Battery pack

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the invention, a battery pack is provided. The battery pack includes: a case having a plate portion and a side wall; a plurality of battery assemblies located on the plate portion of the housing; a plurality of first embedded guide parts which are arranged at the corners of the upper surface of the side wall and are partially embedded in the side wall; and a sealing material covering an upper surface of the side wall, in which each of the plurality of first embedded guides includes: a first flange protruding from the upper surface of the side wall; and a main body having a width smaller than that of the first flange.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack. This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0168164 filed on December 5, 2022 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0029129 filed on March 6, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. Secondary batteries have been widely used as energy sources for various types of wireless devices such as mobile phones, laptops, and cordless vacuum cleaners. Recently, as the manufacturing cost per unit capacity of secondary batteries has been significantly reduced due to the improvement of energy density and economies of scale, and the mileage of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has increased to the same level as fuel vehicles, the main use of secondary batteries has shifted from mobile devices to mobility.

[0003] Recently, the trend in the technical development of secondary batteries for mobile travel is the improvement of energy density and safety. Here, the energy density of a secondary battery is a value obtained by dividing the maximum level of electric energy that a secondary battery can store by the mass of the secondary battery. The high energy density of a secondary battery is directly related to the driving efficiency and mileage of mobile travel, so various studies are being conducted to improve the energy density of secondary batteries. Summary of the invention

[0004] Technical issues

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a battery pack with improved safety and energy density.

[0006] Technical Solution

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a battery pack. The battery pack includes: a shell having a plate portion and a side wall; a plurality of battery assemblies, the plurality of battery assemblies being located on the plate portion of the shell; a plurality of first embedded guides, the plurality of first embedded guides being arranged on the upper surface of the side wall and partially embedded in the side wall; and a sealing material, the sealing material covering the upper surface of the side wall, wherein each of the plurality of first embedded guides includes: a first flange, the first flange protruding from the upper surface of the side wall; and a body, the width of the body being smaller than the width of the first flange.

[0008] The main body and the side wall may be spaced apart, with the first flange interposed between the main body and the side wall.

[0009] The sealing material may include a plurality of holes, and the plurality of holes may surround the first flange of each of the plurality of first buried leads.

[0010] The height of the sealing material may be higher than that of the first flange.

[0011] The height of the first flange may be in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm.

[0012] The body may include an uneven surface.

[0013] A plurality of buried guides may be located on corners of an upper surface of the side wall.

[0014] The battery pack may further include a plurality of second embedded guide portions disposed on an upper surface of the side wall and partially embedded in the side wall.

[0015] Each of the plurality of second buried guides may include a second flange protruding from an upper surface of the side wall.

[0016] Each of the plurality of second buried guide portions may be interposed between corners of the upper surface of the side wall.

[0017] Each of the plurality of second buried guides may include an inner wall defining the accommodation groove, and the inner wall may include an uneven surface.

[0018] Example embodiments provide a battery pack. The battery pack may include: a housing having a plate portion and a side wall; a plurality of battery assemblies located on the plate portion of the housing; a sealing material covering an upper surface of the side wall; and a cover plate combined with the housing, wherein the side wall includes a plurality of guide protrusions protruding from an upper surface of the side wall and the sealing material is interposed between the plurality of guide protrusions.

[0019] A plurality of guide protrusions may be provided at both end portions of the side wall.

[0020] A height of each of the plurality of guide protrusions may be in the range of 25% to 75% of a height of the sealing material.

[0021] Each of the plurality of guide protrusions may be spaced apart from a corner of an upper surface of the side wall.

[0022] The battery pack may further include a plurality of corner brackets that are combined with the side wall or the cover plate of the case and cover portions of the sealing material located on corners of the upper surface of the side wall.

[0023] Beneficial Effects

[0024] The battery pack according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first embedded guide and a second embedded guide. In addition to the housing and ribs for fixing the battery pack, the first embedded guide and the second embedded guide may be pressure stoppers for sealing the sealing material of the battery pack. Therefore, the stopper combined with the sealing material may be omitted, and the yield and energy density of the battery pack may be improved.

[0025] The effects that can be achieved by the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above effects, and those skilled in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of the present invention belong will clearly derive and understand other effects not described herein based on the following description. That is, those skilled in the art can derive the unexpected effects achieved when implementing the exemplary embodiments of the present invention based on the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to example embodiments.

