Battery rack with fixed frame and energy storage system

Abstract

The present invention discloses a battery rack having increased durability to prevent deformation or cracking of a battery rack housing due to external impact during delivery. In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the battery rack according to the present invention includes: a plurality of battery modules, the plurality of battery modules are arranged in one direction; at least one battery rack housing, the at least one battery rack housing including a plurality of rack frames, the plurality of rack frames being configured to mount the plurality of battery modules thereon; and at least one fixed frame, the at least one fixed frame having a plate-shaped body and a fixing portion, the plate-shaped body extending in a length direction along the plurality of battery modules, the fixing portion being formed on one surface of the body and being configured to be attached to or detached from each of the plurality of battery modules.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery rack having a fixing frame, and more particularly, to a battery rack having increased durability to prevent a housing of the battery rack from being deformed or broken due to external impact during delivery.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0105127 filed on August 27, 2019, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0090588 filed on July 21, 2020, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Background Art

[0003] Currently, commercially available secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries, etc. Among these secondary batteries, lithium secondary batteries have almost no memory effect. Therefore, lithium secondary batteries are gaining more attention than nickel secondary batteries due to their advantages of being able to be recharged at any convenient time, having a very low self-discharge rate and having a high energy density.

[0004] Lithium secondary batteries use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials for positive electrode active materials and negative electrode active materials, respectively. The lithium secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly including a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate coated with positive electrode active materials and negative electrode active materials, respectively, wherein a separator is placed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate; and a package or battery bag shell that hermetically receives the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte solution.

[0005] Recently, secondary batteries are widely used not only in small devices such as portable electronic devices, but also in medium and large devices such as vehicles and energy storage systems. In order to be used in medium and large device applications, many secondary batteries are electrically connected to increase capacity and output. In particular, pouch-type secondary batteries are widely used in medium and large devices due to their advantage of easy stacking.

[0006] More recently, as the need for large-capacity structures used as energy sources grows, there is an increased demand for a battery rack including a plurality of secondary batteries electrically connected in series and / or in parallel, a battery module receiving the secondary batteries, and a battery management system (BMS).

[0007] The battery rack generally includes a metal battery rack housing to protect the battery module from external impact or receive and store the battery module. Also, in recent years, as the demand for high-capacity battery racks increases, there is a growing trend toward battery racks including a plurality of battery modules with a heavy load.

[0008] However, a battery rack including a plurality of heavy battery modules has a very high weight. Therefore, during delivery of the battery rack including a plurality of battery modules accommodated in a battery rack housing, when the battery rack housing vibrates or tilts, the battery rack housing may be deformed or broken due to the load of the heavy battery modules.

[0009] In order to prevent the battery rack housing from being deformed during the delivery of the battery rack, a plurality of battery modules and the battery rack housing are delivered separately. However, in this case, they occupy a larger volume, which increases the delivery cost, and the battery rack housing and the battery modules need to be assembled in the installation location. As a result, the production cost of the battery rack increases. Summary of the invention

[0010] Technical issues

[0011] The present disclosure is designed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide a battery rack having increased durability to prevent a housing of the battery rack from being deformed or broken due to external impact during delivery.

[0012] These and other purposes and advantages of the present disclosure can be understood through the following description and will be apparent from the embodiments of the present disclosure.In addition, it will be easily recognized that the purposes and advantages of the present disclosure can be achieved through devices and combinations thereof.

[0013] Technical Solution

[0014] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, a battery rack according to the present disclosure includes: a plurality of battery modules, wherein the plurality of battery modules are arranged in a certain direction; at least one battery rack housing, wherein the at least one battery rack housing includes a plurality of battery rack frames, and the plurality of battery rack frames are configured to install the plurality of battery modules; and at least one fixed frame, wherein the at least one fixed frame includes a main body and a fixing portion, wherein the main body has a plate shape extending along the plurality of battery modules, the fixing portion is formed on a surface of the main body, and the fixing portion is configured to be attached to or detached from each of the plurality of battery modules.

[0015] In addition, each of the multiple battery modules may include a suspension member, which is configured so that a portion of the suspension member is fixed to the outer surface of the battery module, the fixing portion of the fixing frame may have a hooking structure, which is configured to be hooked and connected to the suspension member, and the suspension member may be configured to be connected to the hooking structure of the fixing portion of the fixing frame.

[0016] Additionally, the battery module may include a module housing including an upper cover, a substrate, a front cover, and a rear cover, and the suspension member may be disposed on an outer side of the rear cover of the module housing.

[0017] Additionally, the suspension member may include: a suspension rod having a plate shape, wherein the hook structure is inserted and fixed on one side, and the suspension rod is spaced a predetermined distance from an outer surface of the battery module; and a leg extending from both ends of the suspension rod, wherein an extended end of the leg is fixed to the outer surface of the battery module, and the leg has a bent portion to be spaced a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the battery module.

[0018] Additionally, the fixing frame may include a support portion extending vertically from the body along the body such that one surface wraps at least a portion of an outer surface of the leg.

[0019] Additionally, the support portion may be configured to wrap at least a portion of an outer surface of the leg of the suspending member even when the hooking structure is separated from the suspending rod of the suspending member.

[0020] Additionally, upper and lower ends of the body of the fixing frame may have housing coupling portions coupled to the battery rack housing.

[0021] Additionally, the battery rack housing may include a connecting rod having a portion coupled to the housing coupling portion to couple the housing coupling portion to the battery rack housing.

[0022] In addition, the shell connection part of the fixed frame may include: an upper bolting hole, which is configured to connect the hooking structure of the fixed part to the suspension rod of the suspension member when a bolt is used to connect to the connecting rod; and a lower bolting hole, which is spaced apart at a predetermined distance in the vertical direction and is configured to separate the hooking structure of the fixed part from the suspension rod of the suspension member when a bolt is used to connect to the connecting rod.

