Battery pack for vehicle

Abstract

A battery pack for a vehicle is provided with: a lower case in which a plurality of battery modules are mounted; and a cross member which is disposed so as to intersect the lower case in the width direction, is in close contact with the end plates facing the side surfaces of the battery modules between the battery modules adjacent in the length direction, and is fixed to the lower case together with the pair of end plates disposed on both sides.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a structure of a battery pack mounted on a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] An electric vehicle or the like includes an electric motor for generating driving force of the vehicle, and a battery pack is mounted on the electric vehicle or the like to supply electric power to the electric motor.

[0003] The battery pack may include a plurality of battery modules mounted therein, and the battery module may include a plurality of battery cells stacked together.

[0004] The main factor affecting the cruising range of a vehicle loaded with a battery pack is the volume percentage of the battery cells loaded on the vehicle. In other words, the cruising range of the vehicle increases as the space forming the battery pack is loaded with as many battery cells or battery modules as possible.

[0005] Currently, since battery cells, battery modules and battery packs are individually modularized and provided with covers and housings, the volume percentage of auxiliary components (such as mechanical components for mechanical rigidity, heat dissipation / cooling components for cooling the batteries, and components for thermal insulation / electrical insulation from the outside) is greater than the volume percentage of the battery cells, which is not conducive to ensuring the vehicle's cruising range.

[0006] Therefore, it is important to minimize the overlap of mechanical rigidity functions between battery cells, battery modules and battery packs by using multifunctional integrated components with cooling functions, cell housing functions, mechanical rigidity functions, etc., and to maximize the volume percentage of battery cells while maintaining the same cooling and insulation performance and durability as before.

[0007] The contents described as related art are only intended to facilitate the understanding of the background of the present disclosure and should not be regarded as recognition of the prior art known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present disclosure is made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a battery pack for a vehicle, in which the number of battery cells loaded in the battery pack is maximized and the structural rigidity of the battery pack is sufficiently ensured.

[0009] The technical problems to be solved by the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned technical problems, and a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs can clearly understand other unmentioned technical problems from the following description.

[0010] According to one aspect of the subject matter described in the present application, a battery pack for a vehicle includes: a plurality of battery modules; a lower shell supporting the plurality of battery modules; a cross member extending across the lower shell along the width direction of the lower shell, the cross member being arranged between adjacent battery modules among the plurality of battery modules that are adjacently arranged in a length direction intersecting the width direction; and a pair of end plates arranged on lateral sides of adjacent battery modules and facing each other, the cross member being in contact with the pair of end plates and being fastened to the lower shell together with the pair of end plates.

[0011] For example, a lower end portion of at least one of the pair of end plates may be bent and overlap with a lower end portion of the cross member, and the lower end portion of the cross member may be fastened to the lower shell together with a lower end portion of the at least one end plate.

[0012] For example, the lower ends of the pair of end plates may be bent so that the lower ends overlap each other, and the lower end of the cross member may be fastened to the lower case together with the lower ends of the end plates.

[0013] For example, the battery pack may further include a plurality of first fastening bolts that connect the cross member together with a pair of end plates to the lower shell, and the cross member may include a plurality of fastening portions extending through the cross member in a vertical direction, each of the plurality of fastening portions receiving one of the plurality of first fastening bolts.

[0014] For example, the cross member may be made of metal and molded by a casting process.

[0015] For example, the cross member may include a plurality of recesses recessed along the length direction from a lateral surface of the cross member facing a lateral side of an adjacent battery module, each of the plurality of recesses being arranged between two of the plurality of fastening portions.

[0016] For example, the lower housing may include a plurality of cooling channels and a plurality of fastening lugs arranged not to overlap with the plurality of cooling channels and spaced apart from each other in a width direction of the cross member, and a plurality of first fastening bolts are fastened to the plurality of fastening lugs, respectively.

[0017] For example, each of the pair of end plates may include a plurality of guide portions protruding from a lateral side thereof and contacting a lateral surface of the cross member.

[0018] For example, the pair of end plates may be made of metal, and the plurality of guide portions may be made of plastic and arranged at lateral sides of the pair of end plates through an insert-injection molding process.

