Patent Description:
An energy storage module may be linked with a renewal energy and power system, such as, for example, a solar cell, to store electric power when demand for the electric power from a load is low, and to use (or discharge or provide) the stored electric power when demand for the electric power is high. The energy storage module generally includes (or is) an apparatus including a large number of battery cells (e.g., secondary batteries or secondary battery cells).

The battery cells are generally received (or accommodated) in multiple trays, which are received in a rack, and multiple racks are received in a container box.

Recently, there have been many cases in which fires occur to energy storage modules. Once a fire occurs to the energy storage module, it is not easy to extinguish the fire due to characteristics of the energy storage module. An energy storage module, including a plurality of battery cells, generally demonstrates high-capacity, high-output characteristics, and research into technology for increasing the safety of the energy storage module is being actively conducted.

<CIT> relates to a battery pack including an exhaust structure.

<CIT> relates to a safe, explosion-proof square battery module.

<CIT> relates to a battery cooling method and a system for performing said battery cooling method.

<CIT>relates to a heat shield for slowing down the propagation of thermal runaway in a battery pack.

According to an aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, an energy storage module having improving safety is provided. According to another aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, an energy storage module exhibiting a reduced fire risk and increased safety by reducing or minimizing the chance of a fire spreading to adjacent battery cells when a fire occurs is provided.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, an energy storage module includes: a plurality of battery cells arranged in a length direction such that long side surfaces of adjacent ones of the battery cells face one another, each of the battery cells comprising a vent; a plurality of insulation spacers, at least one of the insulation spacers being located between the long side surfaces of an adjacent pair of the battery cells, a cover member including an internal receiving space configured to accommodate the battery cells and the insulation spacers, a top plate coupled to a top portion of the cover member and including ducts respectively corresponding to the vents of the battery cells and including opening holes respectively corresponding to the insulation spacers, a top cover coupled to a top portion of the top plate and including discharge holes located in an exhaust area and respectively corresponding to the ducts, and an extinguisher sheet located between the top cover and the top plate, configured to emit a fire extinguishing agent at a temperature exceeding a certain temperature (e.g. a reference temperature), and including opening holes located to correspond to the ducts, wherein the top cover includes protrusion parts located on a bottom surface of the top cover, covering the exhaust area, and coupled to an exterior of the ducts.

In an embodiment, the extinguisher sheet may include opening holes located to respectively correspond to the ducts.

In an embodiment, the extinguisher sheet may include a receiving space receiving a fire extinguishing agent within an external case made of polyurea and polyurethane.

In an embodiment, the receiving space may include one or more capsules or tubes.

In an embodiment, the fire extinguishing agent may include a halogenated carbon compound.

In an embodiment, the extinguisher sheet may include different types of sheets configured to emit the fire extinguishing agent at different temperatures.

In an embodiment, a ratio of the weight of the fire extinguishing agent in the extinguisher sheet to a total weight of the extinguisher sheet may be from <NUM>% to <NUM>%.

In an embodiment, an amount of the fire extinguishing agent in the extinguisher sheet may be from <NUM>/cm<NUM> to <NUM>/cm<NUM>.

In an embodiment, the top cover may further include an inclined part having a thickness gradually increasing toward the protrusion part in the exhaust area.

In an embodiment, a top end of the duct may be lower than the inclined part.

In an embodiment, a space may be defined between the duct and the protrusion part, and some of the gas discharged from the vent may pass through the duct to be discharged to the space through the inclined part.

In an embodiment, the duct may have an inner diameter gradually decreasing upward.

In an embodiment, a portion of the exhaust area may extend into the interior of the duct.

In an embodiment, the exhaust area may have a smaller thickness than the top cover.

In an embodiment, the exhaust area may protrude downwardly from the top cover.

In an embodiment, an area of the discharge holes may be greater than or equal to about <NUM>% of that of the exhaust area.

In an embodiment, an insulation spacer of the plurality of insulation spacers may include a heat-insulating first sheet and a plurality of flame-retardant second sheets respectively adhered to opposite surfaces of the first sheet by an adhesion member.

In an embodiment, the first sheet may include ceramic paper, and the second sheets may include mica paper.

In an embodiment, the first sheet may include a ceramic fiber including an alkali earth metal.

In an embodiment, the long side surfaces of adjacent ones of the battery cells may be spaced apart from each other by a first distance, and a thickness of each of the insulation spacers may be less than <NUM>% of the first distance.

In an embodiment, each of the insulation spacers may have a width-direction size less than twice a height-direction size thereof, and the first sheet may be adhered to the second sheets at opposite ends thereof by the adhesion member.

In an embodiment, the insulation spacers may further include an edge part comprising a plastic material, and the edge part may be formed at peripheral edges of the first and second sheets by insert molding.

In an embodiment, the first sheet and the second sheets may be spaced apart from each other at central portions thereof to define air passages.

In an embodiment, a width-direction size of the insulation spacers may be greater than twice a height-direction size thereof, and the first sheet and the second sheets may be adhered to each other by the adhesion member applied to a region adjacent top and bottom ends of each of the first sheet and the second sheets.

Herein, some example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in further detail. The subject matter of the present disclosure, however, may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will convey the aspects and features of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

In addition, in the accompanying drawings, sizes or thicknesses of various components may be exaggerated for brevity and clarity. In addition, it is to be understood that when an element A is referred to as being "connected to" an element B, the element A may be directly connected to the element B or one or more intervening elements C may be present therebetween such that the element A and the element B are indirectly connected to each other.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It is to be further understood that the terms "comprise" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It is to be understood that, although the terms "first," "second," etc. may be used herein to describe various members, elements, regions, layers, and/or sections, these members, elements, regions, layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one member, element, region, layer, and/or section from another. Thus, for example, a first member, a first element, a first region, a first layer, and/or a first section discussed below could be termed a second member, a second element, a second region, a second layer, and/or a second section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

Spatially relative terms, such as "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It is to be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "on" or "above" the other elements or features. Thus, for example, the term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below.

It is to be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and are not to be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Herein, a configuration of an energy storage module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an energy storage module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; <FIG> is an enlarged view of a region "A" of <FIG>; <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the energy storage module shown in <FIG> and <FIG>; and <FIG> is an exploded bottom perspective view of an extinguisher sheet and a top cover in the energy storage module shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, an energy storage module <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cover member <NUM>, a top plate <NUM>, an extinguisher sheet <NUM>, and a top cover <NUM>.

The cover member <NUM> provides an internal space for receiving (or accommodating) battery cells and insulation spacers. In an embodiment, the cover member <NUM> includes a bottom plate <NUM>, an end plate <NUM>, and a side plate <NUM> which together form a space for arranging the battery cells and the insulation spacers. In addition, the cover member <NUM> may fix positions of the battery cells and the insulation spacers and may protect the battery cells from external impacts.

The top plate <NUM> is coupled to a top portion (e.g., a top surface or a top) of the cover member <NUM>. The top plate <NUM> may be coupled to the cover member <NUM> while covering top portions (e.g., top surfaces) of the battery cells. In an embodiment, the positive electrode terminals and negative electrode terminals of the battery cells are exposed to (or through) the top plate <NUM>, and bus bars <NUM> are coupled to the respective terminals, thereby connecting the battery cells to one another in series, in parallel, or in series/parallel.

