Battery module including thermal insulation member

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023178824-A1
Application number	US-202117921857-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 12, 2021
Priority date	Aug 20, 2020
Publication date	Jun 8, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

A battery module prevents heat transfer to an adjacent battery cell when thermal runaway occurs. The battery module includes a plurality of battery cells, each battery cell having electrode leads, a case configured to receive the plurality of battery cells, and a thermal insulation member located between the plurality of battery cells, the thermal insulation member being configured to interrupt heat transfer between adjacent ones of the battery cells. The thermal insulation member is configured to have a composite structure including an outer portion made of plastic having a lower melting point than temperature when thermal runaway occurs and a support member provided in an inner portion of the thermal insulation member, the support member being made of a heat-resistant material having a higher melting point than the temperature when the thermal runaway occurs.

First claim

1 . A battery module capable of, when thermal runaway occurs in a battery cell,preventing heat transfer to an adjacent battery cell, the battery module (1000) comprising:
a plurality of battery cells,each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells having electrode leads; a case configured to receive the plurality of battery cells; and a thermal insulation member located between the plurality of battery cells, the thermal insulation member being configured to interrupt heat transfer between adjacent ones of the plurality of battery cells, wherein the thermal insulation member has a composite structure comprising an outer portion made of plastic having a lower melting point than a first temperature and a support member provided in an inner portion of the thermal insulation member, the support member being made of a heat-resistant material having a higher melting point than the first temperature .

2 . The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of battery cellsis a pouch-shaped battery cell, and
wherein the electrode leads protrude in opposite directions.

3 . The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the case comprises:
a lower case configured to receive the plurality of battery cells and the thermal insulation member; and a cover located at an upper part of the lower case.

4 . The battery module according to claim 3 , further comprising a busbar configured to electrically connect the electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells to each other.

5 . The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the thermal insulation member is further provided between one of the plurality of battery cells and the case.

6 . The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein a shape of the support member is maintained even when the thermal runaway occurs to form an air layer between the plurality of battery cells.

7 . The battery module according to claim 6 , wherein the support member is made of one of metal and polyamide-based plastic.

8 . The battery module according to claim 7 , wherein the support member has a plurality of protrusions is formed on opposite surfaces of a thin plate.

9 . The battery module according to claim 7 , wherein the support member has rings which are joined to each other.

10 . A battery pack comprising the battery module according to claim 1 .

11 . A device comprising the battery pack according to claim 10 .

12 . The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the support member has rings which are joined to each other.

13 . The battery module according to claim 12 , wherein the rings are tangentially joined.

14 . The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the support member has diamond shaped members which are joined to each other.

15 . The battery module according to claim 14 , wherein the diamond shaped members are joined at an apex of each diamond shaped member.

Assignees

• Lg Energy Solution Ltd

Inventors

• Hong Sung Goen
• Jo Sang Hyun

Classifications

• H01M10/647

  Prismatic or flat cells, e.g. pouch cells · CPC title

• H01M50/211

  adapted for pouch cells · CPC title

• H01M10/658 Primary

  by thermal insulation or shielding · CPC title

• H01M50/24

  adapted for protecting batteries from their environment, e.g. from corrosion (thermal insulation H01M10/658) · CPC title

• H01M2200/10

  Temperature sensitive devices · CPC title