TECHNICAL FIELD
[1]
​The present invention relates to a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery pack.
[2]
​This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0130070, filed Oct. 18, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
​BACKGROUND ART
[3]
​The secondary battery having electrical characteristics such as high energy density and high application easiness according to the product group is commonly applied to an Electric Vehicle (EV) or a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) driven by an Electric driving source as well as a portable device. The secondary battery is a new energy source for an eco-friendly and energy efficiency report in that no by-products are generated due to the use of energy as well as the primary advantages that the use of fossil fuel can be dramatically reduced.
[4]
​Currently widely used secondary batteries include lithium ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel hydrogen batteries, nickel zinc batteries, and the like. The unit secondary battery cell, that is, the operating voltage of the unit battery cell, is about 2.5V to 4.5V. Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, a plurality of battery cells are connected in series to constitute a battery pack. In addition, the battery pack may be configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in parallel according to charge/discharge capacity required for the battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack can be variously set according to the required output voltage or charge/discharge capacity.
[5]
​On the other hand, when a battery pack is configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series/parallel, a battery module including at least one battery cell is configured first, and other components are added using the at least one battery module to form a battery pack.
[6]
​In the case of a conventional battery pack, a battery module including a plurality of battery cells may include battery modules including a plurality of battery cells, and when an abnormal situation occurs due to the expansion of the battery cell in any one battery module, the battery module may be connected to the peripheral battery modules, and may lead to explosion of the battery pack, thereby causing a large risk of safety such as a user.
[7]
​Therefore, a more rapid early diagnosis is required when an abnormal situation occurs in a specific battery cell of the battery module, and in particular, it is necessary to secure safety by preventing the explosion or fire of the battery pack in advance before the explosion or fire of the battery pack occurs.
​DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
​TECHNICAL PROBLEM
[8]
​Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a battery pack capable of improving safety by preventing thermal runaway and an automobile including the battery pack.
​SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[9]
​To this end, according to the present invention, the battery pack comprises: a pack case having a predetermined receiving space;; a plurality of battery modules accommodated in the pack case and having a plurality of battery cells stacked on each other; at least one partition insulation member disposed to partition the plurality of battery modules in a direction parallel to the stacking direction of the plurality of battery cells; a plurality of bus bar members electrically connecting the plurality of battery modules; a plurality of relay units connected to the plurality of bus bar members; and an external resistance unit connected to the plurality of relay units and provided on one side of the inner side of the pack case.
[10]
​The battery pack may comprise: a resistance insulation member provided in the pack case and partitioning the external resistance unit and the plurality of battery modules.
[11]
​The plurality of battery modules may comprise: a first battery module assembly provided with a plurality of battery modules and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the pack case; and a second battery module assembly spaced apart from the first battery module assembly by a predetermined distance in the width direction of the pack case and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the longitudinal direction of the pack case.
[12]
​The battery cells of the battery modules of the first battery module assembly and the second battery module assembly may be stacked along the longitudinal direction of the pack case.
[13]
​The at least one partition insulation member may be disposed between the first battery module assembly and the second battery module assembly.
[14]
​The battery cells of the battery modules of the first battery module assembly and the second battery module assembly may be stacked along the width direction of the pack case.
[15]
​The partition insulation member is provided with a plurality of partition insulation members, and the plurality of partition insulation members may be disposed between the first battery module assembly and the battery module of each of the second battery module assemblies along the longitudinal direction of the pack case.
[16]
​The bus bar members disposed at one end of the pack case among the plurality of bus bar members may be electrically connected to an external power source.
[17]
​The resistance insulating member may be disposed at the other end of the pack case.
[18]
​The battery pack may include a plurality of temperature sensors electrically connected to the plurality of battery modules and provided with a plurality of temperature sensors.
[19]
​The battery pack may include a control unit electrically connected to the relay unit, the external resistor unit, and the temperature sensor and controlling the operation of the relay unit based on temperature information sensed by the temperature sensor.
[20]
​The external resistance unit may be mounted on the pack case to be separable from the pack case.
[21]
​In addition, the present invention provides an automobile, comprising at least one battery pack according to the embodiments described above.
​EFFECT OF THE INVENTION
[22]
​According to various embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery pack capable of improving safety by preventing thermal runaway and an automobile including the battery pack.
​BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[23]
​The following drawings, which are incorporated herein by reference, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further understand the technical idea of the present invention, and thus the invention is not to be construed as limited to the matter described in this figure.
[24]
​FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[25]
​FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main portion of the battery cell of FIG. 1.