[0023] Additionally, the fixing frame may include an indicator configured to indicate with a color whether the hooking structure of the fixing portion is coupled to the suspending rod of the suspending member.

[0024] Additionally, the fixing frame may further include a wall coupling portion configured to fix the fixing frame to a wall adjacent to the battery rack.

[0025] Additionally, the battery rack housing may include: a front frame including a plurality of pillars disposed at the front ends of the plurality of battery modules and extending in a vertical direction and connecting portions connecting the pillars in a horizontal direction; a rear frame including a plurality of pillars disposed at the rear ends of the plurality of battery modules and extending in a vertical direction and connecting portions connecting the pillars in a horizontal direction; and a top plate disposed on top of the plurality of battery modules.

[0026] Additionally, a lower end of each of the front frame and the rear frame may have a bent portion having one surface parallel to the ground and a bolting hole formed in the bent portion.

[0027] Additionally, the battery rack may include two or more battery rack shells stacked in a vertical direction, each of the pillars of the front frame and the rear frame may have a bolting hole configured to be connected to another battery rack shell at an upper end, and the bolting holes disposed at the bent portions of the pillars of the battery rack shell disposed at the upper position may be bolted to the bolting holes of the pillars of the battery rack shell disposed at the lower position.

[0028] Additionally, the support column may include an outer support column extending in a vertical direction and having an open horizontal side, and an inner support column inserted into the outer support column and extending in the vertical direction.

[0029] Additionally, when viewed in a horizontal cross-section, the outer support may be a C-shaped steel opened to one side, and the inner support may be in the shape of a rectangular tube.

[0030] Additionally, the bent portion of the rear frame may have a slit into which the body of the bolt is slidably inserted in a horizontal direction.

[0031] In order to achieve the above objectives, an energy storage system according to the present disclosure includes at least one battery rack.

[0032] Beneficial effects

[0033] According to aspects of the present disclosure, the battery rack of the present disclosure includes at least one fixing frame, which includes a fixing portion configured to be attached to / detached from each of a plurality of battery modules to prevent deformation of the battery rack housing or failure or damage of the battery module or separation of the battery module from the battery rack due to the movement of heavy battery modules during delivery of the battery rack.

[0034] According to aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is configured such that the suspension member installed in each of the plurality of battery modules and the fixing portion of the fixing frame are hooked and connected to each other, and when the fixing frame is suspended on the suspension member, it can be easily connected to each of the plurality of battery modules. When the delivery of the battery rack is completed and it needs to be installed in the installation position, the fixing frame can be easily separated from each of the plurality of battery modules, thereby performing the separation operation in a simple and quick manner.

[0035] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the fixing frame of the present disclosure further includes a support portion extending from the body so that one surface wraps at least a portion of the outer surface of the leg to prevent the battery module from moving left and right during delivery. Accordingly, deformation of the battery rack housing caused by the leftward and rightward movement of the battery module can be prevented.

[0036] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the wall coupling portion of the fixing frame is configured to fix the fixing frame to a wall adjacent to the battery rack to couple and fix the upper portion of the battery rack housing to the wall of the storage location. Accordingly, the upper portion of the battery rack can be prevented from moving forward and backward and left and right during delivery. Accordingly, deformation of the battery rack housing of the battery rack or deformation or damage to the plurality of battery modules caused by the battery rack housing can be prevented.

[0037] According to aspects of the present disclosure, the support column includes an outer support column extending in a vertical direction and having an open horizontal side, and an inner support column inserted into the outer support column and extending in a vertical direction, thereby effectively increasing the mechanical strength of the battery rack housing. That is, the combination of the inner support column and the outer support column (rather than a single support column) can ensure a higher mechanical strength than a single structure without increasing the weight of the battery rack housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and together with the foregoing disclosure, are used to provide a further understanding of the technical spirit of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure is not to be construed as being limited to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] Figure 1 is a schematic front perspective view of a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 2 is a schematic rear perspective view of a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the interior of a battery module of a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 5 is a schematic rear perspective view of a battery module of a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 6 is a schematic rear perspective view of a fixing frame of a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 7 is a schematic front perspective view of a fixing frame of a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 8 is a schematic partial plan view of a battery module and a fixing frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 Schematic enlarged plan view of section A in FIG.

[0048] Fig.10 is a schematic rear perspective view of a fixing frame according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Fig.11 is a schematic partial stereoscopic view of the lower portion of a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] Fig.12 is a schematic partial stereoscopic view of the upper portion of a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] Fig.13 is a schematic partial stereoscopic view of a battery rack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] Fig.14 yes Figure 1 Schematic partial horizontal cross-sectional view of a battery rack taken along line AA'.

[0053] Fig.15 and Fig.16 is a schematic rear view of a fixing frame of a battery rack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before the description, it should be understood that the terms or words used in the specification and the appended claims should not be interpreted as limited to the general and dictionary meanings, but are interpreted based on the meaning and concept corresponding to the technical aspects of the present disclosure based on the principle of allowing the inventor to appropriately define the terms for the best interpretation.

[0055] Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the illustrations shown in the accompanying drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to fully describe the technical aspects of the present disclosure. It should be understood that various other equivalent schemes and modifications may have been made thereto when the application is filed.

[0056] Figure 1 is a schematic front perspective view of a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a schematic rear perspective view of a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the interior of a battery module of a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure

[0057] refer to Figures 1 to 4 , the battery rack 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of battery modules 200 arranged in a certain direction, at least one battery rack housing 310 and at least one fixing frame 320 .

[0058] Here, the plurality of battery modules 200 may be received within the battery holder housing 310 in a vertical arrangement.

[0059] The plurality of battery modules 200 may include a module housing 210 and a cell assembly 100 having a plurality of secondary batteries 110 disposed in the module housing 210 and stacked in a certain direction.

[0060] In detail, the secondary battery 110 may be a pouch-type secondary battery. Figure 2 As shown in , each of the two cell assemblies 100 may include 21 pouch-type secondary batteries 110 stacked side by side in the front-rear direction (y direction).

