discharge hole H2, it is possible to smoothly move the high-temperature gas toward the gas discharge hole H2, thereby preventing the high-temperature gas from being stagnant inside the battery pack. Therefore, thermal runaway or an increase in fire can be effectively prevented.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional perspective view schematically illustrating a portion of a battery pack case employed in a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 8, a battery pack case 310A of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include a guide rib R2 formed at a recess part 315a to guide gas to move toward a moving hole H3. For example, the guide rib R2 may be shaped to protrude toward the can-type secondary battery 100 in the inward direction and to linearly extend in the front-rear direction. For example, as shown in fig. 8, the two guide ribs R2 may be shaped such that the distance between the two guide ribs R2 becomes wider as it goes away from the moving hole H3. This structure directs the gas to move toward the moving hole H3.

Therefore, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, since the guide rib R2 for guiding the gas to move toward the moving hole H3 is formed at the depressed portion 315a, it is possible to more effectively guide the gas to be discharged toward the moving hole H3, thereby improving the gas discharge rate and also preventing the gas from being transferred to other can-type secondary batteries 100 adjacent to the can-type secondary battery 100 where a fire occurs.

Referring again to fig. 7 together with fig. 6, the shielding wall 315a may have stepped portions 315d formed in regions thereof facing the plurality of can-type secondary batteries 100 stacked in the up-down direction such that the stepped portions 315d are higher in height in the up-down direction than the remaining regions. The stepped portion 315d may be configured to block at least two unit assemblies 200 such that the at least two unit assemblies 200 do not face each other. The stepped portion 315d may be configured to have a height in the up-down direction higher than the remaining region such that the can-type secondary battery 100 located at the top does not face the can-type secondary battery 100 located at the top of another unit assembly 200 among the plurality of can-type secondary batteries 100 stacked in the up-down direction provided to each of the at least two can-type unit assemblies 200.

In addition, as shown in fig. 7, the stepped portion 315d may include a first concave portion 315d1 bent leftward and having a concave shape and a second concave portion 315d2 bent rightward and having a concave shape.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional perspective view schematically illustrating a portion of a battery pack case employed in a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 9 together with fig. 2, the battery pack case 310B of the battery pack 300 according to another embodiment as shown in fig. 9 may further include a shielding rib R3 provided at the shielding wall 315B, as compared to the battery pack case 310 of fig. 6. That is, the battery pack of fig. 9 has the same configuration and shape except that the shielding rib R3 is further provided to the battery pack case 310B.

Specifically, the shielding rib R3 may be located at the middle height of the plurality of can-type secondary batteries 100 stacked in the up-down direction. In other words, in the shielding wall 315B, the shielding rib R3 may be formed between the stepped portion 315d and the portion of the can-type secondary battery 100 located at the first stage among the can-type secondary batteries 100 stacked in two stages in the facing unit assembly 200. In other words, the shielding rib R3 may be located below the stepped portion 315 d. In other words, the shielding rib R3 may be formed between the stepped portion 315d and the recessed portion 315 a.

In addition, the shielding rib R3 may be shaped to protrude in the left-right direction to block the movement of the gas discharged from the discharge portion C2 in the up-down direction. The shielding rib R3 may be shaped to linearly extend in the front-rear direction to the can-type secondary battery 100 stacked in two stages.

Therefore, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, since the shielding wall 315B includes the shielding rib R3, which is R3 at the middle height of the plurality of can-type secondary batteries 100 stacked in the up-down direction and is configured to protrude in the left-right direction and to linearly extend in the front-rear direction in order to prevent the gas discharged from the gas discharge portion from moving in the up-down direction, when a fire occurs in the first stage among the plurality of can-type secondary batteries 100 stacked in two layers in the unit assembly 200, it is possible to prevent the discharged gas or flame from propagating to the can-type secondary battery 100 located in the second stage, thereby effectively reducing the increase in fire behavior. Therefore, the safety of the battery pack 300 may be greatly improved.

Fig. 10 is a perspective enlarged view schematically illustrating a region D of the unit assembly of fig. 4.

