Energy storage system

Abstract

The invention discloses an energy storage system, and aims to solve the problem of providing an energy storage system capable of preventing a battery module from falling off. For this purpose, example embodiments are disclosed, comprising: a cradle frame; a tray provided to the cradle frame; a battery module disposed on the tray and inserted into the holder frame while moving in the first direction; a guide rail disposed to face the battery module and guide movement of the battery module; and a stopper disposed between the battery module and the guide rail and selectively restricting movement of the battery module in a second direction opposite to the first direction. According to the energy storage device disclosed by the invention, when the battery module moves from the bracket frame, the retainer can be used for limiting the movement of the battery module to exceed the preset distance or more, so that the battery module is prevented from falling off, and equipment damage and safety accidents caused by the falling off of the battery module are prevented.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to energy storage systems. Background Art

[0002] Generally, an energy storage system is a device capable of storing surplus electricity or electricity generated using renewable energy. A plurality of racks may be housed in a container, each rack housing a plurality of battery modules therein. A battery module may include a plurality of secondary batteries electrically interconnected to each other and arranged in various structures.

[0003] The battery module can slide forward and backward to be inserted into or separated from the bracket. However, when the battery module moves excessively in the separation direction during this process, components in the battery module may be damaged, or a safety accident may occur when the battery module falls. Summary of the invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an energy storage system capable of preventing a battery module from falling. These and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will be described in the following description of embodiments of the present disclosure, or will become apparent from the following description.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, an energy storage system according to one or more embodiments includes: a support frame; a tray provided to the support frame; a battery module, which is arranged on the tray and inserted into the support frame while moving in a first direction; a guide rail, which is arranged to face the battery module and guide the movement of the battery module; and a stopper, which is arranged between the battery module and the guide rail and selectively limits the movement of the battery module in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0006] The stopper may consist of a plurality of stoppers spaced apart from each other in the first direction.

[0007] The guide rail may include: a rail body disposed to face the battery module; and a rail hole formed through the rail body and having a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end in a first direction.

[0008] The rail hole may have a smaller length than the battery module.

[0009] The stopper may include: a stopper body movably connected to the battery module; and a hook fixed to the stopper body and inserted into or disengaged from the rail hole in a moving direction of the stopper body.

[0010] The stopper body is elastically deformable.

[0011] The stopper body may be reciprocably connected to the battery module in a direction crossing the first direction.

[0012] The stopper body may include: a fixed end connected to the battery module; and a movable end extending from the fixed end and spaced apart from the battery module, and the movable end may be rotatable around the fixed end.

[0013] The movable end may extend from the fixed end in the second direction.

[0014] The hook may include: a latching facet facing the first end; and a guide facet extending from the latching facet in a first direction and disposed obliquely with respect to the latching facet.

[0015] When the battery module moves in the second direction, the latch facet may contact the first end.

[0016] The latch facet may be disposed perpendicular to the first direction.

[0017] The distance between the guide facet and the stopper body may gradually decrease toward the end of the guide facet.

[0018] The energy storage system may further include an alignment member disposed between the tray and the battery module and aligning the position of the battery module.

[0019] The alignment member may include: an alignment hole formed through any one of the tray and the battery module; and an alignment protrusion protruding from the other of the tray and the battery module and inserted into or separated from the alignment hole in conjunction with movement of the battery module.

[0020] The alignment hole may include a first alignment hole, a second alignment hole, and a third alignment hole sequentially arranged in the first direction, and the alignment protrusion may include a first alignment protrusion, a second alignment protrusion, and a third alignment protrusion sequentially arranged in the first direction.

[0021] The second alignment holes may be disposed to alternate with the first alignment holes in a cross direction with respect to the first direction, and the third alignment holes may be disposed to face the first alignment holes in a direction parallel to the first direction.

[0022] Each of the first, second, and third alignment protrusions may have an inclined edge.

[0023] The energy storage device according to the present disclosure can use a stopper to limit the movement of the battery module beyond a preset distance or more when the battery module moves from the support frame, thereby preventing the battery module from falling and equipment damage and safety accidents caused by the falling battery module.

[0024] The energy storage device according to the present disclosure may adjust the separation degree of the battery module in multiple steps using a plurality of stoppers spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the battery module, thereby further improving the reliability of the removal operation of the battery module.

[0025] The energy storage device according to the present disclosure can selectively limit the movement of the battery module by the movement of the stopper body, thereby further improving the convenience of the removal operation of the battery module.