[0061] In particular, the pouch type secondary battery 110 may include an electrode assembly (not shown), an electrolyte solution (not shown), and a pouch.

[0062] Each secondary battery 110 may stand in a direction (z direction) substantially perpendicular to the ground with two wide surfaces disposed in forward and rearward directions and seal portions disposed in upward, downward, leftward, and rightward directions.

[0063] Here, the bag may have a concave receiving portion. The electrode assembly and the electrolyte solution may be received in the receiving portion. Each bag may include an outer insulating layer, a metal layer and an inner insulating layer, and the inner bonding layer is bonded to each other at the edge of the bag to form a sealing portion. The platform portion may be formed at each end in the left-right direction (x direction) of the positive electrode lead 111 and the negative electrode lead (not shown) of the secondary battery 110.

[0064] The electrode assembly is an assembly of an electrode plate coated with an electrode active material and a separator, and includes at least one positive electrode plate and at least one negative electrode plate, wherein the separator is disposed between the at least one positive electrode plate and the at least one negative electrode plate. The positive electrode plate of the electrode assembly may have a positive electrode tab, and at least one positive electrode tab may be connected to a positive electrode lead 111.

[0065] Here, the positive electrode lead 111 may have one end connected to the positive electrode tab and the other end exposed to the outside through the pouch, and the exposed portion may serve as an electrode terminal of the secondary battery 110 , for example, a positive electrode terminal of the secondary battery 110 .

[0066] The negative electrode of the electrode assembly may have a negative electrode tab, and at least one negative electrode tab may be connected to a negative electrode lead. The negative electrode lead may have one end connected to the negative electrode tab and the other end exposed to the outside through the bag, and the exposed portion may be used as an electrode terminal of the secondary battery 110, for example, a negative electrode terminal of the secondary battery 110.

[0067] like Figure 4 As shown in , the positive electrode lead 111 and the negative electrode lead may be formed at the left and right ends (x direction) relative to the center of the secondary battery 110. That is, the positive electrode lead 111 may be disposed at one end (right end) relative to the center of the secondary battery 110. The negative electrode lead may be disposed at the other end (left end) relative to the center of the secondary battery 110.

[0068] For example, Figure 2 As shown in , each secondary battery 110 of the cell assembly 100 may be configured such that the positive electrode lead 111 and the negative electrode lead extend in the left-right direction.

[0069] According to such a configuration of the present disclosure, it is possible to increase the area of ​​the electrode lead without interference between the positive electrode lead 111 and the negative electrode lead of one secondary battery 110 .

[0070] The positive electrode lead 111 and the negative electrode lead may be formed in a plate shape. Specifically, the positive electrode lead 111 and the negative electrode lead may extend in a horizontal direction (X direction) with a wide surface standing in the front-rear direction.

[0071] Here, the horizontal direction refers to a direction parallel to the ground when the battery module 200 is placed on the ground, and may be referred to as at least one direction on a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0072] However, the battery module 200 according to the present disclosure is not limited to the pouch-type secondary battery 110 described above, and may include various secondary batteries 110 known at the time of filing this patent application.

[0073] At least two monomer assemblies 100 may be arranged in the front-rear direction. Figure 2 As shown in , two single body assemblies 100 may be arranged in the front-rear direction and may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

[0074] The battery module 200 may further include a bus bar assembly 280. In detail, the bus bar assembly 280 may include: at least one bus bar 282 configured to electrically connect the plurality of secondary batteries 110; and at least two bus bar frames 286 configured to externally mount the at least one bus bar 282. The at least two bus bar frames 286 may be disposed on the left and right sides of the cell assembly 100, respectively.

[0075] In detail, the bus bar 282 may include a conductive metal such as copper, aluminum, and nickel.

[0076] The busbar frame 286 may include an electrically insulating material. For example, the busbar frame 286 may include a plastic material. In more detail, the plastic material may be polyvinyl chloride.

[0077] The module housing 210 may have an inner space to receive the cell assembly 100 therein. In detail, the module housing 210 may include an upper cover 220 , a base plate 240 , a front cover 250 , and a rear cover 260 .

[0078] In detail, the base plate 240 may have an area larger than the size of the lower surface of the at least two cell assemblies 100 to mount the at least two cell assemblies 100 thereon. The base plate 240 may have a plate shape extending in a horizontal direction.

[0079] The upper cover 220 may include a top portion 224 and a side portion 226. The top portion 224 may have a plate shape extending in a horizontal direction to cover the top of the cell assembly 100. The side portion 226 may have a plate shape extending from left and right ends of the top portion 224 in a downward direction to cover the left and right sides of the cell assembly 100.

[0080] The side portion 226 may be coupled to a portion of the base plate 240. For example, Figure 3 As shown in , the upper cover 220 may have a top 224 having a plate shape extending in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The upper cover 220 may have two side portions 226 extending from each of the left and right ends of the top 224 in a downward direction. The lower end of each of the two side portions 226 may be configured to be coupled to the left and right ends of the base plate 240. In this case, the coupling method may be a male-female coupling method or a welding coupling method.

[0081] The front cover 250 may be configured to cover the front sides of the plurality of secondary batteries 110. For example, the front cover 250 may be a plate shape having a size larger than the front surfaces of the plurality of secondary batteries 110. The plate shape may stand in a vertical direction.

[0082] A portion of the outer circumference of the front cover 250 may be coupled to the base plate 240. For example, a lower portion of the outer circumference of the front cover 250 may be coupled to a front end of the base plate 240. An upper portion of the outer circumference of the front cover 250 may be coupled to a front end of the upper cover 220. Here, the coupling method may include bolt coupling.

[0083] The back cover 260 may be configured to cover the rear side of the cell assembly 100. For example, the back cover 260 may be in a plate shape having a size larger than rear surfaces of the plurality of secondary batteries 110.

