Battery pack

Abstract

A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a side cover, a front cover coupled to the side cover in a direction traversing the side cover, a top cover coupled to the upper portion of the side cover and the front cover, a first sealing member disposed along a first region which is a coupling area of ​​the side cover and the front cover, and a second sealing member disposed along a second region which is a coupling area of ​​the side cover and the front cover and the top cover, wherein the first sealing member may extend along the boundary of the side cover and the front cover in a contact area that contacts the second sealing member.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack comprising a sealing member. Background Technology

[0002] In response to environmental pollution and the depletion of petroleum resources, research and development on power generation based on eco-friendly energy sources are underway. In particular, research on secondary batteries is actively progressing, covering various aspects such as materials, structure, processes, and systems.

[0003] Rechargeable batteries are assembled into modules and packs, and their stability is managed through a Battery Management System (BMS). In addition to voltage management via the BMS, structural stability is critical, and detailed design of sealing structures to ensure waterproofing of modules or packs is also required.

[0004] According to the prior art, when a pack is formed by joining three sides, it was difficult to design a waterproof structure based on the structure of the three-sided joining part itself. In addition, even if a sealing member is provided at the three-sided joining part, there was a risk of moisture penetration because the sealing at the area where the three sides meet was weak. The problem to be solved

[0005] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a battery pack including a sealing member that can improve sealing when three sides are joined. means of solving the problem

[0006] A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a side cover, a front cover coupled to the side cover in a direction traversing the side cover, a top cover coupled to the upper portion of the side cover and the front cover, a first sealing member disposed along a first region which is a coupling area of ​​the side cover and the front cover, and a second sealing member disposed along a second region which is a coupling area of ​​the side cover and the front cover and the top cover, wherein the first sealing member may extend along the boundary of the side cover and the front cover in a contact area that contacts the second sealing member. Effects of the invention

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sealing effect of the battery pack can be increased.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, stability can be improved by suppressing the penetration of moisture or foreign substances into the battery pack through an increased sealing effect. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing a magnified portion of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the arrangement relationship of a first sealing member and a second sealing member according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the shape of a first sealing member according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the shape of a second sealing member according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the arrangement relationship of a first sealing member and a second sealing member according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the shape of a first sealing member according to another embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited or restricted by the following embodiments.

[0011] In order to clearly explain the present invention, detailed descriptions of related prior art that are irrelevant to the explanation or that may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention have been omitted. Furthermore, when assigning reference numerals to the components of each drawing in this specification, identical or similar reference numerals are assigned to identical or similar components throughout the entire specification.

[0012] Furthermore, terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms to best describe his invention.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a battery pack (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery pack (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, the battery pack (1) may have an internal space (e.g., internal space (2) of FIG. 3) formed therein that can accommodate batteries (or battery modules). The internal space may be enclosed by covers to separate it from the outside.

[0015] The battery pack (1) may be in the form of a side cover (10), a front cover (20), and a top cover (30) joined on three sides. For example, the side cover (10) may form both sides of the battery pack (1), and the front cover (20) may form the front and rear (or other sides other than both sides). Specifically, for example, the front cover (20) may be joined to the side cover (10) in a direction that crosses the side cover (10) (e.g., a vertical direction). The top cover (30) may be joined to the top of the side cover (10) and the front cover (20).

[0016] The side cover (10), front cover (20), and top cover (30) can be joined in three sides to form a rectangular prism shape. For example, the side cover (20) can form a first surface and a second surface that face each other among the sides of the rectangular prism. The front cover (20) can form a third surface and a fourth surface that face each other while crossing the first surface and the second surface among the sides of the rectangular prism. The top cover (30) can be joined to the top of the side cover (10) and front cover (20) in a direction (or vertical direction) crossing the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface. Alternatively, the top cover (30) can form the upper surface of the battery pack (1).

[0017] Referring to FIG. 2, the battery pack (1) may include sealing members (e.g., a first sealing member (40), a second sealing member (50)). For example, the first sealing member (40) may be placed between the side cover (10) and the front cover (20). The first sealing member (40) can perform sealing between the side cover (10) and the front cover (20) to prevent external moisture, etc. from entering the internal space (e.g., internal space (2)). The second sealing member (50) may be placed between the side cover (10) and the front cover (20) and the top cover (30). The second sealing member (50) can perform sealing between the side cover (10) and the front cover (20) and the top cover (30) to prevent external moisture, etc. from entering the internal space (e.g., internal space (2)).