The top plate <NUM> includes a plurality of ducts <NUM> located to respectively correspond to vents, which are located on the top surface of each of the battery cells. The ducts <NUM> may be arranged in a direction, for example, in a length direction of the top plate <NUM>. Accordingly, the gas discharged from the vent of one of the battery cells may move upwardly along a corresponding one of the ducts <NUM> of the top plate <NUM>. The configuration and operation of the ducts <NUM> will be described in further detail below.

The extinguisher sheet <NUM> is positioned between the top plate <NUM> and the top cover <NUM>. The extinguisher sheet <NUM> may be provided as one or more members (or sheets) extending in a direction, for example, in a length direction of the top plate <NUM>. In addition, the extinguisher sheet <NUM> may include openings (e.g., opening holes) <NUM> positioned to respectively correspond to the ducts <NUM> of the top plate <NUM>. Accordingly, the extinguisher sheet <NUM> may be positioned such that the openings <NUM> therein are respectively aligned with the ducts <NUM> of the top plate <NUM>. In addition, the extinguisher sheet <NUM> may be coupled to a bottom surface 160b of the top cover <NUM>. Because the extinguisher sheet <NUM> is coupled to the bottom surface 160b of the top cover <NUM>, the extinguisher sheet <NUM> may be positioned above the top plate <NUM>. The configuration and operation of the extinguisher sheet <NUM> will be described below in further detail.

The top cover <NUM> is coupled to the top portion of the top plate <NUM>. The top cover <NUM> may cover the top plate <NUM> and the bus bar <NUM>. The top cover <NUM> also covers the extinguisher sheet <NUM>, which is coupled to the bottom surface 160b of the top cover <NUM>, thereby protecting the top plate <NUM>, the bus bar <NUM>, and the extinguisher sheet <NUM> from external impacts applied to a top surface 160a of the top cover <NUM>. In addition, the top cover <NUM> includes discharge openings (e.g., discharge holes) <NUM>. In an embodiment, the top cover <NUM> may include protrusion parts (e.g., protrusions) <NUM> spaced by a distance (e.g., a predetermined distance) apart from an outer periphery of (e.g., may extend around a periphery of) respective ones of the discharge holes <NUM>, and the protrusion parts <NUM> downwardly protrude from the top cover <NUM>. Openings (e.g., opening holes) <NUM> of the extinguisher sheet <NUM> may be coupled to (e.g., may extend around) an exterior of the respective ones of the protrusion part <NUM>, and the ducts <NUM> may be coupled to (e.g., may extend into) the interior of the respective ones of the protrusion parts <NUM>. In an embodiment, the discharge holes <NUM> may each include a plurality of discharge holes (e.g., discharge sub-holes) arranged in a direction, for example, in a length direction, of the top cover <NUM>. In addition, the discharge holes <NUM> are positioned to respectively correspond to the ducts <NUM> of the top plate <NUM>. In an embodiment, the discharge holes <NUM> may each be provided as a plurality of openings passing through the top and bottom surfaces of the top plate <NUM> and spaced apart from one another. Accordingly, the gases discharged from a vent 124a of a battery cell <NUM> when the vent 124a ruptures may be discharged to the exterior through the corresponding duct <NUM> of the top plate <NUM>, and the corresponding discharge hole <NUM> of the top cover <NUM> and may facilitate user safety by preventing or substantially preventing a user's hand from contacting an internal structure of the top cover <NUM>.

In an embodiment, as will be described below, a rack includes a plurality of shelves and a plurality of the energy storage modules <NUM> accommodated on the shelves. For example, the rack may include a plurality of shelves mounted thereon to be spaced apart from one another, and one or more energy storage modules <NUM> may be accommodated in each of the plurality of shelves. In an embodiment, a bottom surface of one of the energy storage modules <NUM> may contact a top surface of one of the shelves, and a bottom surface of another one of the energy storage modules <NUM> may be positioned on the top surface of another shelf while being spaced a distance apart from the top surface thereof.

Herein, the coupling relationship between the duct <NUM> of the top plate <NUM> and the top cover <NUM> in the energy storage module <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in further detail.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a secondary battery, a top plate, and a top cover in the energy storage module shown in <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates a rack on which a plurality of energy storage modules are coupled according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of <FIG>, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of <FIG>; and <FIG> is an enlarged view of a region of <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a duct according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the ducts <NUM> located on the top plate <NUM> respectively correspond to vents 124a of the battery cells <NUM>, and discharge holes <NUM> of the top cover <NUM> may be positioned to respectively correspond to the ducts <NUM> of the top plate <NUM>.

In an embodiment, each of the battery cells <NUM> includes an electrode assembly accommodated in a case <NUM> and is shaped such that the cap plate <NUM> covers a top portion of the case <NUM>. The electrode assembly may be configured by winding, stacking, or laminating a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate, each having a portion coated with an active material (e.g., a coating or coated portion), in a state in which a separator is positioned between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate. A top portion of the case <NUM> may be sealed by a cap plate <NUM>. In an embodiment, the vent 124a is located at approximately a center of the cap plate <NUM> and has a smaller thickness than other regions of the cap plate <NUM>. In addition, first and second electrode terminals <NUM> and <NUM>, which are electrically connected to the electrode terminal may be positioned at opposite sides of the cap plate <NUM>. For the sake of convenience, in the following description, the first electrode terminal <NUM> will be referred to as a negative electrode terminal, and the second electrode terminal <NUM> will be referred to as a positive electrode terminal, but the polarities thereof may be reversed. Occurrences of ignition of the battery cells <NUM> can be reduced by using particular compositions of active materials of the battery cells <NUM>, thereby increasing safety.

Referring to <FIG>, the energy storage module <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality of the energy storage modules <NUM> coupled to a rack <NUM>. The number of energy storage modules <NUM> may be varied according to a desired capacity, and the energy storage modules <NUM> may be mounted in the rack <NUM> and then fixed thereto. The rack <NUM> may include a frame <NUM> defining an overall external shape of the rack <NUM>, and shelves <NUM> at different levels of the frame <NUM> to support bottom portions (e.g., bottom surfaces) of the energy storage modules <NUM>. In <FIG>, two shelves <NUM> are shown in the frame <NUM> with energy storage modules <NUM> respectively mounted on the shelves <NUM>, but the present disclosure is not limited to the numbers in the illustrated embodiment.

The ducts <NUM> are passages through which the gas discharged through the vents 124a of the battery cells <NUM> passes, and protrude from the top plate <NUM>. In an embodiment, the duct <NUM> may have a cross-sectional shape, e.g., an elliptical shape, corresponding to the vent 124a of each of the battery cells <NUM>. In an embodiment, the duct <NUM> may taper away from a bottom portion thereof with the inner diameter thereof gradually decreasing upward. In some embodiments, the duct <NUM> may have a uniform thickness and may be inclined at an angle (e.g. a predefined angle) (α) toward an interior thereof. In an embodiment, to allow the gas to be efficiently discharged without intruding in a working range of the vent 124a of the battery cell <NUM>, the angle (α) of inclination of the duct <NUM> may be in a range from about <NUM>° to about <NUM>°, and, in an embodiment, from about <NUM>° to about <NUM>°.

