Title of invention: battery pack
Technical field
[One]
The present invention relates to a battery pack.
Background
[2]
Recently, as the demand for portable electronic devices such as notebook computers, smart phones, and tablet computers increases, research on high-performance secondary batteries capable of repetitive charging and discharging has been actively conducted.
[3]
In addition, secondary batteries are widely used not only for small devices such as portable electronic devices, but also for medium and large devices such as automobiles, robots, and satellites. In particular, as interest in fossil fuel depletion and environmental pollution increases, studies on hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles are being actively conducted. The most essential component in such a hybrid vehicle or electric vehicle is a battery pack that supplies power to a motor. The battery pack includes a battery module including a plurality of battery cells, and as the plurality of battery cells are connected in series and/or parallel to each other, the capacity and output of the battery module are increased.
[4]
Basically, in the battery cell, a plurality of electrode plates are stacked with a separator interposed therebetween, and a plurality of electrode tabs are respectively welded to the plurality of electrode plates to form an electrode assembly, and then the electrode assembly is wrapped and sealed with an aluminum pouch. It is manufactured through.
[5]
During use of such a battery pack, gas may be generated from the battery cells. Such gas generation may occur due to the decomposition of the electrolyte when the battery cell has reached the end of its life, exposed to high temperatures, overcharged, or an internal short circuit occurs. The pouch of the battery cell is usually provided with a gas discharge structure to prevent a safety accident due to the gas generated.
[6]
However, the conventional battery pack does not have a configuration capable of immediately confirming the generation of gas from the battery cells. Accordingly, when gas is generated from a battery cell, a configuration is required in which a user can immediately confirm the generation of gas so that measures such as replacement of the battery pack can be taken.
Detailed description of the invention
Technical challenge
[7]
The present invention is to solve the problem of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack capable of allowing a user to immediately confirm the generation of gas from a battery cell.
Means of solving the task
[8]
A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object includes: a battery cell; A casing configured to receive the battery cell and having a vent hole through which gas generated from the battery cell is discharged; And a sound generator installed to block the vent hole inside the vent hole, configured to allow gas to pass therethrough, and configured to generate sound by the flow of gas when the gas is discharged to the outside of the casing through the vent hole. I can.
[9]
The sound generator includes: a first portion having a first orifice formed at the inlet side of the vent hole; And a second portion disposed to be spaced apart from the first portion, forming a gas diffusion space between the first portion, and having a second orifice formed at the outlet side of the vent hole.
[10]
The sound generator includes a partition wall having a gas passage hole disposed at an inlet side of the vent hole; And a vibration plate supported on the partition wall and configured to generate sound while vibrating by the flow of gas passing through the gas passage hole.
[11]
A collision wall may be provided at the outlet side of the vent hole to be spaced apart from the sound generator and configured to collide with sound waves of sound generated by the sound generator.
[12]
A concave portion for reflecting sound waves of sound generated by the sound generator may be provided at the outlet side of the vent hole.
[13]
It is installed to block the inlet at the inlet side of the vent hole, and a moisture barrier film may be provided to allow gas to flow into the vent hole but block the inflow of moisture into the casing.
[14]
The casing includes an upper housing and a lower housing, a vent hole is formed in the upper housing, and the battery cell may be accommodated in the lower housing.
[15]
A gas collection space in which the gas is collected and communicated with the vent hole may be formed in the upper housing.
Brief description of the drawing
[16]
The following drawings attached to the present specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and serve to further understand the technical spirit of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention to be described later. It is limited only to and should not be interpreted.
[17]
1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a battery pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[18]
2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[19]
3 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a flow of gas passing through the sound generator and the sound generator of the battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[20]
4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a sound generator and a moisture barrier of a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[21]
5 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a flow of gas passing through a sound generator and a sound generator of a battery pack according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Mode for carrying out the invention
[22]
Since the embodiments of the present invention are provided to more completely describe the present invention to a person skilled in the art, the shape and size of components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for clearer description. Therefore, the size or ratio of each component does not fully reflect the actual size or ratio.