[0018] The first sealing member (40) and the second sealing member (50) may have a difference in hardness. For example, the hardness of the first sealing member (40) may be lower than the hardness of the second sealing member (50). Specifically, for example, the first sealing member (40) may be formed of ethylene propylene rubber, and the second sealing member (50) may be formed of polyurethane rubber, which has a lower hardness than the ethylene propylene rubber. The rubbers described above are merely examples and are not limited thereto. As described above, when the first sealing member (40) and the second sealing member (50) have a difference in hardness, the formation of a void space is suppressed when the first sealing member (40) and the second sealing member (50) overlap, so that sealing can be performed more effectively. In addition, a similar effect may occur even if the hardness of the first sealing member (40) is higher than the hardness of the second sealing member (50).

[0019] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing a magnified portion of a battery pack (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention. The above description may be applied in the same or similar manner below.

[0020] The first sealing member (40) may be placed in the first area (110). For example, the area where the side cover (10) and the front cover (20) are joined may be defined as the first area (110). The first sealing member (40) may be placed along the first area (110).

[0021] The first sealing member (40) may extend toward the internal space (2). For example, the side cover (10), the front cover (20), and the top cover (30) may define the internal space (2) capable of accommodating the battery. The first sealing member (40) may be positioned between the side cover (10) and the front cover (20), with at least a portion extending toward the internal space (2). At least a portion of the first sealing member (40) may be the portion of the first sealing member (40) on the side of the top cover (30). When at least a portion of the first sealing member (40) extends toward the internal space (2), the penetration path of moisture, etc., may be restricted to the extent of the extension.

[0022] The first sealing member (40) may be mounted in the first mounting groove (210). For example, the first mounting groove (210) may be a groove provided in at least one of the side cover (10) and the front cover (20) to mount the first sealing member (40). Alternatively, the first mounting groove (210) may be formed in either the side cover (10) or the front cover (20), or it may be formed in both the side cover (10) and the front cover (20). Also, for example, the first mounting groove (210) may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the first sealing member (40).

[0023] The second sealing member (50) may be placed in the second area (120). For example, the area where the side cover (10) and the front cover (20) are joined to the top cover (30) may be defined as the second area (120). The second sealing member (50) may be placed along the second area (120). The second area (120) may be an area corresponding to the edge of the top cover (30).

[0024] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the arrangement relationship of a first sealing member (40) and a second sealing member (50) according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the shape of the first sealing member (40) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The above description may be applied in the following manner in the same or similar manner.

[0025] The first sealing member (40) and the second sealing member (50) may include an overlapping area. For example, when viewed from above, the first sealing member (40) and the second sealing member (50) may form a contact area (300) which is an overlapping area.

[0026] The first sealing member (40) may come into contact with the second sealing member (50). By the first sealing member (40) and the second sealing member (50) coming into contact, the movement of moisture, etc., can be suppressed, thereby increasing the sealing effect. Additionally, if the contact area (300) between the first sealing member (40) and the second sealing member (50) is large, the movement of moisture, etc., is further suppressed, and the sealing effect can be increased to a certain degree.

[0027] The first sealing member (40) may extend along the boundary of the side cover (10) and the front cover (20). For example, the first sealing member (40) may include a portion extending along the boundary of the side cover (10) and the front cover (20) in a contact area (300) that contacts the second sealing member (50).

[0028] The second sealing member (50) may include an extension portion (51). For example, the extension portion (51) may be in a shape that is extended to cover the first sealing member (40) when viewed from above. The extension portion (51) may cover the entire first sealing member (40) or cover a part of it when viewed from above. When viewed from above, the area of ​​the first sealing member (40) covered by the extension portion (51) may correspond to the contact area (300).

[0029] The first sealing member (40) may include a portion with a different cross-sectional area. For example, the first sealing member (40) may include a first portion (41) having a first cross-sectional area and a second portion (42) having a second cross-sectional area smaller than the first cross-sectional area. Specifically, the first portion (41) may be formed on the side of the contact area (300) that contacts the second sealing member (50) and may have a first cross-sectional area. The second portion (42) may extend from the first portion (41) toward the side opposite to where the second sealing member (50) is located and may have a second cross-sectional area smaller than the first cross-sectional area. As described above, by widening the cross-sectional area of ​​the first portion (41) in the area where the side cover (10), front cover (20), and top cover (30) meet, the sealing effect for the three-sided joint portion can be increased.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the shape of a second sealing member (50) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The above description may be applied in the following manner in the same or similar manner.

