Battery pack having an improved fixing structure and gas discharge structure, electronic device, and vehicle including the battery pack

Abstract

The battery pack according to the present invention includes: a plurality of battery modules having at least a pair of fixing parts provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the battery module; a tray on which the plurality of battery modules are loaded; a pair of side covers covering both sides in the width direction of the tray and having first fastening holes formed at positions corresponding to the coupling holes formed in the fixing parts; and a module fixing rod located at the center in the width direction of the tray and shaped to extend across the upper part of the tray along the longitudinal direction of the tray, the module fixing rod having second fastening holes formed at positions corresponding to the coupling holes formed in the fixing parts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery pack having an improved fixing structure and a gas exhaust structure, and an electronic device and a vehicle including the battery pack. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a battery pack, an electronic device, and a vehicle including the battery pack, which have a structure capable of ensuring excellent bonding strength between a battery module and a tray and a structure capable of preventing secondary explosion or thermal runaway from occurring.

[0002] This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0052832, filed in Korea on April 29, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0003] Recently, as the demand for portable electronic products such as laptop computers, cameras, and mobile phones has rapidly increased, and the development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, satellites, etc. has officially started, high-performance secondary batteries that allow repeated charging and discharging are being actively studied.

[0004] Currently commercialized secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Among them, lithium secondary batteries are attracting attention because, compared with nickel-based secondary batteries, lithium secondary batteries have almost no memory effect, thereby ensuring free charging and discharging, a very low self-discharge rate, and a high energy density.

[0005] Lithium secondary batteries mainly use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material, respectively. In addition, a lithium secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate coated with a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material, respectively, are placed with a separator interposed therebetween; and an exterior, that is, a battery case, which hermetically accommodates the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

[0006] In addition, according to the shape of the exterior, lithium secondary batteries can be classified into can-type secondary batteries in which an electrode assembly is included in a metal can and pouch-type secondary batteries in which an electrode assembly is included in a pouch made of an aluminum laminate.

[0007] In particular, recently, the demand for large-capacity battery packs applied to electric vehicles is increasing. A large-capacity battery pack includes a plurality of battery modules. Therefore, when a fire or thermal runaway occurs in some of the plurality of battery modules, the fire or thermal runaway spreads to other adjacent battery modules. Accordingly, the stability of the battery pack is a major issue.

[0008] Moreover, the battery pack installed in a vehicle needs to be prepared to cope with a large impact caused by a vehicle collision. Accordingly, it is necessary to solve the problem of damage to the internal components of the battery pack caused by an external impact or the fire or explosion of the secondary battery. In particular, when the cooling member is damaged, the coolant inside the cooling member may leak, causing an electrical short circuit between the battery modules. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Technical Problem

[0010] The present disclosure is designed to solve the problems of the related art. Accordingly, the present disclosure aims to provide a battery pack having improved use safety by preventing stress concentration on the bottom surface of a tray serving as a coolant passage and also preventing secondary explosion or thermal runaway of the battery pack from spreading to adjacent battery modules.

[0011] These and other objects and advantages of the present disclosure can be understood from the following detailed description and will become more apparent from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Moreover, it will be readily understood that the objects and advantages of the present disclosure can be achieved by the means shown in the appended claims and their combinations.

[0012] Technical Solution

[0013] In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a battery pack including: a plurality of battery modules, each of the plurality of battery modules having a pair of fixing parts disposed at two longitudinal sides of the battery module; a tray on which the plurality of battery modules are placed; a pair of side covers configured to cover two widthwise sides of the tray and having a first fastening hole formed at a position corresponding to a coupling hole formed in the fixing part; and a module fixing rod located at the widthwise center of the tray and shaped to extend along the longitudinal direction of the tray across the upper surface of the tray, the module fixing rod having a second fastening hole formed at a position corresponding to the coupling hole formed in the fixing part.

[0014] Each of the plurality of battery modules may have an exhaust port configured to exhaust gas generated in each battery module to the outside.

[0015] The tray may have an exhaust hole for exhausting gas to the outside.

[0016] The side cover may include: a body portion configured to extend along a longitudinal direction of the tray and disposed at one widthwise side and another widthwise side of the tray, respectively; and a gas discharge portion formed to extend inward from an inner wall surface of the body portion and having a plurality of inlets and first fastening holes, the plurality of inlets being formed by opening a part of the body portion to communicate with the discharge port.