[0019] For example, the cross member may include a plurality of recesses formed on a transverse surface of the cross member, a plurality of lower ribs arranged below the plurality of recesses, and a plurality of guide grooves formed at the plurality of lower ribs at positions corresponding to the plurality of guide portions, the plurality of guide portions may be configured to pass through the plurality of guide grooves based on the cross member moving relative to the pair of end plates from a position above the pair of end plates, respectively, and the cross member may be configured to be inserted between the pair of end plates based on the cross member moving relative to the pair of end plates from a position above the pair of end plates to a position where the plurality of guide portions are positioned above the plurality of recesses of the cross member.

[0020] For example, the lower shell may include a plurality of side members forming a side surface of the lower shell, a plurality of battery modules and a cross member may be arranged between the plurality of side members of the lower shell, each side member may include a connecting bracket arranged on an inner side thereof, and the cross member may include ends of the connecting brackets respectively fastened to the side members.

[0021] For example, the cross member may include protrusions protruding laterally outward from upper portions of ends of the cross member, respectively, and the cross member may be inserted into the lower housing from a position above the lower housing based on the protrusions being fastened to tops of the connection brackets, respectively.

[0022] For example, the connection brackets may be spaced apart from each other and face each other in the width direction of the lower case, and the cross member may be arranged between the connection brackets.

[0023] For example, the battery pack may further include at least one second fastening bolt that is inserted from above one of the protrusions and fastens the one of the protrusions to one of the connection brackets.

[0024] For example, the cross member may have lateral end surfaces inclined inwardly relative to the side members, respectively, so that the width of the cross member decreases toward the lower shell, and the space between one of the lateral end surfaces of the cross member and one of the connecting brackets may increase toward the lower shell.

[0025] For example, both lateral surfaces of each connecting bracket may be in contact with a pair of end plates, and the end portions of the cross member may be fastened to the connecting bracket together with the pair of end plates contacting the lateral surfaces of each connecting bracket.

[0026] For example, the upper end portions of the pair of end plates may be bent to contact the upper end portion of each connection bracket, and the ends of the cross members may be fastened to the connection brackets together with the upper end portions of the pair of end plates, respectively.

[0027] For example, the upper ends of the pair of end plates may be stacked, and each end of the cross member may be fastened to one of the connection brackets together with the upper ends of the pair of end plates.

[0028] As described above, in the battery pack for a vehicle according to the present disclosure, the number of battery cells loaded into the battery pack is maximized, thereby maximizing the cruising range of the vehicle.

[0029] Furthermore, even though auxiliary components are reduced, structural rigidity is sufficiently ensured by the cross member interposed between the battery modules, thereby improving structural stability.

[0030] In addition, by fixing the cross member to the battery module inside the battery pack casing, the airtightness of the casing can be ensured even in the case of vibration and impact.

[0031] Effects obtainable from the present disclosure may not be limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other unmentioned effects may be clearly understood from the following description by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a battery pack for a vehicle.

[0033] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a lower housing.

[0034] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a cross member.

[0035] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Enlarged view of "A" in FIG.

[0036] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Enlarged view of "B" in FIG.

[0037] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a battery pack for a vehicle with a top cover removed.

[0038] Figure 7 is shown along Figure 6 A view of a cross section taken along line II.

[0039] Figure 8 is shown along Figure 6 A view of a cross section taken along line II-II.

[0040] Fig. 9 yes Figure 6 Enlarged view of "C" in FIG.

[0041] Fig.10 yes Figure 6 Magnified view of "D" in FIG.

[0042] Fig.11 yes Figure 6Enlarged view of "E" in Figure 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] In describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, when the detailed description of the related art may make the subject matter of the embodiments of the present disclosure quite unclear, the detailed description of the related art will be omitted. In addition, the drawings are only used to better understand the embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the technical concept of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that the drawings include all modifications, equivalents and replacements within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

[0044] Terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe various components, but these components should not be limited by the above terms. In addition, the above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0045] When describing that one component is "connected" or "joined" to another component, it should be understood that the one component may be directly connected or joined to the other component, but there may be other components in between. However, when a component is described as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another component, it should be understood that there may not be other components between the one component and the other component.

[0046] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, singular forms also include plural forms.

[0047] In the present disclosure, it should be understood that the term "including" or "having" indicates the existence of features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof described in the implementation, but does not exclude the possibility of the prior existence or addition of one or more other features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0048] Hereinafter, one or more embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein even if the same or similar elements are shown in different drawings, they are denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant description thereof will be avoided.

