Battery pack and vehicle including the same

Abstract

A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a cell array structure comprising a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of cooling tubes provided between the plurality of battery cells; the battery pack shell is used for accommodating the battery cell array structure; and a cooling pipe unit provided between the plurality of cooling pipes within the battery pack case along a direction in which the plurality of cooling pipes are stacked, and connecting the cooling pipes facing each other in the stacking direction such that the pipes can communicate with each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery pack and a vehicle including the same, and more particularly, to a battery pack having improved energy density and assembly process efficiency and a vehicle including the same.

[0002] This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0129749 filed in Korea on September 26, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0003] Secondary batteries, which are highly suitable for a variety of products and exhibit excellent electrical properties such as high energy density, are commonly used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) driven by electrical power sources. Because they can significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels and do not produce byproducts during energy consumption, secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source that improves energy efficiency and environmental friendliness.

[0004] Currently widely used secondary batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, etc. The operating voltage of a unit secondary battery cell (i.e., a unit battery cell) is about 2.5V to 4.2V. Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, a plurality of battery cells can be connected in series to configure a battery pack. In addition, depending on the charge / discharge capacity required for the battery pack, a plurality of battery cells can be connected in parallel to configure a battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack can be set differently according to the required output voltage or the required charge / discharge capacity.

[0005] In addition, when a plurality of battery cells are connected in series or parallel to configure a battery pack, a battery module composed of at least one battery cell is generally configured first, and then a battery pack is configured by using the at least one battery module and adding other components.

[0006] Conventional battery packs have a cooling line structure to cool the battery cells. This cooling line structure includes multiple cooling tubes positioned between the battery cells, cooling lines connected to an external cooling device for supplying or withdrawing cooling medium to / from the multiple cooling tubes, and cooling pipes connecting the cooling lines and the multiple cooling tubes.

[0007] A conventional cooling pipe is generally formed in a predetermined length within a pack case of a battery pack to be connected to a plurality of cooling pipe members, and is provided at both sides of an edge of the pack case of the battery pack.

[0008] However, conventional battery pack cooling tube structures have disadvantages in terms of energy density due to the increased volume occupied within the battery pack housing. Furthermore, conventional battery pack cooling structures suffer from the complex connection structure of the cooling tubes connected to the multiple cooling tubes, which complicates the assembly process.

[0009] Therefore, it is necessary to find a method to provide a battery pack that can increase space utilization and increase energy density. In addition, it is necessary to find a method to improve process efficiency by enhancing assembly. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Technical issues

[0011] Therefore, the present disclosure is directed to providing a battery pack that can increase space utilization and maximize energy density by simplifying a cooling line structure, and a vehicle including the battery pack.

[0012] Furthermore, the present disclosure is directed to providing a battery pack that can improve process efficiency by enhancing assembly, and a vehicle including the battery pack.

[0013] However, the technical problems to be solved by the present disclosure are not limited to the above problems, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand other problems not mentioned in this document from the following description.

[0014] Technical Solution

[0015] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a battery pack is provided, comprising: a cell array structure comprising a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of cooling tubes arranged between the plurality of battery cells; a battery pack shell configured to accommodate the cell array structure; and a cooling tube unit arranged between the plurality of cooling tubes within the battery pack shell along a stacking direction of the plurality of cooling tubes to connect the cooling tubes facing each other in the stacking direction, thereby achieving connectivity.

[0016] Furthermore, preferably, the cooling pipe unit may have a connection end portion which, when connected to cooling pipes facing each other in the stacking direction, covers a step or assembly tolerance between the cooling pipes facing each other.

[0017] Furthermore, preferably, the connection end portion may have corrugations arranged at predetermined intervals along the stacking direction.

[0018] Furthermore, preferably, the connection end portion may be configured to have a predetermined amount of elasticity.

[0019] Furthermore, preferably, the cooling pipe unit may include: a first portion having a predetermined thickness in a height direction of the battery cell array structure; and a second portion having a thickness greater than that of the first portion.

[0020] Furthermore, preferably, the first portion may be arranged so that, when connected to the cooling pipe, the first portion is closer to the cooling pipe than the second portion.

[0021] Furthermore, preferably, the first portion may be provided at both ends of the cooling pipe unit in a longitudinal direction.

[0022] Furthermore, preferably, the first portion may have corrugations arranged at predetermined intervals along the stacking direction.

[0023] Furthermore, preferably, the second portion may have corrugations arranged at predetermined intervals along the stacking direction.

[0024] Furthermore, preferably, a cooling pipe channel communicating with the cooling pipe member may be provided inside the cooling pipe unit, and the cooling pipe channel may be formed larger in the first portion than in the second portion.