[0084] A portion of the outer circumference of the rear cover 260 may be coupled to the base plate 240. For example, a lower portion of the outer circumference of the rear cover 260 may be coupled to a front end of the base plate 240. An upper portion of the outer circumference of the rear cover 260 may be coupled to a rear end of the upper cover 220. Here, the coupling method may include bolt coupling.

[0085] According to such a configuration of the present disclosure, the module cover 210 is configured to stably protect the plurality of secondary batteries 110 from external impacts to increase the safety of the battery module 200 against external impacts.

[0086] Come back for reference Figure 1 and Figure 2, the at least one battery rack housing 310 may include: a plurality of battery rack frames 315, the plurality of battery rack frames 315 being configured to mount a plurality of battery modules 200; a front frame 311, the front frame 311 being disposed at the front end of the plurality of battery modules 200; and a rear frame 313, the rear frame 313 being disposed at the rear end of the plurality of battery modules 200.

[0087] In detail, the battery rack frame 315 includes a receiving plate 315a. The receiving plate 315a may have a plate shape bent about 90° in an "L" shape. The front and rear ends of the receiving plate 315a may be configured to be connected to the front frame 311 and the rear frame 313, respectively.

[0088] For example, Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 2 , two receiving plates 315 a may be provided to receive one battery module 200. The two receiving plates 315 a may be configured to support the lower left and lower right ends of the battery module 200 in an upward direction. The two receiving plates 315 a may serve as stoppers to prevent the battery module 200 placed at a lower position from moving upward.

[0089] The two receiving plates 315a may be spaced apart in the horizontal direction as much as the horizontal width of the battery module 200. The two receiving plates 315a may be configured such that front and rear ends are coupled to the front frame 311 and the rear frame 313.

[0090] When the plurality of receiving plates 315a are arranged in the vertical direction, the battery rack frame 315 may have a coupling rod 315b extending in the vertical direction to fix the plurality of receiving plates 315a. The coupling rod 315b may be configured to be coupled to a portion of each of the plurality of receiving plates 315a. The battery rack frame 315 may include a fixing rod 315c coupled to the upper and lower ends of the coupling rod 315b and having a front end and a rear end coupled to the front frame 311 and the rear frame 313.

[0091] Come back for reference Figures 1 to 3 , the front frame 311 may include a plurality of pillars 311a extending in a vertical direction. The upper and lower ends of the pillars 311a may be coupled to an external object, such as a bottom or floor, or other battery rack housings 310. The pillars 311a may serve as a main frame of the entire hexahedral shape of the battery rack housing 310. For example, Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 3 , the front frame 311 may include three pillars 311 a disposed at the front end of the battery rack housing 310 .

[0092] The front frame 311 may include a connection portion 311b that connects the upper end or the lower end between the pillars 311a in the horizontal direction. The connection portion 311b may be configured to be connected (coupled) to the upper end or the lower end of the pillar 311a. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 3 , the connection portion 311 b may be disposed between each of the upper and lower ends of the two pillars 311 a .

[0093] The rear frame 313 may include a plurality of pillars 313a extending in a vertical direction. The upper and lower ends of the pillars 313a may be connected to an external object, such as a bottom or floor, or other battery rack housings 310. The pillars 313a may serve as a main frame of the entire hexahedral shape of the battery rack housing 310. For example, Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 3 , the rear frame 313 may include three pillars 313 a disposed at the rear end of the battery rack housing 310 .

[0094] The rear frame 313 may include a connection portion 313b to connect the support column 313a in a horizontal direction. The connection portion 313b may be configured to be connected (coupled) to the upper end or the lower end of the support column 313a. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 3 , the connection portion 313 b may be disposed between each of the upper and lower ends of the two pillars 313 a .

[0095] The top plate 317 may be placed on the uppermost battery module among the plurality of battery modules 200. The top plate 317 may be configured to be connected to the top of the front frame 311 and the top of the rear frame 313. The top plate 317 may include an X-shaped crossbeam 317a to enhance the mechanical strength of the top plate 317. When the top plate 317 is rectangular in plane, the X-shaped crossbeam 317a may be placed to contact the corner of the rectangle.

[0096] Come back for reference Figures 1 to 3 The at least one fixing frame 320 may have a body 322 having a plate shape extending along the plurality of battery modules 200. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 4 , four fixing frames 320 may be disposed on the rear surface of the rear frame 313 of the battery holder housing 310 .

[0097] The fixing frame 320 may include a fixing portion 324 formed on one surface of the body 322 and configured to be attached to / detached from each of the plurality of battery modules 200. The fixing portions 324 may be provided in a number corresponding to the plurality of battery modules 200. The fixing portion 324 may be configured to be attached to / detached from the rear cover 260 of the battery module 200.

[0098] That is, the fixing portion 324 may be configured to be installed when the battery rack 300 needs to be delivered. When the battery rack 300 is installed at the installation position after delivery, the fixing portion 324 may be configured to be separated from the plurality of battery modules 200 and the battery rack housing 310.

[0099] According to such a configuration of the present disclosure, the battery rack 300 of the present disclosure includes the at least one fixing frame 320 including the fixing portion 324 configured to be attached to / detached from each of the plurality of battery modules 200 to prevent the battery rack housing 310 from being deformed or the battery modules 200 from being damaged or separated from the battery rack 300 due to the movement of the battery rack 300 caused by the heavy battery modules 200 during delivery. Subsequently, when the battery rack 300 is fixed at the installation position, the fixing frame 320 may be separated from the battery rack housing 310 to deliver the battery rack 300.

[0100] Figure 5 is a schematic rear perspective view of a battery module of a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 is a schematic rear perspective view of a fixing frame of a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 is a schematic front perspective view of a fixing frame of a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0101] refer to Figures 5 to 7 Each of the plurality of battery modules 200 may include a suspension member 270, a portion of which is fixed to the outer surface of the battery module. The suspension member 270 may be disposed on the outer side of the rear cover 260 of the battery module 200. The portion of the suspension member 270 may be securely coupled to the rear cover 260. The suspension member 270 may be detachable from the fixing portion 324. The suspension member 270 may be configured to be hooked and coupled to the fixing portion 324 of the fixing frame 320.