[0017] The gas discharge portion may have a cross-sectional area that gradually increases as it gets closer to the discharge hole of the tray.

[0018] The body portion may have an internal space surrounded by an outer wall of the body portion, and reinforcing ribs may be provided in the internal space to extend from an inner surface of one side of the internal space to an inner surface of the other side of the internal space.

[0019] The battery pack may further include a cooling pipe configured to allow a coolant to flow therein, and the side cover may further include a pipe accommodation portion configured to surround the cooling pipe such that the cooling pipe is accommodated in the pipe accommodation portion.

[0020] The tray may include a temporary storage portion into which the coolant leaking from the cooling pipe flows.

[0021] The tray may include: a mounting plate configured to directly contact the battery module and having widthwise ends positioned at a predetermined distance from the body portion to provide a gap for the coolant to flow into; and a substrate located below the mounting plate and spaced apart from the mounting plate to form a temporary storage portion, and the coolant introduced through the gap is accommodated in the temporary storage portion.

[0022] The side cover may further include a mounting portion provided at an outer side of the body portion and having a fastening structure to be coupled to the external device.

[0023] The battery module may include a plug configured to seal the discharge port below a predetermined temperature and melt and flow away above the predetermined temperature to open the discharge port.

[0024] In addition, in another aspect of the present disclosure, there are also provided an electronic device and a vehicle each including at least one of the above-described battery packs.

[0025] Advantageous Effects

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since multiple battery modules are not directly fixed to the bottom surface of the tray, but are fixed by a module fixing rod installed at the center in the width direction of the tray and gas discharge parts provided at each of the two width direction sides of the tray to discharge gas, stress concentration on the bottom surface of the tray serving as a coolant passage can be prevented. Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, even if the fixing part of the battery module is damaged due to an external impact, deterioration of the cooling function of the battery pack due to loss of coolant can be prevented.

[0027] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, in the present disclosure, since the gas discharge parts are respectively located at one width direction side and the other width direction side of the tray and extend along the longitudinal direction of the tray, high-temperature gas generated from at least one of the multiple battery modules can be discharged to the outside through the gas discharge parts without increasing the temperature of adjacent battery modules, thereby improving the safety of the battery pack.

[0028] Moreover, according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, the side cover of the present disclosure has a pipe accommodation part formed in the form of an outer wall, such that the cooling pipe is accommodated in the pipe accommodation part, and the side cover can surround and protect the cooling pipe, thereby preventing the cooling pipe from being damaged by an external impact. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the foregoing disclosure, are used to provide a further understanding of the technical features of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not to be construed as limited to the drawings.

[0030] Figure 1 is an assembled perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a battery cell stack applied to a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery cell stack being formed by stacking multiple secondary batteries.

[0033] Figure 4 is along Figure 1 a line C-C taken and is a partial cross-sectional view of the battery pack showing.

[0034] Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a gas discharge path of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 6It is a bottom view showing a battery module applied to the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 7 It shows Figure 6 an enlarged bottom view of the discharge port of. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0037] 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 used in the specification and the appended claims should not be construed as limited to the general and dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted based on the meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical aspects of the present disclosure on the basis of the principle that allows the inventor to appropriately define the terms for the best explanation.

[0038] Therefore, the description presented herein is merely a preferred example for illustration purposes and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, it should be understood that other equivalents and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0039] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 , the battery pack 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of battery modules 200, a tray 320, an upper cover 310, and a pair of side covers 330, 330a, 330b.

[0040] Specifically, the battery module 200 may include a plurality of secondary batteries 100. The secondary battery 100 may be a pouch-type secondary battery 100, which includes an electrode assembly (not shown), an electrolyte (not shown), and a pouch outer shell 116 for accommodating them therein. For example, as Figure 3 shown in, when directly observed in the F direction ( Figure 1 shown), inside one battery module 200, 21 pouch-type secondary batteries 100 may be accommodated in the module outer cover 210 to be stacked in the longitudinal direction of the battery pack 300 (the direction parallel to Figure 2 the X-axis of).

[0041] Moreover, as Figure 3 shown in, the positive electrode lead 112 and the negative electrode lead 111 may be pulled out in opposite directions along the width direction of the battery pack 300 (the direction parallel to Figure 2 the Y-axis of). That is, the positive electrode lead 112 may be disposed at one end with respect to the center of the secondary battery 100. In addition, the negative electrode lead 111 may be disposed at the other end with respect to the center of the secondary battery 100.

