KR20210054330A - Battery Pack - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the present invention, disclosed is a battery pack that reduces a risk of secondary ignition or explosion. To this end, the battery pack according to the present invention includes: at least one battery module including a cell assembly having a plurality of secondary batteries, and a module housing accommodating the cell assembly therein and having an opening formed to allow external air to flow therein; a fire extinguishing unit formed to supply an extinguishing agent to the inside of the battery module; and a closing member formed to move to the opening by the extinguishing agent supplied to the inside of the battery module to block at least a part of the opening.

Description

Battery Pack {Battery Pack}

The present invention relates to a battery pack including a blocking member, and more particularly, to a battery pack that reduces the risk of secondary ignition or explosion.

Currently commercialized secondary batteries include nickel cadmium batteries, nickel hydride batteries, nickel zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries, among which lithium secondary batteries have little memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, so charging and discharging are free. It has a very low self-discharge rate and is in the spotlight for its high energy density.

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

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

On the other hand, in recent years, as the need for a large-capacity structure, including use as an energy storage source, increases, a plurality of secondary batteries electrically connected in series and/or in parallel, and a battery module and a battery management system (BMS) accommodating such secondary batteries therein. There is an increasing demand for a battery pack having a battery pack.

In addition, such a battery pack generally includes an outer housing made of a metal material to protect or store a plurality of secondary batteries from an external impact. Meanwhile, the demand for high-capacity battery packs is increasing in recent years.

However, the conventional battery pack or battery rack includes a plurality of battery modules, and when a secondary battery of each battery module generates thermal runaway and ignites or explode, heat or flame is transferred to the adjacent secondary battery. In some cases, secondary explosions or the like may occur, and efforts are being made to prevent secondary ignition or explosion.

Accordingly, when thermal runaway occurs in some secondary batteries in a battery pack or a battery rack, a fast and complete fire extinguishing technique is required to take immediate action.

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

Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood by the following description, and will be more clearly understood by examples of the present invention. In addition, it will be easily understood that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means shown in the claims and combinations thereof.

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

At least one battery module including a cell assembly having a plurality of secondary batteries, and a module housing having an opening configured to accommodate the cell assembly therein and allow external air to flow therein;

A fire extinguishing unit configured to supply a fire extinguishing agent into the battery module; And

And a closing member configured to move to the opening by the fire extinguishing agent supplied into the battery module to close at least a portion of the opening.

In addition, the blocking member may include a plurality of particles configured to expand the volume by absorbing a part of the extinguishing agent when it comes into contact with the extinguishing agent supplied into the battery module.

In addition, a loss prevention member configured to prevent a plurality of particles of the blocking member from escaping to the outside of the module housing may be provided in the opening.

And, the extinguishing agent contains water,

Before the extinguishing agent is supplied into the battery module, the blocking member is configured to be fixed inside the module housing, and when the extinguishing agent is supplied into the battery module, the blocking member is moved by water of the supplied extinguishing agent. It may further include a configured fixing member.

Further, the fixing member includes any one or more of a water-soluble tape, a water-soluble adhesive, or a water-soluble pressure-sensitive adhesive,

A plurality of penetration holes may be formed in the fixing member so that the fire extinguishing agent can penetrate into the inside.

In addition, the water-soluble adhesive or the water-soluble adhesive may have a form mixed with the blocking member.

Further, the water-soluble adhesive or the water-soluble pressure-sensitive adhesive may be added with a foaming agent configured to evaporate when contacted with the fire extinguishing agent to form a plurality of holes in the water-soluble adhesive or water-soluble adhesive.

Further, the fixing member may include a box configured to store the blocking member therein and opened by the inflow of the extinguishing agent.

In addition, the battery rack according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes the battery pack and a rack case accommodating the battery pack.

Moreover, the power storage device according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes at least two battery racks.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the battery pack of the present invention includes a closing member configured to move to the opening by the extinguishing agent supplied into the battery module and close at least a part of the opening, thereby preventing thermal runaway or fire of the battery module. When generated, when the extinguishing agent is injected into the interior, it is possible to effectively prevent the extinguishing agent from being discharged back to the outside through the inlet and outlet. Accordingly, thermal runaway or fire of the battery pack can be quickly and effectively extinguished.