[0102] like Figure 7As shown in FIG. 2 , the fixing frame 320 may include six fixing portions 324 . The fixing portion 324 may have a hooking structure 324 h configured to be hooked and coupled to the suspending member 270 .

[0103] According to such a configuration of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is configured such that the suspending member 270 installed in each of the plurality of battery modules 200 and the fixing portion 324 of the fixing frame 320 are hooked and coupled to each other, thereby making it easy to couple each of the plurality of battery modules 200 by suspending the fixing frame 320 on the suspending member. After the delivery of the battery rack 300 is completed, when the battery rack 300 is fixed to the installation position, the fixing frame 320 can be easily separated from each of the plurality of battery modules 200, thereby performing the operation of removing the fixing frame 320 in a simple and quick manner.

[0104] Figure 8 is a schematic partial plan view of a battery module and a fixing frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 Schematic enlarged plan view of section A in FIG.

[0105] and Figures 5 to 7 Reference together Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The suspension member 270 may include a suspension rod 272 and a leg 274. The suspension rod 272 may have a flat plate shape, in which the hook structure 324h is inserted and fixed on one side. The suspension rod 272 may be configured so that the plate stands up in a vertical direction. The suspension rod 272 may be spaced apart from the outer surface of the battery module 200 by a predetermined distance.

[0106] The leg 274 may extend from each of both ends of the suspension rod 272. The leg 274 may have a portion extending in an inclined direction and a portion connected to the outer surface of the rear cover 260. The leg 274 may be coupled to the outer surface of the battery module 200 by welding or bolts.

[0107] The leg 274 may have a bent portion K1 bent in an inclined direction so that the suspension rod 272 is spaced apart from the outer surface of the battery module 200 by a predetermined distance. That is, the leg 274 may have a bent portion K1 bent in a rearward direction from both ends of the leg 274. The bent portion K1 may be configured to be connected to the suspension rod 272.

[0108] According to this construction of the present disclosure, the suspension member 270 includes a suspension rod 272 and a support leg 274, wherein the suspension rod 272 is spaced a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the battery module 200, and the support leg 274 has an end extending from the suspension rod 272 and fixed to the outer surface of the battery module 200, so that it is easy to connect the hook structure 324h of the fixing portion 324 of the fixing frame 320 to the suspension member 270 or separate it from the suspension member 270, thereby performing the installation operation in a simple and quick manner.

[0109] Come back for reference Figure 8 and Fig. 9 , the fixing frame 320 may further include a support portion 326 extending from the body 322 so that one surface wraps at least a portion of the outer surface of the leg 274. The support portion 326 may be placed on the left and right sides of the hook structure 324h. The support portion 326 may extend in a vertical direction along the body 322. The support portion 326 may extend obliquely in the left and right directions. Due to this structure, the support portion 326 may prevent the suspension member 270 from moving left and right. For example, after the battery rack 300 is installed, when an earthquake occurs, the support portion 326 may prevent the battery module 200 from moving left and right due to the earthquake.

[0110] According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the fixing frame 320 of the present disclosure further includes a support portion 326 extending from the body 322 so that one surface wraps at least a portion of the outer surface of the leg 274 to prevent the battery module 200 from moving left and right during delivery. Accordingly, deformation of the battery rack housing 310 caused by the leftward and rightward movement of the battery module 200 can be prevented.

[0111] Come back with Figure 2 Reference together Figure 6 and Figure 7 The fixing frame 320 may include a housing coupling portion 328. The housing coupling portion 328 may be provided at the upper end and the lower end of the body 322. The housing coupling portion 328 may be coupled to the battery holder housing 310.

[0112] In detail, the battery rack housing 310 may include a connecting rod 318, which is coupled to the housing coupling portion 328. The connecting rod 318 may have both ends coupled to the rear frame 313. Figure 3As shown in , the housing coupling parts 328 provided at the upper and lower ends of the body 322 may be configured to be connected to two connecting rods 318 spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. In this case, the housing coupling parts 328 may be bolted to the connecting rods 318. Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the connecting rod 318 is connected to the shell connecting part 328 of each of the four fixed frames 320, and two connecting rods 318 can be set at each of the upper end, middle end and lower end of the battery rack shell 310, so a total of 6 connecting rods 318 can be set.

[0113] According to such a configuration of the present disclosure, the housing coupling portion 328 coupled to the battery rack housing 310 is provided at the upper and lower ends of the body 322 of the fixing frame 320, and therefore, the fixing frame 320 and the battery rack housing 310 can be fixed with a strong fixing force, and the fixing frame 320 can firmly hold the plurality of battery modules 200. During the delivery of the battery rack 300, deformation can be effectively prevented. The durability of the battery rack 300 can be effectively increased.

[0114] Fig.10 is a schematic rear perspective view of a fixing frame according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0115] refer to Fig.10 , in addition to further comprising a wall coupling portion 329, Fig.10 The fixed frame 320A may have Figure 6 The same components of the fixing frame 320A as those of the fixing frame 320A. A detailed description of the above components of the fixing frame 320A is omitted herein.

[0116] The wall coupling portion 329 of the fixing frame 320A may be configured to fix the fixing frame 320A to a wall W adjacent to the battery rack 300. The wall coupling portion 329 may have a coupling hole H4 for coupling with the wall W and a bolt (not shown) inserted into the coupling hole H4. The wall W may have a separate fixing element (not shown) for coupling with the wall coupling portion 329. The fixing element may have a fixing hole communicating with the coupling hole H4.

