Patent Description:
As technology development and demands for mobile devices increase, the demand for batteries as energy sources is rapidly increasing. In particular, a secondary battery has attracted considerable attention as an energy source for power-driven devices, such as an electric bicycle, an electric vehicle, and a hybrid electric vehicle, as well as an energy source for mobile devices, such as a mobile phone, a digital camera, a laptop computer and a wearable device.

Small-sized mobile devices use one or several battery cells for each device, whereas middle- or large-sized devices such as vehicles require high power and large capacity. The middle or large-sized battery module is preferably manufactured so as to have as small a size and weight as possible. Consequently, a prismatic battery, a pouch-shaped battery or the like, which can be stacked with high integration and has a small weight relative to capacity, is usually used as a battery cell of the middle or large-sized battery module. Therefore, a middle- or large-sized battery module in which a large number of battery cells are electrically connected is used, and there is an increasing need to install more battery cells in the battery module gradually.

<CIT> and <CIT> disclose a battery module.

Further, when the temperature of the secondary battery is higher than an appropriate temperature, the performance of the secondary battery may be deteriorated, and if it is severe, a cell event may occur. As an example, there is also a risk of occurrence of a thermal event such as an explosion or ignition. In particular, a large number of secondary batteries, that is, a battery module or a battery pack having a battery cell, can add up the heat generated from the large number of battery cells in a narrow space, so that the temperature can rise more quickly and severely. In the case of a battery module in which a large number of battery cells are stacked and a battery pack equipped with such a battery module, high output can be obtained, but as the number of battery cells increases, the possibility of explosion or ignition also increases. Moreover, in the case of a middle- or large-sized battery module included in a vehicle battery pack, it is frequently exposed to direct sunlight and can be subjected to high temperature conditions such as summer or desert areas. Consequently, when explosion or ignition occurs in the battery module, it is necessary to prevent the ignition from being transferred to another battery cell in a specific battery cell and so prevent further ignition from proceeding.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a conventional battery module. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line A-A' of <FIG>. <FIG> is a view showing a cross-section of the battery module of <FIG> in which a cell event has occurred.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the conventional battery module <NUM> includes a battery cell stack <NUM> formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells <NUM>, a lower frame <NUM> on which the battery cell stack <NUM> is disposed, and an upper plate <NUM> for covering the upper portion of the battery cell stack <NUM>. In addition, for the insulation of the battery cell stack <NUM>, the battery module <NUM> further includes an insulating layer <NUM> formed between the upper plate <NUM> and the battery cell stack <NUM>.

In this case, the battery module <NUM> may further comprise a compression pad <NUM> located between battery cells adjacent to each other among the plurality of battery cells <NUM> and between the outermost battery cells of the battery cell stack <NUM> and the side surface portion of the lower frame <NUM>. Accordingly, the compression pad <NUM> and the plurality of battery cells <NUM> may form one stack structure, and the compression pad <NUM> may also absorb the swelling of the battery cells <NUM>. However, the conventional compression pad <NUM> cannot block ignition or induce a direction of ignition when a cell event such as ignition occurs.

As an example, referring to <FIG>, the conventional battery module <NUM> may be partially partitioned by the compression pad <NUM> in the battery cell stack <NUM>. However, when a first cell event (ce1) such as ignition occurs in a part of the plurality of battery cells, the compression pad <NUM> cannot block the ignition or induce the direction of ignition, so that even for some battery cells in which the first cell event ce1 has not occurred, a second cell event (ce2) to which the first cell event (ce1) has propagated occurs.

Thereby, in the conventional battery module <NUM>, when a cell event such as ignition occurs in some battery cells of the battery cell stack <NUM>, an ignition phenomenon may propagate to other battery cells included in the battery module <NUM>, and thus, there is a problem in that the cell event may become more serious.

Therefore, in the trend that a demand such as an increase in capacity for a battery module continues, it is practically necessary to develop a battery module that can satisfy these various requirements together while improving cooling performance.

It is an object of the present disclosure is to provide a battery module having a partition wall structure, and a battery pack including the same.

The objects of the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned objects, and other objects which are not described herein should be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

The invention is given by the claims, and there is provided a battery module comprising: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a module frame for housing the battery cell stack; and a partition wall portion located between the battery cell stack and the module frame, wherein the partition wall portion comprises a first partition wall member located between the upper portion of the battery cell stack and the module frame, and wherein the partition wall portion comprises at least one second partition wall member extending in a vertical direction from the first partition wall member.