Referring to fig. 10 along with fig. 2 and 4, an insertion groove G1 in which the sensing line 257 can be inserted and disposed may be formed at the module case 210. The insertion groove G1 may be shaped to extend from the left or right end where the bus bar 230 is located toward the connector 254 (fig. 4) to the front end. In addition, the insertion groove G1 may have a fixing protrusion R4 to fix a portion of the sensing line 257.

For example, as shown in fig. 10, two fixing protrusions R4 protruding toward the sensing line 257 may be provided inside the insertion groove G1 to press and fix both sides of a part of the sensing line 257. Two fixing protrusions R4 may be shaped to protrude from one inner surface and the other inner surface of the insertion groove G1 toward the sensing line 257, respectively. That is, the two fixing protrusions R4 may be shaped in a protruding form facing each other such that the sensing line 257 is interposed between the two fixing protrusions R4.

Therefore, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, since the module case 210 has the insertion groove G1 such that the sensing line 257 is inserted and disposed therein, the sensing line 257 may be disposed more inside than the outermost surface of the module case 210. Therefore, the sensing line 257 accommodated in the embedding groove G1 does not collide or interfere with an external object, thereby reducing the risk of damage. Also, it is possible to prevent an electrical short circuit from occurring due to collision or contact with a conductive object.

Fig. 11 is a right side view schematically illustrating a battery pack case employed by the battery pack according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 11 along with fig. 1 and 4, an external input/output power line 240 electrically connected to the plurality of can-type secondary batteries 100 may be further included. One end of the power line 240 may be electrically connected to the battery management unit 250. That is, the power supply line 240 may be connected to an external input/output connector 252 (fig. 4) provided in the battery management unit 250. A portion of the power cord 240 may be inserted into the battery pack case 310 through the through hole H6 (fig. 1).

The outer wall 311 of the battery pack case 310 may include a receiving groove 318 and a fixing rib R5. The receiving groove 318 may be configured to receive a portion of the power cord 240 therein. The receiving groove 318 may be shaped to be recessed in an inward direction toward the internal components of the battery housing 310. The recessed form of the receiving groove 318 may linearly extend along the outer wall 311.

In addition, the fixing rib R5 may be shaped to protrude in an upward or downward direction from the inner surface of the accommodation groove 318. The plurality of fixing ribs R5 may be formed to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction. For example, as shown in fig. 11, in the accommodation groove 318, a first fixing rib R5 protruding upward from an inner lower surface thereof and a second fixing rib R5 protruding downward from an inner upper surface thereof may be formed to be spaced apart at a predetermined interval. In the accommodation groove 318, a fixing rib R5 protruding upward from an inner lower surface thereof and a fixing rib R5 protruding downward from an inner upper surface thereof may be alternately disposed.

Therefore, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, since the outer wall 311 of the battery pack case 310 includes the receiving groove 318 and the fixing rib R5, the power supply line 240 may be disposed more inside than the outermost surface of the battery pack case 310. Therefore, the power supply line 240 received in the receiving groove 318 does not collide or interfere with an external object, thereby reducing the risk of damage and also preventing an electrical short from occurring due to collision or contact with a conductive object.

Meanwhile, an electronic device (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least one battery pack 300 described above. The electronic device may further include a device case (not shown) having an accommodation space for accommodating the battery pack 300 and a display unit through which a user can check the charge state of the battery pack 300.

Further, the battery pack 300 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be included in a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle. That is, the battery pack 300 including at least one battery module according to the embodiment of the present disclosure as described above may be mounted in a vehicle body of a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Meanwhile, although terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear directions are used in the specification, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that these represent relative positions only for convenience of description and may vary based on the position of an observer or an object.

The present disclosure has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the disclosure, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Reference numerals

300: battery pack 310: battery pack case

200: the unit assembly 100: can type secondary battery

111. 111a, 111 b: electrode terminal, positive electrode terminal, and negative electrode terminal

210: module housing

212a, 212 b: a first frame and a second frame

H1: hollow part

311: outer wall 315: shielding wall

315 a: recessed portion R1: discharge rib

H2: exhaust hole H3: movable hole

R2: guide rib 315 d: step part

R3: shielding rib

230: the bus bar 240: power line

318: accommodation groove R5: fixing rib

Industrial applicability

The present disclosure relates to a battery pack. In addition, the present disclosure may be used in an electronic device to which the battery pack is applied or a vehicle including the battery pack.