[0042] In addition, the secondary battery 100 may be arranged in such a form that the body is relative to the horizontal plane ( Figure 2is vertically erected in the X-Y plane). The body of the secondary battery 100 can extend along the width direction of the battery pack 300 (parallel to Figure 2 the direction of the Y-axis in). In addition, the plurality of secondary batteries 100 can be configured such that when an abnormal behavior such as a fire or thermal runaway occurs, the plurality of secondary batteries discharge gas along one width direction and / or the other width direction of the battery pack. For example, when the secondary battery 100 is a pouch-type battery cell, a part B1 of the sealing portion located at one longitudinal side or the other longitudinal side of the pouch case 116 can be formed to have a weak sealing force. Alternatively, a part of the sealing portion on one longitudinal side or the other longitudinal side of the pouch case can be formed to have a sealing area narrower than the rest.

[0043] Therefore, according to this configuration of the present disclosure, in the present disclosure, when an abnormal behavior occurs in the plurality of secondary batteries 100, gas can be discharged in one longitudinal direction or the other longitudinal direction, so that the gas discharge direction can be guided to the intended direction inside the battery module 200 (toward the discharge port to be explained later). Accordingly, the gas remaining inside the battery module 200 can be reduced, thereby effectively preventing a secondary explosion of the secondary battery 100 inside the battery module 200 or preventing the fire from growing.

[0044] However, in the battery pack 300 according to the present disclosure, not only the above-described pouch-type battery cells 100 are applied, but also various types of battery cells known at the time of filing this application can be employed.

[0045] The battery pack 300 may include at least one bus bar (not shown), and the at least one bus bar is configured to electrically interconnect the plurality of secondary batteries 100 to each other. Specifically, the bus bar may include a conductive metal such as copper, aluminum, nickel, etc.

[0046] In addition, the battery pack 300 may include a linear bus bar (not shown) for electrically connecting the plurality of battery modules 200 to each other.

[0047] Meanwhile, each of the plurality of battery modules 200 may include a discharge port 215. The discharge port 215 may be provided to be open to discharge the gas generated inside the battery module 200 to the outside. The discharge port 215 is preferably formed only at one side of the battery module 200. Among the two ends in the longitudinal direction of the battery module 200 (parallel to Figure 2 the direction of the Y-axis in), the discharge port 215 is preferably formed only in the direction toward the outside of the battery pack 300. This is to prevent the high-temperature gas discharge lines of a pair of battery modules 200 facing each other from approaching each other.

[0048] That is, in the battery pack 300 according to the present disclosure, the paired battery modules 200 are arranged to face each other on the tray 320 in the width direction of the battery pack 300 (the direction parallel to the Y-axis), and at least two battery modules 200 are arranged in sequence in the longitudinal direction of the battery pack 300 (the direction parallel to the X-axis). In the battery pack 300, if the battery modules 200 facing each other have a structure for discharging high-temperature gas toward each other, this may cause the temperature inside the battery pack 300 to rise. Therefore, the discharge port 215 is only formed at the outside of the battery pack 300 so that the high-temperature gas can be discharged toward the outside of the battery pack 300.

[0049] Meanwhile, the discharge port 215 may have a tubular shape protruding toward the side cover 330. The discharge port 215 may be configured such that the end of the tubular shape is connected to the inlet E1 to communicate with the inside of the side cover 330.

[0050] In addition, the tray 320 may be configured such that a plurality of battery modules 200 are mounted thereon. The tray 320 may include a mounting plate 323 extending in the horizontal direction (the direction parallel to the X-Y plane). In addition, the tray 320 may have a substrate 324 coupled to the lower portion of the mounting plate 323. The tray 320 may include a front frame 325 and a rear frame 326 having the form of plates erected in the vertical direction (the direction parallel to the Z-axis). The front frame 325 may be coupled to one end in the longitudinal direction (the direction parallel to the X-axis) of the mounting plate 323. The rear frame 326 may be coupled to the other end in the longitudinal direction (the direction parallel to the X-axis) of the mounting plate 323.

[0051] Moreover, the tray 320 may have discharge holes E2 for discharging gas to the outside. For example, as Figure 2 shown, the discharge holes E2 may be respectively formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction (the direction parallel to the Y-axis) of the front frame 325. The discharge holes E2 may have an open shape such that the inside of the battery pack 300 can communicate with the outside.