The at least one second partition wall member is extended up to a lower portion of the module frame, and the battery cell stack is partitioned into a first stack and a second stack by the partition wall portion.

The partition wall portion may block a cell event generated in the first stack from being diffused to the second stack.

The partition wall portion may include at least two of the second partition wall members, and the second partition wall members may be located separately from each other so as to have equal intervals in the stacking direction of the battery cell stack.

The partition wall portion may include at least two of the second partition wall members, and the second partition wall members may be located symmetrically with reference to the center of the battery cell stack.

The at least one second partition wall member may be located between the outermost battery cell of the battery cell stack and the side portion of the module frame, or may be located between the battery cells adjacent to each other among the plurality of battery cells.

The partition wall portion may be configured such that the two second partition wall members are respectively located between the outermost battery cells of the battery cell stack and the side portion of the module frame, and the at least one second partition wall member is located between the battery cells adjacent to each other among the plurality of battery cells.

The partition wall portion may be composed of a functional material having flame retardancy and insulating properties.

The module frame may include a U-shaped frame that houses the battery cell stack and has an opened upper portion, and an upper plate that covers the battery cell stack in the opened upper portion of the U-shaped frame.

The first partition wall member is located between the upper plate and the battery cell stack, the two second partition wall members may be respectively located between the outermost battery cells of the battery cell stack and the side portion of the U-shaped frame, and the at least one second partition wall member may be located between the battery cells adjacent to each other among the plurality of battery cells.

In addition, there can be provided a battery pack comprising the battery module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

According to the invention as given in the claims a battery module can be provided in which the battery module includes a partition wall structure to thereby block cell events occurring in some battery cells or induce a propagation direction.

Effects of the present disclosure may not be limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects of the present disclosure will be clearly understandable to those having ordinary skill in the art from the disclosures provided below together with accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out them. The present disclosure may be modified in various different ways, and is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Portions that are irrelevant to the description will be omitted to clearly describe the present disclosure, and like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification.

Further, in the figures, the size and thickness of each element are arbitrarily illustrated for convenience of description, and the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to those illustrated in the figures. In the figures, the thickness of layers, regions, etc. are exaggerated for clarity. In the figures, for convenience of description, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are shown to be exaggerated.

Further, throughout the specification, when a portion is referred to as "including" a certain component, it means that the portion can further include other components, without excluding the other components, unless otherwise stated.

Further, throughout the specification, when referred to as "planar", it means when a target portion is viewed from the upper side, and when referred to as "cross-sectional", it means when a target portion is viewed from the side of a cross section cut vertically.

In the following, the electrode for a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. However, the description herein is made based on the front surface of the front and rear surfaces of the battery module, without being limited thereto, and even in the case of the rear surface, the same or similar contents may be described.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a partial perspective view showing a state in which the components of the battery module of <FIG> are combined. The partial perspective view of <FIG> shows a state in which the upper plate is removed from the battery module of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a battery module <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a battery cell stack <NUM> in which a plurality of battery cells <NUM> are stacked, a module frame <NUM> that houses the battery cell stack <NUM>, a partition wall portion <NUM> located between the battery cell stack <NUM> and the module frame <NUM>, and end plates <NUM> located on the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack <NUM>.

The module frame <NUM> includes a U-shaped frame <NUM> including a bottom portion <NUM> and a side portion <NUM>, of which an upper surface, a front surface and a rear surface are opened, and an upper plate <NUM> that covers an upper portion of the battery cell stack <NUM>. However, the module frame <NUM> is not limited thereto, and can be replaced with a frame having another shape such as a mono frame surrounding the battery cell stack <NUM>, except for the L-shaped frame or the front and rear surfaces.

The battery cell <NUM> is preferably a pouch-type battery cell. The battery cell can be manufactured by housing the electrode assembly in a pouch case of a laminate sheet including a resin layer and a metal layer, and then heat-sealing the sealing portion of the pouch case. Such a battery cell <NUM> may be composed of a plurality of cells, and the plurality of battery cells <NUM> form a battery cell stack <NUM> that is stacked so as to be electrically connected to each other. In particular, as shown in <FIG>, a plurality of battery cells <NUM> may be stacked along a direction parallel to the x-axis.

