Battery pack, vehicle comprising the battery pack and energy storage system

Abstract

A battery pack according to the present application includes at least one battery module having a plurality of battery cells, a battery pack tray having a module mounting portion configured to mount the at least one battery module and extending in a horizontal direction, and a side cover portion extending upward from an outer periphery of the module mounting portion so as to cover side portions of the battery module, and at least one side plate coupled to at least either one of the module mounting portion and the side cover portion, disposed on one side or both sides of the battery module, in which a plurality of through-holes are formed, and configured to block at least one surface of the battery module when the battery module swells.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to battery packs, vehicles, and energy storage systems, and more specifically, to battery packs capable of suppressing the expansion of battery cells and effectively increasing durability.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0017092, filed in Korea on February 5, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] With the rapid increase in demand for portable electronic products (such as laptops, cameras, and mobile phones) in recent years, and the serious development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, and satellites, research on high-performance rechargeable batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged is also actively underway.

[0004] Currently commercially available rechargeable batteries include nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), nickel-zinc (NiZn), and lithium-ion batteries. Among these, lithium-ion batteries have attracted significant attention because they exhibit virtually no memory effect compared to nickel-based batteries, thus offering advantages such as free charging / discharging, very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0005] This type of lithium secondary battery primarily uses lithium-based oxide and carbon materials as the positive and negative electrode active materials, respectively. Furthermore, the lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly and a casing. The electrode assembly contains a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate, respectively coated with the positive and negative electrode active materials, and a separator is inserted between the positive and negative electrode plates. The casing, or battery housing, is used to seal and contain the electrode assembly and the electrolyte.

[0006] In addition, based on the shape of the casing, lithium secondary batteries can be divided into can-type secondary batteries and pouch-type secondary batteries. In can-type secondary batteries, the electrode assembly is embedded in a metal can, while in pouch-type secondary batteries, the electrode assembly is embedded in a pouch made of aluminum laminate.

[0007] In particular, there has been an increase in mobile devices or mobile equipment that move by the rotational force of an electric motor operated by receiving power from a battery pack. The demand for battery packs used in such mobile devices and mobile equipment is also increasing.

[0008] Because the goal is to manufacture medium and large battery modules with the smallest possible size and weight, prismatic batteries and pouch-type secondary batteries, which can be charged with high integration and have a small weight-to-capacity ratio, are mainly used as battery cells for medium and large battery modules.

[0009] Figure 1 It is a perspective view schematically showing the state of a cell assembly of a pouch-type secondary battery with multiple prior art technologies.

[0010] Reference Figure 1 The pouch-type secondary battery 11 has advantages such as light weight and low manufacturing cost due to its use of an aluminum laminate or similar material as the casing, and its easily deformable shape due to the flexible material of the casing makes it suitable for various types of storage spaces. Furthermore, the pouch-type secondary battery 11 can have electrode leads 11a at both ends in the front-rear direction. Moreover, when multiple pouch-type secondary batteries 11 are stacked in close contact to form a battery module to create a cell assembly 12, space utilization is high, and therefore the battery module can have a high energy density (directivity) per volume.

[0011] However, since this battery module has a pouch-type secondary battery 11 that can be charged / discharged within it, a large amount of heat is inevitably generated during the charging / discharging process of the battery module. Furthermore, in the pouch-type secondary battery 11 exposed to this high temperature, the electrolyte partially evaporates or undergoes side reactions, thereby generating a large amount of gas. Therefore, an expansion phenomenon occurs, where the volume of the pouch-type secondary battery 11 expands.

[0012] Figure 2 and Figure 3 This is a schematic front view showing the expansion (volume expansion) of a battery module that houses prior art battery cell components.

[0013] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 as well as Figure 1 As shown, when the aforementioned expansion occurs in the prior art battery module 10, the overall size of the cell assembly 12, constructed by stacking pouch-type secondary batteries 11, increases to compress the inner surface of the module housing 20 outwards. Due to this pressure, deformation occurs, such as a portion of the module housing 20 protruding outwards. Furthermore, as described above, when the module housing 20 does not effectively prevent the volume expansion of the cell assembly 12, the expansion is not suppressed, thus generating more gas in the pouch-type secondary batteries 11, leading to more serious problems (such as electrolyte leakage). Summary of the Invention

[0014] Technical issues

[0015] This disclosure aims to address the problems of the prior art, and therefore aims to provide a battery pack that can effectively suppress the expansion of battery cells and effectively improve durability.