[0052] In addition, the upper cover 310 may be coupled to the upper portion of the tray 320. The upper cover 310 may have a size capable of covering the plurality of battery modules 200 mounted on the tray 320.

[0053] Together with Figure 2 refer to Figure 4, the side cover 330 may have a shape elongated in one direction (the X-axis direction). The side cover 330 may be formed by extrusion molding. One end of the side cover 330 in the longitudinal direction (the direction parallel to the X-axis) may be coupled to the front frame 325. The other end of the side cover 330 in the longitudinal direction may be coupled to the rear frame 326.

[0054] In addition, the side covers 330 may be respectively located at one end and the other end in the width direction (the direction parallel to the Y-axis) of the mounting plate 323 of the tray 320. For example, as Figure 2 and Figure 4 shown, the two side covers 330 may include body portions 333 respectively located at one width direction end and the other width direction end of the mounting plate 323. Accordingly, the body portions 333 may serve as the left and right walls of the battery pack 300. The body portions 333 may have a shape extending in the front-rear direction (the direction parallel to the X-axis). For example, by extrusion molding, the body portions 333 may have a plate shape extending in the front-rear direction. The body portions 333 may have a shape standing upright along the up-down direction (the direction parallel to the Z-axis). The body portions 333 may have a plate shape with a hollow interior.

[0055] In addition, the side cover 330 may have an inlet E1 formed by opening a part of the side cover 330. For example, the inlet E1 may be formed by opening a part of the gas discharge portion 335 to be explained later. The inlet E1 may be configured such that the interior of the side cover 330 can communicate with the outside. Each of the plurality of inlets E1 may be connected to the discharge port 215. That is, the inlet E1 may be configured to face the opening of the discharge port 215 such that the gas discharge portion 335 and the discharge port 215 communicate with each other.

[0056] Moreover, the gas discharge portion 335 may have a shape extending in one direction to convey the gas introduced from the inlet E1 to the discharge hole E2. The gas discharge portion 335 may be formed inside the body portion 333. That is, the gas discharge portion 335 may have a shape extending inward from the inner wall surface of the body portion 333. By an extrusion method, the gas discharge portion 335 may have a tubular shape extending in the front-rear direction and having a hollow interior. For example, as Figure 2 shown, each of the two side covers 330 may include a gas discharge portion 335, and the gas discharge portion 335 may have a shape extending in the front-rear direction. The front end of the gas discharge portion 335, that is, one end of the gas discharge portion 335 in the longitudinal direction (the direction parallel to the X-axis) may be configured to be connected to the discharge hole E2 provided in the front frame 325.

[0057] In addition, the gas discharge part 335 may be located above the pipe accommodation part 339 which will be explained later. Accordingly, the gas discharge part 335 may utilize the hollow space in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) of the battery pack 300, so that a larger number of battery modules 200 can be mounted on the tray 320. That is, the energy density of the battery pack 300 can be increased.

[0058] As described above, in the present disclosure, a pair of side covers 330a and 330b includes: a body part 333 which is configured to extend in one direction and is respectively located at one side and the other side of the tray 320; a plurality of inlets E1 which are formed by opening a part of the body part 333 and are respectively connected to the discharge port 215; and a gas discharge part 335 which is configured to transport the gas introduced from the inlets E1 to the discharge hole E2. Therefore, in the battery pack 300 according to the present disclosure, the high-temperature gas generated by an abnormal behavior such as a fire or thermal runaway in any one of the plurality of battery modules 200 can be discharged to the outside through the gas discharge part 335 without increasing the temperature of the adjacent battery modules 200, thereby increasing the safety of the battery pack 300.

[0059] That is, according to the present disclosure, the high-temperature gas generated from the battery module 200 can be transported to the side cover 330 which is positioned opposite to the position where the other battery modules 200 are located, thereby minimizing the influence of the high-temperature gas. Accordingly, when a fire or thermal runaway occurs in one battery module 200, the thermal runaway or fire can be effectively prevented from spreading successively to the other adjacent battery modules 200.

[0060] Moreover, since the side cover 330 is located at one width direction side or the other width direction side of the tray 320, the plurality of battery modules 200 can be protected from impacts in the front-back direction and the left-right direction. Accordingly, the stability of the battery pack 300 can be improved.