[0025] Furthermore, preferably, the cooling pipe unit may include an inner pipe connected to cooling pipe members facing each other in the stacking direction; and an outer pipe provided at an outer side of the inner pipe.

[0026] Furthermore, preferably, the outer tube may have a higher hardness than the inner tube.

[0027] Furthermore, preferably, the inner tube and the outer tube may be made of rubber.

[0028] Furthermore, preferably, the outer tube may be made of plastic.

[0029] In addition, the present disclosure also provides a vehicle including at least one battery pack according to the aforementioned embodiment.

[0030] Beneficial effects

[0031] According to various embodiments as described above, a battery pack that can increase space utilization and maximize energy density by simplifying a cooling line structure and a vehicle including the battery pack can be provided.

[0032] Furthermore, according to the various embodiments as described above, a battery pack that can improve process efficiency by enhancing assembly and a vehicle including the battery pack can be provided.

[0033] In addition, various embodiments of the present disclosure can achieve various other additional effects. The various effects of the present disclosure will be described in detail in each embodiment, or the effects that are easily understood by those skilled in the art will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and are used to provide further understanding of the technical features of the present disclosure together with the foregoing disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not to be construed as being limited to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Figure 1 is a diagram for illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 3 is a diagram for illustrating a main portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 4 is a plan view showing a main portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 5 is an enlarged view showing a main portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 6 is a diagram for illustrating a main cooling pipe unit of a cooling pipe unit of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 7 is a diagram for illustrating a side cooling pipe unit of a cooling pipe unit of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 8 is a side view illustrating a side cooling pipe unit of a cooling pipe unit of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a side cooling pipe unit of a cooling pipe unit of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 10 is a diagram for illustrating cooling lines of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 11 is a diagram for illustrating a cell array structure of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 12is a diagram for illustrating the assembly of a cell array structure and a cooling pipe unit of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 13 and Figure 14 1 is a diagram for illustrating assembly of a cooling pipe and a cooling pipe unit of a cell array structure of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] Figure 15 and Figure 16 is a diagram for illustrating prevention of assembly errors achieved by a cooling pipe unit of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 17 and Figure 18 is a diagram for illustrating assembly of a cooling pipe unit and cooling lines of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] Figure 19 is a side view illustrating a cooling pipe unit of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cooling pipe unit of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] Figure 21 and Figure 22 FIG. 1 is a diagram for illustrating assembly of a cooling pipe member and a cooling pipe unit of a cell array structure of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] Figure 23 is a diagram for illustrating a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before the description, it should be understood that the terms used in the specification and the appended claims should not be interpreted as limited to the general meaning and dictionary meaning, but should be interpreted according to the meaning and concept corresponding to the technical aspects of the present disclosure based on the principle that the inventor is allowed to appropriately define the terms for the best interpretation.

[0055] Therefore, the descriptions presented herein are merely preferred examples for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, and it should be understood that other equivalents and modifications may be made to these descriptions without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0056] At the same time, in this specification, terms indicating directions such as "up", "down", "left", "right", "front", and "back" may be used, but these terms are only for convenience of explanation, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms may change depending on the position of the target object or the position of the observer.

[0057] Figure 1 is a diagram for illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The battery pack 10 may include a battery cell array structure 100 , a battery pack housing 200 and a cooling pipe unit 300 .

[0059] The battery cell array structure 100 may include a plurality of battery cells 110 and a plurality of cooling tubes 130 disposed between the plurality of battery cells 110 .

[0060] The plurality of battery cells 110 are secondary batteries. For example, the plurality of battery cells 110 may be provided as cylindrical secondary batteries, pouch-shaped secondary batteries, or prismatic secondary batteries. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the plurality of battery cells 110 will be described as being provided as cylindrical secondary batteries.

[0061] The plurality of cooling tubes 130 are used to cool the battery cells 110, and each cooling tube 130 may be formed to have a predetermined length along the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the battery pack housing 200. The plurality of cooling tubes 130 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the width direction (X-axis direction) of the battery pack housing 200.

[0062] The battery pack case 200 may accommodate the battery cell array structure 100. Specifically, the battery pack case 200 has a predetermined accommodation space that may accommodate the battery cell array structure 100, and may be coupled to the battery cell array structure 100 to stably support the battery cell array structure 100.

[0063] The cooling pipe unit 300 may be disposed between the plurality of cooling pipes 130 along the stacking direction of the plurality of cooling pipes 130 within the battery pack case 200 and connect the cooling pipes 130 facing each other in the stacking direction (X-axis direction) to achieve communication.