[0027] Figure 2 is a perspective view of partial components of a battery pack according to an example embodiment.

[0028] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An enlarged partial perspective view of a portion of 2A.

[0029] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line 3I-3I'.

[0030] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 An enlarged partial perspective view of a portion of 2B.

[0031] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken along line 5I-5I'.

[0032] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to example embodiments.

[0033] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 is a partial perspective view illustrating a battery pack according to example embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before describing the embodiments of the present invention, the terms or expressions used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to the terms or expressions generally understood or defined in a commonly used dictionary, but should be understood according to the meanings and concepts corresponding to the present invention based on the principle that the inventor of the present application can appropriately define the terms or expressions to best explain the present invention.

[0035] Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are merely examples of the present invention and do not reflect all technical concepts of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications have been made to replace the configurations on the filing date of the present application.

[0036] When it is determined that known configurations or functions related to describing the present invention would obscure the subject matter of the present invention due to unnecessary details, such configurations or functions are not described in detail.

[0037] Since the embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, the shapes, sizes, etc. of the components shown in the drawings may be magnified, omitted, or schematically illustrated for the sake of clarity. Therefore, it should not be understood that the sizes or ratios of the components fully reflect their actual sizes or ratios.

[0038] (First embodiment)

[0039] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack 100 according to an example embodiment.

[0040] Figure 2 is a perspective view of partial components of a battery pack according to an example embodiment.

[0041] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The battery pack 100 may include a housing 110, a plurality of battery assemblies 120, a middle beam 130, a plurality of exhaust devices 140, a plurality of first embedding guides 151, a plurality of second embedding guides 153, a sealing material 160, and a cover plate 170. The battery pack 100 is a final form of a battery system mounted on a vehicle or the like.

[0042] The housing 110 may provide a space in which a plurality of battery assemblies 120 are installed. The housing 110 may include a plate portion 110P and a side wall 110S. Two directions substantially parallel to the plate portion 110P are defined as an X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction, and a direction substantially perpendicular to the plate portion 110P of the housing 110 is defined as a Z-axis direction. The X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction may be substantially perpendicular to each other. Unless otherwise specified, the definition of the direction will apply to the following drawings.

[0043] A plurality of battery assemblies 120 may be located on the plate portion 110P of the housing 110. The plate portion 110P may support the plurality of battery assemblies 120. The plate portion 110P may include an upper surface and a lower surface that are substantially parallel to each other. The upper surface of the plate portion 110P may face the plurality of battery assemblies 120. The lower surface of the plate portion 110P is opposite to the upper surface of the plate portion 110P.

[0044] The side wall 110S may horizontally surround the plurality of battery assemblies 120. The side wall 110S may protect the plurality of battery assemblies 120. The side wall 110S may include a first side wall 111, a second side wall 112, a third side wall 113, and a fourth side wall 114. The first side wall 111, the second side wall 112, the third side wall 113, and the fourth side wall 114 may be fixed to each other by a method such as friction stir welding or spot welding.

[0045] The first side wall 111 and the second side wall 112 may be substantially perpendicular to the Y-axis direction. Each of the third side wall 113 and the fourth side wall 114 may be substantially perpendicular to the X-axis direction. The first side wall 111 and the second side wall 112 may cover the side of the plate portion 110P. The third side wall 113 and the fourth side wall 114 may be located on the plate portion 110P.

[0046] According to example embodiments, the first sidewall 111, the second sidewall 112, the third sidewall 113, and the fourth sidewall 114 may be provided by an extrusion process. According to example embodiments, the first sidewall 111, the second sidewall 112, the third sidewall 113, and the fourth sidewall 114 may each include Figure 4 The hollow space 113H is similar to the inner hollow space, thereby reducing the weight of the sidewall 110S. According to example embodiments, the hollow space of each of the first sidewall 111, the second sidewall 112, the third sidewall 113, and the fourth sidewall 114 may be an exhaust path of gas or a passage of refrigerant.