[0016] These and other objects and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description and from the exemplary embodiments thereof. Moreover, it will be readily understood that the objects and advantages of this disclosure can be achieved by the means shown in the appended claims and combinations thereof.

[0017] Technical solution

[0018] In one aspect of this disclosure, a battery pack is provided, comprising:

[0019] At least one battery module, the at least one battery module having a plurality of battery cells;

[0020] A battery pack tray having a module mounting portion and a side cover portion, the module mounting portion being configured to mount one or more battery modules and extending horizontally, the side cover portion extending upward from the outer periphery of the module mounting portion to cover the sides of the battery modules; and

[0021] At least one side plate, the at least one side plate being connected to any one or more of the module mounting portion and the side cover portion, the at least one side plate being disposed on one or both sides of the battery module, having a plurality of through holes, and being configured to block at least one surface of the battery module when the battery module expands.

[0022] In addition, the battery module may also include a top cover that extends horizontally to cover the upper part of the battery module and is configured to be partially connected to the upper end of the side panel.

[0023] The lower part of the side panel can be connected to the module mounting part.

[0024] In addition, a plurality of first fastening grooves and a plurality of first bolt holes formed at positions facing each other can be formed in each of the side plates and the top cover.

[0025] In addition, the side plate may have a plurality of second fastening grooves inserted to a predetermined depth at the lower end.

[0026] The module mounting portion may have a plurality of second bolt holes formed at positions facing the plurality of second fastening slots.

[0027] In addition, the side plate has multiple fixing slots that are inserted upwards to a predetermined depth at the lower end.

[0028] The module mounting portion may have multiple fixing protrusions that partially insert into each of the multiple fixing slots, and the multiple fixing protrusions are configured to prevent the side plate from moving toward the battery module.

[0029] Furthermore, the plurality of fixed protrusions can be configured such that their thickness gradually increases in the opposite direction to the battery module.

[0030] In addition, the battery pack tray includes multiple support protrusions.

[0031] Each of the support protrusions is inserted into a plurality of through holes formed in the side plate, and each of the support protrusions is configured to support the side plate toward the battery module.

[0032] Furthermore, the support protrusion may have a shape in which its thickness gradually increases in the opposite direction to that of the battery module.

[0033] In another aspect of the invention, the cross-section of the through hole may have a honeycomb shape.

[0034] The vehicle according to this disclosure for achieving the above objectives includes at least one battery pack.

[0035] The energy storage system according to the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned objectives includes at least one battery pack.

[0036] Beneficial effects

[0037] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the battery pack includes at least one side plate configured to block at least one surface of the battery module, and thus effectively prevents volume changes at one or both sides of the battery module when expansion of the plurality of battery cells located inside the battery module occurs, thereby suppressing the escalation of expansion and preventing deformation of the battery module. Ultimately, the present invention can effectively increase the durability of the battery pack.

[0038] According to another aspect of the invention, a plurality of fixing grooves are formed at the lower end of the side plate, and the module mounting portion includes a plurality of fixing protrusions configured to prevent the side plate from moving in the outward direction, thereby stably fixing the side plate to the module mounting portion. Furthermore, the side plate can prevent movement in the leftward direction (the negative direction of the X-axis) to prevent deformation of the battery module. Therefore, the battery pack of this disclosure can effectively increase durability.

[0039] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a plurality of support protrusions are formed in the battery pack tray, and the plurality of support protrusions are configured to insert into a plurality of through holes formed in the side plate. Therefore, when the volume expansion of the battery module occurs, the interlocking structure of the through holes and the support protrusions can effectively prevent the side plate from moving in the outward direction. This suppresses the volume expansion of the battery module.

[0040] In addition, the multiple support protrusions have a shape in which their thickness gradually increases in the outward direction (expansion direction). Therefore, similar to the connection structure where a wedge is embedded in a groove, the more the side plate is pressed outward, the tighter the support protrusions are fitted into the through holes of the side plate, thus resisting the movement of the side plate with greater force. Attached Figure Description

[0041] The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the foregoing disclosure, serve 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.

[0042] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of a cell assembly of a pouch-type secondary battery with several prior art features.

[0043] Figure 2 and Figure 3 This is a schematic front view showing the expansion (volume expansion) of a battery module that houses prior art battery cell components.