In an embodiment, to effectively discharge the gas discharged through the vent 124a of the battery cell <NUM>, the duct <NUM> may have a height corresponding to that of the top cover <NUM>. In an embodiment, a height of the duct <NUM> may be in a range from <NUM> to <NUM>, and, in an embodiment, from <NUM> to <NUM>. When the height of the duct <NUM> is greater than or equal to <NUM>, the gas generated from the vent 124a of the battery cell <NUM> can be prevented or substantially prevented from returning to the vent 124a even if the gas collides with the shelf <NUM> after moving along the duct <NUM>. In addition, when the height of the duct <NUM> is less than or equal to <NUM>, the duct <NUM> configured relative to the shelf <NUM> may be easily manufactured. In an embodiment, because the duct <NUM> has a height corresponding to that of the top cover <NUM>, the gas passing through the duct <NUM> may move toward the discharge hole <NUM> of the top cover <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a duct <NUM>' according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may taper away from a bottom portion thereof with the inner diameter thereof gradually decreasing upward. In an embodiment, the duct <NUM>' may be configured to have a thickness gradually decreasing from a bottom portion thereof to a top portion thereof. In an embodiment, an interior surface of the duct <NUM>' may be gradually upwardly inclined with an angle (e.g., a predefined angle) (α) to the exterior, and the exterior surface of the duct <NUM>' may be gradually upwardly inclined with a an angle (e.g., a predefined angle) to the interior. In an embodiment, to make the gas efficiently discharged without intruding in a working range of the vent 124a of the battery cell <NUM>, an inclination angle of the interior of the duct <NUM>' may be in a range from about <NUM>° to about <NUM>°, and, in an embodiment, from about <NUM>° to about <NUM>°. When the inclination angle is greater than or equal to <NUM>°, the gas generated from the vent 124a of the battery cell <NUM> can be easily accumulated upwardly. When the inclination angle is less than or equal to <NUM>°, rigidity of the duct <NUM>' can be maintained and upward movement of the gas may be prevented or substantially prevented from being restricted by the duct <NUM>'.

Referring to <FIG>, in an embodiment, the top cover <NUM> may include an exhaust area 161a having a plurality of discharge openings (e.g., discharge holes) <NUM> located therein, protrusion parts (e.g., protrusions) <NUM> located on a bottom surface of the top cover <NUM>, and an inclined part <NUM> located between the exhaust area 161a and each of protrusion parts <NUM>. The exhaust area 161a is positioned on a top portion of the duct <NUM> and can be defined by a region forming peripheries around the discharge holes <NUM>. In an embodiment, the exhaust area 161a may have a thickness D2 smaller than a thickness D1 of the top cover <NUM> (D1>D2). In an embodiment, the thickness D2 of the exhaust area 161a may be two thirds (<NUM>/<NUM>) the thickness D1 of the top cover <NUM>. In addition, the thickness D2 of the exhaust area 161a may be at least <NUM>. In this case, injection molding can be properly performed while minimizing or reducing occurrence of flames when the gas is discharged. For example, when the thickness D1 of the top cover <NUM> is about <NUM>, the thickness D2 of the exhaust area 161a may be about <NUM>.

In addition, the gas discharged through the vent 124a of the battery cell <NUM> can be exhausted through the discharge holes <NUM> located in the exhaust area 161a. In <FIG>, three discharge holes <NUM> are shown, but the present disclosure is not limited to the number in the illustrated embodiment. In an embodiment, the plurality of discharge holes <NUM> may have an overall area of greater than or equal to about <NUM>% of the exhaust area 161a, thereby facilitating exhaust performance. In an embodiment, a width W1 of each of the discharge holes <NUM> may be less than <NUM>. When the width W1 of the discharge hole <NUM> is less than or equal to <NUM>, internal flames can be prevented or substantially prevented from spreading to the exterior and facilitating user safety by preventing or substantially preventing a user's hand from directly contacting the battery cell from the exterior of the top cover <NUM>.

The discharge holes <NUM> are positioned within the ducts <NUM>, and top ends of the ducts <NUM> are covered by the exhaust area 161a. In some embodiments, regions of the exhaust area 161a, where the discharge holes <NUM> are not located, may extend into the interior of the ducts <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In an embodiment, a distance D3 of the exhaust area 161a extending into the interior of each of the ducts <NUM> may be less than or equal to about <NUM>, and, in an embodiment, in a range from <NUM> to <NUM>.

The protrusion parts <NUM> protrude from the bottom surface 160b of the top cover <NUM> and are coupled to the exterior of the ducts <NUM>. The protrusion parts <NUM> may be shaped to respectively correspond to cross-sections of the ducts <NUM> and may cover (e.g. surround) the exhaust area 161a. In an embodiment, a cross-sectional area of each of the protrusion parts <NUM> is greater than that of each of the ducts <NUM>, such that a space may be created between each of the ducts <NUM> and each of the protrusion parts <NUM>. Some of the gas discharged through the vent 124a of the battery cell <NUM> may collide with the exhaust area 161a positioned above the duct <NUM> to then move toward the space. In an embodiment, a height D4 of each of the protrusion parts <NUM> may be in a range from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and, in an embodiment, <NUM>. If the height of the protrusion part <NUM> is less than <NUM>, the protrusion part <NUM> may not be high enough to guide the gas colliding with the exhaust area 161a to the exterior of the duct <NUM>. If the height of the protrusion part <NUM> is greater than <NUM>, the protrusion part <NUM> may be positioned excessively high, making it difficult to efficiently discharge the gas. In an embodiment, a ratio of the height D4 of the protrusion parts <NUM> to the height of the duct <NUM> may be in a range from about <NUM>:<NUM> to about <NUM>:<NUM>, and, in an embodiment, <NUM>:<NUM>. When the ratio of the height D4 of the protrusion parts <NUM> to the height of the duct <NUM> is greater than or equal to <NUM>:<NUM>, the protrusion part <NUM> can be manufactured so as to easily cover the top portion of the duct <NUM>. When the ratio of the height D4 of the protrusion parts <NUM> to the height of the duct <NUM> is less than or equal to <NUM>:<NUM>, the gas passing through the duct <NUM> can be easily guided upwardly.

The inclined part <NUM> is positioned between the exhaust area 161a and the protrusion part <NUM>. In an embodiment, since the exhaust area 161a having a relatively small thickness is connected to the protrusion part <NUM> in the top cover <NUM>, the inclined part <NUM> is inclined. In some examples, the inclined part <NUM> may be configured to have a thickness gradually increasing toward the protrusion part <NUM> in the exhaust area 161a. The top end of the duct <NUM> is positioned at a bottom portion of the inclined part <NUM> (i.e. the top end of the duct <NUM> is lower than the inclined part <NUM>). The inclined part <NUM> may prevent or substantially prevent the gas discharged through the vent 124a of the battery cell <NUM> from penetrating back into the vent 124a. For example, even if the gas discharged through the vent 124a of the battery cell <NUM> collides with the exhaust area 161a extending into the interior of the duct <NUM> while upwardly moving along the duct <NUM>, the gas may be discharged to the exterior of the duct <NUM> along the inclined part <NUM> and the protrusion part <NUM>. Therefore, the gas can be prevented or substantially prevented from penetrating back into the vent 124a of the battery cell <NUM>, thereby improving safety of the energy storage module <NUM>. In an embodiment, the inclined part <NUM> may have a slope in a range from about <NUM>° to about <NUM>°, and, in an embodiment, from about <NUM>° to about <NUM>°, with respect to the exterior surface of the duct <NUM>. When the slope of the inclined part <NUM> with respect to the exterior surface of the duct <NUM> is greater than or equal to <NUM>°, the gas discharged through the vent 124a is allowed to be discharged to the exterior, thereby easily preventing or substantially preventing the gas from penetrating back into the vent 124a. When the slope of the inclined part <NUM> with respect to the exterior surface of the duct <NUM> is less than or equal to <NUM>°, the inclined part <NUM> can be integrated with the protrusion part <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, if the vent 124a of the battery cell <NUM> ruptures, the gas moves upwardly along the duct <NUM>, as indicated by the arrows. In <FIG> and <FIG>, the vent 124a remaining in the cap plate <NUM> is shown. However, if the gas is internally generated, the vent 124a ruptures and may then be removed. In an embodiment, after some of the discharged gas collides with the exhaust area 161a extending into the interior of the duct <NUM>, the gas moves along the inclined part <NUM> and the protrusion part <NUM>. In addition, the gas passing through the duct <NUM> may move toward the exterior through the discharge holes <NUM> of the top cover <NUM> positioned above the duct <NUM>. By another shelf <NUM> of the rack <NUM>, which supports another energy storage module <NUM>, the gas accumulates between the top surface 160a of the top cover <NUM> and an adjacent shelf <NUM> (e.g. the gas may accumulate between the top surface 160a of the top cover <NUM> and an adjacent shelf <NUM> to create an inert gas atmosphere). In an embodiment, a distance between the top surface 160a of the top cover <NUM> and the adjacent shelf <NUM> may be in a range from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. When the distance is greater than or equal to about <NUM>, the heat generated from the energy storage module <NUM> can be easily discharged to the exterior. When the distance is less than or equal to about <NUM>, a high-temperature inert gas atmosphere can be easily created, which will be further described below.

