Patent Description:
An energy storage module may be linked to a renewable energy and power system, such as, for example, a solar cell, to store electric power when demand for electric power from a load is low and to use (or discharge or provide) the stored electric power when demand for electric power is high. The energy storage module generally includes (or is) an apparatus including a relatively large quantity 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 (or accommodated) in a rack, and multiple racks are received (or accommodated) in a container box.

However, there have recently been instances in which a fire occurs in energy storage modules. And, once a fire starts in an energy storage module, it is not easy to extinguish due to the characteristics of the energy storage module. Because the energy storage module, which includes multiple battery cells, generally exhibits high-capacity and high-output characteristics, research into technology to increase 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 module including a fire extinguishing component and container, a battery box and a vehicle using said battery module.

<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 which exhibits increased safety by reducing or minimizing the risk of a fire spreading to adjacent battery cells when a fire occurs is provided.

The above and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will be described in or will be apparent from the following description of some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

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; a plurality of insulation spacers, at least one of the insulation spacers being between the long side surfaces of each adjacent pair of the battery cells; a cover member comprising an internal receiving space configured to accommodate the battery cells and the insulation spacers; a top plate coupled to a top of the cover member, the top plate comprising ducts respectively corresponding to vents of the battery cells and having opening holes respectively corresponding to the insulation spacers; a top cover coupled to a top of the top plate and having discharge holes respectively corresponding to the ducts; and an extinguisher sheet between the top cover and the top plate, the extinguisher sheet being configured to emit a fire extinguishing agent at a temperature exceeding a reference temperature, and the top cover comprises protrusion parts on a bottom surface thereof, the protrusion parts covering an exhaust region and being coupled to an exterior of each of the ducts, and each of the insulation spacers comprises a heat-insulating first sheet and flame-retardant or non-combustible second sheets respectively adhered to opposite surfaces of the first sheet by an adhesion member.

The first sheet may include ceramic paper, and the second sheets may include mica paper.

The first sheet may include a ceramic fiber comprising an alkali earth metal.

The long side surfaces of the adjacent 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.

When the fire extinguishing agent is emitted from the extinguisher sheet, the fire extinguishing agent may be applied to spaces between the insulation spacers and the battery cells through the opening holes to be brought into contact with the long side surfaces of the battery cells.

Each of the insulation spacers may have a width-direction size less than twice a height-direction size thereof and may include a sheet part including the first sheet and the second sheets adhered to each other at opposite ends thereof by the adhesion member.

Each of the insulation spacers may further include an edge part made of a plastic material, the edge part being formed by insert molding to cover peripheral edges of the sheet part.

The first sheet and the second sheets may be spaced apart from each other at central portions thereof to define air passages to allow for air movement.

A width-direction size of each of the insulation spacers may be greater than twice a height-direction size thereof, and the first sheet and the second sheets respectively may include regions adhered to each other by the adhesion member.

The top cover may further include an inclined part to have a gradually increasing thickness from the exhaust region to the protrusion part.

A top end of each of the ducts may be located below the inclined part.

A space may be defined between each of the ducts and a corresponding one of the protrusion parts, and some of the gas discharged through each of the vents may move to the respective space via the duct and the inclined part.

Each of the ducts may taper away from a bottom portion thereof with an inner diameter thereof gradually decreasing upwards.

An overall area occupied by the discharge holes may be not less than about <NUM>% of an area of the exhaust region.

As described, an energy storage module according to embodiments of the present disclosure can prevent or reduce heat from spreading to adjacent battery cells by rapidly extinguishing and cooling a battery cell when a vent of the battery cell opens (or ruptures) and/or when a fire occurs.

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 will 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, 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 embodiments 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 exploded perspective view of the energy storage module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; <FIG> is an exploded bottom perspective view of an extinguisher sheet and a top cover of the energy storage module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating battery cells and insulation spacers arranged on a bottom plate of the energy storage module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an energy storage module <NUM> according to an 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 cover member <NUM> provides an internal space for receiving (or accommodating) the battery cells <NUM> and the insulation spacers <NUM>. In an embodiment, the cover member <NUM> includes a bottom plate <NUM>, an end plate (or a plurality of end plates) <NUM>, and a side plate (or a plurality of side plates) <NUM> which together form a space for accommodating the battery cells <NUM> and the insulation spacers <NUM>. 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.