[0044] Figure 4 This is a schematic perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 5 This is a perspective view schematically illustrating some structures of a battery pack according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 6 This is a perspective view schematically showing the side panel of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 7 This is a schematic perspective view of the bottom of the side panel of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] Figure 8 This is a schematic plan view of the battery pack tray of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 9 This is a schematic partial vertical cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] Figure 10 This is a partial perspective view schematically illustrating some structures of a battery pack according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0051] Figure 11 It is shown schematically. Figure 10 A magnified view of a portion of the area where the magnification is significant.

[0052] Figure 12 This is a partial perspective view schematically showing a portion of the battery pack tray of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] Figure 13 This is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the battery pack tray and side panel of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] Figure 14This is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a portion of the battery pack tray and side panel of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0055] Figure 15 This is a schematic side view of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0056] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before the description, it should be understood that the terminology used in the specification and appended claims should not be construed as limited to its general or dictionary meaning, but rather is interpreted based on the principle that inventors are allowed to appropriately define terms for the best interpretation, and on the meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical aspects of the present disclosure.

[0057] Therefore, the description presented herein is merely a preferred example for illustrative purposes and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. It should be understood that other equivalents and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0058] Figure 4 This is a schematic perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, Figure 5 This is a perspective view schematically illustrating some structures of a battery pack according to embodiments of the present disclosure. For reference, in the drawings, the X-axis represents the left-right direction, the Y-axis represents the front-back direction, and the Z-axis represents the up-down direction.

[0059] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the battery pack 100 includes at least one battery module 110, a battery pack tray 120, and at least one side plate 130.

[0060] Specifically, the battery module 110 may include multiple battery cells (not shown). For example, the multiple battery cells may be arranged in a stacked configuration along the left-right direction (X-axis direction). More specifically, the battery cells may be pouch-type secondary batteries. For example, the multiple battery cells may include electrode assemblies, electrolyte, electrode leads, pouch housing, etc. The pouch housing may be configured to house the electrode assemblies therein. Moreover, the pouch housing may be sealed to prevent the introduction of external materials. Furthermore, the pouch housing may be provided with a flexible material so that its shape can deform according to internal pressure when gas is generated due to side reactions during the charging / discharging of the battery cells. For example, although not shown, the pouch housing may be a laminate in which an inner sealant layer, a metal foil barrier layer, and an outer insulating layer are stacked sequentially from the inside to the outside.

[0061] Since this type of pouch-type secondary battery is known technology, a detailed description of its construction will be omitted. However, the battery cell disclosed herein is not limited to pouch-type secondary batteries; other forms or types of battery cells can also be used as long as the battery cell can expand in volume (expansion) during charging / discharging.

[0062] Furthermore, the battery pack tray 120 may include a module mounting portion 121 and a side cover portion 122. Specifically, the module mounting portion 121 may be configured to mount at least one battery module 110. For example, as Figure 4 As shown, four battery modules 110 can be mounted on the module mounting portion 121 of the battery pack tray 120. The battery pack 100 may also include a crossbeam 150. The crossbeam 150 may have a shape extending in the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction). When the crossbeam 150 is mounted on the battery pack tray 120 by bolt fastening, the crossbeam 150 can be fixed in place. Furthermore, the crossbeam 150 can be positioned to be inserted between the battery modules 110. That is, the crossbeam 150 can be used to support one side (right side) or the other side (left side) of the battery modules 110.

[0063] The module mounting portion 121 may have a plate-like shape extending in a horizontal direction (X-axis direction, Y-axis direction) to form the bottom of the battery pack tray 120. Here, "horizontal direction" can be any direction parallel to the ground. The battery pack tray 120 may include a metal with excellent mechanical rigidity. The side cover portion 122 may be configured to cover the side portion of the battery module 110. For example, as Figure 5 As shown, the side cover portion 122 can be configured to cover the front, rear, left, and right sides of the battery module 110. The side cover portion 122 can be a portion extending upward (Z-axis direction) from the outer periphery of the module mounting portion 121. The side cover portion 122 can extend along the outer periphery (edge) of the module mounting portion 121.

[0064] Figure 6 This is a perspective view schematically showing the side panel of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, Figure 7 This is a schematic perspective view of the bottom of the side panel of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0065] See Figure 6 and Figure 7 as well as Figure 5 The side panel 130 can be configured to block at least one surface of the battery module 110 when the battery module 110 expands. The side panel 130 can be disposed on one side (left or right) or both sides (left and right) of the battery module 110. For example, as... Figure 5As shown, the battery pack 100 of this disclosure may include four side plates 130. The four side plates 130 may be disposed on the left or right side of each of the four battery modules 110.