[0026] The energy storage device according to the present disclosure allows the battery module to be smoothly inserted into the bracket frame through the guide facets that are disposed obliquely with respect to the latch facets.

[0027] The energy storage device according to the present disclosure can guide the battery module to move in the correct direction of travel and be placed in the correct position through the guide rails and the alignment members. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure, and together with the detailed description of the present disclosure, further describe aspects and features of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited to the drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 3 is a schematic side view of an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a guide rail according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a mounted state of a stopper according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 6 is a schematic enlarged view of a stopper according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 7 is a schematic side view of a stopper according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 8 is a schematic plan view of a stopper according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an alignment member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure

[0038] Fig.10 is a schematic plan view of an alignment hole according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Fig.11 is a schematic perspective view of an alignment protrusion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figures 12 to 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process of inserting a battery module into a bracket frame in an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figures 17 to 20 is a schematic diagram showing a process of removing a battery module from a support frame in an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Based on the principle that the inventor can be his / her own lexicographer to appropriately define the concept of the term so as to explain his / her invention in the best way, the terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to the usual or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical ideas of the present disclosure.

[0043] The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only some embodiments of the present disclosure and do not represent all technical ideas, aspects and features of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that when submitting this application, there may be various equivalents and modifications to replace or modify the embodiments described herein.

[0044] It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on another element or layer," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected to, or coupled to another element or layer, or one or more intermediate elements or layers may also be present. When an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intermediate elements or layers. For example, when a first element is described as being "coupled to" or "connected to" a second element, the first element may be directly coupled or connected to the second element, or the first element may be indirectly coupled or connected to the second element via one or more intermediate elements.

[0045] In the accompanying drawings, the sizes of various elements, layers, etc. may be exaggerated for clarity of illustration. The same reference numerals represent the same elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items. In addition, when describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, the use of "may" relates to "one or more embodiments of the present disclosure". Expressions such as "at least one" and "any one", when before a column of elements, modify the entire column of elements without modifying the individual elements in the list. When phrases such as "at least one of A, B and C", "at least one of A, B or C", "at least one selected from the group of A, B and C" or "at least one selected from A, B and C" are used to specify a column of elements A, B and C, the phrase may refer to any and all suitable combinations or subsets of A, B and C, such as A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C or A and B and C. As used herein, the terms "use" and "used" may be considered to be synonymous with the terms "utilize" and "utilize" respectively. As used herein, the terms "substantially," "approximately," and similar terms are used as terms of approximation, rather than terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent variations in measurements or calculations that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize.

[0046] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used here to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish an element, component, region, layer or part from another element, component, region, layer or part. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments, the first element, component, region, layer or part discussed below can be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer or part.

[0047] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "below," "below," "down," "above," "on," etc. may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature shown in the figures to another element or feature. It should be understood that, in addition to the orientations described in the accompanying drawings, spatially relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the figure is flipped, then the elements described as being "below" or "below" other elements or features will be oriented "above" or "above" the other elements or features. Therefore, the term "below" can include both above and below orientations. The device can be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

[0048] The terms used herein are intended to describe embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "one" and "an" are also intended to include plural forms, unless the context clearly states otherwise. It will also be understood that the terms "include", "includes ...", "includes" and / or "comprising ..." when used in this specification specify the presence of the features, wholes, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or groups thereof.

[0049] In addition, any numerical range disclosed and / or described herein is intended to include all sub-ranges of the same numerical precision contained in the range. For example, the range of "1.0 to 10.0" is intended to include all sub-ranges between the minimum value 1.0 and the maximum value 10.0 (including the minimum value 1.0 and the maximum value 10.0), that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1.0 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10.0, such as, for example, 2.4 to 7.6. Any maximum numerical limit described herein is intended to include all lower numerical limits contained therein, and any minimum numerical limit described in this specification is intended to include all higher numerical limits contained therein. Therefore, the applicant reserves the right to modify this specification (including claims) to explicitly list any sub-ranges contained in the range explicitly listed herein.

[0050] Reference to two "same" comparative elements, features, etc. may mean that they are "substantially the same." Thus, the phrase "substantially the same" may include situations with deviations that are considered low in the art, for example, 5% or less. In addition, when a parameter is referred to as being uniform in a given area, this may mean that it is uniform with respect to an average value.

[0051] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specified, each element may be in the singular or in the plural.