In addition, according to an aspect of the present invention, the blocking member includes a plurality of particles configured to expand the volume by absorbing a part of the extinguishing agent when it comes into contact with the extinguishing agent supplied into the battery module. It is possible to induce the extinguishing agent to stagnate inside the battery module without escaping to the outside. Accordingly, it is possible to quickly eliminate a thermal runaway phenomenon or a fire generated in the battery module.

Moreover, according to one aspect of the present invention, the opening is provided with a loss prevention member configured to prevent a plurality of particles of the blocking member from escaping to the outside of the module housing, so that the plurality of particles of the blocking member moved by the fire extinguishing agent are provided at the inlet. And it is possible to effectively prevent escape to the outside through the outlet. Accordingly, the battery module can be sealed so that the injected extinguishing agent is not discharged to the outside again, so that thermal runaway or fire of the battery pack can be quickly and effectively extinguished.

Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, the battery pack of the present invention is configured such that the blocking member is fixed inside the module housing before the extinguishing agent is supplied into the battery module, and when the extinguishing agent is supplied into the battery module, the supply By further comprising a fixing member configured to move the blocking member by the water of the extinguishing agent, the blocking member can be fixed at a position suitable to be moved in the direction in which the inlet or outlet is located by the extinguishing agent, and the blocking member is fixed by the fixing member. After that, it is possible to prevent the particles of the blocking member from being dispersed by external vibration or impact. Accordingly, when the extinguishing agent is injected into the module housing, the closing member can stably close the opening.

In addition, according to one aspect of the present invention, the battery pack of the present invention includes a water-soluble tape as a fixing member, and a plurality of penetration holes are formed in the water-soluble tape of the fixing member to allow the extinguishing agent to penetrate into the water-soluble tape. A number of particles of may come into contact with water. Accordingly, a plurality of particles connected with water can be released from the binding by the water-soluble tape by pressing the water-soluble tape outward by volume expansion. Accordingly, compared to the case in which the penetration hole is not formed, the occluding member may be expanded in volume more quickly and may be moved to the inlet port and the outlet port quickly. Accordingly, the battery module can be sealed so that the injected extinguishing agent is not discharged to the outside again, so that thermal runaway or fire of the battery pack can be quickly and effectively extinguished.

The following drawings attached to the present specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and serve to further understand the technical idea of the present invention together with the detailed description of the present invention to be described later. It is limited to and should not be interpreted.
1 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a perspective view schematically showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a front perspective view schematically showing a battery module of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a perspective view schematically showing a cell assembly, which is a part of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a rear perspective view schematically showing a battery module of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal view of a battery module, which is a part of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross-sectional view of a battery module, which is a part of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a partial rear view schematically showing a part of a battery module, which is a part of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state of a closing member and a fixing member, which are some components of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state of a closing member and a fixing member, which are some components of a battery pack according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state of a closing member and a fixing member, which are some components of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.
12 and 13 are cross-sectional views schematically illustrating a process of moving a closing member from a fixing member, which is a part of a battery pack according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
14 is a schematic front view of a power storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, terms or words used in the present specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, and the inventors appropriately explain the concept of terms in order to explain their own invention in the best way. Based on the principle that it can be defined, it should be interpreted as a meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of the present invention.

Accordingly, the embodiments described in the present specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, and do not represent all the technical spirit of the present invention. It should be understood that there may be equivalents and variations.

1 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a front perspective view schematically showing a battery module of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing a cell assembly, which is a part of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. And, Figure 5 is a rear perspective view schematically showing the battery module of the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, a part of the module housing is cut out and shown to examine the internal configurations of the battery module.

1 to 5, a battery pack 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least one battery module 200, a fire extinguishing unit 300, and a blocking member (410 in FIG. 6). can do.

Here, the battery module 200 may include at least one cell assembly (100 in FIG. 4 ). The cell assembly 100 may have a plurality of secondary batteries 110 arranged in one direction.

The secondary battery 110 may be a pouch-type secondary battery 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when viewed in the F direction of FIG. 3 (from the front), the cell assembly 100 includes a plurality of pouch-type secondary batteries 110 stacked side by side in the front and rear directions. It can be configured in a form. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, one cell assembly 100 may include 21 pouch-type secondary batteries 110.

On the other hand, in the present specification, unless otherwise specified, it is based on the case of looking in the F direction with respect to the up, down, front, back, left, and right directions.