[26]
​FIGS. 3 and 4 are views for explaining a mechanism for preventing thermal runaway of the battery pack of FIG. 1.
[27]
​FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[28]
​FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[29]
​FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[30]
​FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a mechanism for preventing thermal runaway of the battery pack of FIG. 7.
[31]
​FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[32]
​FIG. 10 is a view for explaining a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
​FORM FOR THE PRACTICE OF THE INVENTION
[33]
​The present invention will become more apparent by describing the preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are illustratively shown for ease of understanding of the invention, and it should be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as described herein. In addition, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the accompanying drawings are not shown as actual scale, but the dimensions of some components can be exaggerated.
[34]
​FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main portion of the battery cell of FIG. 1.
[35]
​Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery pack 10 May include a pack case 100, a battery module 200, 300, a partition insulation member 400, a bus bar member 500, a relay unit 600, an external resistor unit 700, and a resistance insulation member 800.
[36]
​The pack case 100 May be mounted on a vehicle V ′, which will be described later, and may have a predetermined receiving space therein. The pack case 100 can accommodate a plurality of battery modules 200 and 300, which will be described later.
[37]
​The battery modules 200 and 300 May include a plurality of battery cells 250 and 350 accommodated in the pack case 100 and stacked with each other.
[38]
​The battery modules 200 and 300 May include a first battery module assembly 200 and a second battery module assembly 300.
[39]
​The first battery module assembly 200 May include a plurality of battery modules 200, and may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the longitudinal direction of the pack case 100.
[40]
​The plurality of battery modules 200 of the first battery module assembly 200 May include a plurality of battery cells 250, respectively.
[41]
​The plurality of battery cells 250 May be formed of at least one of a pouch-type secondary battery, a prismatic secondary battery, and a cylindrical secondary battery as a secondary battery. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the battery cells 250 are defined as a pouch type secondary battery. The plurality of battery cells 250 May be stacked along the longitudinal direction of the pack case 100.
[42]
​The second battery module assembly 300 May be spaced apart from the first battery module assembly 200 by a predetermined distance in the width direction of the pack case 100. The second battery module assembly 300 May include a plurality of battery battery modules 300 to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the longitudinal direction of the pack case 100.
[43]
​The plurality of battery modules 300 of the second battery module assembly 300 May include a plurality of battery cells 350, respectively.
[44]
​The plurality of battery cells 350 May be formed of at least one of a pouch-type secondary battery, a prismatic secondary battery, and a cylindrical secondary battery as a secondary battery. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the battery cells 350 are defined as a pouch type secondary battery. The plurality of battery cells 350 May be stacked along the longitudinal direction of the pack case 100.
[45]
​The partition insulation member 400 May partition the plurality of battery modules 200 and 300 in a direction parallel to the stacking direction of the plurality of battery cells 250 and 350.
[46]
​The partition insulation member 400 May be disposed between the first battery module assembly 200 and the second battery module assembly 300, and may be formed in a predetermined length along the longitudinal direction of the pack case 200.
[47]
​The partition insulation member 400 can effectively block heat transfer from the other battery modules 200 and 300 to the side of the other battery modules 200 and 300 when an overheating situation occurs due to an abnormal situation in any one of the battery modules 200 and 300. For example, the partition insulation member 400 May effectively block direct heat transfer to the second battery module assembly 300 when an overheating situation of the first battery module assembly 200 is generated.
[48]
​The bus bar member 500 is for electrically connecting the plurality of battery modules 200 and 300, and may include a plurality of battery modules 200 and 300. The bus bar members 500 disposed at the outermost part of the pack case 100, which is opposite to the external resistance unit 700, which will be described later, may be electrically connected to an external power source.
[49]
​The relay unit 600 May be connected to the plurality of bus bar members 500. The plurality of relay units 600 May be connected to an external resistance unit 600, which will be described later, and may induce current of the specific battery cells 250 and 350 to be supplied to the external resistance unit 700, which will be described later, when the battery cells 250 and 350 of the specific battery modules 200 and 300 are abnormal.
[50]
​The external resistance unit 700 May be connected to the plurality of relay units 600, and may be provided on one side of the pack case 100. Specifically, the external resistance unit 600 May be disposed at the other end of the pack case 100.
[51]
​When the relay unit 600 connected to the specific battery modules 200 and 300 in which the abnormal situation occurs is operated, the external resistance unit 700 May quickly external short-circuit the specific battery modules 200 and 300 in which the abnormal situation occurs, thereby effectively preventing thermal runaway from the adjacent battery modules 200 and 300.