[23]
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, terms or words used in the present specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, and the inventor appropriately defines the concept of terms in order to describe his own invention in the best way. It should be interpreted as a meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention based on the principle that it can be done.
[24]
1 is a perspective view schematically showing a battery pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a battery pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[25]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a casing 100 having an inner space and a through hole (not shown) formed in the casing 100. It includes electrode terminals 210 and 220 exposed to, and a battery module disposed inside the casing 100 and having a plurality of battery cells 300.
[26]
As shown in FIG. 1, the electrode terminals 210 and 220 may be configured to be exposed upward in FIG. 1.
[27]
As shown in FIG. 1, the casing 100 may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, but the present invention is not limited to the shape of the casing 100. The casing 100 serves to protect the battery cell 300 from external force. The casing 100 includes an upper housing 110 and a lower housing 120. When the upper housing 110 and the lower housing 120 are coupled to each other, an inner space in which the battery cell 300 is accommodated is formed in the casing 100.
[28]
The upper housing 110 and the lower housing 120 may be made of plastic. In this case, the upper housing 110 and the lower housing 120 may be joined to each other by welding, and thus, the interior of the casing 100 may have a dustproof and waterproof structure. However, the present invention is not limited to the material of the upper housing 110 and the lower housing 120. In addition, the upper housing 110 and the lower housing 120 may be coupled to each other through various fastening means such as bolting and riveting instead of welding.
[29]
A plurality of battery cells 300 may be accommodated in the lower housing 120. For example, the battery cell 300 may be a pouch-type battery cell, and the pouch-type battery cell may include an electrode assembly configured by stacking a plurality of electrode plates with a separator therebetween, and a pouch surrounding the electrode assembly. . The lower housing 120 may have a battery cell accommodating space having a width and a height corresponding to the width and length of the battery cell 300, respectively.
[30]
A vent hole 190 through which gas generated from the battery cell 300 is discharged may be formed in the upper housing 110. The vent hole 190 has an inlet 191 through which gas is introduced and an outlet 192 through which gas is discharged. Accordingly, after the gas generated from the battery cell 300 due to the problem of the battery cell 300 flows from the lower housing 120 to the upper housing 110, the vent hole of the upper housing 110 ( 190) can be discharged to the outside.
[31]
Meanwhile, the upper housing 110 may be provided with a gas collection space 160 communicating with the vent hole 190. Gas generated from the battery cell 300 may be collected in the gas collection space 160. Accordingly, when the pressure of the gas collected in the gas collection space 160 reaches a preset pressure, the gas may be discharged to the outside through the vent hole 190.
[32]
As an example, the gas collection space 160 may be located in the upper center of the casing 100, and the vent hole 190 may be located at a position eccentric to one side with respect to the vertical central axis of the casing 100. . Accordingly, the gas generated in the battery cell 300 may flow directly into the gas collection space 160 of the upper center of the casing 100 (the center of the upper housing 110). In addition, the gas flowing into the gas collection space 160 may flow directly toward the vent hole 190.
[33]
The battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include a sound generator 400 that generates a sound so that a user can immediately check when gas is generated in the battery cell 300.
[34]
Hereinafter, a sound generator 400 of a battery pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a flow of gas passing through the sound generator and the sound generator of the battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[35]
As shown in FIG. 3, the sound generator 400 may be mounted in the vent hole 190 of the casing 100 of the battery pack.
[36]
As an example, the sound generator 400 may be configured as a single module, and may be inserted into and fitted into the vent hole 190 of the casing 100. The sound generator 400 may have a size corresponding to the size of the inner space of the vent hole 190, and accordingly, the sound generator 400 is fastened to the inside of the vent hole 190 in a way that is stably Can be maintained.
[37]
Alternatively, after the sound generator 400 is inserted into the vent hole 190, the sound generator 400 is stably mounted inside the vent hole 190 through welding, bolting, riveting, adhesive, etc. I can.