Each of the battery cells <NUM> is configured such that an electrode assembly is accommodated in a case <NUM> and the electrode assembly is wound, stacked, or laminated in a state in which a separator is positioned between a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate, each having a portion coated with an active material, e.g., a coating portion. In addition, a top portion of the case <NUM> may be sealed by a cap plate <NUM>. In an embodiment, a 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 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. However, the polarities of the electrode terminals <NUM> and <NUM> may be reversed, defining a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal, respectively. 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 insulation spacers <NUM> may be positioned between each of (e.g., between adjacent ones of) the battery cells <NUM> to prevent or substantially prevent the battery cells <NUM> from contacting one another, thereby maintaining the battery cells <NUM> (e.g., the cases <NUM> of the battery cells <NUM>) in an electrically isolated state. In addition, a reference distance or space (e.g., a predetermined distance) is maintained between each of the insulation spacers <NUM> and the battery cells <NUM> to establish external air passages (e.g., fire extinguishing agent passages), thereby allowing for the cooling of the battery cells <NUM>. The insulation spacers <NUM> 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 propagating to neighboring battery cells <NUM> when a fire starts in any of the battery cells <NUM>. Configurations of the insulation spacers <NUM> will be described in further detail below.

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 <NUM>. In addition, the first electrode terminals <NUM> and second electrode terminals <NUM> of the battery cells <NUM> are exposed to (or through) the top plate <NUM>, and bus bars <NUM> are coupled to the respective terminals <NUM> and <NUM>, thereby connecting the battery cells <NUM> 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 the vents 124a, which are located on the 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, the gas discharged from the vent 124a of one of the battery cells <NUM> may move upwardly along a corresponding one of the ducts <NUM> of the top plate <NUM>. A 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 the length direction, of the top plate <NUM>. In addition, the extinguisher sheet <NUM> may include openings (e.g., opening holes) 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 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>. A 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 bars <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 bars <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 addition, the top cover <NUM> further includes protrusion parts (e.g., protrusions) <NUM> spaced a distance apart from the outer periphery of (e.g., extending 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) the exterior of respective ones of the protrusion parts <NUM>, and the ducts <NUM> may be coupled to (e.g., may extend into) the interior of the protrusion parts <NUM>. In an embodiment, the discharge holes <NUM> may each include a plurality of discharge openings (e.g., discharge sub-openings) 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 respectively correspond to the ducts <NUM> of the top plate <NUM>. In addition, like the ducts <NUM>, the discharge holes <NUM> may each be provided as a plurality of openings passing through top and bottom surfaces of the top plate <NUM> and spaced apart from one another. Accordingly, the gases discharged from the vent 124a of the 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 opening <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, a rack includes a plurality of shelves and a plurality of the energy storage modules <NUM> accommodated on the shelves thereof. For example, the rack include the plurality of shelves installed to be upwardly spaced apart from one another, and one or more energy storage modules <NUM> may be accommodated on each of the shelves. Here, a bottom surface of one of the energy storage modules <NUM> may contact a top surface of a first shelf, and a bottom surface of another one of the energy storage modules <NUM> may be positioned on the top surface of a second shelf while being spaced a distance apart from the top surface of the first shelf.

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

<FIG> is a partial exploded perspective view illustrating a battery cell, a top plate, and a top cover of the energy storage module <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> partially illustrates a rack on which energy storage modules are coupled according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> are cross-sectional views taken along the lines A-A and B-B, respectively, of <FIG>; and <FIG> is a partial enlarged view 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 the vents 124a of the battery cells <NUM>, and the discharge holes <NUM> of the top cover <NUM> are positioned to respectively correspond to the ducts <NUM> of the top plate <NUM>.

The duct <NUM> is a passage through which the gas discharged through the vent 124a of the battery cell <NUM> passes, and protrudes 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 an 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 the interior thereof. In an embodiment, to allow the gas to be efficiently discharged without obstructing 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>°.