In an embodiment, specifically, when a gas begins to be discharged from a battery cell through a vent, a phase change may begin to occur in a fire extinguishing agent in the extinguisher sheet <NUM> at a temperature in a range from about <NUM> to <NUM>, and more specifically, a temperature in a range from <NUM> to <NUM>. However, even in this case, the fire extinguishing agent may remain inside the extinguisher sheet <NUM> instead of being sprayed (released) therefrom. Meanwhile, when, afterwards, the amount of gas discharged through the vent gradually increases and a temperature around the vent rises and reaches a temperature in a range from <NUM> to <NUM>, specifically, a temperature in a range from about <NUM> to <NUM>, and more specifically, a temperature in a range from <NUM> to <NUM>, a gas containing an electrolytic steam may be generated mainly through the vent. Also, the gas in the above temperature range may allow a heat-resistant plastic constituting an upper plate <NUM> and an upper cover <NUM> to remain unmelted. In addition, spraying of some of the fire extinguishing agent may begin. In an embodiment, the inclined part <NUM> of the top cover <NUM> may prevent or substantially prevent the initially generated combustible gas having a relatively low temperature from being induced into the vent. However, if the separator melts due to a further increase in the internal temperature of the battery cell <NUM>, high-temperature inert gas may be generated with flames. As described above, the inert gas may fill a space between the top surface 160a of the top cover <NUM> and the adjacent shelf <NUM> to create an inert gas atmosphere. In addition, the inert gas may also fill the internal space of the duct <NUM>, thereby preventing or substantially preventing oxygen induction, and preventing or substantially preventing flames generated in the battery cell <NUM> from being propagated to neighboring battery cells <NUM> or another energy storage module. In addition, the extinguisher sheet <NUM>, which is positioned under the top cover <NUM>, may operate in response to the high-temperature inert gas to emit or spray the fire extinguishing agent, which will be described in further detail below.

Herein, the configuration and operation of the extinguisher sheet <NUM> of the energy storage module <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the extinguisher sheet coupled to the top plate of the energy storage module shown in <FIG>; and <FIG> is an enlarged view of a region "B" of <FIG>. <FIG> and <FIG> are cross-sectional views illustrating a state in which an extinguisher sheet operates in the energy storage module shown in <FIG>. <FIG> are cross-sectional views illustrating some example configurations of extinguisher sheets in the energy storage module according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the extinguisher sheet <NUM> is positioned between the top plate <NUM> and the top cover <NUM>, as described above. As shown in <FIG>, the extinguisher sheet <NUM> may have opening holes <NUM> coupled to the ducts <NUM> of the top plate <NUM>. Accordingly, movement of the gases through the ducts <NUM> may not be influenced by the extinguisher sheet <NUM>.

In addition, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the extinguisher sheet <NUM> may operate (e.g., may emit the fire extinguishing agent) in response to heat when the inert gas having a relatively high temperature of, for example, about <NUM>ºC, is generated. The fire extinguishing agent contained in the extinguisher sheet <NUM> is emitted by (e.g., is sprayed from) the extinguisher sheet <NUM> in response to the high-temperature gas. In addition, because a top portion of the extinguisher sheet <NUM> is covered by the top cover <NUM>, the fire extinguishing agent may be directionally emitted (or sprayed) toward a direction away from the bottom surface 160b of the top cover <NUM>. In addition, the fire extinguishing agent may reach the underlying insulation spacers through openings (e.g., fire extinguishing agent openings or opening holes) <NUM> located between adjacent ones of the ducts <NUM> of the top plate <NUM>. In an embodiment, a fluid guide protrusion <NUM> may further be provided around the openings <NUM>, thereby efficiently guiding the movement of the fire extinguishing agent toward the insulation spacers. As will be further described below, after reaching the insulation spacers, the fire extinguishing agent may move along surfaces of the insulation spacers, thereby extinguishing a fire on a battery cell <NUM> and cooling the battery cell <NUM>.

The extinguisher sheet <NUM> may include any of various example types of extinguisher sheets, as shown in <FIG>. In an embodiment, for example, as shown in <FIG>, the extinguisher sheet <NUM> may include receiving parts <NUM> for receiving (e.g., accommodating or storing) a fire extinguishing agent within an external case made of polyurea and polyurethane. In an embodiment, the receiving parts <NUM> of the extinguisher sheet <NUM> may be in forms of micro-sized capsules capable of encapsulating the internal fire extinguishing agent, which includes a halogenated carbon compound (e.g. a halogen containing hydrocarbon compound, such as a compound consisting only of carbon and halogen atoms), such as, for example, a halogenated ketone based fire extinguishing agent (NOVEC). In an embodiment, as described above, the fire extinguishing capsules forming the receiving parts <NUM> of the extinguisher sheet <NUM> open (or rupture) to emit the internal fire extinguishing agent when the gas passing through the duct <NUM> of the top plate <NUM> reaches a relatively high temperature of about <NUM>ºC. In an embodiment, phase transformation of the fire extinguishing agent may start at a temperature of about <NUM>ºC or at a temperature in a range from about <NUM>ºC to about <NUM>ºC, and the fire extinguishing capsules may open due to the pressure applied during the phase transformation in a high temperature atmosphere of about <NUM>ºC, such that the internal fire extinguishing agent encapsulated within the fire extinguishing capsules is emitted.

In an embodiment, a ratio of the weight of the fire extinguishing agent in the extinguisher sheet <NUM> to a total weight of the extinguisher sheet <NUM> may be in a range from <NUM>% to <NUM>%. In other words, a proportion of the fire extinguishing agent contained in the extinguisher sheet <NUM> to the overall weight of the extinguisher sheet <NUM> may be in a range from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%. When the ratio of the weight of the fire extinguishing agent to the total weight of the extinguisher sheet <NUM> is greater than or equal to <NUM>%, a fire on the battery cell <NUM> can be appropriately extinguished during the operation of the extinguisher sheet <NUM>. When the ratio of the weight of the fire extinguishing agent to the total weight of the extinguisher sheet <NUM> is less than or equal to <NUM>%, the extinguisher sheet <NUM> may be easily set to operate (e.g., rupture) at about <NUM>ºC.