[38]
Since the sound generator 400 is configured as a separate module, the sound generator 400 may be inserted into the vent hole 190 of a battery pack having a conventional structure and used. Therefore, the sound generator 400 can be easily applied to a battery pack having an existing structure. In this case, a space having a size through which the sound generator 400 can pass toward the vent hole 190 may be secured at the outlet 192 side of the vent hole 190.
[39]
However, the present invention is not limited to a configuration in which the sound generator 400 is configured as a separate module, and as another example, the sound generator 400 may be integrally formed with the casing 100. For example, the sound generator 400 may be integrally molded with the casing 100 through injection molding, insert injection molding, or the like.
[40]
The sound generator 400 is installed to block the vent hole 190 inside the vent hole 190 and is configured to pass gas. Accordingly, while the gas flowing into the inlet 191 of the vent hole 190 is discharged to the outlet 192 of the vent hole 190, the gas passes through the sound generator 400 to generate sound.
[41]
The sound generator 400 is disposed so as to be spaced apart from the first part 410 and the first part 410 having a first orifice 411 formed on the inlet 191 side of the vent hole 190, A gas diffusion space 430 is formed between the first part 410 and may include a second part 420 having a second orifice 421 formed at the outlet 192 side of the vent hole 190. have.
[42]
In some cases, the first part 410 may have a plurality of first orifices 411. The plurality of first orifices 411 may be disposed at regular intervals in the circumferential direction with respect to the center of the inlet 191 of the vent hole 190. Likewise, the second part 420 may have a plurality of second orifices 421. The plurality of second orifices 421 may be disposed at regular intervals in the circumferential direction with respect to the center of the outlet 192 of the vent hole 190.
[43]
In order to effectively generate a gas vortex, the inner diameter of the first orifice 411 may gradually increase in a direction from the inlet 191 of the vent hole 190 toward the gas diffusion space 430. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the first orifice 411 may have a constant inner diameter. Likewise, in order to effectively generate a vortex of gas, the inner diameter of the second orifice 421 may gradually increase in a direction from the gas diffusion space 430 toward the outlet 192 of the vent hole 190. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the second orifice 421 may have a constant inner diameter.
[44]
According to this configuration, the gas flowing into the inlet 191 of the vent hole 190 pressurizes the first part 410 of the sound generator 400 and the pressure of the gas increases.
[45]
When the pressure of the gas at the inlet 191 of the vent hole 190 reaches a predetermined pressure, some of the gases that pressurize the first portion 410 pass through the first orifice 411 and then the gas diffusion space 430 ) To erupt.
[46]
At this time, the gas ejected into the gas diffusion space 430 flows very unstable and generates a vortex. In addition, the gas ejected into the gas diffusion space 430 collides with the second part 420. Accordingly, sound waves are generated by the vortex of the gas and the collision of the gas with the second unit 420.
[47]
In addition, some of the gas in the gas diffusion space 430 passes through the second orifice 421 of the second part 420 and is ejected to the outside to generate a vortex, and a sound wave is generated by the vortex.
[48]
In this way, the sound wave generated by the ejection of gas is transmitted to the user, and accordingly, the user can immediately check the situation in which the gas is ejected from the outlet 192 of the vent hole 190.
[49]
Meanwhile, a collision wall 180 may be provided at a side of the outlet 192 of the vent hole 190 to be spaced apart from the sound generator 400 and configured to collide with sound waves of sound generated by the sound generator 400. The collision wall 180 may serve to reflect sound waves toward a location where a user can accurately hear sound.
[50]
The collision wall 180 may be formed in the upper housing 110 at a position adjacent to the outlet 192 side of the vent hole 190. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the collision wall 180 may be integrally configured with the sound generator 400, and thus, the sound generator 400 includes a single collision wall 180 It is configured as a module, and may be mounted inside the vent hole 190.
[51]
In addition, a concave portion 170 for reflecting sound waves of sound generated by the sound generator 400 may be further provided at the outlet 192 side of the vent hole 190. Like the collision wall 180, the concave portion 170 may serve to reflect sound waves toward a location where a user can accurately hear sound.