[0047] Hereinafter, the technical concept of the present invention will be described with reference to an embodiment in which the battery pack 100 is a module-free type and each of the plurality of battery assemblies 120 does not include a module frame. However, the above description is intended to provide a non-limiting example and, therefore, should not be understood as limiting the technical concept of the present invention in any sense. Based on the above description, a person of ordinary skill in the art can easily obtain a plurality of battery assemblies including a module frame and a module-type battery pack including a plurality of battery assemblies.

[0048] The middle beam 130 may isolate elements mounted on the housing 110 from each other. Therefore, the middle beam 130 may prevent an undesired short circuit from occurring between the plurality of battery assemblies 120 while protecting the plurality of battery assemblies 120.

[0049] The middle beam 130 may extend between the third side wall 113 and the fourth side wall 114. The middle beam 130 may extend in the X-axis direction. The middle beam 130 may contact the third side wall 113 and the fourth side wall 114. The middle beam 130 may isolate the plurality of battery assemblies 120 from each other. The middle beam 130 may be interposed between the plurality of battery assemblies 120.

[0050] Figure 1The arrangement of the middle beam 130 and the plurality of battery assemblies 120 shown in the figure is a non-limiting example and does not limit the technical concept of the present invention in any sense. Based on the above description, a person skilled in the art will easily obtain a battery pack including middle beams and battery assemblies of various arrangements and numbers.

[0051] The plurality of exhaust devices 140 may be combined with the third sidewall 113. The third sidewall 113 may include a plurality of exhaust holes connected with the plurality of exhaust devices 140. The plurality of exhaust holes may be configured to provide a path in which gas and heat are exhausted from the inside of the battery pack 100.

[0052] The plurality of exhaust devices 140 may be configured to retard heat propagation by exhausting high temperature gas from the inside of the battery pack 100 to the outside when at least one of the plurality of battery assemblies 120 is in a thermal runaway state.

[0053] Here, the thermal runaway state of the plurality of battery assemblies 120 is a state in which the temperature change of the plurality of battery assemblies 120 accelerates the temperature change, that is, runaway positive feedback. The temperature of the plurality of battery assemblies 120 in the thermal runaway state rises rapidly, and a large amount of high-pressure gas and burning fragments are discharged.

[0054] The plurality of first buried guides 151 may be located on the side wall 110S. The plurality of first buried guides 151 may be located on the upper surface 110SU (see Figure 4 ) on the corner 110C. The plurality of first buried guides 151 may be disposed on the upper surface 110SU (see Figure 4 ) is combined with a corner portion 110C of the side wall 110S. The plurality of first buried guide portions 151 may be partially buried in the side wall 110S. The plurality of first buried guide portions 151 may partially protrude from the side wall 110S.

[0055] The plurality of second buried guides 153 may be located on the side wall 110S. The plurality of second buried guides 153 may be located on the upper surface 110SU (see Figure 4 ). The plurality of second buried guides 153 may be inserted between the corners 110C of the side wall 110S. The plurality of second buried guides 153 may be inserted between the plurality of first buried guides 151. The plurality of second buried guides 153 may be connected to the upper surface 110SU (see Figure 4 ) The plurality of second buried guides 153 may be partially buried in the side wall 110S. The plurality of second buried guides 153 may partially protrude from the side wall 110S.

[0056] Each of the first buried guide portion 151 and the second buried guide portion 153 may include a metal material. For example, each of the first buried guide portion 151 and the second buried guide portion 153 may include aluminum. For example, each of the first buried guide portion 151 and the second buried guide portion 153 may include steel, such as carbon steel, nickel steel, chrome steel, nickel-chrome steel, and manganese steel.

[0057] The battery pack 100 may further include electronic components. The electronic components may be mounted on the housing 110. The electronic components may be disposed between the fourth side wall 114 on which the exhaust device 140 is mounted and the plurality of battery assemblies 120. The electronic components may include electronic devices required to drive the battery pack 100.

[0058] For example, the electronic components may include a battery management system (BMS). The BMS may be configured to monitor, balance, and control the battery pack 100. Monitoring of the battery pack 10 may include measuring voltages and currents of certain nodes within the plurality of battery assemblies 120 and measuring temperatures of set locations in the battery pack 100. The battery pack 100 may include measuring instruments for measuring voltage, current, and temperature as described above.