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

Furthermore, the positive electrode lead 111 and the negative electrode lead 112 may be formed at ends in the left and right directions opposite to each other with respect to the center of the secondary battery 110. That is, the positive lead 111 may be provided at one end (right end) based on the center of the secondary battery 110. In addition, the negative lead 112 may be provided at the other end (left end) of the secondary battery 110 with respect to the center of the secondary battery 110.

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

Meanwhile, referring again to FIG. 5, the battery module 200 may further include a bus bar assembly 270. Specifically, the bus bar assembly 270 is configured to mount at least one bus bar 272 configured to electrically interconnect the plurality of secondary batteries 110 and the at least one bus bar 272 outside. At least two or more busbar frames 276 may be provided. When viewed in the direction F of FIG. 3, the at least two busbar frames 276 may be provided on each of both sides of the cell assembly 100 in the left and right directions.

On the other hand, in the present specification, unless otherwise specified, it is based on the case of looking in the F direction with respect to the up, down, front, back, left, and right directions.

Meanwhile, the module housing 210 may have an inner space to accommodate the cell assembly 100 therein. Specifically, when viewed in the F direction of FIG. 3, the module housing 210 may include an upper cover 220, a base plate 240, a front cover 260, and a rear cover 250. .

Specifically, the base plate 240 may have an area larger than the size of the bottom surface of the at least two cell assemblies 100 so as to mount the at least two cell assemblies 100 on the top. The base plate 240 may have a plate shape extending in a horizontal direction.

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

In addition, the sidewall 226 may be coupled to a portion of the base plate 240. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper cover 220 may include an upper wall 224 having a plate shape extending in the front-to-back and left-right directions. The upper cover 220 may include two sidewalls 226 extending downward from each of both ends of the upper wall 224 in the left and right direction. Further, the lower ends of each of the two side walls 226 may be configured to be coupled to both ends of the base plate 240 in the left and right directions. In this case, the coupling method may be a male and female coupling method or a welding coupling method.

Moreover, the front cover 260 may be configured to cover the front of the plurality of secondary batteries 110. For example, the front cover 260 may have a plate having a size larger than that of the front surfaces of the plurality of secondary batteries 110. The plate may be erected in a vertical direction.

In addition, the rear cover 250 may be configured to cover the rear of the cell assembly 100. For example, the rear cover 250 may have a plate shape having a size larger than that of the rear surfaces of the plurality of secondary batteries 110.

6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal view of a battery module, which is a part of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6 along with FIG. 3, the module housing 210 is provided with an opening 215 so that the cell assembly 100 is accommodated therein and external air flows into and out of the module housing 210. Can be. The opening 215 may be formed in a part of the module housing 210. The opening 215 is an inlet 213 configured to introduce external air into the module housing 210, and an outlet 212 formed in a part of the module housing 210 and configured to discharge the introduced air to the outside. ) May be provided.

A blower 280 may be provided at the inlet 213. When viewed in the F direction of FIG. 3, the blower 280 may be mounted on a front end of the module housing 210 and configured to allow external air to be introduced into the module housing 210. The blower 280 may include a blowing fan configured to rotate by receiving power.

The module housing 210 may be provided with a refrigerant passage 211. That is, the module housing 210 may be provided with a refrigerant passage 211 so that external air injected by the blower 280 is moved. Here, the refrigerant movement path 211 may be a space that extends long in the front-rear direction so as to communicate with the outside. The refrigerant passage 211 may be provided on one or both sides of the cell assembly 100 in the left-right direction.

More specifically, the refrigerant passage 211 may be a space between the upper or lower portion of the cell assembly 100 and the module housing 210. That is, the external air injected into the battery module 200 passes through the refrigerant above or below the cell assembly 100 to move the refrigerant in the right direction of the cell assembly 100, and again, the refrigerant movement path It may be discharged through a plurality of discharge ports 212 formed at the ends of 211b and perforated to communicate with the outside of the battery module 200.

Furthermore, the refrigerant passage 211 may include a supply unit 211a and a discharge unit 211b. Specifically, the supply part 211a may be located on one side of the cell assembly 100 in the left-right direction. For example, the supply part 211a may be located on the left side of the cell assembly 100 when viewed in the F direction of FIG. 3. The supply part 211a may be configured such that external air injected by the blower 280 moves to the rear end of the module housing 210. That is, the blower 280 may be configured to push the internal gas of the battery module 200 to the rear end of the supply unit 211a by introducing external air.