[0066] For example, the side plate 130 can be fixed in place in close contact with one side of the battery module 110. Multiple through holes H1 can be formed in the side plate 130. For example, the through holes H1 can have a honeycomb shape in the vertical cross-section. Therefore, since multiple honeycomb-shaped through holes H1 are formed in the side plate 130 of this disclosure, the side plate 130 of this disclosure has superior mechanical stiffness compared to a side plate 130 with the same material and weight but multiple circular through holes H1. In particular, the honeycomb-shaped through hole H1 structure imparts resistance to deformation in the penetration direction (X-axis direction) to the side plate 130, and therefore, when the battery module 110 expands, a greater force can be used to suppress the deformation of the battery module 110. Furthermore, according to this honeycomb shape, high resistance to temperature changes, heat, torsion, and external compression can be achieved.

[0067] For example, since the honeycomb-shaped side panel 130 has a larger surface area than a conventional side panel, it effectively dissipates the heat generated in the pouch-type secondary battery 11 to the outside. That is, the side panel 130 according to the embodiments of this disclosure has advantages in heat dissipation.

[0068] Furthermore, the side plate 130 can be manufactured by extrusion. Specifically, the method for manufacturing the side plate 130 may include the following steps: manufacturing a metal substrate by elongating in the penetration direction (X-axis direction) of the through holes H1 to form a plurality of through holes H1 in the side plate 130, and manufacturing a plurality of side plates 130 by perpendicularly cutting the metal substrate at each predetermined distance in the penetration direction (X-axis direction). Therefore, the side plate 130 of the battery pack 100 of this disclosure is manufactured by extrusion, and thus has superior mechanical rigidity and a simple manufacturing process compared with pressing or molding manufacturing methods, enabling the manufacture of a plurality of side plates 130 in a short time, thereby improving the efficiency of the manufacturing process of the battery pack 100. That is, according to this method, mass production of the side plate 130 is possible.

[0069] Furthermore, the side plate 130 may comprise an aluminum alloy material. For example, a side plate 130 made of aluminum alloy may have better mechanical rigidity compared to a side plate 130 made of steel of the same weight.

[0070] Furthermore, the side plate 130 can be coupled to any one or more of the module mounting portion 121 and the side cover portion 122. For example, the side plate 130 can be mechanically coupled to any one or more of the module mounting portion 121 and the side cover portion 122. For example, the coupling method may include welding, tongue and groove fastening, or coupling via separate fastening members. This will be described in more detail below.

[0071] Therefore, according to this configuration, the present disclosure includes at least one side plate 130 configured to block at least one surface of the battery module 110, and thus can effectively prevent volume changes at one or both sides of the battery module 110 when expansion of the plurality of battery cells located inside the battery module 110 occurs, thereby suppressing the escalation of expansion and preventing deformation of the battery module 110. Ultimately, the present disclosure can effectively increase the durability of the battery pack 100.

[0072] See you again Figures 4 to 7 The battery module 110 of this disclosure may further include a top cover 140. The top cover 140 may have a plate-like shape extending horizontally to cover the upper portion of the battery module 110. The top cover 140 may be configured such that a portion thereof is attached to the upper end of a side plate 130. Edge portions of the top cover 140 may be welded or bolted to the upper end of the side plate 130. For example, each of the left and right ends of the top cover 140 may be bolted to the left-side side plate 130 and the right-side side plate 130, respectively.

[0073] Furthermore, the side plate 130 may have a lower portion that connects to the module mounting portion 121. The lower portion of the side plate 130 may be welded or bolted to the module mounting portion 121.

[0074] Therefore, according to this configuration, the present disclosure includes an upper cover 140 connected to the upper part of the side panel 130, thereby stably fixing the position of the side panel 130 and preventing deformation of the battery module 110. Furthermore, since the lower part of the side panel 130 is connected to the module mounting portion 121 of the battery pack tray 120 in this disclosure, the position of the side panel 130 can be stably fixed, preventing deformation of the battery module 110. Ultimately, the present disclosure effectively increases the durability of the battery pack 100.