In an embodiment, to effectively exhaust the gas discharged through the vent 124a of the battery cell <NUM>, the duct <NUM> may have a height equivalent to that of the top cover <NUM>. In an embodiment, the height of the duct <NUM> may be set to be in a range from <NUM> to <NUM>, and, in an embodiment, in a range 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 shelf <NUM> and the duct <NUM> can be easily manufactured. In an embodiment, because the height of the duct <NUM> is equivalent to that of the top cover <NUM>, the gas having gone through the duct <NUM> may move toward the discharge opening <NUM> of the top cover <NUM>.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, a duct <NUM>' according to another example embodiment of the present disclosure may taper away from a bottom portion thereof with an inner diameter thereof gradually decreasing upward. In addition, 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) to the exterior, and an exterior surface of the duct <NUM>' may be gradually upwardly inclined with an angle (e.g., a predefined angle) to the interior. In an embodiment, to allow the gas to be efficiently discharged without obstructing 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, in a range from about <NUM>° to about <NUM>°, to allow the gas to be sufficiently discharged without obstructing the operation of the vent 124a of the battery cell <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>, the top cover <NUM> may include an exhaust region 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 region 161a and each of the protrusion parts <NUM>. The exhaust region 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>. The exhaust region 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 region 161a may be two thirds (<NUM>/<NUM>) of the thickness D1 of the top cover <NUM>. In an embodiment, the thickness D2 of the exhaust region 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. In an embodiment, for example, when the thickness D1 of the top cover <NUM> is about <NUM>, the thickness D2 of the exhaust region 161a may be set to about <NUM>.

In addition, the gas exhausted from the vent 124a of the battery cell <NUM> may be discharged through the discharge holes <NUM> in the exhaust region 161a. While three discharge holes <NUM> are shown in the illustrated embodiment, the number of discharge holes <NUM> is not limited to three. In an embodiment, the overall area occupied by the plurality of discharge holes <NUM> may be set to be not less than about <NUM>% of an area of the exhaust region 161a to exhibit good ventilation performance. In an embodiment, a width W1 of each of the discharge holes <NUM> may be set to be smaller than <NUM>. If the width W1 of the discharge hole <NUM> is less than or equal to <NUM>, flames generated in the battery cell <NUM> may be prevented or substantially prevented from spreading to the exterior and safety can be increased by preventing or substantially preventing a user's hand from directly contacting the battery cell <NUM> from the exterior of the top cover <NUM>.

The discharge holes <NUM> are positioned inside (e.g., within) the duct <NUM>, and a top end of the duct <NUM> is covered (e.g. surrounded) by the exhaust region 161a. In other words, as shown in <FIG>, an area of the exhaust region 161a where the discharge holes <NUM> are not located, may extend toward the interior of the duct <NUM>. In an embodiment, a distance D3 of the exhaust region 161a extending toward the interior of the duct <NUM> may be set to about <NUM> or less, and, in an embodiment, in the range between <NUM> and <NUM>.

The protrusion part <NUM> may protrude from the bottom surface 160b of the top cover <NUM> and may be coupled to the exterior of the duct <NUM>. The protrusion part <NUM> may be shaped to correspond to a cross-section of the duct <NUM> and may cover the exhaust region 161a. In addition, the protrusion part <NUM> may have a larger cross-section than the duct <NUM>, and a space may exist between the duct <NUM> and the protrusion part <NUM>. Some of the gases discharged through the vent 124a of the battery cell <NUM> may strike the exhaust region 161a positioned on the duct <NUM> to then move to the space. In an embodiment, a height D4 of the protrusion part <NUM> may be in the range of between about <NUM> and about <NUM>, and, in an embodiment, <NUM>. If the height D4 of the protrusion part <NUM> is smaller than <NUM>, the length of the protrusion part <NUM> protruding from the bottom surface 160b of the top cover <NUM> may not be long enough to guide the gases having collided with the exhaust region 161a to the exterior of the duct <NUM>. If the height D4 of the protrusion part <NUM> is greater than <NUM>, the length of the protrusion part <NUM> protruding from the bottom surface 160b of the top cover <NUM> may be excessively large, and the gases may not be efficiently discharged. In an embodiment, a ratio of the height D4 of the protrusion part <NUM> to the height of the duct <NUM> may be about <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, and, in an embodiment, <NUM>:<NUM>. If the ratio of the height D4 of the protrusion part <NUM> to the height of the duct <NUM> is greater than <NUM>:<NUM>, the protrusion part <NUM> may be easily manufactured to cover the top portion of the duct <NUM>. If the ratio of the height D4 of the protrusion part <NUM> to the height of the duct <NUM> is less than <NUM>:<NUM>, the gases having passed the duct <NUM> may be easily upwardly guided.