In addition, the discharge part 211b may be located on the other side of the cell assembly 100 in the left-right direction. For example, when viewed in the F direction, the discharge part 211b may be located on the right side of the cell assembly 100. The discharge part 211b may be configured to move external air injected by the blower 280 to the discharge port 212. That is, the discharge part 211b may be configured to communicate with the discharge port 212.

In the rear cover 250 located at the rear of each of the at least two or more battery modules 200, an inlet 264 configured to enter the extinguishing agent 322 may be provided. The inlet port 264 may be positioned to communicate with the refrigerant passage 211. That is, the inlet port 264 may be configured to communicate with the refrigerant passage 211 located on both sides of the cell assembly 100 in the left-right direction.

Meanwhile, referring again to FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the fire extinguishing unit 300 may include a fire extinguishing tank 320, a pipe 330, and a fire extinguishing valve 310.

First, the fire extinguishing tank 320 may contain a fire extinguishing agent (not shown) therein. For example, the extinguishing agent may be a concentrated solution of an inorganic salt such as potassium carbonate, a chemical bubble, an air bubble, carbon dioxide, or water. In addition, the fire extinguishing tank 320 may include a compressed gas therein to inject the fire extinguishing agent at an appropriate pressure or move along the pipe 330.

For example, the capacity of the extinguishing tank 320 may be 59 L, the compressed gas may be 8 bar of nitrogen, and the extinguishing agent 322 may be 40 L of water. Here, when water is used as the extinguishing agent 322, when spraying into the inside of the battery module 200, there is a heat shielding effect as well as a extinguishing cooling effect, so in particular, high-temperature gases and flames due to thermal runaway are generated. In this case, it is effective in preventing thermal propagation. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively prevent fire or thermal runaway from spreading between the plurality of battery modules 200.

The pipe 330 may be configured to be connected to supply the extinguishing agent 322 from the extinguishing tank 320 to each of the at least two battery modules 200. For example, the pipe 330 may be made of a material that is not corroded by water. For example, the pipe 330 may be made of stainless steel. The pipe 330 may be configured such that one end is connected to the discharge port (FIGS. 2 and 321) of the digestion tank 320. The other end of the pipe 330 may have a shape extending to the inside of each of the at least two or more battery modules 200.

For example, the pipe 330 may include a common pipe 333 connected to a discharge port 321 through which the extinguishing agent of the fire extinguishing tank 320 is discharged, and the at least two battery modules 200 from the common pipe 333. ) It may be provided with a distribution pipe 336 of a structure that is distributed to be connected to each. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pipe 330 is from one common pipe 333 connected to the discharge port 321 of the fire extinguishing tank 320, and the common pipe 333. Eight branched distribution pipes 336 may be provided. In addition, the eight distribution pipes 336 may be configured to be connected to the eight battery modules 200.

Further, the fire extinguishing valve 310, when the internal gas (air) of the battery module 200 rises above a predetermined temperature, the fire extinguishing agent 322 from the fire extinguishing tank 320 is transferred to the battery module 200 It can be configured to be supplied to the inside of. That is, the extinguishing valve 310 may be a passive valve 312 configured to open an outlet so that the extinguishing agent 322 can be injected into the battery module 200 having a predetermined temperature or higher. For example, when the internal temperature of the battery module 200 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the passive valve 312 may be configured to open an outlet due to some modifications. Moreover, the passive valve 312 may be configured such that the outlet is opened by partially deforming the internal configuration by the heat of the internal gas whose temperature has risen. Here, the'predetermined temperature' may be, for example, 100 degrees Celsius or higher.

Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, when the internal gas of the battery module 200 rises above a predetermined temperature, the battery pack 400 of the present invention is partially internally configured by the increased internal gas. By providing a fire extinguishing unit 300 having a passive fire extinguishing valve 310 that is deformed and the outlet is opened, even if a heat runaway or a fire occurs in some battery modules 200 of the battery pack 400, heat runaway is prevented. Due to the influence of the elevated temperature, the fire extinguishing valve 310 may immediately supply the fire extinguishing agent into the battery module 200. In addition, at this time, even if the battery management system malfunctions, stable extinguishing against thermal runaway or fire can be performed by the extinguishing valve without BMS control, so that the safety of the battery pack 400 can be effectively increased.