[0075] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 as well as Figure 4The side plate 130 may have a plurality of first fastening grooves G1 and second fastening grooves G2 formed respectively on its upper and lower parts. The first fastening groove G1 may have a space for insertion to a predetermined depth. Threads may be formed in the insertion space. That is, bolt B can be inserted into the first fastening groove G1 to fix the end of bolt B. In the upper cover 140, a plurality of first bolt holes T1 may be formed at positions facing each of the plurality of first fastening grooves G1. The first bolt holes T1 may be configured such that the body of bolt B passes through them. Furthermore, the head of bolt B may be connected to the peripheral portion of the first bolt hole T1. That is, bolt B can be inserted into the first bolt hole T1 of the upper cover 140, and the lower end of bolt B can be inserted into the first fastening groove G1 formed at the upper end of the side plate 130 for threaded connection. In other words, the side plate 130 and the upper cover 140 can be bolted together.

[0076] Therefore, according to this configuration, the first fastening groove G1 of the side plate 130 and the first bolt hole T1 of the top cover 140 are bolted together, so that the side plate 130 can be stably fixed in the proper position, thereby effectively preventing the battery module 110 from deforming.

[0077] Figure 8 This is a schematic plan view of the battery pack tray of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 9 This is a schematic partial vertical cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0078] See you again Figure 8 and Figure 9 as well as Figure 6 and Figure 7 The second fastening groove G2 can have a space for insertion to a predetermined depth. A thread can be formed in the insertion space of the second fastening groove G2. That is, the bolt B can be inserted into the second fastening groove G2 to secure the end of the bolt B. In the module mounting portion 121 of the battery pack tray 120, a plurality of second bolt holes T2 can be formed at positions facing each of the plurality of second fastening grooves G2. The second bolt holes T2 can be configured such that the body of the bolt B passes through them. Moreover, the head of the bolt B can be connected to the peripheral portion of the second bolt hole T2. That is, the bolt B can be inserted into the second bolt hole T2 of the module mounting portion 121, and the lower end of the bolt B can be inserted into the second fastening groove G2 formed at the lower end of the side plate 130 for threaded connection. In other words, the side plate 130 of the battery pack tray 120 and the module mounting portion 121 can be bolted together.

[0079] Therefore, according to this configuration, in this disclosure, the second fastening groove G2 of the side plate 130 and the second bolt hole T2 of the module mounting portion 121 of the battery pack tray 120 are bolted together, so that the side plate 130 can be stably fixed in the proper position, thereby effectively preventing the battery module 110 from deforming.

[0080] Figure 10 This is a partial perspective view schematically illustrating some structures of a battery pack according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 11 It is shown schematically. Figure 10 A magnified view of a portion of the area where the magnification is significant. Figure 12 This is a partial perspective view schematically showing a portion of the battery pack tray of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0081] Reference Figures 10 to 12 as well as Figure 5 and Figure 7 ,and Figure 4 Compared to the battery pack tray 120 of the battery pack 100 in the present disclosure, the battery pack 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may not have a second bolt hole T2. Instead, a plurality of fixing protrusions 123 may be formed on the battery pack tray 120. Figure 10 The battery pack 100 is housed in the battery pack tray 120. Other construction details are similar to... Figure 4 The battery pack 100 in this paper has the same structure, so descriptions of other structures will be omitted.

[0082] exist Figure 10 In the side plate 130 of the battery pack 100, a plurality of fixing grooves P3 are formed at its lower end, which are inserted into a predetermined depth in the upward direction. The plurality of fixing grooves P3 can be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance along the longitudinal direction of the side plate 130.

[0083] Furthermore, a plurality of fixing protrusions 123 may be formed therein in the module mounting portion 121. The plurality of fixing protrusions 123 may be configured to prevent the side plate 130 from moving toward the battery module 110. Each of the plurality of fixing protrusions 123 may be configured such that a portion 123b is inserted into each of the plurality of fixing slots P3. Additionally, the fixing protrusions 123 may be configured to support the outer surface of the side plate 130 such that another portion 123a prevents the side plate 130 from moving in the outward direction. For example, as... Figure 11 As shown, multiple upwardly projecting fixing protrusions 123 may be formed on the module mounting portion 121 of the battery pack tray 120. A portion of the fixing protrusions 123 may have a more prominent shape than the others to surround the outer surface (left surface) of the side panel 130.