[52]
​The resistance insulation member 800 May be disposed in the pack case 100 to partition the external resistance unit 600 and the plurality of battery modules 200 and 300. The resistance insulating member 800 May prevent heat generated from the external resistor unit 600 from being transferred to the adjacent battery modules 200 and 300.
[53]
​Hereinafter, the thermal runaway prevention mechanism of the battery pack 10 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.
[54]
​FIGS. 3 and 4 are views for explaining a mechanism for preventing thermal runaway of the battery pack of FIG. 1.
[55]
​Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in the battery pack 10, abnormal situations may occur in the specific battery modules 200 and 300 of the plurality of battery modules 200 and 300. The abnormal situation may be an expansion, overcurrent, or overheating situation of the battery cells 250 and 350 of the specific battery modules 200 and 300.
[56]
​In the present embodiment, for example, when an abnormal situation occurs in the battery module 200 of the first battery module assembly 200 disposed on the opposite side of the external resistance unit 600, the thermal runaway prevention mechanism according to the present embodiment will be described.
[57]
​When an abnormal situation occurs in a specific battery cell 250 of the battery module 200, a pair of relay units 600 connected to the bus bar members 500 connected to the specific battery module 200 May operate. That is, a pair of relay units 600 connected to the specific battery module 200 in which an abnormal situation occurs can be operated to induce the current of the specific battery module 200 to be supplied to the external resistance unit 700, which will be described later. The operation of the pair of relay units 600 May be active or passive.
[58]
​Through the current induction of the pair of relay units 600, the external resistance unit 700 May more quickly external short the specific battery module 200 in which the abnormal situation occurs, thereby effectively preventing thermal runaway from the battery modules 200 and 300 around the specific battery module 200 in which the abnormal situation has occurred.
[59]
​In particular, through an external short circuit through the relay unit 600 and the external resistor unit 700, the thermal runaway from the battery modules 200 and 300 to the adjacent battery modules 200 and 300 can be effectively prevented without the additional partition insulation member 400 in the stacking direction of the battery cells 250 and 350 (the left and right directions of FIG. 4).
[60]
​As described above, in the battery pack 10 according to the present embodiment, when an abnormal situation occurs in at least one battery cell 250 and 350 of the specific battery modules 200 and 300, the battery modules 200 and 300 in which abnormal situations are generated are quickly external-shorted, thereby quickly preventing thermal runaway from the adjacent battery modules 200 and 300.
[61]
​Therefore, the battery pack 10 according to the present embodiment can significantly increase the safety of the battery pack 10.
[62]
​FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[63]
​Since the battery pack 20 according to the present embodiment is similar to the battery pack 10 of the previous embodiment, a duplicate description will be omitted for the same or similar configurations as the previous embodiment, and the difference between the previous embodiment and the previous embodiment is considered.
[64]
​Referring to FIG. 5, the battery pack 20 May include a pack case 100, a battery module 200, 300, a partition insulation member 400, a bus bar member 500, a relay unit 600, an external resistor unit 700, a resistance insulation member 800, a control unit 900, and a temperature sensor 950.
[65]
​The pack case 100, the battery modules 200 and 300, the partition insulation member 400, the bus bar member 500, the relay unit 600, the external resistor unit 700, and the resistance insulation member 800 are substantially the same as or similar to the previous embodiment, and thus, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[66]
​The control unit 900 May be electrically connected to the relay unit 600, the external resistor unit 700, and the temperature sensor 950 described below. The control unit 900 May control the operation of the relay unit 600 based on the temperature information sensed by the temperature sensor 950.
[67]
​The temperature sensor 950 May include a plurality of battery modules 200 and 300, and may be electrically connected to the plurality of battery modules 200 and 300. The plurality of temperature sensors 950 May be electrically connected to the control unit 900 to transmit the temperature information of the plurality of battery modules 200 and 300 to the control unit 900.
[68]
​In the present embodiment, upon occurrence of an overheating situation of the specific battery modules 200 and 300 through the plurality of temperature sensors 950 and the control unit 900, the relay unit 600 can be operated so that the specific battery modules 200 and 300 in which the overheating situation occurs can be more quickly and externally shorted.
[69]
​Accordingly, the battery module 20 according to the present embodiment may more effectively prevent thermal runaway from the battery modules 200 and 300 to the adjacent battery modules 200 and 300, thereby further improving the safety of the battery pack 20.