[0052] When any element is referred to as being disposed (or positioned or located) "on (or below)" or "on (or below)" a component, it may mean that the arbitrary element is placed in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of the component, and may also mean that another component may be inserted between the component and any element disposed (or positioned or located) on (or below) the component.

[0053] Furthermore, it should be understood that when an element is referred to as being “coupled,” “linked,” or “connected” to another element, the elements may be directly “coupled,” “linked,” or “connected” to each other, or there may be an intermediate element between them through which the element may be “coupled,” “linked,” or “connected” to another element. Furthermore, when a component is referred to as being “electrically coupled” to another component, the component may be directly connected to the other component, or there may be an intermediate component between them so that the component and the other component are indirectly connected to each other.

[0054] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specified, when "A and / or B" is stated, it means A, B, or A and B. That is, "and / or" includes any or all combinations of the listed multiple items. Unless otherwise specified, when "C to D" is stated, it means C or more and D or less.

[0055] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 3 is a schematic side view of an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] Reference Figures 1 to 3 , an energy storage device according to one embodiment includes a support frame 100 , a tray 200 , a battery module 300 , a guide rail 400 , and a stopper 500 .

[0057] A space capable of accommodating the battery module 300 is provided in the rack frame 100. According to the embodiment, the rack frame 100 may have a hollow box or frame shape. The rack frame 100 may be set in a building, a box, a cabinet, etc. The rack frame 100 may be formed of a material having high hardness, such as steel, etc., to prevent breakage due to a load applied from the battery module 300. Although Figure 1 The stent frame 100 is shown to have a parallelepiped shape, but it should be understood that the stent frame 100 may be modified into various shapes, including a polyhedral shape, a cylindrical shape, and the like.

[0058] The stent frame 100 may include a first surface 101 and a second surface 102 located on opposite sides of the first surface 101. The first surface 101 and the second surface 102 may be parallel to each other so as to be parallel to a reference Figure 1 The first surface 101 may be an open surface through which the inner space of the stent frame 100 is connected to the outer space thereof.

[0059] Here, the first direction A may refer to a direction from the first surface 101 of the stent frame 100 to the second surface 102 thereof and parallel to the reference direction. Figure 1 In addition, the second direction B may refer to a direction opposite to the first direction A, that is, a direction from the second surface 102 of the stent frame 100 to the first surface 101 thereof and parallel to the X-axis.

[0060] The tray 200 is disposed inside the support frame 100 and divides the internal space of the support frame 100. According to this embodiment, the tray 200 may have a substantially flat plate shape. The tray 200 may be integrally fixed to the support frame 100 by welding or the like, or may be detachably assembled to the support frame 100 by bolt connection, interference fit, or the like. The tray 200 may be disposed horizontally relative to the bottom surface of the support frame 100. A plurality of trays 200 may be provided. The plurality of trays 200 may be arranged in a vertical direction (i.e., in a direction with reference to Figure 1 The trays 200 are stacked in the support frame 100 in the Z-axis direction. The number of trays 200, the distance between adjacent trays 200, and the height of each battery module 300 described below may be modified in various ways. The trays 200 may be formed of a material having high hardness, such as steel, etc., to prevent damage due to a load from the battery module 300.

[0061] The battery module 300 stores electricity through charge / discharge operations, or provides the stored electricity to an external electronic device (not shown). The battery module 300 may include a substantially box-shaped module housing, a plurality of battery cells disposed in the module housing, and a cooling plate through which a coolant flows to cool the battery cells. The battery cells may be pouch-type secondary batteries, prismatic secondary batteries, or cylindrical secondary batteries.

[0062] The battery module 300 may be disposed to have a longitudinal direction parallel to the first direction A. The battery module 300 placed outside the support frame 100 to face the first surface 101 may be inserted into the support frame 100 through the first surface 101 while moving in the first direction A. Conversely, the battery module 300 inserted into the support frame 100 may be removed from the support frame 100 through the first surface 101 while moving in the second direction B.

[0063] The battery module 300 may be disposed on the tray 200 within the holder frame 100. More specifically, the battery module 300 may have a lower surface contacting an upper surface of the tray 200.

[0064] A plurality of battery modules 300 may be provided. The plurality of battery modules 300 may be arranged in a direction perpendicular to the first direction A (ie, in a direction perpendicular to the first direction A). Figure 1 The battery modules 300 are arranged in a plurality of rows in the support frame 100 along the Y-axis and Z-axis directions. The plurality of battery modules 300 arranged along the Z-axis direction may be arranged on corresponding trays 200, respectively.

