EP-4742399-A1 - BATTERY CONTAINER

EP4742399A1EP 4742399 A1EP4742399 A1EP 4742399A1EP-4742399-A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a battery container. A battery container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a case including a front panel having an opening and providing a space therein; a plurality of battery cells positioned inside the case; and a cover that opens and closes the opening.

Inventors

KIM, YO-HWAN
KIM, MIN-CHUL
YANG, MUN-SEOK
LEE, HYUN-MIN
KIM, JI-HUN
YOO, Ji-Ho
CHO, TAE-SHIN

Assignees

LG Energy Solution, Ltd.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260513
Application Date: 20250115

Claims (16)

A battery container comprising: a case comprising a front panel having an opening and providing a space therein; a plurality of battery cells positioned inside the case; and a cover that opens and closes the opening.
The battery container according to claim 1, wherein the cover opens the opening when a thermal event occurs.
The battery container according to claim 1, wherein the opening and the cover are provided in plurality.
The battery container according to claim 1, wherein the front panel functions as a door of the case.
The battery container according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of battery cells are stacked in the vertical direction, and the cover is positioned on an upper portion of the front panel.
The battery container according to claim 1, wherein a lower portion of the cover is pivotally connected to the front panel.
The battery container according to claim 6, further comprising: an actuator connected to an inner surface of the cover and providing a force for pivoting the cover.
The battery container according to claim 1, further comprising: a sealing member disposed between the cover and the front panel.
The battery container according to claim 1, further comprising: a locking portion provided on the front panel and detachably coupled to the cover; and a processor controlling the operation of the locking portion.
The battery container according to claim 1, wherein the processor uncouples the locking portion from the cover when a thermal event occurs.
The battery container according to claim 9, wherein the cover and the locking portion are provided in plurality, and the processor uncouples the plurality of covers from the plurality of locking portions altogether when a thermal event occurs.
The battery container according to claim 9, further comprising: a temperature sensor provided inside the case, wherein the processor uncouples the locking portion from the cover when the value sensed by the temperature sensor exceeds a preset value.
The battery container according to claim 9, further comprising: a smoke sensor provided inside the case, wherein the processor uncouples the locking portion from the cover when smoke is sensed inside the case.
The battery container according to claim 9, further comprising: a gas sensor provided inside the case, wherein the processor uncouples the locking portion from the cover when the concentration of hydrogen gas inside the case exceeds a preset value.
The battery container according to claim 9, wherein the processor uncouples the locking portion from the cover when the supply of a fire extinguishing member into the case is sensed.
An energy storage system comprising a battery container according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a battery container. This application is based on and claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0022102, filed on February 15, 2024, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. BACKGROUND ART Currently commercialized secondary batteries include nickel cadmium batteries, nickel hydrogen batteries, nickel zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries, and the like, and among these, lithium secondary batteries are in the spotlight because they have advantages of free charging and discharging due to almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density. Recently, as issues such as power shortage or eco-friendly energy have come to the fore, energy storage systems (ESSs) for storing generated power are attracting more attention. For example, a smart grid system has been proposed as one of the ways for adjusting the supply and demand of power. The amount of power consumed by consumers is not always constant and may fluctuate frequently. As a representative example, power consumption increases sharply due to the use of cooling systems in the afternoon during summer, and then decreases sharply at night. As such, in terms of power consumption, power consumption is not constant and may fluctuate frequently, but in terms of power supply, it is practically difficult to match such power consumption even if the amount of power produced is adjusted to some extent. Therefore, such an imbalance between the supply and demand of power may cause power oversupply or power shortage, and a smart grid system may flexibly store and adjust power to solve this problem. The smart grid system can be said to be a concept that stores power at times or regions where surplus power occurs, and supplies the stored power to times or regions where power shortage occurs. One of the key components for building this smart grid system can be said to be energy storage systems for storing power. Additionally, as electric vehicles have been commercialized in earnest recently, energy storage systems may also be utilized in facilities for charging electric vehicles, such as charging stations. Such energy storage systems may include a plurality of battery containers. And, when a thermal event occurs, it is required to reduce the explosion pressure to prevent the battery container from exploding. To meet such requirements, there is an increasing need to discharge flammable or explosive gases inside the battery container to the outside. DISCLOSURE Technical Problem The present disclosure is designed to solve the above-described problems and other problems. Another object of the present disclosure may be to provide a battery container capable of discharging gases inside the case to the outside when a thermal event occurs. Another object of the present disclosure may be to provide a battery container capable of maintaining a sealed state of the case while no thermal event occurs. Another object of the present disclosure may be to provide a battery container with improved thermal safety. Technical Solution A battery container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure for achieving the above-described object may include a case including a front panel having an opening and providing a space therein; a plurality of battery cells positioned inside the case; and a cover that opens and closes the opening. Additionally, the cover may open the opening when a thermal event occurs. Additionally, the opening and the cover may be provided in plurality. Additionally, the front panel may function as a door of the case. Additionally, the plurality of battery cells may be stacked in the vertical direction, and the cover may be positioned on an upper portion of the front panel. Additionally, a lower portion of the cover may be pivotally connected to the front panel. Additionally, the battery container may further include an actuator connected to an inner surface of the cover and providing a force for pivoting the cover. Additionally, the battery container may further include a sealing member disposed between the cover and the front panel. Additionally, the battery container may further include a locking portion provided on the front panel and detachably coupled to the cover; and a processor controlling the operation of the locking portion. Additionally, the processor may uncouple the locking portion from the cover when a thermal event occurs. Additionally, the cover and the locking portion may be provided in plurality, and the processor may uncouple the plurality of covers from the plurality of locking portions altogether when a thermal event occurs. Additionally, the battery container may further include a temperature sensor provided inside the case, wherein the processor may uncouple the locking portion from the cover when the value sensed by the tempe