Furthermore, the present invention is, in the case of thermal runaway or fire in some of the plurality of battery modules 200, only the extinguishing valve 310 is opened only in some of the battery modules 200, so that the extinguishing agent 322 can be individually injected. have. For this reason, compared to the case where the extinguishing agent is injected into the entire battery module 200, a large amount of the extinguishing agent can be injected into the battery module 200 more quickly. Moreover, since the extinguishing agent can be injected directly into the inside of the battery module 200, not outside, it is possible to effectively extinguish and cool the fire of the battery module 200 in which thermal runaway has occurred, so that the fire can be quickly extinguished. .

In addition, the fire extinguishing valve 310, in addition to the passive valve 312, further includes an active valve (Fig. 1, 313) capable of controlling the opening and closing of the valve by receiving a signal from the fire extinguishing unit 300 can do. More specifically, the active valve may be a control valve, an electric valve, a solenoid valve, or a pneumatic valve.

Furthermore, the active valve may be configured to supply an extinguishing agent from the extinguishing tank 320 to the battery module 200 whose internal temperature has risen above a predetermined temperature. The active valve may be configured to be actively opened by the controller 350 by sensing by the controller 350 located under the top plate T when the internal temperature of the battery module 200 becomes higher than a predetermined temperature. . In this case, the control unit 350 may be located on the uppermost battery module 200 among the plurality of battery modules 200.

The fire extinguishing unit 300 may include a control unit 350. Specifically, the controller 350 may be configured to open the active valve when a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature is sensed by the linear temperature sensor 360. For example, the controller 350 may be configured to transmit a signal for controlling the active valve.

In addition, the fire extinguishing unit 300 may further include a smoke detection sensor (FIGS. 1 and 370) for detecting smoke discharged from the at least two battery modules 200. Specifically, the smoke detection sensor may be positioned at the top of the at least two or more battery modules 200 stacked in the vertical direction. That is, when a fire occurs in the battery module 200, the generated gas may be moved upward, and thus it is preferable that the generated gas is located at the top of the at least two battery modules 200.

In addition, the smoke detection sensor may be configured to transmit a signal from the control unit 350 of the fire extinguishing unit 300 when detecting smoke. The controller 350 may open the active valve according to the received signal.

7 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross-sectional view of a battery module, which is a part of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, the outlet 212 formed in the module housing 210 is represented by a dotted line so that the inside of the module housing can be seen.

Referring back to FIG. 7 along with FIGS. 5 and 6, the battery pack 400 may include a closing member 410 configured to close at least a portion of the opening 215. The closing member 410 may be configured to move to the opening 215 by the extinguishing agent 322 supplied into the battery module 200. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a blocking member 410 may be provided in each of the supply unit 211a and the discharge unit 211b provided in the module housing 210. The closing member 410 may be configured to move to the inlet 213 and close the inlet 212. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the closing member 410 may be configured to move to the outlet 212 to close the outlet 212.

Accordingly, according to this configuration of the present invention, the battery pack 400 of the present invention moves to the opening 215 by the extinguishing agent 322 supplied into the battery module 200 and By including a closing member 410 configured to be capable of closing at least a portion, when the battery module 200 is thermally runaway or a fire occurs, when the extinguishing agent 322 is introduced into the interior, the extinguishing agent 322 is supplied to the inlet 213 and It is possible to effectively prevent discharge to the outside through the discharge port 212 again. Accordingly, thermal runaway or fire of the battery pack 400 can be quickly and effectively extinguished.

More specifically, the blocking member 410, when in contact with the extinguishing agent 322 supplied into the battery module 200, absorbs a part of the extinguishing agent 322 to expand the volume of a plurality of particles ( 412). The plurality of particles 412, for example, the plurality of particles 412 may include a super absorbent polymer. Here, the super absorbent polymer may be configured to absorb water of about 500 to 1,000 times its own weight. Accordingly, the volume of the plurality of particles 412 may expand at least three times or more. For example, the super absorbent polymer may include a starch-based, cerrose-based, or synthetic polymer-based material.