[0031] The second sealing member (50) may include an extension portion (51). For example, the second sealing member (50) may be formed along the edge area of ​​the top cover (30), and an extension portion (51) may be formed in the corner area of ​​the second sealing member (50) to increase the contact area with the first sealing member (40). There may be no particular limitation on the shape of the extension portion (51).

[0032] The second sealing member (50) can be mounted in the second mounting groove (220) of the top cover (30). For example, the top cover (30) may be provided with a second mounting groove (220) to allow the second sealing member (50) to be mounted. Additionally, the second mounting groove (220) may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the second sealing member (50).

[0033] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the arrangement relationship of a first sealing member (40a) and a second sealing member (50a) according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the shape of a first sealing member (40a) according to another embodiment of the present invention. The above description may be applied in the following manner in the same or similar manner.

[0034] The first sealing member (40a) may be further extended along the second sealing member (50a). For example, the first sealing member (40a) may include a portion that extends further in a direction across the boundary of the side cover (10a) and the front cover (20a) in the contact area (300a) that contacts the second sealing member (50a). In this case, the extended portion may be further extended along the second sealing member (50a) to increase the contact area.

[0035] The first sealing member (40a) may include a first part (41a) and a second part (42a). For example, among the first sealing member (40a), the part that contacts the second sealing member (50a) may be the first part (41a), and the part that extends to the opposite side of where the second sealing member (50a) is located may be the second part (42a). The first part (41a) may have a shape such as “L”. As described above, by further extending the first part (41a) in a direction across the boundary in the area where the side cover (10), front cover (20), and top cover (30) meet, the contact area (300a) is increased and the path of movement of moisture, etc. is additionally blocked, thereby maximizing the sealing effect on the three-sided joint part.

[0036] Although the present invention has been described above by limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various implementations are possible within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims described below by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. Explanation of the symbols

[0037] 1: Battery pack 2: Interior space 10, 10a: Side cover 20, 20a: Front cover 30: Top cover 40, 40a: First sealing member 41, 41a: Part 1 42, 42a: Part 2 50, 50a: Second sealing member 51, 51a: Extension 110: Zone 1 120: Second Zone 210: 1st mounting groove 220: Second mounting groove 300, 300a: Contact area

Claims

Claim 1 A battery pack comprising: a side cover; a front cover coupled to the side cover in a direction traversing the side cover; a top cover coupled to the upper portion of the side cover and the front cover; a first sealing member disposed along a first region which is a coupling area of ​​the side cover and the front cover; and a second sealing member disposed along a second region which is a coupling area of ​​the side cover and the front cover and the top cover, wherein the first sealing member extends along the boundary of the side cover and the front cover in a contact area that contacts the second sealing member. Claim 2 A battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the first sealing member extends further along the second sealing member, crossing the boundary of the side cover and the front cover in a contact area in contact with the second sealing member. Claim 3 A battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the second sealing member comprises an extended portion that covers the first sealing member when viewed from above. Claim 4 A battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the side cover, the front cover, and the top cover define an internal space capable of accommodating a battery, and the first sealing member extends toward the internal space. Claim 5 A battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the first sealing member comprises: a first portion having a first cross-sectional area formed on the contact area side in contact with the second sealing member; and a second portion extending from the first portion toward the side opposite to where the second sealing member is located, having a second cross-sectional area smaller than the first cross-sectional area. Claim 6 A battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, when viewed from above, the first sealing member and the second sealing member include an overlapping area. Claim 7 A battery pack according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the side cover and the front cover is provided to mount the first sealing member and includes a first mounting groove having a shape corresponding to the shape of the first sealing member. Claim 8 A battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the top cover is provided to mount the second sealing member and includes a second mounting groove having a shape corresponding to the shape of the second sealing member. Claim 9 A battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the hardness of the first sealing member is lower than the hardness of the second sealing member. Claim 10 A battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the hardness of the first sealing member differs from the hardness of the second sealing member.

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