[0061] Figure 5 It is a partial cross-sectional view showing the gas exhaust path of the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0062] Together with Figure 2 and Figure 4 refer to Figure 5, the gas discharge part 335A applied to the present disclosure can be configured such that the cross-sectional area of the inner tube of the gas discharge part 335A gradually increases as it moves from a farther position to an emission hole E2 closer to the tray 320. That is, in the gas discharge part 335A, the inner diameter D1 of the inner tube at a position far from the emission hole E2 of the tray 320 can be smaller than the inner diameter D2 at a position close to the emission hole E2.

[0063] Correspondingly, regarding the internal pressure of the gas discharge part 335A, the internal pressure at a part close to the emission hole E2 can be smaller than the internal pressure at a part far from the emission hole E2. Correspondingly, the gas introduced into the gas discharge part 335A can be guided to move towards the emission hole E2 of the gas discharge part 335A where a relatively low pressure is formed.

[0064] According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the gas can be discharged smoothly, thereby improving the safety of the battery pack 300 during use.

[0065] At the same time, together with Figure 2 referring again to Figure 4 , the main body part 333 of the side cover 330 can have an internal space surrounded by its outer wall. In this internal space, a reinforcing rib R1 can be provided, and the reinforcing rib R1 extends from the inner surface of one side of this internal space to the inner surface of the other side of this internal space. For example, as shown in Figure 4 , the internal space surrounded by the outer wall can be formed inside the main body part 333 of the side cover 330. In this internal space, at least one reinforcing rib R1 can have a form that extends from the inner surface of one side of this internal space to the inner surface of the other side of this internal space.

[0066] The reinforcing rib R1 can have a shape that extends from the front end of the main body part 333 to its rear end. The reinforcing rib R1 can be provided not only to the main body part 333 of the side cover 330, but also to the gas discharge part 335, the mounting part 337 to be explained later, and the pipe accommodating part 339. That is, the gas discharge part 335, the mounting part 337, and the pipe accommodating part 339 are components of the side cover 330, and when an external impact on the battery pack 300 occurs, additional rigidity can be ensured through the reinforcing rib R1, thereby protecting the battery module 200 and other components in the battery pack 300.

[0067] As described above, in the present disclosure, the mechanical stiffness of the side cover 330 can be effectively increased by forming the reinforcing rib R1 in the internal space of the side cover 330. Correspondingly, the battery pack 300 can safely protect the plurality of battery modules 200 and other components from external impacts in the left - right direction and the front - back direction.

[0068] Figure 6 is a bottom view of a battery module applied to a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0069] Meanwhile, referring to Figure 2 and Figure 6 , the battery module 200 of the battery pack 300 of the present disclosure may include a module housing 210. The module housing 210 may have an inner space for accommodating a plurality of secondary batteries 100 therein. The module housing 210 may have a fixing part 217 configured to be coupled to the side cover 330. The fixing parts 217 are respectively provided at one longitudinal side and the other longitudinal side of the module housing 210.

[0070] A coupling hole H3 is formed in the fixing part 217. A fastening hole H1 is formed at a position of the side cover 330 corresponding to the coupling hole H3. Specifically, the fastening hole H1 is formed in the gas discharge part 335 of the side cover 330. That is, a plurality of fastening holes H1 and an inlet E1 are provided in the upper surface of the gas discharge part 335 and are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction (the direction parallel to the X axis) of the gas discharge part 335.

[0071] A pair of outer fixing parts 217 respectively provided to a pair of battery modules 200 facing each other may be coupled to the gas discharge part 335 by inserting fastening bolts (not shown) into the fastening hole H1 and the coupling hole H3. Meanwhile, in order to fix a pair of inner fixing parts 217 respectively provided to a pair of battery modules 200 facing each other, that is, a pair of fixing parts 217 facing each other, to the tray 320, a separate structure is additionally required on the tray 320.

[0072] For this purpose, at the center in the width direction (the direction parallel to the Y axis) of the tray 320, a module fixing rod 328 is additionally provided. The module fixing rod 328 is shaped to extend across the upper surface of the tray 320 along the longitudinal direction (the direction parallel to the X axis) of the tray 320, and the module fixing rod 328 has the same height as the gas discharge part 335. A pair of fastening holes H1 are provided in the upper surface of the module fixing rod 328 along the width direction (the direction parallel to the Y axis) of the module fixing rod 328, and a pair of fixing parts 217 respectively provided to a pair of battery modules 200 facing each other are fastened to the fastening holes H1.