In an embodiment, an amount of the fire extinguishing agent may be in a range from <NUM>/cm<NUM> to <NUM>/cm<NUM>. When the amount of the fire extinguishing agent is greater than or equal to <NUM>/cm<NUM>, the fire extinguishing agent contained in the extinguisher sheet <NUM> is appropriate for the capacity of battery cells used in the energy storage module <NUM> including the extinguisher sheet <NUM> so as to be able to extinguish a fire on any one of the battery cells. When the amount of the fire extinguishing agent is less than or equal to <NUM>/cm<NUM>, the extinguisher sheet <NUM> may be easily set to operate (e.g., rupture) at about <NUM>ºC or higher.

In an embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, another example extinguisher sheet 150A may include a tube-type receiving space 152A for receiving (e.g., accommodating or storing) a fire extinguishing agent within the receiving space 152A.

In an embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, another example extinguisher sheet 150B may include receiving spaces 152B arranged within the extinguisher sheet 150B to be spaced apart from each other by a distance (e.g., a regular distance). The receiving spaces 152B may include a plurality of receiving spaces to be spaced apart from one another, unlike in the tube-type extinguisher sheet 150A shown in <FIG>. In an embodiment, the receiving spaces 152B of the extinguisher sheet 150B may open (e.g., rupture) responsive to only one of the battery cells <NUM>, from which a relatively high-temperature gas is generated, to then emit the fire extinguishing agent. Therefore, when the gas is generated from the plurality of battery cells <NUM>, a fire on a corresponding one of the battery cells <NUM> can be extinguished.

In an embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, another example extinguisher sheet 150C may have a multi-layered structure including different types of layers. For example, the extinguisher sheet 150C may include an underlying first extinguisher sheet <NUM> having capsules <NUM> located therein, and an overlying second extinguisher sheet 150A having a tube-type receiving space 152A. In an embodiment, the first extinguisher sheet <NUM> and the second extinguisher sheet 150A may be set to operate at different temperatures. In an embodiment, the first extinguisher sheet <NUM> and the second extinguisher sheet 150A may operate in sequence according to the temperature and amount of the discharged gas. In addition, with such double-mode operation of the extinguisher sheet 150C, the extinguisher sheet 150C may operate in sequence according to the temperature and the time of gas generated, thereby constantly emitting the fire extinguishing agent.

Herein, configurations and operations of the battery cells <NUM> and the insulation spacers <NUM> in the energy storage module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

<FIG> is a perspective view of battery cells and insulation spacers arranged in a bottom plate of the energy storage module shown in <FIG>; <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C of <FIG>; <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an insulation spacer in the energy storage module shown in <FIG>; <FIG> and <FIG> are exploded perspective views illustrating some example configurations of sheet parts of the insulation spacers in the energy storage module according to embodiments of the present disclosure; <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D of <FIG> after the sheet parts are adhered to each other; and <FIG> is an enlarged view of a region "C" of <FIG>.

In an embodiment, the battery cells <NUM> may be alternately arranged on a top surface of the bottom plate <NUM> of the cover member <NUM> with the insulation spacers <NUM> (e.g., with the insulation spacers <NUM> arranged between adjacent ones of the battery cells <NUM>). For example, the battery cells <NUM> may be arranged in a plurality of columns (e.g., two columns) along the top surface of the bottom plate <NUM>, and the insulation spacers <NUM> may be positioned between adjacent ones of the battery cells <NUM>.

Each of the battery cells <NUM> includes an electrode assembly accommodated in a case <NUM>. The electrode assembly may be configured by winding, stacking, or laminating a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate, each having a portion coated with an active material (e.g., a coating or coated portion), in a state in which a separator is positioned between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate. In an embodiment, electrode terminals <NUM> and <NUM>, which are electrically connected to uncoated regions (e.g., uncoated portions) of the positive and negative electrode plates, may be exposed at an upper portion of the case <NUM> through the cap plate <NUM>. The electrode terminals <NUM> and <NUM> may be referred to as a first electrode terminal <NUM> and a second electrode terminal <NUM>, respectively, defining, for example, a negative electrode terminal and a positive electrode terminal, but the polarities thereof may be reversed. Occurrences of ignition of the battery cells <NUM> can be reduced by using particular compositions of active materials of the battery cells <NUM>, thereby increasing safety.

The battery cells <NUM> and insulation spacers <NUM> may be alternately arranged on a top surface of the bottom plate <NUM> of the cover member <NUM>. Here, the battery cells <NUM> may be arranged such that the long side surface of one of the battery cells <NUM> is spaced a distance (e.g., a reference or predetermined distance) apart from a long side surface of another (e.g., an adjacent) one of the battery cells <NUM>, and the insulation spacers <NUM> are positioned between the neighboring battery cells <NUM>. In an embodiment, the distance (e.g., a first distance) between the long side surfaces of the two neighboring battery cells <NUM> may be in a range from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. If the first distance is smaller than <NUM>, it is not easy to provide air layers between the battery cells <NUM> and the insulation spacers <NUM>, thereby lowering cooling efficiency. If the first distance is greater than <NUM>, the energy storage module <NUM> may become unnecessarily bulky.

The insulation spacers <NUM> positioned between each of the battery cells <NUM> may prevent or substantially prevent the battery cells <NUM> from contacting each other, thereby maintaining the cases <NUM> of the battery cells <NUM> in an electrically isolated state. In an embodiment, each of the insulation spacers <NUM> may have a planar size corresponding to that of the long side surface of one battery cell <NUM>. For example, one surface of the insulation spacer <NUM> may face the long side surface of one battery cell <NUM>, and the other surface of the insulation spacer <NUM> may face the long side surface of another battery cell <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the insulation spacer <NUM> and the long side surface of the battery cell <NUM> may be spaced apart by a distance (e.g., a second distance) to define a passage for external air. The battery cell <NUM> may be cooled by the external air passing through the external air passage.

In an embodiment, the insulation spacers <NUM> may include a sheet part (e.g., a sheet) <NUM> and an edge part (e.g., an edge) <NUM>. The sheet part <NUM> may include a flame-retardant (or non-combustible) sheet that prevents (or substantially impedes) a fire from spreading to neighboring battery cells <NUM> and a heat-insulating sheet that prevents (or substantially impedes) heat from being propagated to neighboring battery cells <NUM> when a fire starts in any of the battery cells <NUM>. In some embodiments, the sheet part <NUM> may include a heat-insulating first sheet 131a and a plurality of (e.g., two) flame-retardant (or non-combustible) second sheets 131b adhered to opposite surfaces of the first sheet 131a by one or more adhesion members 131c. In an embodiment, the sheet part <NUM> may have an increased heat insulating effect and may provide flame retardancy (and non-combustibility) by stacking multiple layers of the first sheet 131a and the second sheets 131b. For example, the insulation spacers <NUM> may prevent or substantially prevent heat or flames from propagating to neighboring battery cells <NUM> through the stacked sheet parts <NUM> when the temperature of the battery cell <NUM> rises or flames are generated in the battery cell <NUM>.

The insulation spacers <NUM> may include a flame-retardant (or non-combustible) sheet that prevents (or substantially impedes) flames from propagating to neighboring battery cells <NUM> and a heat-insulating sheet that prevents (or substantially impedes) heat from being propagated to neighboring battery cells <NUM> when a fire starts in any of the battery cells <NUM>, and configurations of the insulation spacers <NUM> will be described later in further detail.