The inclined part <NUM> is positioned between the exhaust region 161a and the protrusion part <NUM>. The inclined part <NUM> is configured to be naturally inclined by connecting the exhaust region 161a having a relatively small thickness and the protrusion part <NUM> in the top cover <NUM>. For example, the inclined part <NUM> may be configured to have a gradually increasing thickness from the exhaust region 161a to the protrusion part <NUM>. In an embodiment, the top end of the duct <NUM> is positioned below the inclined part <NUM>. The inclined part <NUM> may serve to prevent or substantially prevent the gases discharged through the vent 124a of the battery cell <NUM> from being induced back to the vent 124a. That is, the gases discharged through the vent 124a of the battery cell <NUM> may be discharged to the exterior of the duct <NUM> along the inclined part <NUM> and the protrusion part <NUM>, even if colliding with the exhaust region 161a extending toward the interior of the duct <NUM> in the course of upwardly moving along the duct <NUM>. Therefore, since the gases are prevented or substantially prevented from being induced back to the vent 124a of the battery cell <NUM>, the safety of the energy storage module <NUM> can be improved. In an embodiment, the inclined part <NUM> may be configured to have a slope in the range from about <NUM>° to about <NUM>° with respect to the exterior surface of the duct <NUM>, and, in an embodiment, in the range from <NUM>° to <NUM>°. If the angle of the inclined part <NUM> with respect to the exterior surface of the duct <NUM> is greater than <NUM>°, the gases discharged through the vent 124a are allowed to be discharged to the exterior, thereby easily preventing or substantially preventing the discharged gases from being induced back to the vent 124a again. If the angle of the inclined part <NUM> with respect to the exterior surface of the duct <NUM> is less than <NUM>°, the inclined part <NUM> can be advantageously integrated with the protrusion part <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, the energy storage module <NUM> may include a plurality of the energy storage modules to be combined with a rack <NUM>. The number of energy storage modules <NUM> may vary according to the 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 the overall external shape of the rack <NUM> and shelves <NUM> at different layers 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.

As shown in <FIG>, if the vent 124a of a battery cell <NUM> ruptures, the gas discharged from one of the vents 124a may move upwardly along the duct <NUM>, as indicated by the arrows. The vent 124a remaining in the cap plate <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. However, if internal gases are generated, the vent 124a may rupture and then be removed. In addition, some of the discharged gases may move along the inclined part <NUM> and the protrusion part <NUM> after colliding with the exhaust region 161a extending toward the interior of the duct <NUM>. In addition, the gases having passed the duct <NUM> may move toward the exterior through the discharge holes <NUM> of the top cover <NUM> positioned above the duct <NUM>. Here, the gases may accumulate between the top surface 160a of the top cover <NUM> and the adjacent shelf <NUM> accommodating another energy storage module <NUM> located above the top surface 160a of the top cover <NUM>. 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.

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 addition, 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 back 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 the space between the top surface 160a of the top cover <NUM> and the adjacent shelf <NUM> to create an inert gas atmosphere. The inert gas may also fill the internal space of the duct <NUM>. Such inert gas may prevent or substantially prevent oxygen induction and may prevent or substantially prevent flames generated by the battery cell <NUM> from spreading to neighboring battery cells <NUM> or to another energy storage module <NUM>. In addition, the extinguisher sheet <NUM>, which is positioned under the top cover <NUM>, may operate (e.g., may emit or spray the fire extinguishing agent) in response to the high-temperature inert gas.

Herein, a 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 in further detail.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the extinguisher sheet coupled to the top plate of the energy storage module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; <FIG> is an enlarged view of the region "B" of <FIG>; and <FIG> are conceptual diagrams illustrating a state in which an extinguisher sheet operates in the energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As described above, the extinguisher sheet <NUM> is positioned between the top plate <NUM> and the top cover <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the extinguisher sheet <NUM> may have openings (e.g., opening holes) <NUM> respectively coupled to (e.g., extending around) the ducts <NUM> of the top plate <NUM>. Accordingly, movement of gas through the ducts <NUM> may not be influenced (or substantially influenced) by the extinguisher sheet <NUM>.

Next, referring to <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 of the top cover <NUM>. In addition, the fire extinguishing agent may reach the underlying insulation spacers <NUM> 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 <NUM>. As will be further described below, after reaching the insulation spacers <NUM>, the fire extinguishing agent may move along surfaces of the insulation spacers <NUM>, thereby extinguishing a fire on a battery cell <NUM> and cooling the battery cell <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the extinguisher sheet <NUM> may include a capsule-type fire extinguishing agent received within (e.g., accommodated or stored in) an external case. As described above, the extinguisher sheet <NUM> may emit the internal fire extinguishing agent such that the capsule-type fire extinguishing agent and the external case open (or rupture) when the gas passing through the duct <NUM> of the top plate <NUM> reaches a relatively high temperature of about <NUM>ºC.