[0065] The guide rail 400 is disposed to face the battery module 300 and guide the movement of the battery module 300. That is, the guide rail 400 can be used to guide the battery module 300 to maintain a moving direction along the first direction A or the second direction B within the support frame 100 when the battery module is inserted into or separated from the support frame 100.

[0066] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a guide rail according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0067] Reference Figures 1 to 4 , the guide rail 400 according to this embodiment may include a rail body 410 and a rail hole 420 .

[0068] The rail body 410 is disposed to face the battery module 300 within the support frame 100. According to this embodiment, the rail body 410 may have a substantially plate shape, and may be disposed to face the side surface of the battery module 300. The rail body 410 may be disposed to have a longitudinal direction parallel to the first direction A. The rail body 410 may be fixed to the tray 200, or may be fixed to the support frame 100. The rail body 410 may directly contact the side surface of the battery module 300, or may be spaced apart from the side surface of the battery module 300 by a predetermined distance. A plurality of rail bodies 410 may be provided. Among the plurality of rail bodies 410, any pair of rail bodies 410 may be disposed to face opposite side surfaces of the battery module 300, respectively.

[0069] The rail hole 420 may be formed through the rail body 410. More specifically, the rail hole 420 may be formed in a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the battery module 300 (parallel to the reference Figure 1 The rail hole 420 penetrates the rail body 410 in the direction of the Y axis of the battery module 300. The rail hole 420 may have a shorter length than the battery module 300 and the rail body 410.

[0070] The rail hole 420 may include a first end 421 and a second end 422 spaced apart from the first end 421 in the first direction A. The first end 421 and the second end 422 may be boundary surfaces between the rail hole 420 and the rail body 410, which are respectively disposed at opposite ends of the rail hole 420. The first end 421 may be disposed close to the first surface 101 of the stent frame 100, and the second end 422 may be disposed close to the second surface 102 of the stent frame 100.

[0071] The stopper 500 is disposed between the battery module 300 and the guide rail 400 and selectively limits the movement of the battery module 300 in the second direction B. That is, when the battery module 300 is removed from the rack frame 100, the stopper 500 may be used to limit or allow the movement of the battery module 300 in the second direction B. Therefore, when the battery module 300 is removed from the rack frame 100, the stopper 500 may prevent the battery module 300 from falling by preventing the battery module 300 from suddenly moving in the second direction B.

[0072] A plurality of stoppers 500 may be provided. The plurality of stoppers 500 may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction (A). Therefore, the plurality of stoppers 500 may limit the movement of the battery module 300 in the second direction (B) in multiple steps, thereby further improving the reliability of the removal operation of the battery module 300. The plurality of stoppers 500 may be symmetrically disposed on both sides of the battery module 300 perpendicular to the Y-axis direction.

[0073] Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a mounting state of a stopper according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 6 is a schematic enlarged view of a stopper according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 7 is a schematic side view of a stopper according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 8 is a schematic plan view of a stopper according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] Reference Figures 5 to 8 , the stopper 500 according to this embodiment may include a stopper body 510 and a hook 520 .

[0075] The stopper body 510 is movably connected to the battery module 300 and supports a hook 520 described below. The stopper body 510 may be moved by an external force and may be used to adjust a relative position of the hook 520 with respect to the guide rail 400.

[0076] According to this embodiment, the stopper body 510 may have a substantially flat plate shape. The stopper body 510 may be arranged so that the inner surface and the outer surface of the stopper body 510 face the side surface of the battery module 300 and the rail body 410 respectively to be parallel thereto at an initial position where no external force is applied. The stopper body 510 may be reciprocally movably connected to the battery module 300 in a direction intersecting the first direction A. More specifically, as Figure 6As shown, the stopper body 510 may include a fixed end 511 fixed to the side surface of the battery module 300 and a movable end 512 extending from the fixed end 511. The movable end 512 may extend from the fixed end 511 in the second direction B and may be spaced apart from the side surface of the battery module 300. The movable end 512 may rotate around the fixed end 511 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. For example, when a compressive force is applied to the outer surface of the stopper body 510 facing the rail body 410 toward the side surface of the battery module 300, the movable end 512 may rotate around the fixed end 511 toward the side surface of the battery module 300.