However, the battery module <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a large area module in which the battery cell stack <NUM> includes a relatively larger number of battery cells than the conventional battery module. In the case of a large area module, the length of the battery module in the horizontal direction becomes relatively long. Here, the length of the battery module in the horizontal direction may mean the length in the direction in which the battery cells are stacked. Therefore, when the battery module <NUM> corresponds to a large area module, as the number of battery cells <NUM> contained in the battery cell stack <NUM> increases, the heat generated may also increase. Therefore, the battery module <NUM> needs to prevent an additional cell event from being occurred as a cell event, that is generated in a specific battery cell among the plurality of battery cells <NUM>, propagates to other battery cells.

Here, the cell event is an emergency situation that occurs in at least one battery cell among the plurality of battery cells <NUM> contained in the battery module <NUM>, which involves leakage of a battery cell or a battery module, mechanical damage to battery cells, and occurrence of a thermal event that is ignited in response to a temperature rise, and the like. In particular, the thermal event includes the occurrence of a flame and/or a venting gas by the ignition of the battery cell. The thermal event can be particularly diffused in the inside of the battery pack including the battery module <NUM> and the battery module <NUM>. Thus, there is a risk of raising the temperature of the surrounding battery module or the battery cells <NUM> in the battery module <NUM>, thereby causing a chain of additional cell events.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the partition wall portion <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first partition wall member <NUM> located between the upper portion of the battery cell stack <NUM> and the module frame <NUM>, and includes at least one second partition wall member <NUM> extending in a vertical direction from the first partition wall member <NUM>. Here, the partition wall portion <NUM> may be composed of a functional material having flame retardancy and insulating properties. Consequently, the partition wall portion is excellent in insulation property and flame retardancy when a cell event occurs, and so it can prevent the cell event from becoming severe and inhibit the diffusion of cell events and induce a direction of progression.

The first partition wall member <NUM> may have a shape corresponding to the upper plate <NUM> of the module frame <NUM>. Preferably, the first partition wall member <NUM> has a shape corresponding to the flat plate, but may have a size corresponding to the upper portion of the battery cell stack <NUM>.

The second partition wall member <NUM> is extended from the first partition wall member <NUM> to the lower portion <NUM> of the module frame <NUM>. Accordingly, a part of the plurality of battery cells <NUM> contained in the battery cell stack <NUM> may be spatially closed by the first partition wall member <NUM> and the second partition wall member <NUM>.

Further, the second partition wall member <NUM> may have a shape corresponding to the side portion <NUM> of the module frame <NUM>. Further, the second partition wall member <NUM> may have a shape corresponding to the battery cell <NUM> of the battery cell stack <NUM>. Preferably, the second partition wall member <NUM> has a shape corresponding to the flat plate, but may have a size corresponding to an upper surface or a lower surface of the battery cell <NUM>.

The partition wall portion <NUM> includes at least two second partition wall members <NUM>, and the second partition wall members <NUM> are located separately from each other so as to have a predetermined interval in the stacking direction of the battery cell stack.

According to the present invention, the second partition wall members <NUM> are spaced apart in the stacking direction of the battery cell stack, and the interval between the second partition wall member <NUM> spaced apart is narrower in a the central region where the battery cells <NUM> than the battery cells <NUM> in the outer region. As the heat generated from the battery cell <NUM> is relatively less cooled in the battery cell <NUM> in the central region than in the battery cell <NUM> in the outer region, the probability of occurrence of a thermal event is high, so that the battery module <NUM> may more effectively control cell events.

In addition, the partition wall portion <NUM> may be configured such that at least one second partition wall member <NUM> is located between the outermost battery cell of the battery cell stack <NUM> and the module frame side portion <NUM>, or is located between the battery cells adjacent to each other among the plurality of battery cells <NUM>.

As an example, the partition wall portion <NUM> may be configured such that two second partition wall members <NUM> are respectively located between the outermost battery cells of the battery cell stack <NUM> and the module frame side <NUM>, and at least one second partition wall member <NUM> is located between the battery cells adjacent to each other among the plurality of battery cells.