[0059] The balancing of the battery pack 100 is an operation to reduce the deviation between the plurality of battery assemblies 120. The control of the battery pack 100 includes preventing overcharge, overdischarge and overcurrent. Through monitoring, balancing and control, the battery pack 100 can operate under optimal conditions, thereby preventing the life of each of the plurality of battery assemblies 120 from being shortened.

[0060] The electronic components may also include a cooling device, a power relay assembly (PRA), a safety plug, and the like. The cooling device may include a cooling fan. The cooling fan may circulate air in the battery pack 100 to prevent overheating of each of the multiple battery assemblies 120. The PRA may be configured to supply power to or cut off power from the high-voltage battery to an external load (e.g., a motor of a vehicle). When an abnormal voltage such as a voltage surge occurs, the PRA may cut off power to an external load (e.g., a motor of a vehicle) to protect the multiple battery assemblies 120 and the external load (e.g., a motor of a vehicle).

[0061] The battery pack 100 may further include a plurality of bus bars configured to be electrically connected to the plurality of battery assemblies 120. The plurality of battery assemblies 120 may be connected in series through the plurality of bus bars. Thus, the battery pack 100 may be configured to output a high voltage to an external load (eg, a motor of a vehicle).

[0062] The sealing material 160 may include an elastic material. For example, the sealing material 160 may include a rubber such as ethylene-propylene diene monomer (EPDM). When the housing 110 and the cover plate are combined with each other, the sealing material 160 may be inserted between the housing 110 and the cover plate. The sealing material 160 may be pressed by the housing 110 and the cover plate 170 to cause deformation of the sealing material 160. Therefore, the battery pack 100 may be sealed, and the internal space of the battery pack 100 may be isolated from the external fluid.

[0063] The cover plate 170 may be combined with the housing 110. The cover plate 170 may include a main surface and an edge portion. The main surface may cover elements mounted on the battery pack 100, for example, a plurality of battery assemblies 120 and electronic components. The edge portion may be a surface that contacts the housing 110 and horizontally surrounds the main surface. As a non-limiting example, the main surface may be elevated compared to the edge portion, and the edge portion and the main surface may be connected by a bent portion thereof.

[0064] The cap plate may be combined with the side wall 110S of the housing 110 through the first buried guide 151 and the second buried guide 153. According to example embodiments, the battery pack 100 may further include an element combined with the first buried guide 151 and the second buried guide 153 to fix the cap plate to the side wall 110S of the housing 110. The element may include a bolt and a nut, but is not limited thereto.

[0065] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An enlarged partial perspective view of a portion of 2A.

[0066] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 More specifically, Figure 4 The cover plate 170 (see Figure 1 ) pressed sealing material 160.

[0067] Reference Figures 2 to 4 Each of the plurality of first buried guides 151 may include a first flange 151F, a body 151B, a connecting portion 151C, a first buried flange 151EF, and an extending portion 151E. Figure 4 , the dotted lines are imaginary lines for distinguishing the first flange 151F, the body 151B, the connection portion 151C, the first buried flange 151EF, and the extension portion 151E of each of the plurality of first buried guides 151 from one another. According to example embodiments, the plurality of first buried guides 151 may be configured to guide assembly of the sealing material 160.

[0068] As a non-limiting example, the first flange 151F may have a substantially cylindrical shape. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first flange 151F may have various shapes, such as a triangular column, a square column, a pentagonal column, a hexagonal column, a cross column, a star column. The height of the cylindrical shape of the first flange 151F may be substantially parallel to the Z-axis direction. The first flange 151F may protrude from the upper surface 110SU of the side wall 110S. The first flange 151F may be located on the upper surface 110SU of the side wall 110S.

[0069] The main body 151B may have a substantially cylindrical shape. The main body 151B may extend in the Z-axis direction. The height of the cylindrical shape of the main body 151B may be substantially parallel to the Z-axis direction. The width W2 of the main body 151B may be smaller than the width W1 of the first flange 151F. The main body 151B may be connected to the first flange 151F. The main body 151B may be spaced apart from the upper surface 110SU of the side wall 110S with the first flange 151F interposed therebetween.

[0070] The connection portion 151C may have a substantially cylindrical shape. The height of the cylindrical shape of the connection portion 151C may be substantially parallel to the Z-axis direction. The connection portion 151C may be connected to the first flange 151F and the first buried flange 151EF. The width W3 of the connection portion 151C may be smaller than the width W1 of the first flange 151F.