[52]
The concave portion 170 may have a curved surface to induce smooth reflection of sound waves emitted from the outlet 192 of the vent hole 190. In addition, the curved surface of the concave portion 170 may be curved toward the collision wall 180. Meanwhile, the collision wall 180, the concave portion 170, the outlet 192 of the vent hole 190, and the second portion 420 of the sound generator 400 form a predetermined bowl-shaped space therebetween. . Such a space may serve to reflect sound waves toward a location where the user can accurately hear sound.
[53]
The concave portion 170 may be formed in the upper housing 110 at a position adjacent to the outlet 192 side of the vent hole 190. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the concave portion 170 may be integrally configured with the sound generator 400, and accordingly, the sound generator 400 includes one concave portion 170 It is configured as a module, and may be mounted inside the vent hole 190.
[54]
Since the battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a sound generator 400 configured to generate sound by the flow of gas generated from the battery cell 300, gas is generated from the battery cell 300 If so, you can have the user check it immediately.
[55]
In addition, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, since the sound generator 400 of the battery pack is configured to generate sound only by the flow of gas, it does not require additional power or power or a separate sensor, and It can be done to check the generation of gas.
[56]
Hereinafter, a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those of the first embodiment of the present invention, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.
[57]
4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a sound generator and a moisture barrier of a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[58]
4, the battery pack according to the second embodiment of the present invention is installed to block the inlet 191 from the inlet 191 side of the vent hole 190, and into the vent hole 190 A moisture barrier film 500 configured to allow the flow of gas but block the inflow of moisture into the casing may be provided.
[59]
The moisture barrier layer 500 is positioned between the gas collection space 160 and the vent hole 190 to partition the gas collection space 160 and the vent hole 190. The moisture barrier 500 may be fixedly coupled to the inlet 191 of the vent hole 190 through various fastening means such as welding, bolting, riveting, and adhesive.
[60]
The moisture barrier layer 500 is configured to allow a gas of a preset pressure to pass. Therefore, when the pressure of the gas collected in the gas collection space 160 reaches a preset pressure, the gas existing in the gas collection space 160 flows into the vent hole 190 through the moisture barrier layer 500 Sound may be generated while passing through the sound generator 400.
[61]
According to the battery pack according to the second embodiment of the present invention, since the moisture barrier layer 500 is provided between the gas collection space 160 and the vent hole 190, it is possible to prevent moisture from flowing into the casing 100. I can. Further, the gas may be discharged to the outside through the vent hole 190 only when the pressure of the gas inside the casing 100 reaches a preset pressure.
[62]
Hereinafter, a battery pack according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those of the first and second embodiments of the present invention, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.
[63]
5 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a flow of gas passing through a sound generator and a sound generator of a battery pack according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[64]
As shown in Figure 5, the battery pack according to the third embodiment of the present invention may include a sound generator 600, the sound generator 600, the inlet 191 side of the vent hole 190 A vibrating plate (610) disposed and configured to generate sound while vibrating by the flow of gas, which is supported by the partition wall 610 and has a gas passage hole 611 ( 620) may be included.
[65]
As an example, the sound generator 600 may be configured as a single module, and may be inserted and fitted into the vent hole 190 of the casing 100. The sound generator 600 may have a size corresponding to the size of the internal space of the vent hole 190, and accordingly, the sound generator 600 is fastened to the interior of the vent hole 190 in a way that is stably Can be maintained.
[66]
Alternatively, after the sound generator 600 is inserted into the vent hole 190, the sound generator 600 is stably mounted inside the vent hole 190 through welding, bolting, riveting, adhesive, etc. I can.
[67]
Since the sound generator 600 is configured as a separate module, the sound generator 600 may be inserted into the vent hole 190 of a battery pack having a conventional structure and used. Therefore, the sound generator 600 can be easily applied to a battery pack having an existing structure. In this case, a space having a size through which the sound generator 600 can pass toward the vent hole 190 may be secured at the outlet 192 side of the vent hole 190.
[68]
However, the present invention is not limited to a configuration in which the sound generator 600 is configured as a separate module, and as another example, the sound generator 600 may be integrally formed with the casing 100. For example, the sound generator 600 may be integrally molded with the casing 100 through injection molding, insert injection molding, or the like.