[0073] As described above, in the present disclosure, the battery module 200 and the tray 320 are fastened not by directly fastening the bottom surface of the tray 320, i.e., the mounting plate 323 and the battery module 200, but by indirectly fastening the battery module 200 using a separate structure provided on the mounting plate 323. Accordingly, stress concentration on the bottom surface of the tray 320 for fastening the battery module 200 and the tray 320 can be prevented, and thus loss of coolant flowing through the coolant passage formed at the bottom surface of the tray 320 due to external shock can be prevented, thereby weakening the cooling performance. That is, the battery pack 300 according to the present disclosure may include a coolant inlet 323b and a coolant outlet 323c formed at the mounting plate 323 serving as the bottom surface of the tray 320, and the bottom surface of the battery module 200 may be connected to the coolant inlet 323b and the coolant outlet 323c to receive and discharge coolant. That is, the coolant inlet 323b and the coolant outlet 323c communicate with a coolant passage (not shown) formed at the mounting plate 232 serving as the bottom surface of the tray 320, and the coolant passage communicates with a coolant pipe 350 to be described later.

[0074] Meanwhile, referring again to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 , the battery pack 300 may further include a coolant pipe 350 configured to allow coolant to flow therein. As the coolant, for example, water may be used.

[0075] In addition, the side cover 330 includes a pipe receiving portion 339 for receiving the coolant pipe 350 therein. The pipe receiving portion 339 may have an outer wall shape formed to surround the coolant pipe 350. For example, as shown in Figure 4 , the outer wall of the pipe receiving portion 339 may include a horizontal plate 339a extending inward from the inner wall of the body portion 333 and a vertical plate 339b extending downward from an end of the horizontal plate 339a. The horizontal plate 339a and the vertical plate 339b may be separately provided and joined by welding or the like, or may be integrally formed.

[0076] As described above, in the present disclosure, since the side cover 330 includes the pipe receiving portion 339 for receiving the coolant pipe 350 therein, damage to the coolant pipe 350 due to external shock can be prevented.

[0077] Meanwhile, referring again to Figure 4, the tray 320 may include a temporary storage unit 327. Specifically, the temporary storage unit 327 may be configured such that when coolant leaks from the coolant pipe 350, the leaked coolant flows in the temporary storage unit 327. For example, as shown in Figure 4 , the temporary storage unit 327 may be formed in the space between the mounting plate 323 and the substrate 324.

[0078] In addition, one longitudinal end 323a of the mounting plate 323 is spaced apart from the body portion 333 of the side cover 330 to provide a passage through which the leaked coolant can flow into the temporary storage unit 327. That is, when coolant leaks from the coolant pipe 350, the leaked coolant can flow into the temporary storage unit 327 through the gap between the end 323a of the mounting plate 323 and the side cover 330.

[0079] As described above, since the tray 320 includes the temporary storage unit 327 which is configured to allow the leaked coolant to flow therein when the coolant leaks from the coolant pipe 350, it is possible to prevent the leaked coolant from flowing into the battery module 200, thereby preventing a short circuit from occurring in the battery module 200 due to the coolant.

[0080] Meanwhile, referring again to Figure 2 , the side cover 330 may further include a mounting portion 337. The mounting portion 337 may be provided outside the body portion 333 so as to be coupled to an external device. The mounting portion 337 may have a fastening structure to be coupled to an external device. For example, the mounting portion 337 may be coupled to the body of a vehicle. A bolting hole H2 for inserting a bolt may be formed in the mounting portion 337.

[0081] As described above, since the present disclosure further includes the mounting portion 337, it is possible to stably fix the battery pack 300 to an external device such as the body.

[0082] Moreover, the mounting portion 337 may be configured to protect the plurality of battery modules 200 located therein from external impact. For this purpose, the mounting portion 337 may have a shape protruding from the body portion 333. The mounting portion 337 may have a hollow interior. That is, the mounting portion 337 may have a shape protruding outward to absorb impact or protect the battery pack 300 when impact is applied to the left and right sides of the battery pack 300.

[0083] Refer with Figure 4 and Figure 6 together with Figure 7, in the battery module 200B applied to a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a plug 360 may be provided in the discharge port 215. The plug 360 may seal the outlet of the discharge port 215 below a predetermined temperature. The plug 360 may be configured to melt and flow away above a predetermined temperature. For example, the plug 360 may include a material having a melting point of 200 °C or higher. For example, the plug 360 may include a paraffin material. The plug 360 may melt and flow away at 200 °C, for example, to open the discharge port 215.