In an embodiment, the first sheet 131a and the second sheets 131b may have a same size (e.g., the same length and width). In an embodiment, to facilitate movement of the fire extinguishing agent, which will be described later, a thickness of the insulation spacer <NUM> may not exceed <NUM>% of the first distance (e.g., may not exceed <NUM>% of the distance between the adjacent battery cells <NUM>). For example, when the first distance is about <NUM>, the thickness of the insulation spacer <NUM> may not exceed about <NUM>. When the first distance is about <NUM>, the thickness of the insulation spacer <NUM> may not exceed about <NUM>. In one embodiment, the first sheet 131a may have a thickness in a range from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. In an embodiment, each of the second sheets 131b may have a thickness in a range from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and the adhesive member 131c may have a thickness of about <NUM>.

In an embodiment, for example, the first sheet 131a may include (or may be formed of) ceramic paper, and the second sheets 131b may include (or may be formed of) mica (e.g. mica paper). In an embodiment, the first sheet 131a may further include an aerogel. In this embodiment, because an air layer is sufficiently provided in the first sheet 131a, heat insulating efficiency can be increased. In addition, the first sheet 131a may include (or may be) ceramic paper made of a fiber-containing refractory insulating material. In addition, the first sheet 131a may include (or may be) bio-soluble fiber ceramic paper (e.g. ceramic fiber) containing an alkali earth metal, which is an eco-friendly high-temperature insulating material that is generally harmless to humans.

In some embodiments, the sheet part <NUM> may have a configuration shown in <FIG> or <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the adhesion member 131c is positioned between the opposite ends x1 of the first sheet 131a and each of the second sheets 131b such that the sheet part <NUM> has a reference (or predetermined) width. The adhesion member 131c may attach the first sheet 131a and the second sheets 131b to each other. In an embodiment, the adhesion member 131c may have a same length as the first sheet 131a and the second sheets 131b in a length direction. For example, opposite ends x1 of the first sheet 131a may be adhered to respective opposite ends x1 of the second sheets 131b by the adhesion member 131c.

In an embodiment, the adhesion member 131c may have a width in a range from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. Here, if the width of the adhesion member 131c is smaller than about <NUM>, adhesion between the first sheet 131a and the second sheets 131b may be insufficient. If the width of the adhesion member 131c is greater than about <NUM>, an ignition probability may increase due to the adhesion member 131c.

The adhesion member 131c may have any of a variety of adhesive components or configurations, such as a double-sided tape or an adhesive tape, but the adhesive components and configurations of the adhesion member 131c are not limited thereto.

The adhesion member 131c may attach (e.g., may only attach) the opposite ends x1 of the first sheet 131a to the second sheets 131b such that the first sheet 131a and the second sheets 131b are spaced apart from each other at a central portion x2 of the sheet part <NUM>. As a result, air passages 131d may be established between the first sheet 131a and the second sheets 131b. In addition, if the sheet part <NUM> is compressed due to swelling of the battery cell(s) <NUM>, the air passages 131d established at the central portion x2 of the sheet part <NUM> may reduce (or mitigate) compression of the sheet part <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, according to another embodiment, the adhesion member 131c may be located at an area at (or adjacent to) top and bottom ends of the first sheet 131a to attach the first sheet 131a and the second sheets 131b to each other. In an embodiment, the adhesion member 131c may have a same width as the first sheet 131a and the second sheets 131b in a width direction. For example, the top and bottom ends of the first sheet 131a may be respectively adhered to top and bottom ends of the second sheets 131b by the adhesion member 131c.

In an embodiment, when the sheet part <NUM> has a width-direction size less than twice a height-direction size thereof, as shown in <FIG>, the adhesion member 131c may be attached to the opposite ends of the sheet part <NUM>. However, when the width-direction size of the sheet part <NUM> is greater than or equal to twice the height-direction size thereof, an adhesion area (e.g., a vertical adhesion area) may be reduced relative to the overall area of the sheet part <NUM> due to an area occupied by the adhesion member 131c attached to the opposite ends of the sheet part <NUM>, thereby lowering adhesion performance.

Therefore, in an embodiment, when the width-direction size of the sheet part <NUM> is greater than twice the height-direction size, the adhesion member 131c may be applied to the top and bottom ends thereof to increase the adhesion area, thereby improving the adhesion performance. The configuration of the sheet part <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be substantially the same as the sheet part <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, except for positions of the adhesion members 131c.

In an embodiment, when the adhesion member 131c is applied to the top and bottom ends of the sheet part <NUM>, the adhesion performance may be improved, and in some embodiments, no edge part (described below) may be separately required (e.g., an edge part may be omitted).

In some embodiments, the edge part <NUM> may be provided along peripheral edges of the sheet part <NUM>. In an embodiment, the edge part <NUM> may include (or may be made of) a plastic material, such as a general polyethylene or polypropylene, and may be coupled to edges of the sheet part <NUM> by using a double injection process to fix the shape of the sheet part <NUM>. In some embodiments, the edge part <NUM> may have a width in a range from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. If the width of the edge part <NUM> is smaller than about <NUM>, the sheet part <NUM> may not be easily fixed, and if the width of the edge part <NUM> is greater than about <NUM>, an ignition probability of the edge part <NUM> made of a plastic material may be increased.

As described above, when a fire extinguishing agent is applied from top portions of the insulation spacers <NUM>, the fire extinguishing agent may move downwardly along the surfaces of the sheet part <NUM>. Therefore, the fire extinguishing agent may contact the case <NUM> of the adjacent battery cells <NUM>, thereby performing extinguishing and cooling operations on the battery cells <NUM>. Herein, movement of the fire extinguishing agent will be described in further detail.

As shown in <FIG>, the top plate <NUM> may further include the openings <NUM> respectively located to correspond to (e.g., located over or above) the insulation spacers <NUM>. Accordingly, the fire extinguishing agent, when emitted from the extinguisher sheet <NUM>, may pass through the top plate <NUM> through the openings <NUM> of the top plate <NUM> to reach the insulation spacers <NUM>. In addition, the fire extinguishing agent may move along surfaces of the insulation spacers <NUM> that face the case <NUM> of the adjacent battery cells <NUM>, thereby extinguishing a fire and cooling the battery cells <NUM>. The fire extinguishing agent is emitted by the extinguisher sheet <NUM> located over one or more of the battery cells <NUM>, the temperature of which is higher than a reference temperature (e.g. <NUM>ºC). Therefore, the fire extinguishing agent may be sprayed from a top portion of the battery cell <NUM> having an elevated temperature. In addition, because the fire extinguishing agent moves along the surfaces of the insulation spacers <NUM> positioned at front and rear sides of the corresponding battery cell <NUM>, both extinguishing and cooling of the corresponding battery cell <NUM> can be performed.

Herein, a configuration of an energy storage module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an energy storage module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; <FIG> is a bottom perspective view of the energy storage module shown in <FIG>; <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a state in which battery cells and insulation spacers are arranged in a cover member of the energy storage module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E of <FIG>; and <FIG> is an enlarged view of a region "D" of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the energy storage module <NUM> according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cover member <NUM>, battery cells <NUM>, insulation spacers <NUM>, a top plate <NUM>, an extinguisher sheet <NUM>, and a top cover <NUM>.