[0071] The connection portion 151C may face a portion of the sidewall 110S defining the first hole 110H1. According to example embodiments, a width WI2 of the first hole 110H1 may be greater than a width W3 of the connection portion 151C. According to example embodiments, a width WI2 of the first hole 110H1 may be substantially the same as a width W3 of the connection portion 151C.

[0072] The first buried flange 151EF may be interposed between the connection portion 151C and the extension portion 151E. The width W4 of the first buried flange 151EF may be greater than the width W3 of the connection portion 151C and the width W5 of the extension portion 151E. The first buried flange 151EF may be buried in the side wall 110S. Each of the plurality of first buried guide portions 151 may be fixed to the side wall 110S by the first buried flange 151EF and the first flange 151F.

[0073] The extension portion 151E may have a substantially cylindrical shape. The height of the cylindrical shape of the extension portion 151E may be substantially parallel to the Z-axis direction. The extension portion 151E may extend in the Z-axis direction. The width W5 of the extension portion 151E may be substantially the same as the width W3 of the connection portion 151C.

[0074] The above-mentioned widths W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, WI1 and WI2 are referred to as widths in the broadest sense. When one of the first flange 151F, the body 151B, the connecting portion 151C, the first buried flange 151EF and the extension portion 151E has circular symmetry, one of the widths W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, WI1 and WI2 corresponding to one of the parts having circular symmetry may be alternatively referred to as a diameter.

[0075] As a non-limiting example, for example, each of the plurality of first buried guides 151 may be an insertion bolt such as a rivet stud. In this case, each first flange 151F may be the head of the insertion bolt. The body 151B may be a shank of the insertion bolt and include an uneven surface such as a thread to be combined with a nut. Due to the embedding and fixing of each of the plurality of first buried guides 151, the portion between the connection portion 151C and the extension portion 151E may be deformed, thus resulting in the formation of a first buried flange 151EF having a width greater than that of the connection portion 151C and the extension portion 151E.

[0076] The sealing material 160 may be located on the upper surface of the sidewall 110S. According to example embodiments, the sealing material 160 may include a plurality of first holes 160H1. The plurality of first holes 160H1 may be penetrated by the plurality of first buried guides 151. The sealing material 160 may horizontally surround the first flange 151F of each of the plurality of first buried guides 151.

[0077] According to an example embodiment, the height of the first flange 151F may be in the range of about 25% to about 75% of the height of the sealing material 160. Here, the height should be understood to refer to the length in the Z-axis direction. For example, when the height of the sealing material 160 is about 4 mm, the height of the first flange 151F may be in the range of about 1 mm to about 3 mm. Figure 1 ) before being pressed, the sealing material 160 may horizontally surround the lower portion of the main body 151B of each of the plurality of first buried guides 151. Figure 1 ) is combined with the housing 110, the height of the sealing material 160 can be substantially the same as the height of the first buried flange 151EF.

[0078] In the covered plate 170 (see Figure 1 ) before being pressed, the width WI1 of the plurality of first holes 160H1 of the sealing material 160 may be greater than the width W1 of the first flange 151F. Figure 1 ) before pressing, the width WI1 of the plurality of first holes 160H1 of the sealing material 160 may be equal to the width W1 of the first flange 151F. Figure 1) is combined with the housing 110, the width WI1 of the plurality of first holes 160H1 of the sealing material 160 may be equal to the width W1 of the first flange 151F.

[0079] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 An enlarged partial perspective view of a portion of 2B.

[0080] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 More specifically, Figure 6 The cover plate 170 (see Figure 1 ) pressed sealing material 160.

[0081] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 Each of the plurality of second buried guides 153 may include a second flange 153F, a connecting portion 153C, a second buried flange 153EF, and an extending portion 153E. Figure 6 , the dotted lines are imaginary lines for distinguishing the second flange 153F, the connection portion 153C, the second buried flange 153EF, and the extension portion 153E of each of the plurality of second buried guide portions 153 from one another. The plurality of second buried guide portions 153 may be configured to guide assembly of the sealing material 160 .