[0077] The stopper body 510 may be elastically deformable. Therefore, when the external force applied thereto is removed, the stopper body 510 may return to its initial position by its elastic restoring force. For example, the stopper body 510 may be formed of an elastically deformable plastic material having sufficient hardness.

[0078] The hook 520 is fixed to the stopper body 510, and is inserted into or detached from the track hole 420 according to the moving direction of the stopper body 510. When the stopper body 510 is in its initial position to face the track body 410, the hook 520 may remain inserted into the track hole 420. The hook 520 may move in the first direction A or the second direction B together with the battery module 300 in a state of being inserted into the track hole 420. The hook 520 may have a smaller height than the track hole 420. Therefore, the hook 520 may move smoothly in the track hole 420.

[0079] When the hook 520 moves in the second direction B within the rail hole 420 by a preset distance or more, the hook 520 can restrict the movement of the battery module 300 in the second direction B by interfering with the rail body 410. In this state, the hook 520 allows the movement of the battery module 300 in the second direction B only when the hook 520 is disengaged from the rail hole 420 by the movement of the stopper body 510.

[0080] On the other hand, the hook 520 may always allow the battery module 300 to move in the first direction A regardless of whether the hook 520 is inserted into the rail hole 420 . That is, the hook 520 may selectively restrict the movement of the battery module 300 only when the battery module 300 is removed from the holder frame 100 .

[0081] According to this embodiment, the hook 520 may include a latching facet 521 and a guiding facet 522 .

[0082] The latch facet 521 may be provided at one side of the hook 520 to face the first end 421 of the track hole 420 when the hook 520 is inserted into the track hole 420. The latch facet 521 may have a planar shape perpendicular to the first direction A and the second direction B. When the hook 520 is inserted into the track hole 420, the latch facet 521 may contact the first end 421 of the track hole 420, and when the battery module 300 moves a preset distance or more in the second direction B, the movement of the battery module 300 in the second direction B may be restricted.

[0083] The guide facet 522 may be provided at the other side of the hook 520 and may extend from the latch facet 521 in the first direction A. The guide facet 522 may be provided to be inclined relative to the latch facet 521. For example, the guide facet 522 may have an inclined surface having a distance gradually decreasing from the stopper body 510 toward the end of the guide facet 522 (i.e., in the first direction A). Therefore, when the battery module 300 is inserted into the bracket frame 100, the guide facet 522 may contact the bracket body 410, and the movable end 512 of the stopper body 510 may be rotated toward the side surface of the battery module 300.

[0084] According to this embodiment, the energy storage device may further include an alignment member 600 .

[0085] The alignment member 600 is disposed between the tray 200 and the battery module 300, and aligns the position of the battery module 300. That is, when the battery module 300 is inserted into the rack frame 100, the alignment member 600 may be used to place the battery module 300 at a correct position on the tray 200. In addition, when the battery module 300 is inserted into or separated from the rack frame 100, the alignment member 600 may be used to limit sudden movement of the battery module 300 in the first direction A or the second direction B. Therefore, the alignment member 600 may prevent an excessive load from being applied to the stopper 500.

[0086] Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an alignment member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0087] Reference Fig. 9 , the alignment member 600 according to this embodiment may include an alignment hole 610 and an alignment protrusion 620 .

[0088] The alignment hole 610 is formed through any one of the tray 200 and the battery module 300. Here, the alignment hole 610 formed through the tray 200 will be described by way of example. However, the alignment hole 610 is not limited thereto and may also be formed through the battery module 300.

[0089] Fig.10is a schematic plan view of an alignment hole according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0090] Reference Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , the alignment hole 610 according to this embodiment may include a first alignment hole 611 , a second alignment hole 612 , and a third alignment hole 613 .

[0091] Each of the first alignment hole 611, the second alignment hole 612, and the third alignment hole 613 may have a hole shape vertically penetrating the tray 200 in a vertical direction (ie, in a direction parallel to the Z axis). Fig.10 It is shown that the first, second, and third alignment holes 611, 612, and 613 each have a circular shape, but the shapes of the first to third alignment holes may be modified into various shapes such as a polygonal shape, an elliptical shape, and the like.

[0092] The first alignment hole 611 , the second alignment hole 612 , and the third alignment hole 613 may be sequentially arranged in the first direction A. That is, the first alignment hole 611 , the second alignment hole 612 , and the third alignment hole 613 may be sequentially arranged from one end of the tray 200 facing the first surface 101 toward the other end of the tray 200 facing the second surface 102 .