The energy storage module <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be smaller in size than the energy storage module <NUM> described above, such that a smaller number of battery cells <NUM> can be received in a space of the energy storage module <NUM>, which is formed together by the cover member <NUM>, the top plate <NUM>, and the top cover <NUM>, than in the energy storage module <NUM>. Therefore, configurations and sizes of the cover member <NUM>, the top plate <NUM>, and the top cover <NUM> may vary according to the number of battery cells received therein. However, the energy storage module <NUM> may be basically configured in a similar manner as the energy storage module <NUM>.

The cover member <NUM> may include a bottom plate, an end plate (or a plurality of end plates), and a side plate (or a plurality of side plates) which together form a space in which the battery cells <NUM> and the insulation spacers <NUM> are alternately arranged with the battery cells <NUM> on the bottom plate. In addition, the cover member <NUM> may fix positions of the battery cells <NUM> and the insulation spacers <NUM> and may protect the battery cells <NUM> from external impacts. In an embodiment, the bottom plate may further include through-holes 211a, through which the fire extinguishing agent from the extinguisher sheet <NUM> and the air moving along the exterior surfaces of the insulation spacers <NUM> are exhausted. The through-holes 211a may be positioned to correspond to the insulation spacers <NUM>.

The insulation spacers <NUM> are positioned between adjacent ones of the battery cells <NUM> to prevent or substantially prevent the battery cells <NUM> from contacting one another, thereby maintaining the cases <NUM> of the battery cells <NUM> in electrically isolated states. In an embodiment, each of the insulation spacers <NUM> may have short side surfaces, each having a planar size sufficient to entirely cover the long side surfaces of two adjacent battery cells <NUM>. In an embodiment, for example, one of the insulation spacers <NUM> may be positioned between each group of four adjacent battery cells <NUM>, which are arranged such that long side surfaces of two of the four battery cells <NUM> face each other. In an embodiment, a distance is maintained between each of the insulation spacers <NUM> and the battery cells <NUM> to define external air passages and/or fire extinguishing agent passages, thereby allowing for cooling of the battery cells <NUM>. The insulation spacers <NUM> may include (or may be made of) a flame-retardant (or non-combustible) sheet that prevents (or substantially mitigates) a fire from spreading to neighboring battery cells and a heat-insulating sheet that prevents (or substantially mitigates) heat from propagating to neighboring battery cells when a fire outbreaks in any of the battery cells <NUM>. The configurations of the insulation spacers <NUM> will be described in further detail below.

The top plate <NUM> is coupled to a top portion of the cover member <NUM>. The top plate <NUM> may be coupled to the cover member <NUM> while covering top portions of the battery cells <NUM>. The top plate <NUM> includes ducts <NUM> respectively corresponding to the vents 124a located on a top surface of each of the battery cells <NUM>. The ducts <NUM> may be arranged in a direction, for example, in a length direction of the top plate <NUM>. Accordingly, if the vent 124a ruptures, the gas discharged through the vent 124a of the battery cell <NUM> may move upwardly along the duct <NUM> of the top plate <NUM>. The configurations and operations of the ducts <NUM> will be described in further detail below.

The extinguisher sheet <NUM> is positioned between the top plate <NUM> and the top cover <NUM>. In an embodiment, the extinguisher sheet <NUM> may include a plurality of planar sheets located at opposite sides of the ducts <NUM> of the top plate <NUM> and extending in a length direction of the top plate <NUM>. The extinguisher sheet <NUM> may be mounted on a bottom surface 260b of the top cover <NUM>. Here, the length direction may refer to a direction in which the ducts <NUM> of the top plate <NUM> extend.

The top cover <NUM> is coupled to the top portion of the top plate <NUM>. The top cover <NUM> may cover the top plate <NUM> and the extinguisher sheet <NUM>, thereby protecting the top plate <NUM> and the extinguisher sheet <NUM> from external impacts applied to a top surface 260a of the top cover <NUM>. In addition, the top cover <NUM> may include an exhaust area <NUM> having discharge holes <NUM> located therein, and protrusion parts (e.g., protrusions) <NUM> located on the bottom surface 260b of the top cover <NUM>. The ducts <NUM> may be respectively coupled to (e.g., may respectively extend into) the interior of the protrusion parts <NUM>. In an embodiment, each of the discharge holes <NUM> may include a plurality of discharge holes arranged in a direction, for example, in a length direction of the top cover <NUM>. In addition, the discharge holes <NUM> may be positioned to correspond to the ducts <NUM> of the top plate <NUM>. Accordingly, if the vent 124a of the battery cell <NUM> ruptures, the gas discharged through the vent 124a of the battery cell <NUM> may move to the exterior along the ducts <NUM> of the top plate <NUM> and the discharge holes <NUM> of the top cover <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the exhaust area <NUM> having the discharge holes <NUM> has a smaller height than other regions in the top cover <NUM>. For example, the exhaust area <NUM> is configured to downwardly protrude from the top cover <NUM> to establish a gas movement passage therein. The exhaust area <NUM> is coupled to the top portion of the duct <NUM>. Here, the protrusion part <NUM> located on the bottom surface of the exhaust area <NUM> is coupled to the exterior of the duct <NUM>. In an embodiment, the duct <NUM> may be configured to have a smaller height than the top cover <NUM>. With this configuration, the gas discharged through the ducts <NUM> and the discharge holes <NUM> may gather in the gas movement passage located on the exhaust area <NUM>. In an embodiment, the gas may be discharged to an exterior side by using, for example, a separate fan or a suction structure (e.g., a vacuum), thereby allowing the gas generated by the battery cells <NUM> to be discharged quickly.

Herein, configurations and operations of battery cells <NUM> and insulation spacers <NUM> in an energy storage module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

<FIG> and <FIG> are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view, respectively, illustrating configurations of insulation spacers in the energy storage module shown in <FIG>; and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F-F of <FIG>.

In an embodiment, the battery cells <NUM> and the insulation spacers <NUM> may be alternately arranged on a top surface of the bottom plate of the cover member <NUM>. In an embodiment, each of the insulation spacers <NUM> may have side surfaces, each having a planar size sufficient to entirely cover long side surfaces of two adjacent battery cells <NUM>. For example, one surface of one of the insulation spacers <NUM> may entirely cover the long side surfaces of two adjacent battery cells <NUM>, and the other surface of the one insulation spacer <NUM> may entirely cover the long side surfaces of two other adjacent battery cells <NUM>. For example, one of the insulation spacers <NUM> may be positioned between four battery cells <NUM> that are arranged such that long side surfaces of two battery cells <NUM> face long side surfaces of two other battery cells <NUM>.

In addition, long side surfaces of the battery cells <NUM> may be spaced by a distance (e.g., a predetermined distance) apart from long side surfaces of facing battery cells <NUM>, and the insulation spacers <NUM> may be positioned between each of the long side surfaces of the battery cells <NUM>.

In an embodiment, a distance (e.g., a first distance) between the long side surfaces of the facing battery cells <NUM> may be in a range from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. If the first distance is smaller than about <NUM>, air layers (e.g., air passages) may not be provided between each of the battery cells <NUM> and the insulation spacers <NUM>, thereby lowering cooling efficiency. If the first distance is greater than about <NUM>, the energy storage module <NUM> may become unnecessarily bulky.

The insulation spacers <NUM>, positioned between each facing pair of the battery cells <NUM>, may prevent or substantially prevent the battery cells <NUM> from contacting each other, thereby maintaining the cases <NUM> of the battery cells <NUM> in electrically isolated states. In addition, the insulation spacer <NUM> and the long side surfaces of battery cells <NUM> are spaced apart from each other to establish external air passages. Here, the battery cells <NUM> may be cooled by external air moving along (or through) the external air passages.