[0082] As a non-limiting example, the second flange 153F may have a substantially cylindrical shape. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the second flange 153F may have various shapes, such as a triangular column, a square column, a pentagonal column, a hexagonal column, a cross column, and a star column. The height of the cylindrical shape of the second flange 153F may be substantially parallel to the Z-axis direction. The second flange 153F may protrude from the upper surface 110SU of the side wall 110S. The second flange 153F may be located on the upper surface 110SU of the side wall 110S.

[0083] The connection portion 153C may have a substantially cylindrical shape. The height of the cylindrical shape of the connection portion 153C may be substantially parallel to the Z-axis direction. The connection portion 153C may be connected to the second flange 153F and the second buried flange 153EF. The width W7 of the connection portion 153C may be smaller than the width W6 of the second flange 153F.

[0084] The connection portion 153C may face a portion of the sidewall 110S defining the second hole 110H2. According to example embodiments, a width WI4 of the second hole 110H2 may be greater than a width W7 of the connection portion 153C. According to example embodiments, a width WI4 of the second hole 110H2 may be substantially the same as a width W7 of the connection portion 153C.

[0085] The second buried flange 153EF may be interposed between the connecting portion 153C and the extending portion 153E. The width W8 of the second buried flange 153EF may be greater than the width W7 of the connecting portion 153C and the width W9 of the extending portion 153E. The second buried flange 153EF may be buried in the side wall 110S. Each of the plurality of second buried guide portions 153 may be fixed to the side wall 110S by the second buried flange 153EF and the second flange 153F.

[0086] The extension portion 153E may have a substantially cylindrical shape. The height of the cylindrical shape of the extension portion 153E may be substantially parallel to the Z-axis direction. The extension portion 153E may extend in the Z-axis direction. The width W9 of the extension portion 153E may be substantially the same as the width W7 of the connection portion 153C.

[0087] Each of the plurality of second embedded guides 153 may further include a receiving groove 153G. The receiving groove 153G may be configured to receive a groove for fixing the housing 110 and the cover plate 170 (see Figure 1 ) components.

[0088] The above-mentioned widths W6, W7, W8, W9, WI3 and WI4 are referred to as the most general widths. When one of the second flange 153F, the connecting portion 153C, the second buried flange 153EF and the extension portion 153E has circular symmetry, one of the widths W6, W7, W8, W9, WI3 and WI4 corresponding to one of the parts having circular symmetry may be alternatively referred to as a diameter.

[0089] As a non-limiting example, for example, each of the plurality of second buried guides 153 may be an insert nut such as a rivet nut. In this case, each second flange 153F may be a flange of an insert nut. The receiving groove 153G may include an uneven surface such as a thread to be combined with a bolt. Due to the embedding and fixing of each of the plurality of second buried guides 153, the portion between the connecting portion 153C and the extension portion 153E may be deformed, thereby resulting in the formation of a second buried flange 153EF having a width greater than the width of the connecting portion 153C and the width of the extension portion 153E.

[0090] According to example embodiments, the sealing material 160 may include a plurality of second holes 160H2. The plurality of second holes 160H2 may be penetrated by the plurality of second buried guides 153. The sealing material 160 may horizontally surround the second flange 153F of each of the plurality of second buried guides 153.

[0091] According to example embodiments, the height of the second flange 153F may be in the range of about 25% to about 75% of the height of the sealing material 160. For example, when the height of the sealing material 160 is about 4 mm, the height of the second flange 153F may be in the range of about 1 mm to about 3 mm. Figure 1 ) is combined with the housing 110, the height of the sealing material 160 can be substantially the same as the height of the second buried flange 153EF.

[0092] In the covered plate 170 (see Figure 1 ) before being pressed, the width WI3 of the plurality of second holes 160H2 of the sealing material 160 may be greater than the width W6 of the second flange 153F. Figure 1 ) before pressing, the width WI3 of each of the plurality of second holes 160H2 of the sealing material 160 may be equal to the width W6 of the second flange 153F. Figure 1 ) when combined with the housing 110, the width WI3 of the plurality of second holes 160H2 of the sealing material 160 may be equal to the width W6 of the second flange 153F.