[0049] Will see Figure 1 The various elements of a battery pack for a vehicle are described.

[0050] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack for a vehicle according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

[0051] In some embodiments, see Figure 1 , a battery pack 10 for a vehicle may include a battery module 100 , a lower case 200 , and a cross member 300 . Figure 1 Elements primarily relevant to implementations of the present disclosure are shown. Of course, the battery pack 10 may actually include fewer or more elements.

[0052] In a conventional battery pack, a battery module refers to a plurality of battery cells that are stacked and surrounded by a separate housing. A plurality of such battery modules are mounted to the housing to form a battery pack. In this case, each battery module includes a cover and a housing. Therefore, there is a problem that a relatively large space is required to form a battery pack having a certain number of battery modules, or relatively few battery modules are installed to form a battery pack having a certain volume.

[0053] To solve this problem, the battery pack 10 for a vehicle according to the present disclosure is formed by a cell-to-pack method without battery modularization. Therefore, a battery module 100 described later may include a plurality of battery cells stacked but not surrounded by a case.

[0054] There may be a plurality of such battery modules 100, and the plurality of battery modules 100 may be located on the lower case 200. Specifically, the lower case 200 may form a space in which the plurality of battery modules 100 are accommodated, and the plurality of battery modules 100 may be accommodated in this space.

[0055] When a plurality of battery modules 100 are located on the lower case 200, the cross member 300 may be inserted between the disposed plurality of battery modules 100. For example, the cross member 300 may be arranged to intersect the lower case 200 in the width direction between the battery modules 100 adjacent to each other in the length direction. The cross member 300 may be arranged between the battery modules 100 disposed adjacent to each other in the length direction and fastened to the lower case 200.

[0056] In some implementations, see Figure 1 , the lower housing 200 has a rectangular shape, but is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, Figure 2 2 is a perspective view showing the shape of the lower housing 200. Figure 2 As shown, the lower housing 200 may be formed to have an octagonal shape. In addition, the lower housing 200 may be formed to have various shapes and Figure 1 and 2 The shapes shown in .

[0057] Next, we will refer to Figure 3 The structure of the cross member 300 is described in detail.

[0058] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a cross member.

[0059] In some implementations, see Figure 3, the cross member 300 may be made of metal and molded by a casting process. Thus, the cross member 300 may be thinly arranged between the battery modules disposed adjacent to each other in the length direction, and may be arranged to intersect with the lower case 200 in the width direction, thereby ensuring the structural rigidity of the battery pack 10. However, this is merely an embodiment and is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the cross member 300 may be molded by a die casting process.

[0060] In addition, the cross member 300 may include a plurality of fastening portions 310 vertically penetrating the cross member 300, and recessed portions 320 on both sides thereof between the fastening portions 310. The cross member 300 is fastened to the lower housing 200, and thus may need to have structural rigidity as well as coupling rigidity. Therefore, the cross member 300 may be formed by a drawing process to thinly form the recessed portions 320 having desired structural rigidity at positions other than the fastening portions 310, while having coupling rigidity and structural rigidity by the fastening portions 310 fastened to the lower housing 200.

[0061] Return to see Figure 1 , the cross member 300 may be fastened to the lower housing 200. For example, the lower end of the cross member 300 may be fastened to the seating surface of the lower housing 200 where the plurality of battery modules 100 are seated. To this end, the seating surface of the lower housing 200 may have a structure to which the cross member 300 is fastened. This will refer to Figure 4 Give a description.

[0062] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Enlarged view of "A" in FIG.

[0063] See also Figure 4 A plurality of fastening lugs 220 to which the cross member 300 is fastened may be formed on the seating surface of the lower case 200. The plurality of fastening lugs 220 may be spaced apart from each other along the extending direction of the cross member 300 and may be formed on the bottom of the seating surface of the lower case 200.

[0064] In addition, a plurality of cooling channels 210 may be formed along the length direction of the lower housing 200. A plurality of fastening lugs 220 may be formed in a region other than where the cooling channels 210 are formed, and may be spaced apart along the extending direction of the cross member 300. With this structure, reference will be made later on. Figures 7 and 8 A fastening shape between the cross member 300 and the lower case 200 is described.