[0093] The first and third alignment holes 611 and 613 may face each other in a direction parallel to the first direction A. That is, central axes of the first and third alignment holes 611 and 613 may intersect at different points on a line parallel to the first direction A.

[0094] The first alignment holes 611 and the second alignment holes 612 may be disposed to alternate with each other in a cross direction relative to the first direction A. That is, the first alignment holes 611 and the second alignment holes 612 may have central axes parallel to the first direction A, and may be disposed to intersect different straight lines spaced apart in the Y-axis direction, respectively.

[0095] Each of the first alignment hole 611, the second alignment hole 612, and the third alignment hole 613 may be provided in plural. Fig.10 As shown, each of the first alignment hole 611, the second alignment hole 612 and the third alignment hole 613 may be provided as a pair of alignment holes. A pair of first alignment holes 611, a pair of second alignment holes 612 and a pair of third alignment holes 613 may be arranged in two rows in a cross direction relative to the first direction A.

[0096] The alignment protrusion 620 protrudes from the other of the tray 200 and the battery module 300. Here, the alignment protrusion 620 protruding from the battery module 300 will be described by way of example. However, the alignment protrusion 620 is not limited thereto and may also protrude from the tray 200. In conjunction with the movement of the battery module 300, the alignment protrusion 620 may be inserted into or separated from the alignment hole 610.

[0097] Fig.11 is a schematic perspective view of an alignment protrusion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0098] Reference Fig. 9 and Fig.11 , the alignment protrusion 620 according to this embodiment may include a first alignment protrusion 621 , a second alignment protrusion 622 , and a third alignment protrusion 623 .

[0099] The first alignment protrusion 621, the second alignment protrusion 622, and the third alignment protrusion 623 may protrude downward from the lower surface of the battery module 300 in a vertical direction. Fig.10 The first, second and third alignment protrusions 621, 622 and 623 are shown to each have a circular cross-sectional shape, but it should be understood that their cross-sectional shapes may be modified to various shapes as long as the first to third alignment protrusions can be inserted into the alignment hole 610.

[0100] The first alignment protrusion 621, the second alignment protrusion 622, and the third alignment protrusion 623 may be sequentially arranged in the first direction A. That is, when the battery module 300 is fully inserted into the holder frame 100, the first alignment protrusion 621, the second alignment protrusion 622, and the third alignment protrusion 623 may be sequentially arranged from the front side of the battery module 300 disposed facing the first surface 101 toward the rear side of the battery module 300.

[0101] The first and third alignment protrusions 621 and 623 may be disposed to face each other in a direction parallel to the first direction A. That is, central axes of the first and third alignment protrusions 621 and 623 may intersect at different points on any straight line parallel to the first direction A.

[0102] The first alignment protrusions 621 and the second alignment protrusions 622 may be disposed to alternate with each other in a cross direction relative to the first direction A. That is, the first alignment protrusions 621 and the second alignment protrusions 622 may have central axes parallel to the first direction A, and may be disposed to intersect different straight lines spaced apart from each other in the Y-axis direction, respectively.

[0103] Each of the first alignment protrusion 621, the second alignment protrusion 622, and the third alignment protrusion 623 may be provided in plural. Fig.11As shown, each of the first alignment protrusion 621, the second alignment protrusion 622, and the third alignment protrusion 623 may be provided as a pair of alignment protrusions. The pair of first alignment protrusions 621, the pair of second alignment protrusions 622, and the pair of third alignment protrusions 623 may be arranged in two rows in a cross direction relative to the first direction A. The number and spacing of the first alignment protrusions 621, the second alignment protrusions 622, and the third alignment protrusions 623 may correspond to the number and spacing of the first alignment holes 611, the second alignment holes 612, and the third alignment holes 613.

[0104] Each of the first alignment protrusion 621, the second alignment protrusion 622, and the third alignment protrusion 623 may have an inclined edge. Therefore, during the movement of the battery module 300, the first alignment protrusion 621, the second alignment protrusion 622, and the third alignment protrusion 623 may be smoothly removed from the first alignment hole 611, the second alignment hole 612, and the third alignment hole 613, respectively.

[0105] More specifically, the first alignment protrusion 621 may have a first slope 621a formed on one side thereof, the second alignment protrusion 622 may have a second slope 622a formed on one side thereof, and the third alignment protrusion 623 may have third and fourth slopes 623a and 623b formed on opposite sides thereof, respectively.