[0093] Reference Figures 1 to 6 During the assembly of the battery pack 100, the sealing material 160 may be guided by the first embedding guide 151 and the second embedding guide 153. Figure 1 ) is combined with the housing 110, the first embedded guide portion 151 and the second embedded guide portion 153 can be a limiting cover plate 170 (see Figure 1 ) and the side wall 110S of the housing 110. Therefore, the cover plate 170 (see Figure 1 ) and the housing 110, and can improve the productivity and energy density of the battery pack 100.

[0094] (Second embodiment)

[0095] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a battery pack 101 according to another example embodiment.

[0096] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 is a partial perspective view showing a part of the battery pack 101 .

[0097] Reference Figures 7 to 9 The battery pack 101 may include: a housing 110', a plurality of battery assemblies 120, and a middle beam 130 (see Figure 1 ), multiple exhaust devices 140, a sealing material 160, a cover plate 170 and multiple corner brackets 180.

[0098] A plurality of battery assemblies 120 (see Figure 1 ), the middle beam 130 (see Figure 1 ), multiple exhaust devices 140, sealing materials 160 and cover plates 170 and reference Figures 1 to 6 The above-mentioned components are substantially the same, and therefore, redundant descriptions thereof are omitted here.

[0099] The cover plate 170 may be combined with the housing 110'. The cover plate 170 may contact the guide protrusions 113F, 114F, and 115F protruding from the upper surface 110SU' of the side wall 110S'. The guide protrusions 113F, 114F, and 115F may be continuous elements each integrated into the second side wall 113', the third side wall 114', and the fourth side wall 115'.

[0100] The height of each of the guide protrusions 113F, 114F, and 115F may be in the range of about 1 mm to about 3 mm. According to example embodiments, the height of each of the guide protrusions 113F, 114F, and 115F may be in the range of about 25% to 75% of the height of the sealing material 160 .

[0101] Each of the guide protrusions 113F, 114F, and 115F may include the same material as the second side wall 113', the third side wall 114', and the fourth side wall 115'. Each of the guide protrusions 113F, 114F, and 115F may include a metal material. According to example embodiments, for example, each of the guide protrusions 113F, 114F, and 115F may include steel, such as carbon steel, nickel steel, chrome steel, nickel-chrome steel, or manganese steel. According to example embodiments, for example, each of the guide protrusions 113F, 114F, and 115F may include aluminum.

[0102] According to example embodiments, guide protrusions 113F, 114F, and 115F may be disposed at both ends of an upper surface 110SU' of the side wall 110S'. More specifically, when the first side wall 112' and the second side wall 113' are perpendicular to the Y-axis direction, and the third side wall 114' and the fourth side wall 115' are perpendicular to the X-axis direction, the guide protrusion 113F may be disposed at both ends of the side wall 113' in the Y-axis direction, the guide protrusion 114F may be disposed at both ends of the side wall 114' in the X-axis direction, and the guide protrusion 115F may be disposed at both ends of the side wall 115' in the X-axis direction.

[0103] The first portion of the sealing material 160 may be inserted between the guide protrusions 113F. The first portion of the sealing material 160 may be in contact with the guide protrusions 113F, the upper surface 110SU' of the side wall 110S, and the edge portion of the cover plate 170. The second portion of the sealing material 160 may be inserted between the guide protrusions 114F. The second portion of the sealing material 160 may be in contact with the guide protrusions 114F, the upper surface 110SU' of the side wall 110S', and the edge portion of the cover plate 170. The third portion of the sealing material 160 may be inserted between the guide protrusions 115F. The third portion of the sealing material 160 may be in contact with the guide protrusions 115F, the upper surface 110SU' of the side wall 110S', and the edge portion of the cover plate 170.

[0104] Despite Figures 7 to 9 Although not clearly shown in the figure, the first side wall 112' may also include a guide protrusion. The shape and arrangement of the guide protrusion of the first side wall 112' are similar to the shape and arrangement of the guide protrusion 113F of the second side wall 113', so redundant description thereof is omitted.

[0105] According to example embodiments, each of the guide protrusions 113F, 114F, and 115F may extend between the corners 110C' of the upper surface 110SU' of the side wall 110S'. According to example embodiments, each of the guide protrusions 113F, 114F, and 115F may extend from one of the corners 110C' to one of the other corners 110C'. According to example embodiments, each of the guide protrusions 113F, 114F, and 115F may not be formed on the corner 110C'. According to example embodiments, each of the guide protrusions 113F, 114F, and 115F may be spaced apart from the corner 110C'. Therefore, when processing the first side wall 112', the second side wall 113', the third side wall 114', and the fourth side wall 115', the processing tool can be prevented from being interfered with by the guide protrusions 113F, 114F, and 115F, and the yield of manufacturing the battery pack 101 can be improved.