[70]
​FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[71]
​The battery pack 30 according to the present embodiment is similar to the battery pack 10 of the previous embodiment
[72]
​Referring to FIG. 6, the battery pack 30 May include a pack case 100, a battery module 200, 300, a partition insulation member 400, a bus bar member 500, a relay unit 600, an external resistor unit 750, a resistance unit connector 770, and a resistance insulation member 800.
[73]
​The pack case 100, the battery modules 200 and 300, the partition insulation member 400, the bus bar member 500, and the relay unit 600 are substantially the same as or similar to the previous embodiment, and thus, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[74]
​The external resistance unit 750 May be detachably provided in the pack case 100. The external resistance unit 750 May be detachably provided in the pack case 100.
[75]
​The resistance unit connector 770 May connect the external resistance unit 750 and the relay units 600 to each other when the external resistance unit 750 is mounted.
[76]
​The resistance insulating member 800 is substantially the same as or similar to that of the previous embodiment, and thus, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[77]
​As described above, in the case of the present embodiment, the external resistance unit 750 May be formed of a separate detachable type which is not integrated into the pack case 100. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the external resistance unit 750 May be suitably mounted to the pack case 100 as necessary.
[78]
​FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a mechanism for preventing thermal runaway of the battery pack of FIG. 7.
[79]
​Since the battery pack 40 according to the present embodiment is similar to the battery pack 10 of the previous embodiment, a duplicate description will be omitted for configurations substantially the same as or similar to the previous embodiment, and the difference between the previous embodiment and the previous embodiment is considered.
[80]
​Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the battery pack 40 May include a pack case 100, battery modules 205 and 305, a partition insulation member 405, a bus bar member 500, a relay unit 600, an external resistor unit 700, and a resistance insulation member 800.
[81]
​The pack case 100 is substantially the same as or similar to the previous embodiment, and thus, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[82]
​The battery modules 205 and 305 May include a first battery module assembly 205 and a second battery module assembly 305.
[83]
​The battery cells 255 of the plurality of battery modules 205 of the first battery module assembly 205 May be stacked along the width direction of the pack case 100.
[84]
​The battery cells 355 of the plurality of battery modules 305 of the second battery module assembly 305 May be stacked along the width direction of the pack case 100.
[85]
​The partition insulation member 405 May be formed to have a predetermined length along the width direction of the pack case 100, and may be provided with a plurality of sections.
[86]
​The plurality of partition insulation members 405 May be disposed between the battery modules 205 and 305 of the first battery module assembly 205 and the second battery module assembly 305 along the longitudinal direction of the pack case 100.
[87]
​The bus bar member 500, the relay unit 600, the external resistor unit 700, and the resistance insulating member 800 are substantially the same as or similar to the previous embodiment, and thus, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[88]
​In the case of the battery pack 40 according to the present embodiment, when an abnormal situation occurs in a specific battery cell 255 of the battery module 205, a pair of relay units 600 connected to the bus bar members 500 connected to the specific battery module 205 May operate. That is, a pair of relay units 600 connected to the specific battery module 205 in which an abnormal situation occurs can be operated to induce the current of the specific battery module 205 to be supplied to the external resistance unit 700, which will be described later.
[89]
​In addition, in the case of the battery pack 40 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to effectively prevent thermal runaway from the side of the pack case 100 between the first battery module assembly 200 and the second battery module assembly 300 without the additional partition insulation member 405 in the longitudinal direction of the pack case 100 between the first battery module assembly 200 and the second battery module assembly 300 through an external short circuit through the relay unit 600 and the external resistance unit 700.
[90]
​FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[91]
​The battery pack 50 according to the present embodiment is similar to the battery packs 20 and 40 of the previous embodiment
[92]
​Referring to FIG. 9, the battery pack 50 May include a pack case 100, battery modules 205 and 305, a partition insulation member 405, a bus bar member 500, a relay unit 600, an external resistor unit 700, a resistance insulation member 800, a control unit 900, and a temperature sensor 950.
[93]
​The pack case 100, the battery modules 205 and 305, the partition insulation member 405, the bus bar member 500, the relay unit 600, the external resistor unit 700, and the resistance insulating member 800 are substantially the same as or similar to the previous embodiment, and thus, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[94]
​The control unit 900 May be electrically connected to the relay unit 600, the external resistor unit 700, and the temperature sensor 950 described below. The control unit 900 May control the operation of the relay unit 600 based on the temperature information sensed by the temperature sensor 950.
[95]
​The temperature sensor 950 May include a plurality of battery modules 205 and 305, and may be electrically connected to the plurality of battery modules 205 and 305. The plurality of temperature sensors 950 May be electrically connected to the control unit 900 to transmit the temperature information of the plurality of battery modules 205 and 305 to the control unit 900.