[0117] However, the wall coupling portion 329 is necessarily fixed to the wall W using only a fixing element, and the wall coupling portion 329 may be directly coupled to the wall W having the fixing hole H3. The wall coupling portion 329 may be fixed to the wall W by a bolt inserted into the coupling hole H4 of the wall coupling portion 329 and the fixing hole H3 of the wall W.

[0118] According to such a configuration of the present disclosure, the wall coupling portion 329 of the fixing frame 320A is configured to fix the fixing frame 320A to the wall W adjacent to the battery rack 300 to couple and fix the upper portion of the battery rack housing 310 to the wall W of the storage location. The upper portion of the battery rack 300 can be prevented from moving forward and backward and left and right during delivery. The battery rack housing 310 of the battery rack 300 can be prevented from being deformed or the plurality of battery modules 200 from being deformed or damaged due to the battery rack housing 310.

[0119] Fig.11 is a schematic partial stereoscopic view of the lower portion of a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0120] and Figure 3 Reference together Fig.11 The front frame 311 and the rear frame 313 may have curved portions 311c and 313c at the lower ends, respectively, and the curved portions 311c and 313c have a surface parallel to the ground. The curved portion 311c may have a curved shape to be coupled to the bottom of the battery rack 300 for storage.

[0121] For example, the bent portion 311c of the front frame 311 may not be separated from the pillar 311a and may be formed integrally with the pillar 311a. That is, one surface of the lower end of the pillar 311a may be bent to contact the bottom to form the bent portion 311c.

[0122] The bent portion 313c of the rear frame 313 may not be separated from the support column 313a and may be formed integrally with the support column 313a. That is, one surface of the lower end of the support column 313a may be bent to contact the bottom to form the bent portion 313c.

[0123] The bent portion 311c of the front frame 311 may have a bolting hole H1. The bolting hole H1 is configured to be coupled to the bottom of the battery rack 300, and a fixing bolt (not shown) may be inserted into the bolting hole H1 to be coupled with the bottom. Alternatively, the bolting hole H1 may be configured to be coupled with another battery rack housing 310.

[0124] The bent portion 313c of the rear frame 313 may have a slit 313c1 into which the body of the bolt B1 is slidably inserted in the horizontal direction S. That is, since the rear frame 313 may be placed in contact with or close to a wall of the installation space of the battery rack 300 or another battery rack, an operator may not have an operating space for performing a bolting operation at the rear of the rear frame 313 to fix the battery rack 300 to the bottom.

[0125] The inventor pre-installed the bolt B1 in the bottom to a predetermined depth so that the bolt B1 stands vertically from the ground, and slidably moves back to the battery rack 300 to insert the body of the bolt B1 into the slit 313c1. Subsequently, the operator can use a long-bar wrench in front of the battery rack 300 to tighten the bolt B1 inserted into the slit 313c1 to fix the rear frame 313 to the bottom.

[0126] According to such a configuration of the present disclosure, the front frame 311 and the rear frame 313 include, at their lower ends, bent portions 311c, 313c having one surface parallel to the ground, and bolting holes H1 and slits 313c1 formed in the bent portions 311c, 313c, respectively, to fix the battery rack 300 to the bottom of the storage location with a strong fixing force, thereby effectively preventing the battery rack 300 from tilting or moving during delivery. It is easy to fix the battery rack 300 to the installation location.

[0127] Fig.12 is a schematic partial stereoscopic view of the upper portion of a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.13 is a schematic partial stereoscopic view of a battery rack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0128] and Figure 3 Reference together Fig.12 and Fig.13 , the battery rack 300 may include two or more battery rack housings 310 stacked in a vertical direction. In detail, among the two or more battery rack housings 310, the lower portions of the pillars 311a, 313a of the battery rack housing 310 disposed at the upper position and the upper ends of each of the pillars 311a, 313a of the battery rack housing 310 disposed at the lower position may be coupled to each other.

[0129] In further detail, a bolting hole H2 configured to be coupled to another battery holder housing 310 may be provided in an upper end of a pillar 311a of each of the front frame 311 and the rear frame 313. That is, a bent portion 311c provided below the pillar 311a of the battery holder housing 310 disposed at an upper position and a bent portion 311c provided on the pillar 311a of the battery holder housing 310 disposed at a lower position may be coupled to each other by a bolt (not shown) passing through the bolting hole H2 and the bolting hole H1.

[0130] For example, Fig.13As shown in FIG. 1 , a bolting hole H2 communicating with a bolting hole H1 provided in a bent portion 311c below a pillar 311a of a battery holder housing 310 placed at an upper position may be provided in an upper end of a pillar 311a of a battery holder housing 310 placed at a lower position. That is, a fixing bolt may be inserted into the bolting hole H1 of the bent portion 311c of the battery holder housing 310 placed at an upper position and the bolting hole H2 provided in an upper end of a pillar 311a of a battery holder housing 310 placed at a lower position.

[0131] Fig.14 yes Figure 1 Schematic partial horizontal cross-sectional view of a battery rack taken along line AA'.

[0132] refer to Figure 1 and Fig.14 The pillars 311a, 313a of each of the front frame 311 and the rear frame 313 of the present disclosure may include: an external pillar 311a1, which extends in the vertical direction and has an open horizontal side; and an internal pillar 311a2, which is inserted into the external pillar 311a1 and extends in the vertical direction.

[0133] In detail, the outer support 311a1 may be a C-shaped steel opened to one side when viewed in a horizontal cross section. The inner support 311a2 may have a rectangular tube shape. The outer support 311a1 and the inner support 311a2 may include different materials. The inner support 311a2 may be placed in the outer support 311a1 so as to support the outer support 311a1 in a manner of abutting against the horizontal outer side.

[0134] According to such a configuration of the present disclosure, the support column 311a includes an outer support column 311a1 extending in the vertical direction and having one open horizontal side and an inner support column 311a2 inserted into the outer support column 311a1 and extending in the vertical direction, thereby effectively increasing the mechanical strength of the battery holder housing 310. That is, instead of a single support column, the combination of the outer support column 311a1 and the inner support column 311a2 can ensure higher mechanical strength than a single-body configuration without greatly increasing the weight of the battery holder housing 310.