[0084] As described above, since the battery module 200B of the present disclosure includes the plug 360 configured to seal the discharge port 215 below a predetermined temperature and melt and flow away above a predetermined temperature to open the discharge port 215, the high-temperature gas of the battery module 200B caused by a fire or thermal runaway melts the plug 360 to make it flow away. Therefore, the discharge port 215 can be opened so that the high-temperature gas is discharged to the outside. During normal use in which the internal temperature is maintained below a predetermined temperature, the discharge port 215 may be sealed to prevent external substances (especially conductive substances) from entering the battery module 200B.

[0085] Moreover, in the battery module 200B of the present disclosure, since the plug 360 is applied, when discharging high-temperature gas from the battery module 200B where a fire or thermal runaway occurs, it is possible to prevent the gas flowing into the gas discharge part 335 from passing through the discharge port 215 of another adjacent battery module 200B and flowing into this battery module 200B.

[0086] Meanwhile, the battery pack 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include various devices (not shown) for controlling charging and discharging of the battery module 200, such as a BMS (Battery Management System), a current sensor, a fuse, etc.

[0087] Meanwhile, an electronic device (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least one of the above-described battery packs 300. The electronic device may further include a device housing (not shown) and a display unit. The device housing has a receiving space for receiving the battery pack 300, and a user can check the charging state of the battery pack 300 through the display unit.

[0088] In addition, the battery pack 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be included in a vehicle, such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle. That is, in a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery pack 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as described above may be installed inside the vehicle body. At this time, the side cover 330 may be configured to be coupled to the vehicle body.

[0089] At the same time, in this specification, directional terms such as up, down, left, right, front, and back are used, but these terms are only for ease of explanation and can change depending on the position of the object or the position of the observer, which is obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0090] The present disclosure has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are indicated, the detailed description and specific examples are given only by way of illustration, because various changes and modifications within the scope of the present disclosure will become obvious to those skilled in the art in light of this detailed description.

Claims

1. A battery pack, comprising: A plurality of battery modules, each of the plurality of battery modules respectively having: a pair of fixing portions provided at two longitudinal sides of the battery module; And an exhaust port configured to exhaust gas generated in the battery module to the outside; A tray on which the plurality of battery modules are placed; A pair of side covers configured to cover two widthwise sides of the tray and having first fastening holes formed at positions corresponding to coupling holes formed in the fixing portions; A module fixing rod located at the widthwise center of the tray and shaped to extend longitudinally across the upper surface of the tray, the module fixing rod having second fastening holes formed at positions corresponding to the coupling holes formed in the fixing portions, and A cooling pipe configured to allow a coolant to flow therein, Wherein, the side cover includes: A body portion configured to extend longitudinally along the tray and respectively provided at one widthwise side and the other widthwise side of the tray; A gas discharge portion shaped to extend inward from the inner wall surface of the body portion and having a plurality of inlets and the first fastening holes, the plurality of inlets being respectively formed by opening a part of the body portion to communicate with the exhaust port; and A pipe accommodating portion having an outer wall shape formed to surround the cooling pipe such that the cooling pipe is accommodated in the pipe accommodating portion.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein The tray has an exhaust hole for exhausting gas to the outside.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein, The gas discharge portion has a cross-sectional area that gradually increases as it gets closer to the exhaust hole of the tray.

4. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, The body portion has an internal space surrounded by the outer wall of the body portion, and Reinforcing ribs are provided in the internal space, extending from the inner surface of one side of the internal space to the inner surface of the other side of the internal space.

5. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, The tray includes a temporary storage portion into which coolant leaking from the cooling pipe flows.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein, The tray includes: A mounting plate configured to directly contact the battery module and having widthwise end portions positioned at a predetermined distance from the body portion to provide a gap into which the coolant flows; and A substrate located below the mounting plate and spaced apart from the mounting plate to form the temporary storage portion, and the coolant introduced through the gap is accommodated in the temporary storage portion.

7. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, The side cover further includes a mounting portion provided outside the body portion and having a fastening structure to be coupled to an external device.

8. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, The battery module includes a plug configured to seal the exhaust port below a predetermined temperature and melt and flow away above the predetermined temperature to open the exhaust port.

9. An electronic device, comprising at least one battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A vehicle, comprising at least one battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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