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

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C of <FIG>. <FIG> is a perspective view of an insulation spacer in the energy storage module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> are exploded perspective views illustrating example configurations of sheet parts of the insulation spacer shown in <FIG>; <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 the region "C" of <FIG>.

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 an opposite surface of the insulation spacer <NUM> may face the long side surface of another battery cell <NUM>.

In addition, 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 establish a passage for external air. The battery cell <NUM> may be cooled by the external air passing through the external air passage.

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 specific 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. 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 employ a mixture of a flame-retardant or non-combustible sheet that prevents (or substantially mitigates) flames from spreading to neighboring battery cells <NUM>, and a heat-insulating sheet that prevents (or substantially mitigates) heat from being propagated to neighboring battery cells <NUM> when a fire starts in any of the battery cells <NUM>. Configurations of the insulation spacers <NUM> will be described in further detail below.

In an embodiment, the first sheet 131a and the second sheets 131b have the 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, for example, when the first distance is <NUM>, the thickness of the insulation spacer <NUM> may not exceed <NUM>, and, when first distance is <NUM>, the thickness of the insulation spacer <NUM> may not exceed <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 adhesion member 131c may have a thickness of about <NUM>.

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 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 an embodiment, 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., a ceramic fiber) containing an alkali earth metal, which is an eco-friendly high-temperature insulating material that is generally harmless to humans.

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

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the adhesion member 131c may be positioned between the opposite ends 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 include any of general adhesion members comprising a variety of adhesive components or configurations, such as, for example, 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 or defined between the first sheet 131a and the second sheets 131b. In addition, if the battery cell(s) <NUM> swells, 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, the adhesion member 131c may be attached to the opposite ends of the sheet part <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In another embodiment, 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 (e.g., the first sheet 131a and the second sheets 131b may have a region adhered to each other from) 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 member(s) 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 is 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, an edge part <NUM> may be provided along peripheral edges of the sheet part <NUM>. The edge part <NUM> may include (or may be made of) a plastic material, 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 an embodiment, for example, the edge part may be made of a general polyethylene or polypropylene. 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> further includes openings (e.g., opening holes) <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 opening holes <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 cases <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. 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 of <FIG>; <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E of <FIG>; and <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating battery cells and insulation spacers arranged on a cover member in the energy storage module of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, an 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>.

In an embodiment, the cover member <NUM>, the top plate <NUM>, the extinguisher sheet <NUM>, and the top cover <NUM> may be similarly configured to those of the energy storage module <NUM> described above. In addition, the battery cells <NUM> may be the same (or substantially the same) as those of the energy storage module <NUM>. Accordingly, the following description will focus on differences between the energy storage module <NUM> and the energy storage module <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the cover member <NUM> may include a bottom plate <NUM>, an end plate (or a plurality of end plates) <NUM>, and a side plate (or a plurality of side plates) <NUM> which together form a space in which the battery cells <NUM> and the insulation spacers <NUM> are alternately arranged on the bottom plate <NUM>. 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 addition, the bottom plate <NUM> may further include openings (e.g., 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 cover (e.g., entirely cover) the long side surfaces of two adjacent battery cells <NUM>. 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 addition, a distance is maintained between each of the insulation spacers <NUM> and the battery cells <NUM> to establish external air passages and/or fire extinguishing agent passages, thereby allowing for cooling of the battery cells <NUM>. The insulation spacers <NUM> include (or are 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 occurs 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 (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 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 of the battery cell <NUM> ruptures, the gas discharged through the vent 124a may move upwardly along the ducts <NUM> of the top plate <NUM>. 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>. 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> in the form of a planar sheet extending in the length direction. 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 of the top cover <NUM>. In addition, the top cover <NUM> includes discharge openings (e.g., discharge holes) <NUM>. In addition, the top cover <NUM> also includes protrusion parts (e.g., protrusions) <NUM> spaced apart from (e.g. extending around) the outer periphery of respective ones of the discharge holes <NUM>. The protrusion parts <NUM> may protrude downwardly. 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 discharge 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 correspond to the ducts <NUM> of the top plate <NUM>. In an embodiment, the discharge holes <NUM> may also be provided as a plurality of openings (e.g., holes) passing through top and bottom surfaces of the top cover <NUM> and spaced apart from one another. Accordingly, if the vent 124a of the battery cell <NUM> ruptures, the gas discharged from the vent 124a may be discharged to an exterior side along the duct <NUM> of the top plate <NUM> and the discharge holes <NUM> of the top cover <NUM>.

