CN-121986410-A - Battery module, battery pack including the same, and vehicle

Abstract

The battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of cell assemblies, each of which includes one or more battery cells and a discharge region for discharging gas generated inside the battery cells, and a plurality of covers disposed on the plurality of cell assemblies, respectively, to cover the discharge region.

Inventors

• Pu Zhuxun
• Pu Jizan
• Cui Fanxi

Assignees

• 株式会社LG新能源

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20250709

Priority Date

20240823

Claims (18)

1. 1. A battery module, the battery module comprising: A plurality of cell assemblies including one or more battery cells and an exhaust region configured to exhaust gases generated within the battery cells, and A plurality of covers configured to be provided individually for each of the plurality of cell assemblies and to cover the discharge area.
2. 2. The battery module according to claim 1, Wherein the cover is separately removable from the cell assembly when the pressure of the gas generated within the battery cell exceeds a reference pressure.
3. 3. The battery module according to claim 1, Wherein the cover is melted individually when the temperature of the gas generated in the battery cell exceeds a reference temperature.
4. 4. The battery module according to claim 1, Wherein the plurality of covers are arranged to be spaced apart from each other.
5. 5. The battery module of claim 1, further comprising: One or more of the pads of the pad set, the one or more pads are disposed between the plurality of cell assemblies.
6. 6. The battery module according to claim 5, Wherein the mat comprises an insulating material.
7. 7. The battery module according to claim 6, Wherein at least some of the one or more pads extend such that a portion of the area of the at least some pads is disposed between the plurality of covers.
8. 8. The battery module according to claim 1, Wherein at least some of the plurality of covers are adhered to the cell assembly by an adhesive material.
9. 9. The battery module of claim 1, further comprising: A housing configured to surround at least some of the outer surfaces of the plurality of cell assemblies and having at least one opening formed therein, Wherein the plurality of covers are exposed to the outside through the openings.
10. 10. The battery module according to claim 9, Wherein at least some of the plurality of covers are secured such that a portion of the area of the at least some covers is disposed between the housing and the cell assembly.
11. 11. The battery module according to claim 9, Wherein at least some of the plurality of caps are arranged in a column along the opening.
12. 12. The battery module according to claim 9, Wherein the housing includes a plurality of the openings, an Wherein the plurality of covers are individually provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of openings and are exposed to the outside.
13. 13. The battery module according to claim 9, Wherein the housing is configured to surround at least three exterior surfaces of the plurality of cell assemblies, Wherein the opening is formed on at least one side of the housing, and Wherein at least some of the plurality of covers are sandwiched between the cell assembly and the housing or adhered to the cell assembly by an adhesive material.
14. 14. The battery module according to claim 13, Wherein, when the gas is exhausted from inside the battery cells within any one of the plurality of cell assemblies, a cover corresponding to the relevant cell assembly among the plurality of covers is configured to be detached from the cell assembly, and the remaining covers among the plurality of covers are configured not to be detached from the remaining cell assemblies among the plurality of cell assemblies.
15. 15. The battery module according to claim 1, Wherein the cover comprises a refractory and heat resistant material.
16. 16. The battery module according to claim 1, Wherein the battery cells have a plate shape, wherein the cell assembly is configured by stacking the battery cells face to face, and wherein the discharge region is provided at the bottom of the cell assembly.
17. 17. A battery pack comprising the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 16.
18. 18. A vehicle comprising the battery pack according to claim 17.

Description

Battery module, battery pack including the same, and vehicle Technical Field The present disclosure relates to a battery module, a battery pack including the battery module, and a vehicle. The present application is based on and claims priority from korean patent application No. 10-2024-0113757 filed on the year 2024, month 8 and 23 to the korean intellectual property part, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Secondary batteries offer high applicability in a wide variety of product categories and have electrical characteristics such as high energy density, which are widely used not only for portable devices but also for Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) powered by a power source. These secondary batteries are attracting attention as new energy sources for environmental protection and energy saving not only because they can significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels but also because they do not generate byproducts in the use of energy. Currently, widely used secondary batteries include lithium ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, and nickel zinc batteries. When a high output voltage is required, a plurality of battery cells are connected in series to form a battery module or battery pack. In addition, in order to increase the charge and discharge capacity, a plurality of battery cells are connected in parallel to form a battery module or a battery pack. Accordingly, the number of battery cells included in the battery module or the battery pack may vary according to a desired output voltage or charge-discharge capacity. Furthermore, since the battery cells undergo chemical reactions during charge and discharge, their performance may be deteriorated if used in an environment higher than their optimal temperature. Furthermore, if the thermal control is unable to maintain the operating temperature within a predetermined optimal range, it may lead to a long-term risk of accidental fires or explosions. In addition, the battery module is configured to densely house the battery cells within the module frame. Thus, when a thermal event occurs in a certain battery cell, the generated high temperature gas and flame may diffuse to an adjacent battery cell, thereby potentially causing a chain reaction of battery cell explosion, causing a significant risk. In the case where the battery module includes a plurality of battery cells, high-temperature gases, flames, and sparks generated by thermal runaway in a specific battery cell may be released, thereby causing thermal damage to the battery module itself and other components in an electric vehicle using the battery module, resulting in structural collapse or fire. In particular, when flames generated from a specific battery module are spread to the end plates of other battery modules, the risk of thermal propagation between modules and a fire chain reaction may be significantly increased, thereby possibly causing thermal runaway to spread throughout the battery pack including a plurality of battery modules. Accordingly, there is a need to develop a structure capable of delaying thermal runaway between battery cells or battery modules by eliminating or minimizing the effect of high-temperature gas or flame discharged from one battery cell when a thermal event occurs in other battery cells. Disclosure of Invention Technical problem The present disclosure is designed to solve the problems of the related art, and thus the present disclosure is intended to prevent or minimize the diffusion of thermal events occurring in one battery cell to other battery cells. In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a battery module capable of eliminating or minimizing the effect of gases or flames on surrounding components when a thermal event occurs in a battery cell. However, the technical problems that the present disclosure seeks to solve are not limited to the above-described problems, and other problems not mentioned above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention. Technical proposal In one aspect of the present disclosure, a battery module is provided that includes a plurality of cell assemblies including one or more battery cells and a vent area configured to vent gas generated within the battery cells, and a plurality of covers configured to be provided separately for each of the plurality of cell assemblies and to cover the vent area. The cover is individually removable from the cell assembly when the pressure of the gas generated within the battery cell exceeds a reference pressure. The cover may be melted separately when the temperature of the gas generated in the battery cell exceeds the reference temperature. The plurality of covers may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other. The battery module according to embodiments of the present disclosure may furthe