[0106] The first slope 621a, the second slope 622a, the third slope 623a, and the fourth slope 623b may be formed away from the central axes of the first alignment protrusion 621, the second alignment protrusion 622, and the third alignment protrusion 623, respectively, as the distance to the lower surface of the battery module 300 decreases. The first slope 621a, the second slope 622a, the third slope 623a, and the fourth slope 623b may contact the lower surface of the battery module 300.

[0107] The first slope 621a, the second slope 622a, and the third slope 623a may be disposed to face the second direction B, and the fourth slope 623b may be disposed to face the first direction A. On the other hand, when the alignment protrusion 620 protrudes from the tray 200, the first slope 621a, the second slope 622a, and the third slope 623a may be disposed to face the first direction A, and the fourth slope 623b may be disposed to face the second direction B.

[0108] Next, the operation of the energy storage device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0109] Figures 12 to 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process of inserting a battery module into a bracket frame in an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0110] Reference Figure 12 to Figure 14, the battery module 300 disposed outside the holder frame 100 is inserted into the holder frame 100 through the first surface 101 while moving in the first direction A.

[0111] When the holder frame 100 moves a preset distance or more in the first direction A, the guide facet 522 contacts the rail body 410 .

[0112] Since the guide facet 522 is disposed obliquely with respect to the first direction A, the guide facet 522 converts some of the reaction force generated by the contact between the guide facet 522 and the rail body 410 into a compressive force toward the side surface of the battery module 300 .

[0113] The movable end 512 of the stopper body 510 is rotated toward the side surface of the battery module 300 by the compression force converted by the guide facet 522 , and the hook 520 moves in the first direction A while maintaining contact with the rail body 410 .

[0114] Thereafter, when the hook 520 is disposed to face the rail hole 420 , the stopper body 510 is restored to its original position by its elastic restoring force, and the hook 520 is inserted into the rail hole 420 .

[0115] The hook 520 moves in the first direction A together with the battery module 300 while being inserted into the rail hole 420 .

[0116] The above-described operation may be sequentially repeated for a plurality of stoppers 500 spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the battery module 300 until the battery module 300 is completely inserted into the holder frame 100 .

[0117] Reference Fig.15 and Fig.16 , when the battery module 300 is inserted into the holder frame 100 from the outside of the holder frame 100 , the third alignment protrusion 623 is inserted into the first alignment hole 611 .

[0118] Then, as the battery module 300 continues to move in the first direction A, the third alignment protrusion 623 separates from the first alignment hole 611 along the fourth slope 623 b and moves in the first direction A together with the battery module 300 while maintaining contact with the tray 200 .

[0119] In this process, since the first alignment holes 611 and the second alignment holes 612 are disposed to alternate with each other in the cross direction relative to the first direction A, the third alignment protrusion 623 may continue to move toward the third alignment hole 613 without being inserted into the second alignment hole 612 .

[0120] Then, the third alignment protrusion 623 is inserted into the third alignment hole 613, and the second alignment protrusion 622 and the first alignment protrusion 621 are inserted into the first alignment hole 611 and the second alignment hole 612, respectively.

[0121] Since the first and second inclined surfaces 621a and 622a are disposed to face the second direction B, outer peripheral surfaces of the second and first alignment protrusions 622 and 621 engage with edge surfaces of the first and second alignment holes 611 and 612, respectively, and movement of the battery module 300 in the first direction A stops.

[0122] Figures 17 to 20 is a schematic diagram showing a process of removing a battery module from a support frame in an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0123] Reference Figures 16 to 19 , when the battery module 300 is Fig.16 In the illustrated state, when moving in the second direction B, the hook 520 inserted into the track hole 420 moves toward the first end 421 .

[0124] When the battery module 300 moves a preset distance or more in the second direction B, the latch facet 521 of the hook 520 contacts the first end 421 and the movement of the battery module 300 in the second direction B stops. As a result, the battery module 300 may keep protruding a preset distance from the first surface 101 of the holder frame 100 .

[0125] Then, if the operator wants to continue the movement of the battery module 300 in the second direction B, the operator presses the outer surface of the stopper body 510 toward the side surface of the battery module 300 .

[0126] The movable end 512 of the stopper body 510 moves toward the side surface of the battery module 300 by the compressive force, and the hook 520 is disengaged from the rail hole 420 .

[0127] Therefore, the hook 520 does not collide with the rail body 410 , and the battery module 300 may continue to move in the second direction B.