In addition, the top cover <NUM> may further include openings (e.g., through-holes) <NUM>, through which the fire extinguishing agent of the extinguisher sheet <NUM> is exhausted and the air moving along the exterior surfaces of the insulation spacers <NUM> is exhausted. The openings <NUM> may be positioned to respectively correspond to the insulation spacers <NUM>.

In addition, recess parts (e.g., recessed portions or recesses) <NUM>, each having a lower height (e.g., a lower height above the battery cells <NUM>) than other areas of the top cover <NUM>, may be provided in a length direction of the top cover <NUM>, and the discharge holes <NUM> may be arranged at the recess parts <NUM>. With this configuration, the gases discharged through the ducts <NUM> and the discharge openings <NUM> may gather in the recess parts <NUM>, and the gas may be discharged to the exterior side by using, for example, a separate fan or a suction structure, 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 the energy storage module <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

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

The battery cells <NUM> and the insulation spacers <NUM> may be alternately arranged on a top surface of the bottom plate <NUM> of the cover member <NUM>. Each of the insulation spacers <NUM> may have short side surfaces, each having a planar size sufficient to cover (e.g., entirely cover) long side surfaces of two adjacent battery cells <NUM>. For example, one surface of one of the insulation spacers <NUM> may cover (e.g., entirely cover) the long side surfaces of two adjacent battery cells <NUM>, and the other surface of the one insulation spacer <NUM> may cover (e.g., 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 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 sheets <NUM> (e.g., only sheets <NUM>) 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 <NUM> 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 adhesion members 231c. In an embodiment, the first sheet 231a and the second sheets 231b have the 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.

An adhesion member 231c may be positioned between the first sheet 231a and the second sheets 231b at a distance (e.g., a reference 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 the 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, when the sheet part <NUM> has a width-direction size greater than twice a height-direction size thereof, the adhesion member 231c may be applied to the top and bottom ends thereof to improve adhesion performance. For example, when the sheet part <NUM> has the width-direction size greater than twice the height-direction size thereof, such as in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the adhesion performance may be lowered when the adhesion member 231c is applied to opposite ends of the sheet part <NUM>, due to a reduction in the adhesion area. In this case, the insulation spacer <NUM> may have the same (or substantially the same) configuration as the sheet part <NUM> described above, as 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> further includes 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 opening holes <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 cases <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 openings (e.g., through-holes) <NUM> that pass through top and bottom surfaces of the top cover <NUM> and are located to respectively correspond to the opening holes <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 openings (e.g., 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 through-holes 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 opening holes <NUM>, thereby improving cooling efficiency.

Herein, configurations of the battery cell <NUM> used in the energy storage modules <NUM> and <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in further detail.

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

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, 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 the 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 addition, 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;
a plurality of insulation spacers (<NUM>, <NUM>), at least one of the insulation spacers (<NUM>, <NUM>) being between the long side surfaces of each 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>) coupled to a top of the cover member (<NUM>, <NUM>), the top plate (<NUM>) comprising ducts (<NUM>, <NUM>) respectively corresponding to vents (124a) of the battery cells (<NUM>) and having opening holes (<NUM>, <NUM>) respectively corresponding to the insulation spacers (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a top cover (<NUM>, <NUM>) coupled to a top of the top plate (<NUM>, <NUM>) and having discharge holes (<NUM>, <NUM>) respectively corresponding to the ducts (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
an extinguisher sheet (<NUM>, <NUM>) between the top cover (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the top plate (<NUM>, <NUM>), the extinguisher sheet (<NUM>, <NUM>) being configured to emit a fire extinguishing agent at a temperature exceeding a reference temperature,
wherein the top cover (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprises protrusion parts (<NUM>, <NUM>) on a bottom surface (160b, 260b) thereof, the protrusion parts (<NUM>, <NUM>) covering an exhaust region (161a) and being coupled to an exterior of each of the ducts (<NUM>, <NUM>), and each of the insulation spacers (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprises a heat-insulating first sheet (131a, 231a) and flame-retardant or non-combustible second sheets (131b, 231b) respectively adhered to opposite surfaces of the first sheet (131a, 231a) by an adhesion member (131c, 231c), and
wherein the long side surfaces of the adjacent battery cells (<NUM>) are spaced apart from each other by a first distance, and
wherein a thickness of each of the insulation spacers (<NUM>, <NUM>) is less than <NUM>% of the first distance.