[96]
​In the present embodiment, when an overheating situation of the specific battery modules 205 and 305 is generated through the plurality of temperature sensors 950 and the control unit 900, the relay unit 600 can be operated so that the specific battery modules 205 and 305 having an overheating situation can be more quickly and externally shorted.
[97]
​Accordingly, the battery module 50 according to the present embodiment may more effectively prevent thermal runaway from the battery modules 205 and 305 to the adjacent battery modules 205 and 305, thereby further improving the safety of the battery pack 50.
[98]
​FIG. 10 is a view for explaining a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[99]
​Referring to FIG. 10, a vehicle 1 May include a vehicle body 70 that receives the battery pack 10 and the battery pack 10 of the previous embodiment. The vehicle body 70 May include at least one of the battery packs 20, 30, 40 and 50 of the previous embodiment in addition to the battery pack 10.
[100]
​Since the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment includes the battery pack 10 of the previous embodiment, it is possible to provide a vehicle V ′ including all of the advantages of the battery pack 10 of the previous embodiment.
[101]
​The battery packs 10,20,30, 40, and 50 of the previous embodiment may be provided in other devices, eg, a power storage device, as an energy source, in addition to the vehicle 1.
[102]
​According to various embodiments of the present invention, the vehicle 1 including the battery packs 10,20,30, 40 and 50 and the battery packs 10,20,30, 40, 50 can be provided to prevent thermal runaway and improve safety.
[103]
​While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as claimed in the claims.
​SCOPE OF THE INVENTION
​1. With regard to the language, this opinion has been established on the basis of:
​The battery pack of the present invention comprises: a pack case having a predetermined accommodation space;; a plurality of battery modules accommodated in the pack case and having a plurality of battery cells stacked on each other; at least one partition insulation member disposed to partition the plurality of battery modules in a direction parallel to the stacking direction of the plurality of battery cells; a plurality of bus bar members electrically connecting the plurality of battery modules; a plurality of relay units connected to the plurality of bus bar members; and an external resistance unit connected to the plurality of relay units and provided on one side of the inner side of the pack case.
​1. With regard to the language, this opinion has been established on the basis of:
​The battery pack of claim 1, further comprising a resistance insulation member disposed in the pack case and partitioning the external resistance unit and the plurality of battery modules.
​1. With regard to the language, this opinion has been established on the basis of: the international application in
​The battery pack of claim 2, wherein the plurality of battery modules comprises: a first battery module assembly provided with a plurality of battery modules and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the pack case; and a second battery module assembly spaced apart from the first battery module assembly by a predetermined distance in a width direction of the pack case and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the longitudinal direction of the pack case.
​1. With regard to the language, this opinion has been established on the basis of: the international application in
​The battery pack of claim 3, wherein the battery cells of the battery modules of the first battery module assembly and the second battery module assembly are stacked in a longitudinal direction of the pack case.
​Non-establishment of opinion with regard to novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability
​The battery pack of claim 4, wherein the at least one compartment insulation member is disposed between the first battery module assembly and the second battery module assembly.
​Non-establishment of opinion with regard to novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability
​The battery pack of claim 3, wherein the battery cells of the battery modules of the first battery module assembly and the second battery module assembly are stacked along the width direction of the pack case.
​[Claim 7]
​The battery pack of claim 6, wherein the partition insulation member is provided with a plurality of partition insulation members, and the plurality of partition insulation members are disposed between the first battery module assembly and the battery module of each of the second battery module assemblies along the longitudinal direction of the pack case.
​Non-establishment of opinion with regard to novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability
​The battery pack of claim 2, wherein the bus bar members disposed at one end of the pack case of the plurality of bus bar members are electrically connected to an external power source.
​Claim 9
​The battery pack of claim 8, wherein the resistance insulating member is disposed at the other end of the pack case.
​Non-establishment of opinion with regard to novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability
​The battery pack of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of temperature sensors electrically connected to the plurality of battery modules and provided with a plurality of temperature sensors.
​Claim 11
​The battery pack of claim 10, further comprising: a control unit electrically connected to the relay unit, the external resistor unit, and the temperature sensor and controlling the operation of the relay unit based on the temperature information sensed by the temperature sensor.
​Claim 12
​The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the external resistance unit is mounted on the pack case to be separable from the pack case.
​Claim 13
​The vehicle of claim 1, comprising at least one battery pack according to claim 1.