[0084] Therefore, according to this configuration, multiple fixing slots P3 are formed at the lower end of the side plate 130, and the module mounting portion 121 has multiple fixing protrusions 123 configured to prevent the side plate 130 from moving in the outward direction, thereby stably fixing the side plate 130 to the module mounting portion 121. Furthermore, the side plate 130 can be prevented from moving in the leftward direction (the negative direction of the X-axis) to prevent deformation of the battery module 110. Therefore, the battery pack of this disclosure effectively increases durability.

[0085] Refer again Figures 10 to 12 as well as Figure 5 According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of fixing protrusions 123 of the battery pack 100 can be configured such that the thickness of the portion 123b configured to be inserted into the fixing groove P3 of the side plate 130 gradually increases in a direction opposite to that of the battery module 110. For example, the fixing protrusions 123 can be formed in a direction opposite to that of the battery module 110. Figure 10 The thickness gradually increases along the negative X-axis. That is, when the battery module 110 expands in volume with the fixing protrusion 123 inserted into the fixing groove P3 formed at the lower end of the side plate 130, the side plate 130 can resist the expansion of the battery module 110 with a stronger force as the expansion is reinforced by the connection structure of the fixing groove P3 and the fixing protrusion 123.

[0086] In other words, the shape of the fixing protrusion 123, whose thickness gradually increases in the outward direction (negative direction of the X-axis), is the same as that of a wedge. When the side plate 130 is pressed outward, the fixing protrusion 123 fits tightly into the fixing groove P3 of the side plate 130, thereby resisting movement of the side plate 130 with greater force. Furthermore, compared to methods that completely restrict the movement of the side plate 130, such as bolt fastening, this method of preventing the side plate 130 from moving with greater force while allowing it to move a predetermined distance as movement increases can accumulate less fatigue in the side plate 130. Therefore, Figure 10 The side panel is 130 compared to Figure 5 The side plate 130 in the middle has less fatigue accumulation, thereby increasing mechanical durability, and therefore will not break or be damaged even with relatively strong expansion forces, thus effectively increasing the durability of the battery pack 100.

[0087] Figure 13 This is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the battery pack tray and side panel of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 14 This is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a portion of the battery pack tray and side panel of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0088] Reference Figure 13 and Figure 14as well as Figure 5 When with Figure 5 Compared to the battery pack 100 in the present disclosure, the battery pack 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may further have a plurality of support protrusions 124 formed therein, instead of the second bolt holes T2 of the battery pack tray 120. Figure 13 Other structures of the battery pack 100 and Figure 5 The battery pack 100 in this paper has the same structure, so descriptions of other structures will be omitted.

[0089] exist Figure 13 In the battery pack 100, a plurality of support protrusions 124 may be formed in the battery pack tray 120. The plurality of support protrusions 124 may be configured to support the side plate 130 toward the battery module 110. Each of the plurality of support protrusions 124 may be formed at a position facing a plurality of through holes H1 to be inserted into the plurality of through holes H1 formed in the side plate 130. The plurality of support protrusions 124 may protrude toward the side plate 130. The support protrusions 124 may have a shape that extends elongated in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction). The support protrusions 124 may have a hexagonal columnar shape.

[0090] Furthermore, the multiple support protrusions 124 can be configured to resist the movement of the side plate 130 with greater force as the side plate 130 moves. The support protrusions 124 can have a shape in which their thickness gradually increases in the opposite direction to that of the battery module 110. That is, the support protrusions 124 can be formed such that the thickness of the protrusion decreases as it approaches its end. In other words, the support protrusions 124 can have a trapezoidal horizontal cross-sectional area.

[0091] Therefore, according to this configuration, the present disclosure has a plurality of support protrusions 124 formed in the battery pack tray 120, wherein the plurality of support protrusions 124 are configured to insert into a plurality of through holes H1 formed in the side plate 130. Thus, when the battery module 110 expands in volume, the interlocking structure of the through holes H1 and the support protrusions 124 effectively prevents the side plate 130 from moving in the outward direction, thereby suppressing the volume expansion of the battery module 110.

[0092] Furthermore, the multiple support protrusions 124 have a shape in which their thickness gradually increases in the outward direction (expansion direction) and are similar to a connection structure in which a wedge is embedded in a groove. The more the side plate 130 is pressed outward, the tighter the support protrusions 124 fit into the through holes H1 of the side plate 130, thereby blocking the movement of the side plate 130 with greater force.