[0135] Fig.15 and Fig.16 is a schematic rear view of a fixing frame of a battery rack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0136] and Figure 2 and Figure 7 Reference together Fig.15 and Fig.16The housing connection portion 328 disposed below the fixing frame 320 may have two bolt holes H5 and H6. The two bolt holes H5 and H6 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the vertical direction. Fig.15 As shown in FIG. 3 , when the housing coupling portion 328 is bolted to the connecting rod 318 through the upper bolting hole H5 , the hooking structure 324 h of the fixing portion 324 can be hooked to the suspension rod 272 of the suspension member 270 by downward movement of the fixing frame 320 .

[0137] On the contrary, for example, Fig.16 As shown in the figure, when the shell connecting portion 328 is bolted to the connecting rod 318 through the lower bolting hole H6, compared with the previously described connection upper bolting hole H5, the fixing frame 320 can be moved upward and connected to the connecting rod 318, and the hooking structure 324h of the fixing portion 324 can be separated from the suspension rod 272 of the suspension member 270.

[0138] refer to Figure 6 , the housing coupling portion 328 disposed on the fixing frame 320 may have a bolting hole H7 extending in the vertical direction. In this case, the extending length of the bolting hole H7 may be similar to the distance between the upper bolting hole H5 and the lower bolting hole H6, or longer than the distance between the upper bolting hole H5 and the lower bolting hole H6.

[0139] That is, the upper bolting hole H5 or the lower bolting hole H6 of the fixing frame 320 may be connected to the connecting rod 318, and accordingly, the upper and lower positions of the bolts connected to the bolting hole H7 of the housing connecting portion 328 disposed on the fixing frame 320 may be changed.

[0140] In detail, when the housing coupling portion 328 is bolted to the connecting rod 318 through the upper bolting hole H5, the bolt inserted into the bolting hole H7 may be placed on the bolting hole H7. On the contrary, when the housing coupling portion 328 is bolted to the connecting rod 318 through the lower bolting hole H6, the bolt inserted into the bolting hole H7 may be placed lower than the bolting hole H7.

[0141] That is, the previous example describes an embodiment in which the fixing frame 320 is removed after the battery rack 300 is delivered. In contrast, in another embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing coupling portion 328 may be bolted to the connecting rod 318 through the lower bolting hole H6 to fix the hooking structure 324h of the fixing portion 324 separated from the suspension rod 272 of the suspension member 270 to the battery rack housing 310 without removing the fixing frame 320.

[0142] After the battery rack 300 is installed in the installation position, when a defective or old battery module 200 needs to be replaced, the battery module 200 installed in the battery rack frame 315 is moved forward and removed, and a new battery module 200 is moved back from the battery rack frame 315 and installed. In this case, when the hook structure 324h is maintained in a state of being separated from the suspension rod 272 of the suspension member 270, the fixing portion 324 can move the battery module 200 forward and backward. Even when the hook structure 324h is separated from the suspension rod 272 of the suspension member 270, because the support portion 326 extending from the body 322 in the vertical direction wraps at least a portion of the outer surface of the leg 274 of the suspension member 270, the fixing frame 320 can also be kept from moving the battery module 200 left and right.

[0143] Accordingly, even when the battery rack 300 is installed in a location where an earthquake is likely to occur, the fixing frame 320 can prevent the mounted battery module 200 from moving left and right due to the earthquake. Accordingly, the anti-seismic stability of the battery rack 300 can be greatly improved.

[0144] According to the construction of the present disclosure, the fixing frame 320 has two bolting holes H5 and H6 spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction in the shell connecting portion 328, so as to facilitate the operation of replacing the battery module 200 arranged in the battery rack 300 and prevent the battery module installed in the battery rack shell 310 from moving left and right, thereby effectively improving the shock resistance and durability of the battery rack 300.

[0145] refer to Fig.15 and Fig.16 The fixing frame 320 of the present disclosure may further include an indicator. The indicator may be configured to indicate with color whether the hook structure 324h of the fixing portion is connected to the suspension rod 272 of the suspension member 270. The indicator may have stickers 321a, 321b of different colors. For example, the indicator may have a red sticker 321a and a green sticker 321b.

[0146] For example, Fig.16 As shown in FIG. 3 , a red sticker 321a and a green sticker 321b may be attached to the outer surface of the connecting rod 318. Accordingly, for the fixing frame 320 of the suspension member 270 to be coupled to the plurality of battery modules 200, when the fixing frame 320 is coupled to the connecting rod 318 using bolts inserted into the upper bolting holes H5, a portion of the red sticker 321a may be exposed to the outside through the lower bolting holes H6.

[0147] like Fig.15As shown in , in order to separate the fixing frame 320 and the suspension member 270 of the plurality of battery modules 200, when the fixing frame 320 is connected to the connecting rod 318 by inserting a bolt into the lower bolting hole H6, a portion of the green sticker 321b may be exposed to the outside through the upper bolting hole H5.

[0148] According to this construction of the present disclosure, the present disclosure includes an indicator to allow the user to easily see the connection between the fixing frame 320 and the suspension member 270 with their eyes, thereby quickly managing the battery rack and easily performing the operation of separating a failed battery module 200 from the multiple battery modules 200 from the battery rack housing 310.

[0149] Although not shown, the battery rack 300 according to the present disclosure may further include, for example, a battery management system (BMS) (not shown) inside or outside the battery rack housing 310 .

[0150] A power storage system according to the present disclosure may include at least one battery rack 300 according to the present disclosure. In particular, the power storage system may include a plurality of battery racks 300 according to the present disclosure. The plurality of battery racks 300 may be electrically connected to each other. The power storage system according to the present disclosure may be implemented in various forms, such as a smart grid system or a power charging station.