[0065] In some embodiments, refer back to Figure 1, the battery module 100 may be placed on the lower housing 200 while including end plates 110 installed on both sides thereof. In some implementations, the end plates 110 may be installed not to correspond to one battery module 100 but to correspond to two battery modules 100 adjacent along the width direction of the lower housing 200. In other words, the end plates 110 may be formed to correspond to two battery modules 100 adjacent along the width direction while intersecting the lower housing 200 along the width direction of the lower housing 200. However, this structure is merely an embodiment and is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0066] When a plurality of battery modules 100 are disposed on the lower housing 200 and the cross member 300 is arranged between the battery modules 100 adjacently disposed in the length direction, both sides of the cross member 300 may be in close contact with end plates of the adjacently disposed battery modules (i.e., battery modules facing each other in the length direction).

[0067] For example, when the cross member 300 is formed by the drawing process as described above to have the fastening portion 310 and the recessed portion 320, the end plate 110 may have a separate structure that is in close contact with both sides of the cross member 300. Figure 5 Describe the structure.

[0068] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Enlarged view of "B" in FIG.

[0069] See also Figure 5 , the end plate 110 may include a plurality of guide portions 111. Specifically, the plurality of guide portions 111 may be formed to protrude from one side of the end plate 110 facing the cross member 300. Since the plurality of guide portions 111 are formed to protrude from the side of the end plate 110 facing the cross member 300, the side of the cross member 300 may be in close contact with the end plate 110 through the plurality of guide portions 111.

[0070] For example, the end plate 110 may be made of metal, and the plurality of guide portions 111 may be made of plastic. In this case, the plurality of guide portions 111 may be formed on the side of the end plate 110 by insert injection molding.

[0071] When a plurality of guide portions 111 protruding from one side of the end plate 110 toward the cross member 300 are formed, the cross member 300 may not be smoothly inserted into the space between the battery modules adjacently arranged in the length direction. Figure 3, the cross member 300 may include a lower rib 330 formed on the bottom of the cross member 300 where the recess 320 is formed, and the lower rib 330 may be formed with a plurality of guide grooves 331 at positions corresponding to the plurality of guide portions 111 formed in the end plate 110. However, this is merely an embodiment and is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, depending on the shape of the plurality of guide portions 111 formed in the end plate 110, a separate guide groove may be additionally formed not only in the lower rib 330 of the cross member 300 but also in the upper rib provided in the top of the recess 320.

[0072] Since the plurality of guide grooves 331 are formed in the cross member 300, when the plurality of battery modules 100 are placed on the lower case 200, the cross member 300 can be inserted between the battery modules placed adjacently in the length direction from above the lower case 200. In this case, the plurality of guide grooves 331 formed in the cross member 300 can be slidably inserted along the plurality of guide portions 111 of the end plate 110. Fig. 9 This insertion is described in detail.

[0073] Therefore, the cross member 300 can be smoothly inserted between the battery modules disposed adjacently in the length direction. In addition, the plurality of guide portions 111 can be used as guides to prevent the cross member 300 from being moved out of the insertion position or incorrectly inserted when the cross member 300 is inserted. In other words, there is an effect on improving the assembly of the cross member 300.

[0074] In some embodiments, the bottom of the cross member 300 may be fastened to the lower housing 200, and the lateral side of the cross member 300 may be additionally fastened to the lower housing 200 to ensure a rigid structure. In other words, a side member 230 is formed on the lateral side of the width direction of the lower housing 200, and a plurality of battery modules 100 and a cross member 300 are arranged between the two side members of the lower housing 200, and the cross member 300 may be fixed to the side member 230. Generally, by inserting bolts from the outside through the side member 230 and the cross member 300, both lateral ends of the cross member 300 are integrally contacted with the side member 230 and fastened to the side member 230. However, the battery pack 10 may be exposed to vibration and impact. When vibration and impact are generated, the vibration and impact are transmitted to the inside along the bolts inserted from the outside, and thus it is difficult to maintain the sealing performance of the battery pack 10.

[0075] To solve this problem, the side member 230 and the cross member 300 according to the present disclosure are fastened from the inside, not the outside, of the lower case 200. Therefore, even if vibration and impact are applied to the battery pack 10, the airtightness of the battery pack 10 is maintained.