[69]
The partition wall 610 may have a plurality of gas passage holes 611. The plurality of gas passage holes 611 may be disposed at regular intervals in the circumferential direction of the vibration plate 620.
[70]
The vibration plate 620 may be made of plastic or metal having a predetermined flexibility. The center of the vibration plate 620 may be fixed to the center of the partition wall 610 through a predetermined bar-shaped connection member.
[71]
According to this configuration, the gas introduced through the inlet 191 of the vent hole 190 presses the partition wall 610 of the sound generator 600, and the gas pressure increases. At this time, a part of the gas pressing the partition wall 610 is ejected toward the vibration plate 620 while passing through the gas passage hole 611. Accordingly, while the vibration plate 620 vibrates by the ejected gas, it is possible to generate sound waves by vibrating the surrounding air.
[72]
According to the third embodiment of the present invention, since the sound generator 600 of the battery pack is configured to generate sound only by the flow of gas, it does not require additional power, power, or a separate sensor, and the user It can be done to confirm the occurrence.
[73]
The battery pack according to the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to a device including the battery pack as a power source.
[74]
For example, the device may be a computer, mobile phone, wearable electronic device, power tool, electric vehicle (EV), hybrid electric vehicle, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, electric motorcycle, electric golf cart, or electric power. It can be a storage device. The power storage device can be applied to various fields and places such as a smart grid system for controlling power supply and demand or a charging station for electric vehicles.
[75]
Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described exemplarily, the scope of the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and may be appropriately changed within the scope described in the claims.
[76]
(Explanation of code)
[77]
100: casing
[78]
300: battery cell
[79]
400: sound generator
[80]
500: moisture barrier
[81]
600: sound generator
Industrial availability
[82]
A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a sound generator configured to generate sound by a flow of gas generated from a battery cell. Accordingly, when gas is generated from the battery cell, the user can immediately check it.
[83]
According to an embodiment of the present invention, since the sound generator of the battery pack is configured to generate sound only by the flow of gas, it does not require additional power or power or a separate sensor, and allows the user to check the generation of gas. I can.
[84]
Claims
[Claim 1]
Battery cells; A casing configured to receive the battery cell and having a vent hole through which gas generated from the battery cell is discharged; And installed to block the vent hole inside the vent hole, configured to pass the gas, and to generate a sound by the flow of the gas when the gas is discharged to the outside of the casing through the vent hole. A battery pack comprising a sound generator configured.
[Claim 2]
The method of claim 1, wherein the sound generator comprises: a first part having a first orifice formed at an inlet side of the vent hole; And a second portion disposed to be spaced apart from the first portion, forming a gas diffusion space between the first portion, and having a second orifice formed at the outlet side of the vent hole. .
[Claim 3]
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sound generator comprises: a partition wall having a gas passage hole disposed at an inlet side of the vent hole; And a vibration plate supported by the partition wall and configured to generate sound while vibrating by a flow of gas passing through the gas passage hole.
[Claim 4]
The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein a collision wall is provided at an outlet side of the vent hole to be spaced apart from the sound generator and configured to collide with sound waves of sound generated by the sound generator.
[Claim 5]
The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein a concave portion for reflecting sound waves of sound generated by the sound generator is provided at an outlet side of the vent hole.
[Claim 6]
The battery according to claim 1, wherein a moisture barrier is provided to block the inlet at the inlet side of the vent hole, and to allow gas to flow into the vent hole, but to block the inflow of moisture into the casing. pack.
[Claim 7]
The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the casing includes an upper housing and a lower housing, the vent hole is formed in the upper housing, and the battery cell is accommodated in the lower housing.
[Claim 8]
The battery pack as set forth in claim 7, wherein a gas collection space in which the gas is collected and communicates with the vent hole is formed in the upper housing.
[Claim 9]
A device comprising the battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
[Claim 10]
The method of claim 9, wherein the device is a computer, a mobile phone, a wearable electronic device, a power tool, an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid electric vehicle, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, an electric motorcycle, and an electric golf cart , And a power storage device.