[0151] Terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front and rear used herein are used only for convenience of description, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms may change depending on the elements being described or the position of the observer.

[0152] Although the present disclosure has been described above with respect to a limited number of embodiments and drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various variations and modifications may be made thereto within the technical aspects of the present disclosure and the equivalent scope of the appended claims.

[0153] Description of Reference Numerals

[0154] 300: Battery rack

[0155] 200: Battery module 100: Single cell assembly

[0156] 110: Secondary battery 210: Module cover

[0157] 310: Battery rack housing 320: Fixed frame

[0158] 322, 324: body, fixing part 270: suspension member

[0159] 272, 274: Suspension rod, outrigger 324h: Hook structure

[0160] 326: Supporting part 328: Shell connecting part

[0161] 329: Wall connection

[0162] 321, 321a, 321b: indicator, red sticker, green sticker

[0163] 311, 313, 315, 317: front frame, rear frame, battery rack frame, top plate

[0164] 311a, 313a: Supports 311b, 313b: Connecting parts

[0165] 311c: Bend H1, H2: Bolt holes

[0166] 220: Upper cover 224, 226: Top, side

[0167] 240: Substrate

[0168] H5, H6: upper bolt hole, lower bolt hole

[0169] 250: front cover 260: rear cover

[0170] 311a1, 311a2: External support, internal support

[0171] 321a, 321b: Stickers

[0172] Industrial Applicability

[0173] The present disclosure relates to a battery rack. In addition, the present disclosure can be used in industries related to energy storage systems including battery racks.

Claims

1. A battery rack, comprising: A plurality of battery modules, wherein the plurality of battery modules are arranged in a certain direction; at least one battery rack housing, the at least one battery rack housing comprising a plurality of battery rack frames, the plurality of battery rack frames being configured to mount the plurality of battery modules; and at least one fixing frame, the at least one fixing frame including a body and a fixing portion, the body having a plate shape extending along the plurality of battery modules, the fixing portion being formed on one surface of the body and configured to be attached to or detached from each of the plurality of battery modules, wherein each of the plurality of battery modules includes a suspension member configured such that a portion of the suspension member is fixed to an outer surface of the battery module, The fixing portion of the fixing frame has a hooking structure configured to be hook-coupled to the suspending member, and The suspending member is configured to be coupled to the hook structure of the fixing portion of the fixing frame, Wherein, the suspension component comprises: a suspension rod having a plate shape in which the hook structure is inserted and fixed on one side, the suspension rod being spaced apart from the outer surface of the battery module by a predetermined distance; and A leg extends from both ends of the suspension rod, wherein the extended end of the leg is fixed to the outer surface of the battery module, and the leg has a bent portion to be spaced a predetermined distance away from the outer surface of the battery module.

2. The battery rack according to claim 1, wherein: The battery module includes a module housing including an upper cover, a base plate, a front cover, and a rear cover, and the suspension member is disposed on an outer side of the rear cover of the module housing.

3. The battery rack according to claim 1, wherein: The fixing frame includes a support portion extending vertically from the body along the body such that one surface of the support portion wraps at least a portion of an outer surface of the leg.

4. The battery rack according to claim 3, wherein: The support portion is configured to wrap at least a portion of the outer surface of the leg of the suspending member even when the hooking structure is separated from the suspending rod of the suspending member.

5. The battery rack according to claim 1, wherein: The upper and lower ends of the body of the fixing frame have housing coupling parts coupled to the battery holder housing.

6. The battery rack according to claim 5, wherein: The battery rack housing includes a connecting rod having a portion coupled to the housing coupling portion to couple the housing coupling portion to the battery rack housing.

7. The battery rack according to claim 6, wherein: The housing connection portion of the fixing frame includes: an upper bolting hole configured to couple the hooking structure of the fixing portion to the suspension rod of the suspension member when coupled to the connecting rod using a bolt; and Lower bolting holes are spaced apart at a predetermined distance in a vertical direction and are configured to separate the hooking structure of the fixing portion from the suspension rod of the suspension member when coupled to the connecting rod using bolts.

8. The battery rack according to claim 7, wherein: The fixing frame includes an indicator configured to indicate with color whether the hooking structure of the fixing portion is coupled to the suspending rod of the suspending member.

9. The battery rack according to claim 1, wherein: The fixing frame further includes a wall coupling portion configured to fix the fixing frame to a wall adjacent to the battery rack.

10. The battery rack according to claim 1, wherein: The battery rack housing comprises: a front frame including a plurality of pillars disposed at front ends of the plurality of battery modules and extending in a vertical direction and a connection portion connecting the pillars in a horizontal direction; a rear frame including a plurality of pillars disposed at rear ends of the plurality of battery modules and extending in the vertical direction and a connection portion connecting the pillars in the horizontal direction; and a top plate placed on top of the plurality of battery modules, and The lower end of each of the front frame and the rear frame has a bent portion and a bolt hole, the bent portion has a surface parallel to the ground, and the bolt hole is formed in the bent portion.

11. The battery rack according to claim 10, wherein: The battery rack includes two or more battery rack housings stacked in a vertical direction, Each of the pillars of the front frame and the rear frame has a bolting hole configured to be coupled to another battery rack housing at an upper end, and The bolting hole provided at the bent portion of the pillar of the battery rack housing placed at the upper position is bolted to the bolting hole of the pillar of the battery rack housing placed at the lower position.

12. The battery rack according to claim 10, wherein: The support column includes an outer support column extending in a vertical direction and having an open horizontal side, and an inner support column inserted into the outer support column and extending in the vertical direction.

13. The battery rack according to claim 12, wherein: When viewed in a horizontal section, the outer support is a C-shaped steel opened to one side, and the inner support is in the shape of a rectangular tube.

14. The battery rack according to claim 10, wherein: The bent portion of the rear frame has a slit into which a body of a bolt is slidably inserted in a horizontal direction.

15. An energy storage system comprising at least one battery rack according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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