In an embodiment, the insulation spacers <NUM> may consist of sheet parts without separate edge parts. The insulation spacers <NUM> may include a flame-retardant (or non-combustible) sheet that prevents (or substantially mitigates) the fire from spreading to neighboring battery cells <NUM> and a heat-insulating sheet that prevents (or substantially mitigates) heat from propagating to neighboring battery cells <NUM>. For example, the sheet parts of the insulation spacers <NUM> may include a heat-insulating first sheet 231a and two flame-retardant (or non-combustible) second sheets 231b respectively adhered to opposite surfaces of the first sheet 231a by using one or more adhesive members 231c. In an embodiment, the first sheet 231a and the second sheets 231b have a same (or substantially the same) size. In an embodiment, a thickness of the insulation spacer <NUM> may not exceed about <NUM>% of the first distance to facilitate movement of the fire extinguishing agent, which will be described in further detail below.

In an embodiment, the adhesion member 231c may be positioned between the first sheet 231a and the second sheets 231b at a distance (e.g., a predetermined distance) from top and bottom ends of the first sheet 231a to attach the first sheet 231a and the second sheets 231b to each other. In an embodiment, the adhesion member 231c may have a same (or substantially the same) width as the first sheet 231a and the second sheets 231b in their width directions. For example, the top and bottom ends of the first sheet 231a may be respectively adhered to top and bottom ends of the second sheet 231b by the adhesion member 231c.

In an embodiment, if the sheet part has a width-direction size greater than twice a height-direction size thereof, the first sheet may be adhered at the top and bottom ends thereof by the adhesion member 231c, thereby improving the adhesion performance. For example, when the width-direction size of the sheet part <NUM> is greater than or equal to twice the height-direction size thereof, the adhesion performance may be lowered when the first sheet 231a and the second sheets 231b are adhered to each other at the opposite ends of the sheet part by the adhesion member 231c, like in the embodiment shown in <FIG>. However, in an embodiment, the sheet part <NUM> may have a same or similar configuration as that of the sheet part <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

As discussed above, if a fire extinguishing agent is applied from top portions of the insulation spacers <NUM>, the fire extinguishing agent may move downwardly along the surfaces of the sheet part <NUM>. Therefore, the fire extinguishing agent may contact the case <NUM> of the adjacent battery cells <NUM>, thereby extinguishing a fire and cooling the battery cells <NUM>. Herein, the movement of the fire extinguishing agent and the cooling of the battery cells <NUM> using the air will be described in further detail.

As shown in <FIG>, the top plate <NUM> may further include openings (e.g., opening holes) <NUM> located to respectively correspond to the insulation spacers <NUM>. Accordingly, the fire extinguishing agent emitted from the extinguisher sheet <NUM> may pass through the top plate <NUM> through the openings <NUM> of the top plate <NUM> to reach the insulation spacers <NUM>. In addition, the fire extinguishing agent may move along surfaces of the insulation spacers <NUM> that face the case <NUM> of the battery cells <NUM>, thereby extinguishing and cooling the battery cells <NUM>. The fire extinguishing agent is emitted (or sprayed) from the extinguisher sheet <NUM> above one or more of the battery cells <NUM>, the temperature of which is higher than a reference temperature. Therefore, the fire extinguishing agent may be sprayed from a top portion of the battery cell <NUM>, the temperature of which has increased. In addition, because the fire extinguishing agent moves along the surfaces of the insulation spacers <NUM> positioned at front and rear sides of the corresponding battery cell <NUM>, the corresponding battery cell <NUM> can be both extinguished and cooled.

In addition, the top cover <NUM> may further include through-holes <NUM> that pass through top and bottom surfaces of the top cover <NUM> and are located to respectively correspond to the openings <NUM>. For example, the through-holes <NUM> may respectively correspond to the insulation spacers <NUM>.

In addition, the bottom plate <NUM> of the cover member <NUM> may also include through-holes 211a located to respectively correspond to the insulation spacers <NUM>. Thus, air introduced through the through-holes <NUM> of the top cover <NUM> and the openings <NUM> of the top plate <NUM> may move along spaces provided between the insulation spacers <NUM> and the battery cells <NUM> to be discharged through the openings 211a of the bottom plate <NUM>. Of course, the movement of the air (e.g., the airflow direction) may be reversed. In such a way, air passages may be provided by the through-holes 211a and <NUM> and the openings <NUM>, thereby improving cooling efficiency.

Hereinafter, a configuration of a battery cell <NUM> used in the energy storage module <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in greater detail.

<FIG> and <FIG> are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of a battery cell used in an energy storage module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to 24A and 24B, in an embodiment, the battery cell <NUM> is configured such that an electrode assembly <NUM> is accommodated in a case <NUM>, and a cap plate <NUM> covers a top portion of the case <NUM>. In an embodiment, a vent 124a having a smaller thickness than other regions is located approximately at a center of the cap plate <NUM>. A duct <NUM> of the top plate <NUM> is located to correspond to a top portion of a vent 124a, as described above.

In an embodiment, the electrode assembly <NUM> may be electrically connected to a first electrode terminal <NUM> and a second electrode terminal <NUM> located on the cap plate <NUM> through a pair of current collectors <NUM>. For the sake of convenience, in the following description, the first electrode terminal <NUM> will be referred to as a negative electrode terminal, and the second electrode terminal <NUM> will be referred to as a positive electrode terminal, but polarities thereof may be reversed.

The electrode assembly <NUM> may include a negative electrode 125a, a positive electrode 125b positioned to face the negative electrode 125a, and a separator 125c positioned between the negative electrode 125a and the positive electrode 125b, and the electrode assembly <NUM> may be accommodated in the case <NUM> together with an electrolyte (not shown).

Claim 1:
An energy storage module (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a plurality of battery cells (<NUM>) arranged in a length direction such that long side surfaces of adjacent ones of the battery cells (<NUM>) face one another, each of the battery cells (<NUM>) comprising a vent (124a);
a plurality of insulation spacers (<NUM>, <NUM>), at least one of the insulation spacers (<NUM>, <NUM>) being located between the long side surfaces of an adjacent pair of the battery cells (<NUM>);
a cover member (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising an internal receiving space configured to accommodate the battery cells (<NUM>) and the insulation spacers (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a top plate (<NUM>, <NUM>) coupled to a top portion of the cover member (<NUM>, <NUM>) and comprising ducts (<NUM>, <NUM>) respectively corresponding to the vents (124a) of the battery cells (<NUM>) and comprising opening holes (<NUM>, <NUM>) respectively corresponding to the insulation spacers (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a top cover (<NUM>, <NUM>) coupled to a top portion of the top plate (<NUM>, <NUM>) and comprising discharge holes (<NUM>, <NUM>) located in an exhaust area (161a, <NUM>) and respectively corresponding to the ducts (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
an extinguisher sheet (<NUM>, <NUM>) located between the top cover (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the top plate (<NUM>, <NUM>), configured to emit a fire extinguishing agent at a temperature exceeding a reference temperature, and comprising opening holes (<NUM>) located to correspond to the ducts (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the top cover (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprises protrusion parts (<NUM>, <NUM>) located on a bottom surface (160b, 260b) of the top cover (<NUM>, <NUM>), covering the exhaust area (161a, <NUM>), and coupled to an exterior of the ducts (<NUM>, <NUM>).