[0128] After the stopper body 510 is moved out of the stent frame 100 , when the operator releases the compressive force applied to the stopper body 510 , the stopper body 510 may be restored to its original position by its elastic restoring force.

[0129] The above-described operation may be sequentially repeated for a plurality of stoppers 500 spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the battery module 300 until the battery module 300 is completely removed from the holder frame 100 .

[0130] Reference Fig.16 and Fig. 20, when the battery module 300 is Fig.16 When the state moves in the second direction B, the first alignment protrusion 621, the second alignment protrusion 622 and the third alignment protrusion 623 are separated from the first alignment hole 611, the second alignment hole 612 and the third alignment hole 613 along the first inclined surface 621a, the second inclined surface 622a and the third inclined surface 623a.

[0131] Then, as the battery module 300 continues to move in the second direction B, the first alignment protrusion 621 and the second alignment protrusion 622 are sequentially separated from the tray 200, and the third alignment protrusion 623 is inserted into the first alignment hole 611. As a result, the third alignment protrusion 623 can ultimately prevent the battery module 300 from falling off the support frame 100 independently of the stopper 500.

[0132] Then, the third alignment protrusion 623 is separated from the first alignment hole 611 along the third inclined surface 623 a , and the battery module 300 is completely separated from the holder frame 100 .

[0133] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to some exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are given by way of illustration only and that various modifications, changes and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An energy storage system, comprising: Bracket frame; a tray provided to the support frame; a battery module disposed on the tray and inserted into the support frame while moving in a first direction; A guide rail, arranged to face the battery module and guide the movement of the battery module; as well as A stopper is disposed between the battery module and the guide rail and selectively limits movement of the battery module in a second direction opposite to the first direction. 2 . The energy storage system according to claim 1 , wherein the stopper consists of a plurality of stoppers spaced apart from each other in the first direction.

3. The energy storage system according to claim 1, wherein the guide rail comprises: A track body, arranged to face the battery module; as well as A rail hole is formed through the rail body and has a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end in the first direction. The energy storage system according to claim 3 , wherein the rail hole has a smaller length than the battery module.

5. The energy storage system according to claim 3, wherein the stopper comprises: a stopper body movably connected to the battery module; as well as A hook is fixed to the stopper body and is inserted into or disengaged from the track hole in a moving direction of the stopper body. The energy storage system according to claim 5 , wherein the stopper body is elastically deformable. 7 . The energy storage system according to claim 5 , wherein the stopper body is connected to the battery module to be reciprocably movably in a direction intersecting the first direction.

8. The energy storage system according to claim 7, wherein the stopper body comprises: A fixed end connected to the battery module; as well as The movable end extends from the fixed end and is spaced apart from the battery module, and the movable end is rotatable around the fixed end. 9 . The energy storage system of claim 8 , wherein the movable end extends from the fixed end in the second direction.

10. The energy storage system according to claim 5, wherein the hook comprises: a latch facet facing said first end; as well as A guide facet extends from the latch facet in the first direction and is arranged obliquely relative to the latch facet. 11 . The energy storage system of claim 10 , wherein the latch facet contacts the first end when the battery module moves in the second direction.

12. The energy storage system of claim 10, wherein the latch facet is disposed perpendicular to the first direction. 13 . The energy storage system of claim 10 , wherein a distance between the guide facet and the stopper body gradually decreases toward an end of the guide facet.

14. The energy storage system according to claim 1, further comprising: An alignment member is disposed between the tray and the battery module and is used to align the position of the battery module.

15. The energy storage system of claim 14, wherein the alignment member comprises: an alignment hole formed through any one of the tray and the battery module; as well as An alignment protrusion protrudes from the other of the tray and the battery module and is inserted into or separated from the alignment hole in conjunction with movement of the battery module.

16. The energy storage system according to claim 15, wherein: The alignment holes include a first alignment hole, a second alignment hole, and a third alignment hole sequentially arranged in the first direction; and The alignment protrusions include a first alignment protrusion, a second alignment protrusion, and a third alignment protrusion sequentially arranged in the first direction. 17 . The energy storage system according to claim 16 , wherein the second alignment holes are arranged to alternate with the first alignment holes in a cross direction relative to the first direction, and the third alignment holes are arranged to face the first alignment holes in a direction parallel to the first direction. 18 . The energy storage system of claim 16 , wherein each of the first alignment protrusion, the second alignment protrusion, and the third alignment protrusion has a sloped edge.

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