[0076] Specifically, see Figure 1, the connection bracket 400 may be formed on the inner surfaces of the two side members 230 of the lower case 200, the cross member 300 may be disposed between the two side members 230 of the lower case 200, and both lateral ends of the cross member 300 may be fastened to the connection bracket 400 of the side members 230. In other words, the cross member 300 may be inserted and disposed in the space between the connection brackets 400 that are spaced apart from each other and face each other.

[0077] For example, the connection bracket 400 may be formed at the inner side of the side member 230, and may be welded to the side member 230. However, this is merely an embodiment and is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0078] In some embodiments, reference Figure 3 , protrusions 340 may be formed at both lateral ends of the cross member 300 so as to be fastened to the connection bracket 400. Specifically, the protrusions 340 may be formed to protrude outward from both lateral upper portions of the cross member 300. When the cross member 300 is inserted into the lower shell 200 from above the lower shell 200, the protrusions 340 of the cross member 300 may be positioned at the top of the connection bracket 400, and in this state, the cross member 300 and the connection bracket 400 are fastened by coupling the protrusions 340 and the connection bracket 400. This will be described later. Figure 10 to Figure 11 Describe the fastening structure in detail.

[0079] For the above reference Figures 1 to 5 The components of the battery pack 10 for a vehicle according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to Figures 6 to 11 Describes the fastening method or shape of a component.

[0080] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a battery pack for a vehicle with a top cover removed.

[0081] Figure 6 The above-mentioned plurality of battery modules 100 and cross member 300 are shown to be arranged and mounted on the lower housing 200 to constitute the battery pack 10 for the vehicle. Figure 6 1 and 2. The upper cover of the battery pack 10 for a vehicle shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

[0082] First, we will refer to Figures 7 to 8 The coupling between the bottom of the cross member 300 and the lower case 200 is described.

[0083] Figure 7 is shown along Figure 6 A view of a cross section taken along line II of Figure 8 is shown along Figure 6 A view of a cross section taken along line II-II.

[0084] See also Figures 7 to 8The cross member 300 can be inserted between the battery modules 100-1 and 100-2 arranged adjacent to each other in the length direction, and at the same time, it is in close contact with the end plates 110-1 and 110-2 of the battery modules 100-1 and 100-2. The lateral sides of the battery modules 100-1 and 100-2 face each other and are fastened to the lower shell 200 together with a pair of end plates 110-1 and 110-2 arranged on the lateral sides.

[0085] For example, at least one of the pair of end plates 110-1 and 110-2 may be bent at a lower end portion to overlap with a lower end portion of the cross member 300, and the lower end portion of the cross member 300 together with the bent lower end portion of at least one end plate may be fastened to the lower shell 200.

[0086] Furthermore, the pair of end plates 110 - 1 and 110 - 2 may be bent at lower end portions so that the lower end portions may be stacked, and the lower end portion of the cross member 300 may be fastened to the lower housing 200 together with the stacked lower end portions of the pair of end plates 110 - 1 and 110 - 2 .

[0087] In addition, the cross member 300 can be fastened to the lower case 200 together with the pair of end plates 110-1 and 110-2 by a plurality of first fastening bolts 500 respectively inserted into the plurality of fastening portions 310. For example, the first fastening bolts 500 are inserted into the fastening portion 310 of the cross member 300 and fastened to the lower case 200 while penetrating the stacked lower end portions of the pair of end plates 110-1 and 110-2 at the bottom of the cross member 300.

[0088] In order to fasten the first fastening bolt 500 to the lower case 200, the lower case 200 may be formed with a fastening bolt 220 corresponding to the fastening portion 310 in a region other than where the plurality of cooling channels 210 are formed. Therefore, the first fastening bolt 500 is fastened to the fastening bolt 220 while passing through the fastening portion 310 of the cross member 300, so that the bottom of the cross member 300 can be fastened to the lower case 200.

[0089] In some embodiments, Figures 7 and 8 The cross member 300 is shown in close contact with the end plate 110. This will refer to Fig. 9 Give a description.

[0090] Fig. 9 yes Figure 6 Enlarged view of "C" in FIG.

[0091] As described above, the end plate 110 is formed with a plurality of guide portions 111 protruding toward the lateral side of the cross member 300 , and the cross member 300 is formed with a plurality of guide grooves 331 corresponding to the plurality of guide portions 111 .