Accordingly, according to this configuration of the present invention, when the blocking member 410 contacts the extinguishing agent 322 supplied into the battery module 200, the volume expands by absorbing a part of the extinguishing agent 322. By including a plurality of particles 412 configured to be, it is possible to induce the extinguishing agent 322 introduced into the inside of the battery module 200 to stagnate inside the battery module 200 without escaping to the outside. Accordingly, a thermal runaway phenomenon or a fire generated in the battery module 200 can be quickly eliminated.

8 is a partial rear view schematically showing a part of a battery module, which is a part of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Along with FIG. 7 and referring to FIG. 8, a loss prevention member 216 may be provided outside the opening 215. The loss prevention member 216 may be configured so that the plurality of particles 412 of the blocking member 410 do not escape to the outside of the module housing 210. For example, the loss prevention member 216 may include a mesh having a mesh size in which the plurality of particles 412 absorbing the water cannot pass.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a loss prevention member 216 may be provided outside the outlet 212 of the module housing 210. The loss prevention member 216 may be provided with a mesh.

Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, the opening 215 is provided with a loss prevention member 216 configured so that the plurality of particles 412 of the blocking member 410 do not escape to the outside of the module housing 210 As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent a plurality of particles 412 of the blocking member 410 moved by the extinguishing agent 322 from exiting to the outside through the inlet 213 and the outlet 212. Accordingly, the battery module 200 can be sealed so that the injected extinguishing agent 322 is not discharged to the outside again, so that thermal runaway or fire of the battery pack 400 can be quickly and effectively extinguished.

9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state of a closing member and a fixing member, which are some components of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring back to FIG. 9 along with FIGS. 6 and 7, the battery pack 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention is, before the extinguishing agent 322 is supplied into the battery module 200, the blocking member ( A fixing member 420 configured so that 410 is fixed inside the module housing 210 may be further included. The fixing member 420 is the blocking member 410 so that when the extinguishing agent 322 is supplied into the battery module 200, the blocking member 410 is moved by the water of the supplied extinguishing agent 322. You can cancel the fixed state of.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, each of the two blocking members 410 may include a plurality of particles 412 made of a super absorbent polymer. The plurality of particles 412 are fixed to the refrigerant passage 211 inside the module housing 210 before the extinguishing agent 322 is supplied into the battery module 200 by the fixing member 420. Can be configured. And, when the extinguishing agent 322 is supplied into the battery module 200, the blocking member 410 is fixed to be moved to the inlet 213 or the outlet 212 by the water of the supplied extinguishing agent 322. The fixed state by the member 420 may be released.

Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, the battery pack 400 of the present invention, before the extinguishing agent 322 is supplied into the battery module 200, the blocking member 410 is the module housing 210 A fixing member 420 configured to be fixed therein and configured to move the blocking member 410 by the water of the supplied extinguishing agent 322 when the extinguishing agent 322 is supplied into the battery module 200 By further including, the blocking member 410 may be fixed to a position suitable to be moved in the direction in which the inlet 213 or the outlet 212 is located by the fire extinguishing agent 322, and to the fixing member 420 Accordingly, after the blocking member 410 is fixed, the particles 412 of the blocking member 410 may be prevented from being dispersed due to external vibration or impact. Accordingly, when the extinguishing agent 322 is injected into the module housing 210, the closing member 410 may stably close the opening 215.

Referring back to FIG. 9 along with FIG. 6, the fixing member 420 may include a water-soluble tape 421. The water-soluble tape 421 may have a property of being soluble in water. Accordingly, when the extinguishing agent 322 is injected into the battery module 200, the water-soluble tape 421 may be lost by the water of the extinguishing agent 322 flowing through the refrigerant passage 211. By the water-soluble tape 421 lost in this way, the fixing state of the blocking member 410 may be released.

The water-soluble tape 421 may include, for example, a water-soluble acrylic adhesive and a water-soluble substrate. The water-soluble substrate may include a film of polyvinyl alcohol, methyl cellulose, polyethylene oxide, starch or hydroxypropyl cellulose material.

A plurality of penetration holes H1 may be formed in the fixing member 420 to allow the extinguishing agent 322 to penetrate into the inside. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the fixing member 420 is to be fixed to the bottom surface of the refrigerant moving path 211 in a form surrounding a plurality of particles 412 of the blocking member 410. A water-soluble tape 421 configured may be provided. A plurality of penetration holes H1 may be formed in the water-soluble tape 421 at all times to allow the extinguishing agent 322 to penetrate into the inside.

Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, the fixing member 420 is provided with a water-soluble tape 421, so that the extinguishing agent 322 can penetrate into the water-soluble tape 421 of the fixing member 420. Since a plurality of penetration holes H1 are formed, a plurality of particles 412 of the blocking member 410 may contact water more quickly. Accordingly, the plurality of particles 412 connected to water can be released from the binding by the water-soluble tape 421 by pressing the water-soluble tape 421 outward due to volume expansion. Accordingly, compared to the case in which the penetration hole H1 is not formed, the blocking member 410 may be expanded in volume more rapidly and may be rapidly moved to the inlet 213 and the outlet 212. Accordingly, the battery module 200 can be sealed so that the injected extinguishing agent 322 is not discharged to the outside again, so that thermal runaway or fire of the battery pack 400 can be quickly and effectively extinguished.

10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state of a closing member and a fixing member, which are some components of a battery pack according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring back to FIG. 10 along with FIG. 6, the fixing member 420 may include a water-soluble adhesive 423 or a water-soluble adhesive (not shown). The water-soluble adhesive 423 or the water-soluble adhesive may include a water-soluble acrylic resin. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the water-soluble adhesive 423 or the water-soluble adhesive may be applied to surround the plurality of particles 412 of the blocking member 410. The water-soluble adhesive 423 or the water-soluble adhesive may be configured to fix the blocking member 410 to the bottom surface of the refrigerant passage 211.

In this case, the water-soluble adhesive 423 or the water-soluble adhesive may have a form mixed with the blocking member 410. In addition, the water-soluble adhesive 423 or the water-soluble adhesive having a form mixed with the blocking member 410 may be spray-sprayed into the module housing 210 to be applied.

The water-soluble adhesive 423, or the water-soluble adhesive, is by emulsifying an ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer or polyvinyl acetate in water, or dissolving a polymer, typically polyvinylpyrrolidone or polyvinyl alcohol, in water. Can be manufactured.

Accordingly, according to this configuration of the present invention, the water-soluble adhesive 423 or the water-soluble adhesive has a form mixed with the blocking member 410, and thus the blocking member 410 using the water-soluble tape 421 Compared with fixing the block, there is an advantage that it is easier to fix the closure member 410 using a spray tool, and the closure member 410 can be more stably fixed.

11 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state of a closing member and a fixing member, which are some components of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11 along with FIG. 6, a foaming agent 425 in a powder form may be added to the water-soluble adhesive 423 or the water-soluble adhesive. The foaming agent 425 may be vaporized when it comes into contact with the extinguishing agent 322 flowing through the refrigerant passage 211 to form a plurality of holes in the water-soluble adhesive 423 or the water-soluble adhesive. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the water-soluble adhesive 423 or the water-soluble adhesive may confine a plurality of particles 412 of the blocking member 410 therein. In addition, particles of the foaming agent 425 configured to form a plurality of holes may be scattered in the water-soluble adhesive 423 or the water-soluble adhesive.

Accordingly, according to this configuration of the present invention, the water-soluble adhesive 423 or the water-soluble adhesive is vaporized when contacted with the fire extinguishing agent 322 to form a plurality of holes in the water-soluble adhesive 423 or the water-soluble adhesive. When the foaming agent 425 is added, water can easily penetrate into the water-soluble adhesive 423 or the water-soluble adhesive through a plurality of holes formed by the foaming agent 425. Accordingly, the time when the water-soluble adhesive 423 or the water-soluble adhesive and the internal closing member 410 contact water can be effectively shortened, so that the blocking member 410 is released from the fixing member 420. You can save time effectively.

12 and 13 are cross-sectional views schematically illustrating a process of moving a closing member from a fixing member, which is a part of a battery pack according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13 together with FIG. 6, the fixing member 420 may include a box 427 configured to store the closing member 410 therein. The box 427 may be configured such that the thermal runaway is closed before a fire occurs and then opened by the extinguishing agent 322 flowing through the refrigerant passage 211 inflow.