As an example, the module frame <NUM> of the battery module <NUM> may include a U-shaped frame <NUM> that houses the battery cell stack <NUM> and has an opened upper portion, and an upper plate <NUM> that covers the battery cell stack <NUM> in the opened upper portion of the U-shaped frame. At this time, the first partition wall member <NUM> is located between the upper plate <NUM> and the battery cell stack <NUM>, two second partition wall members <NUM> are respectively located between the outermost battery cells of the battery cell stack <NUM> and the module frame side portion <NUM>, and at least one second partition wall member <NUM> may be located between the battery cells adjacent to each other among the plurality of battery cells <NUM>.

Thereby, the partition wall portion <NUM> can protect the outermost battery cells vulnerable to external impact in the battery cell stack <NUM>, and also can more effectively control cell events of the battery cell stack <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing a state in which the components constituting the battery module of <FIG> are combined. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view showing a partial area of the cross-section taken along the cutting line B-B' of <FIG>. In particular, <FIG> is an enlarged view showing a partial area of the battery cell stack <NUM> contained in a cross section taken along the cutting line B-B' of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the battery module <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a partition wall portion <NUM>, so that a plurality of battery cells <NUM> in the battery module <NUM> can be partitioned. According to the invention, the battery cell stack <NUM> is partitioned into a first stack <NUM> and a second stack <NUM> by the partition wall portion <NUM>. At this time, the first stack <NUM> and the second stack <NUM> are electrically connected, but can be spatially separated. Preferably, the first stack <NUM> and the second stack <NUM> are spatially separated from each other, but each space can be closed.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view showing the battery module of <FIG> in which a cell event (CE) has occurred. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, when a cell event (CE) is occurred in the first stack <NUM>, the partition wall portion <NUM> may block the cell event (CE) from being diffused to the outside of the partition wall portion <NUM>. As an example, even if a cell event (CE) is occurred in the first stack <NUM>, the partition wall portion <NUM> may block the cell event (CE) from being diffused to the outside of the module frame <NUM> or the partition in which the second stack <NUM> is located. Thus, the partition wall portion <NUM> can have resistance to flames and venting gases generated in the cell event (CE), thereby preventing the cell event (CE) from being diffused to the outside.

Consequently, even if a cell event occurs in a specific battery cell <NUM>, it can prevent diffusion to other battery cells <NUM> and thus reduce the risk of occurrence of an additional cell event. Further, when a cell event occurs in a specific battery cell <NUM>, it is possible to induce the progression direction of the cell event only for the compartment in which the specific battery cell <NUM> is included, and thus prevent cell events from becoming severe. In addition, for the compartment including the specific battery cell <NUM> in which the cell event has occurred, the source in which the cell event has occurred can be quickly tracked and thus, product maintenance can be facilitated.

If necessary, the battery module <NUM> of the present disclosure may further include a thermally conductive resin layer (not shown) between the battery cell stack <NUM> and the partition wall portion <NUM> as a cooling means. Alternatively, a thermally conductive resin layer (not shown) may be further included between the partition wall portion <NUM> and the module frame <NUM>. Alternatively, a thermally conductive resin layer (not shown) may be further included between the battery cell stack <NUM> and the lower portion of the module frame <NUM>. Thereby, the battery module <NUM> of the present disclosure can prevent a cell event from occurring.

The one or more battery modules according to the present embodiment described above can be mounted together with various control and protection systems such as a battery management system (BMS) and a cooling system to form a battery pack.

Claim 1:
A battery module (<NUM>) comprising:
a battery cell stack (<NUM>) in which a plurality of battery cells (<NUM>) are stacked;
a module frame (<NUM>) for housing the battery cell stack (<NUM>); and
a partition wall portion (<NUM>) located between the battery cell stack (<NUM>) and the module frame (<NUM>),
wherein the partition wall portion (<NUM>) comprises a first partition wall member (<NUM>) located between the upper portion of the battery cell stack (<NUM>) and the module frame (<NUM>), and
wherein the partition wall portion (<NUM>) comprises at least two second partition wall members (<NUM>) extending in a vertical direction from the first partition wall member (<NUM>),
wherein the at least two second partition wall members (<NUM>) are extended up to a lower portion (<NUM>) of the module frame (<NUM>),the second partition wall members (<NUM>) are located separately from each other so as to have a predetermined interval in the stacking direction of the battery cell stack (<NUM>), and
the second partition wall members (<NUM>) in a central region of the battery stack (<NUM>) are spaced apart by a narrower interval than in an outer region of the battery stack (<NUM>).