[0092] See also Fig. 9 , the cross member 300 includes a recess 320 formed on a lateral side thereof, and a lower rib 330 is formed in a lower end of the recess 320. In the lower rib 330, a plurality of guide grooves 331 may be formed at positions corresponding to the plurality of guide portions 111. Therefore, when the cross member 300 is inserted from above the lower housing 200, the plurality of guide grooves 331 of the cross member 300 may slide along the plurality of guide portions 111.

[0093] Then, the plurality of guides 111 formed in the end plate 110 may be respectively positioned on the corresponding recesses 320 of the cross member 300. Therefore, the plurality of guides 111 may be positioned on the recesses 320 and in close contact with the recesses 320, so that the cross member 300 may be assembled in close contact with the end plate 110.

[0094] Therefore, not only the assembly of the cross member 300 is ensured, but also the structural rigidity of the battery pack 10 is ensured after the cross member 300 is assembled.

[0095] Next, we will refer to Figure 10 to Figure 11 Fastening of the cross member 300 to the connection bracket 400 formed in the lower case 200 is described.

[0096] Fig.10 yes Figure 6 The enlarged view of "D" in Fig.11 yes Figure 6 Enlarged view of "E" in Figure 2.

[0097] First, refer to Fig.10 , the cross member 300 may be fixed to the connection bracket 400 by its protrusion 340. When the cross member 300 is inserted from above the lower case 200, the protrusion 340 of the cross member 300 may be fastened while being positioned on the top of the connection bracket 400. In this case, the protrusion 340 and the connection bracket 400 may be bolted and fastened by at least one second fastening bolt 600 penetrating from above.

[0098] When the protrusion 340 is bolted and fastened to the connection bracket 400, it may be disadvantageous to ensure rigidity because the protrusion 340 is only a portion protruding from the cross member 300. Therefore, a reinforcing bead may be formed on the bottom of the protrusion 340 to connect the bottom of the protrusion 340 and the lateral end of the cross member 300. In this way, the rigidity of the protrusion 340 is sufficiently ensured.

[0099] In some embodiments, both lateral ends of the cross member 300 may be inclined to be narrowed downward, and thus a space that widens downward may be formed at a position between the lateral ends of the cross member 300 and the connection bracket 400. Since both lateral ends of the cross member 300 are formed to be inclined, the fastening force generated by bolting and fastening the protrusion 340 may be distributed, so that the cross member 300 and the connection bracket 400 may be easily fastened and loosened.

[0100] In addition, the two side surfaces of the connecting bracket 400 can be in close contact with the end plates 110 of the battery modules placed adjacent to each other, and the protrusions 340 formed at the two side ends of the cross member 300 can be fastened to the connecting bracket 400 together with the end plates 110 in close contact with the two side surfaces of the connecting bracket 400.

[0101] See also Figures 10 to 11 , the end plate 110 may be bent at an upper end portion closely contacting the connection bracket 400, and the bent upper end portion may overlap with the upper end portion of the connection bracket 400. The protrusions 340 formed at both side ends of the cross member 300 may be fastened to the connection bracket 400 together with the bent upper end portion of the end plate 110.

[0102] In addition, a pair of end plates positioned on both side surfaces of the cross member 300 may be bent so that their upper end portions close to the connection bracket 400 may be stacked together. The protrusions 340 formed at both side surfaces of the cross member 300 may be fastened to the connection bracket 400 together with the stacked upper end portions of the pair of end plates.

[0103] As described above, in the battery pack for a vehicle according to the present disclosure, the number of battery cells loaded into the battery pack is maximized, thereby maximizing the cruising range of the vehicle.

[0104] Furthermore, even if the auxiliary components are reduced, structural rigidity is sufficiently ensured by the cross member interposed between the battery modules, thereby improving the structure.

[0105] Furthermore, by fixing the cross member to the battery module in the case of the battery pack, the airtightness of the case can be ensured even in the case of vibration or impact.

[0106] Although specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described above, various modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the technical concept defined by the appended claims.