[0093] Furthermore, compared to methods that completely restrict the movement of the side plate 130 (e.g., bolt fastening), methods that prevent the side plate 130 from moving further while allowing it to move a predetermined distance, when the movement of the side plate 130 increases, result in less accumulated fatigue in the side plate 130. Therefore, Figure 13 The side panel is 130 compared to Figure 5 The side plate 130 accumulates less fatigue, thereby increasing mechanical durability, and therefore will not break or be damaged even if the expansion force is relatively strong, thus effectively increasing the durability of the battery pack 100.

[0094] Furthermore, the battery pack 100 may also include a BMS module (not shown) configured to control the charging / discharging of multiple battery cells. Meanwhile, an energy storage system (not shown) according to embodiments of this disclosure includes at least one of the aforementioned battery packs 100. Here, the energy storage system may include a rack enclosure on which multiple battery packs 100 are mounted.

[0095] Figure 15 This is a schematic side view of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0096] See Figure 15 The vehicle 200 according to embodiments of this disclosure includes at least one of the battery packs 100 described above. The vehicle may also include a mounting portion having storage space for accommodating multiple battery packs 100. For example, the battery packs 100 may be mounted on the vehicle body. For example, the vehicle generates mobility by supplying power from the battery packs 100 to an electric motor, and may refer to any device that uses this mobility to move. For example, the vehicle may be an electric vehicle, an electric bicycle, or an electric skateboard.

[0097] Furthermore, the terms used herein to indicate direction (e.g., up, down, left, right, front, and back) are merely for ease of description, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these terms may vary depending on the position of the element or the observer.

[0098] The present invention has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been pointed out, the detailed description and specific examples are given by way of illustration only, as various changes and modifications within the scope of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art based on the detailed description.

[0099] [Figure Labels]

[0100] 100: Battery pack

[0101] 10, 110: Battery Module

[0102] 11: Battery Cells

[0103] 20: Module housing

[0104] 120: Battery pack tray

[0105] 121, 122: Module mounting section, side cover section

[0106] 130: Side panel

[0107] H1: Through hole

[0108] 140: Top Cover

[0109] 150: Crossbeam

[0110] G1, G2: First fastening groove, second fastening groove

[0111] T1, T2: First bolt hole, second bolt hole

[0112] P3: Fixing slot

[0113] 123: Fixed protrusion

[0114] 124: Support protrusion

Claims

1. A battery pack, the battery pack comprising: At least one battery module, the at least one battery module having a plurality of battery cells; A battery pack tray having a module mounting portion and a side cover portion, the module mounting portion being configured to mount one or more battery modules and extending horizontally, and the side cover portion extending upward from the outer periphery of the module mounting portion to cover the side of the battery modules. as well as At least one side plate, said at least one side plate being connected to either or more of the module mounting portion and the side cover portion, said at least one side plate being disposed on one or both sides of the battery module, having a plurality of through holes, and being configured to block at least one surface of the battery module when the battery module expands. The side panel has multiple fixing slots that are inserted upwards to a predetermined depth at their lower ends. The module mounting portion has multiple fixing protrusions that are partially inserted into each of the fixing slots. These protrusions are configured to prevent the side panel from moving towards the battery module. The plurality of fixed protrusions are configured such that their thickness gradually increases in the opposite direction to that of the battery module.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, in, The cross-section of the through hole has a honeycomb shape.

3. A battery pack, the battery pack comprising: At least one battery module, the at least one battery module having a plurality of battery cells; A battery pack tray having a module mounting portion and a side cover portion, the module mounting portion being configured to mount one or more battery modules and extending horizontally, and the side cover portion extending upward from the outer periphery of the module mounting portion to cover the side of the battery modules. as well as At least one side plate, said at least one side plate being connected to either or more of the module mounting portion and the side cover portion, said at least one side plate being disposed on one or both sides of the battery module, having a plurality of through holes, and being configured to block at least one surface of the battery module when the battery module expands. The battery pack tray includes a plurality of support protrusions, each of which is inserted into a plurality of through holes formed in the side plate, and each support protrusion is configured to support the side plate toward the battery module. The support protrusion has a shape in which its thickness gradually increases in the opposite direction to that of the battery module.

4. The battery pack according to claim 3, in, The cross-section of the through hole has a honeycomb shape.

5. A vehicle comprising at least one battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. An energy storage system comprising at least one battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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