For example, a door 427d opened by a hinge structure 427h may be positioned at the front and rear ends of the box 427. The rear door 427d2 may be opened by colliding with the extinguishing agent 322 so that the extinguishing agent 322 can be introduced into the box 427. The front door 427d1 may be opened by receiving pressure by volume expansion of the water of the extinguishing agent 322 therein and the plurality of particles 412 of the blocking member 410 absorbing water. Due to this, a plurality of particles 412 of the blocking member 410 in the box 427 may be discharged out of the box 427.

14 is a schematic front view of a power storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 14 along with FIG. 2, the battery pack 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a battery management system (BMS) 350.

In addition, the battery rack (FIGS. 14 and 500) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the battery pack 400 and a rack case 510 accommodating the battery pack 400. The rack case 510 may also be configured to accommodate a plurality of battery modules 200 of the battery pack 400 in a vertically stacked form. Inside the rack case 510, the lower surface of the battery module 200 may be mounted in a form parallel to a horizontal surface.

Here, the horizontal direction may be said to mean a direction parallel to the ground when the battery module 200 is placed on the ground, and may also be referred to as at least one direction on a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction.

Moreover, the rack case 510 is configured to have at least one side openable, so that the battery module 200 may be introduced into the internal space through the open side. However, the rack case 510 may be configured such that such an open side can be closed.

Referring back to FIG. 14, the power storage device 600 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include at least two battery racks 500. The two or more battery racks 500 may be arranged to be arranged in one direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the power storage device 600 may be configured such that three battery racks 500 are arranged in one direction.

On the other hand, in this specification, terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, before, and after are used, but these terms are for convenience only and vary depending on the location of the object or the observer. It is obvious to those skilled in the art of the present invention.

As described above, although the present invention has been described by the limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the technical idea of the present invention and the following by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. It goes without saying that various modifications and variations are possible within the equivalent range of the claims to be described.

200: battery module 100: cell assembly
110: secondary battery 210: module housing
211: refrigerant transfer path 212: outlet
216: loss prevention member
264: inlet 213: inlet
300: fire extinguishing unit 310: fire extinguishing valve
320: digestion tank 330: piping
322: extinguishing agent
410: obstruction member 412: particle
420: fixing member 421: water-soluble tape
423: water-soluble adhesive 425: foaming agent
H1: penetration hole 427: box
280: blower 211a, 211b: supply unit, discharge unit
350: control unit
400: battery pack 500: battery rack
510: rack case
600: power storage device

Claims (10)

At least one battery module including a cell assembly having a plurality of secondary batteries, and a module housing having an opening configured to accommodate the cell assembly therein and allow external air to flow therein;
A fire extinguishing unit configured to supply a fire extinguishing agent into the battery module; And
A closing member configured to be able to close at least a portion of the opening by moving to the opening by the extinguishing agent supplied inside the battery module
Battery pack comprising a. The method of claim 1,
The closing member includes a plurality of particles configured to expand the volume by absorbing a part of the extinguishing agent when contacting the extinguishing agent supplied into the battery module. The method of claim 2,
The battery pack, characterized in that the loss prevention member is provided in the opening so that the plurality of particles of the blocking member do not escape to the outside of the module housing. The method of claim 2,
The extinguishing agent contains water,
Before the extinguishing agent is supplied into the battery module, the blocking member is configured to be fixed inside the module housing, and when the extinguishing agent is supplied into the battery module, the blocking member is moved by water of the supplied extinguishing agent. Battery pack, characterized in that it further comprises a configured fixing member. The method of claim 4,
The fixing member includes any one or more of a water-soluble tape, a water-soluble adhesive, or a water-soluble adhesive,
The battery pack, characterized in that a plurality of penetration holes are formed in the fixing member so that the fire extinguishing agent can penetrate into the inside. The method of claim 5,
The water-soluble adhesive or the water-soluble pressure-sensitive adhesive is a battery pack, characterized in that having a form mixed with the blocking member. The method of claim 6,
The battery pack, wherein the water-soluble adhesive or the water-soluble pressure-sensitive adhesive is vaporized when in contact with the fire extinguishing agent to form a plurality of holes in the water-soluble adhesive or water-soluble adhesive. The method of claim 4,
The fixing member is a battery pack, characterized in that it comprises a box configured to store the blocking member therein and to be opened by the inflow of the extinguishing agent. A battery rack comprising a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and a rack case accommodating the battery pack. A power storage device comprising at least two or more battery racks according to claim 9.

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