[0107] Therefore, the foregoing detailed description should not be interpreted as limiting in all aspects, but rather as exemplary. The scope of the present disclosure should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the equivalent range of the present disclosure fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A battery pack for a vehicle, comprising: Multiple battery modules; A lower housing supporting the plurality of battery modules; a cross member extending across the lower case in a width direction of the lower case, the cross member being arranged between adjacent battery modules of the plurality of battery modules that are arranged adjacent to each other in a length direction intersecting the width direction; as well as a pair of end plates, the pair of end plates being arranged at lateral sides of adjacent battery modules and facing each other, The cross member is in contact with the pair of end plates, and the cross member is fastened to the lower housing together with the pair of end plates.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: A lower end portion of at least one of the pair of end plates is bent and overlaps a lower end portion of the cross member, and Wherein, the lower end portion of the cross member is fastened to the lower shell together with the lower end portion of the at least one end plate.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The lower end portions of the pair of end plates are bent so that the lower end portions overlap each other, and Wherein, the lower end portion of the cross member is fastened to the lower housing together with the lower end portions of the pair of end plates.

4. The battery pack according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of first fastening bolts, coupling the cross member together with the pair of end plates to the lower housing, The cross member includes a plurality of fastening portions extending through the cross member in a vertical direction, and each of the plurality of fastening portions receives one of the plurality of first fastening bolts.

5. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein: The cross member is made of metal and is molded by a casting process.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein: The cross member includes a plurality of recesses that are recessed along the length direction from a lateral surface of the cross member facing a lateral side of the adjacent battery module, and Wherein, each of the plurality of recessed portions is arranged between two of the plurality of fastening portions.

7. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein: The lower housing comprises: multiple cooling channels; and a plurality of fastening lugs arranged so as not to overlap with the plurality of cooling channels and the plurality of fastening lugs are spaced apart from each other in a width direction of the cross member, Wherein, the plurality of first fastening bolts are fastened to the plurality of fastening lugs respectively.

8. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the pair of end plates includes a plurality of guide portions that protrude from a lateral side of the end plate and contact a lateral surface of the cross member.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8, wherein: The pair of end plates are made of metal, and The plurality of guide parts are made of plastic, and are arranged on lateral sides of the pair of end plates by an insert injection molding process.

10. The battery pack according to claim 8, wherein: The cross member comprises: a plurality of recesses formed on a lateral surface of the lateral member; a plurality of lower ribs arranged below the plurality of recesses; and a plurality of guide grooves formed at the plurality of lower ribs at positions corresponding to the plurality of guide portions, wherein the plurality of guide portions are configured to respectively pass through the plurality of guide slots based on the cross member moving relative to the pair of end plates from a position above the pair of end plates, and The cross member is configured to be inserted between the pair of end plates based on movement relative to the pair of end plates from a position above the pair of end plates to a position where the plurality of guide portions are located above the plurality of recessed portions of the cross member.

11. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The lower housing includes a plurality of side members forming a side surface of the lower housing, wherein the plurality of battery modules and the cross member are arranged between the plurality of side members of the lower housing, Each of the side members includes a connecting bracket arranged on the inner side of the side member, and Therein, the cross member comprises ends of the connecting brackets respectively fastened to the side members.

12. The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein: The cross member includes protrusions protruding laterally outward from upper portions of ends of the cross member, respectively, and Wherein, based on the protrusions being fastened to the tops of the connecting brackets respectively, the cross member is inserted into the lower shell from a position above the lower shell.

13. The battery pack according to claim 12, wherein: The connecting brackets are spaced apart from each other and face each other in a width direction of the lower housing, and Wherein, the transverse member is arranged between the connecting brackets.

14. The battery pack according to claim 12, further comprising: At least one second fastening bolt is inserted from above one of the protrusions and fastens the one of the protrusions to one of the connection brackets.

15. The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein: The cross member has cross end surfaces that are respectively inclined inwardly relative to the side members so that the width of the cross member decreases toward the lower housing, and Wherein, a space between one of the lateral end surfaces of the lateral member and one of the connecting brackets increases toward the lower shell.

16. The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein: The two lateral surfaces of each of the connecting brackets are in contact with the pair of end plates, and The ends of the cross member are fastened to the connection brackets together with the pair of end plates, and the pair of end plates are in contact with the lateral surface of each of the connection brackets.

17. The battery pack according to claim 16, wherein: The upper end portions of the pair of end plates are bent, and the upper end portions of the pair of end plates are in contact with the upper end portion of each of the connection brackets, and The ends of the cross member and the upper ends of the pair of end plates are respectively fastened to the connecting brackets.

18. The battery pack according to claim 17, wherein: The upper end portions of the pair of end plates are stacked, and Wherein, each of the ends of the cross member is fastened to one of the connecting brackets together with the upper ends of the pair of end plates.

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