[0106] According to example embodiments, each of the plurality of corner brackets 180 may be installed inside the cover plate 170 or inside the sidewall 110S'. As described above, each of the guide protrusions 113F, 114F, and 115F may not be formed on the corner 110C' and the sealing material 160 on the corner 110C' may be exposed.

[0107] According to example embodiments, each of the plurality of corner brackets 180 may be configured to protect the sealing material 160. Each of the plurality of corner brackets 180 may prevent the sealing material 160 from being damaged by flames and high-temperature gas inside the battery pack 101. According to example embodiments, each of the plurality of corner brackets 180 may cover the sealing material 160 on the corner portion 110C'.

[0108] Each of the plurality of corner brackets 180 may include one of the above-described materials in relation to the guide protrusions 113F, 114F, and 115F, and each of the plurality of corner brackets 180 may be combined with the cover plate 170 or the side wall by spot welding.

[0109] Each of the plurality of corner brackets 180 may include a first surface 181 coupled to the cover plate 170 and a second surface 182 and a third surface 183 coupled to the side wall 110S'. According to example embodiments, when the cover plate 170 includes a bent portion, each of the plurality of corner brackets 180 may include the bent portion. Therefore, the corner bracket 180 and the cover plate 170 may be reliably coupled to each other.

[0110] The present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments, etc. However, the configurations shown in the drawings or embodiments described in the present invention are only embodiments of the present invention and do not reflect all technical concepts of the present invention, and therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications have been made to replace the configurations on the filing date of the present application.

Claims

1. A battery pack comprising: a housing having a plate portion and a side wall; a plurality of battery assemblies, the plurality of battery assemblies being located on the plate portion of the housing; a plurality of first embedded guide portions, the plurality of first embedded guide portions being disposed on the upper surface of the side wall and partially embedded in the side wall; as well as a sealing material, the sealing material covering the upper surface of the side wall, Wherein, each of the plurality of first embedded guide portions comprises: a first flange protruding from the upper surface of the side wall; and A body having a width smaller than a width of the first flange.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The main body is spaced apart from the side wall, and the first flange is interposed between the main body and the side wall.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The sealing material includes a plurality of pores, and The plurality of holes surround the first flange of each of the plurality of first buried guides.

4. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The height of the sealing material is higher than that of the first flange.

5. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The height of the first flange is in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm.

6. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The body includes an uneven surface.

7. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of embedded guide portions are located at corners of the upper surface of the side wall.

8. The battery pack according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of second embedded guides, the plurality of second embedded guides being disposed on the upper surface of the side wall and partially embedded in the side wall, in, Each of the plurality of second buried guides includes a second flange protruding from the upper surface of the side wall.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8, wherein: Each of the plurality of second embedded guides is interposed between corners of the upper surface of the side wall.

10. The battery pack according to claim 8, wherein: Each of the plurality of second buried guides includes an inner wall defining a receiving groove, Wherein, the inner wall comprises an uneven surface.

11. A battery pack comprising: a housing having a plate portion and a side wall; a plurality of battery assemblies, the plurality of battery assemblies being located on the plate portion of the housing; a sealing material, the sealing material covering the upper surface of the side wall; as well as a cover plate, the cover plate being combined with the shell, wherein the side wall comprises a plurality of guide protrusions, the plurality of guide protrusions protruding from the upper surface of the side wall, and The sealing material is interposed between the plurality of guide protrusions.

12. The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein: The plurality of guide protrusions are provided at both end portions of the side wall.

13. The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein: A height of each of the plurality of guide protrusions is in the range of 25% to 75% of a height of the sealing material.

14. The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein: Each of the plurality of guide protrusions is spaced apart from a corner of the upper surface of the side wall. 15 . The battery pack according to claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of corner brackets combined with the side wall of the case or the cover plate and covering portions of the sealing material located on corners of the upper surface of the side wall.

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