[0064] In the battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cooling pipes 130 facing each other in the stacking direction (X-axis direction) of the cooling pipes 130 can be connected by the cooling pipe unit 300, so that the connection structure between the cooling pipes 130 within the battery pack housing 200 can be simplified.

[0065] In addition, in the battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the cooling pipe unit 300 is arranged between the cooling pipe members 130 in the stacking direction (X-axis direction) of the cooling pipe members 130, the space occupied by the cooling pipe unit 300 in the battery pack housing 200 can be reduced, thereby increasing the space utilization within the battery pack housing 200 and significantly increasing the overall energy density of the battery pack 10.

[0066] Furthermore, in the battery pack 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the assembly process tact time of the entire battery pack 10 may be reduced by the simplified connection structure of the cooling pipe unit 300 , thereby significantly improving overall process efficiency.

[0067] Hereinafter, the cooling pipe unit 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in more detail.

[0068] Figure 3 is a diagram for illustrating a main portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 4 is a plan view showing a main portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 5 is an enlarged view showing a main portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0069] refer to Figures 3 to 5 The cooling pipe unit 300 is arranged between the ends (-Y axis direction) of the multiple cooling pipe members 130, and may not protrude beyond the ends (-Y axis direction) of the multiple cooling pipe members 130 in the direction toward the inner wall (-Y axis direction) of the battery pack housing 200.

[0070] Therefore, in the battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the cooling pipe unit 300 and the cooling pipe member 130 are assembled, the cooling pipe unit 300 and the cooling pipe member 130 will not collide or interfere with the inner wall (-Y axis direction) of the battery pack housing 200, thereby significantly reducing the risk of damage or poor assembly of the cooling pipe unit 300 that may occur during the assembly of the cooling pipe unit 300.

[0071] The thickness W1 of the cooling pipe unit 300 may be smaller than the thickness W2 of the ends of the cooling pipes 130. According to the thickness W2 of the cooling pipe unit 300, the cooling pipe unit 300 may be more clearly prevented from protruding outside the cooling pipes 130 during assembly.

[0072] Furthermore, in the battery pack 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the thickness W1 of the cooling pipe unit 300 is smaller than the end thickness W2 of the cooling pipe member 130, and thus does not cause an end width W at the edge in one direction (-Y axis direction) of the battery pack housing 200. That is, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, since it is relatively unnecessary to ensure space at the edge in one direction (-Y axis direction) of the battery pack housing 200 according to the installation of the cooling pipe unit 300, the width of the battery pack housing 200 in the longitudinal direction (Y axis direction) can be reduced as much as possible. As an example, in this embodiment, the end width W at the edge in one direction (-Y axis direction) of the battery pack housing 200 can be approximately 43 mm.

[0073] Therefore, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, since it is only necessary to ensure a predetermined width W at the edge of the battery pack housing 200 in one direction (-Y-axis direction) that will be able to cover the end thickness W2 of the cooling pipe 130, the width of the entire battery pack housing 200 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) can be reduced as much as possible.

[0074] Furthermore, the cooling pipe unit 300 does not protrude beyond the ends of the cooling pipes 130 in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the ends of the cooling pipes 130 .

[0075] Therefore, in the battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the cooling pipe unit 300 does not protrude beyond the cooling pipe member 130 even in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the battery pack housing 200, it is possible to more safely prevent the size of the entire battery pack 10 from increasing due to interference with the cooling pipe unit 300 or other components.

[0076] The cooling pipe unit 300 may be provided in plural.

[0077] When assembling the battery cell array structure 100 , the plurality of cooling pipe units 300 may be sequentially connected to the plurality of cooling pipes 130 in one direction (−Y-axis direction) along the stacking direction (X-axis direction) of the plurality of cooling pipes 130 .

[0078] Thus, in the battery pack 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, since the cooling pipe unit 300 is connected together with the cooling pipe member 130 when assembling the battery cell array structure 100 , the connection assembly process of the cooling pipe unit 130 can be made faster and simpler.

[0079] The specific configuration of the plurality of cooling pipe units 300 will be described in more detail below.

[0080] The plurality of cooling pipe units 300 may include main cooling pipe units 310 , 320 connected to a cooling line 400 explained later, and a plurality of side cooling pipe units 330 , 340 connected to the main cooling pipe units 310 , 320 .

[0081] The main cooling pipe units 310 and 320 may be disposed between the plurality of side cooling pipe units 330 and 340. Specifically, the main cooling pipe units 310 and 320 may be disposed approximately near a center position between the plurality of side cooling pipe units 330 and 340.

[0082] Figure 6 is a diagram for illustrating a main cooling pipe unit of a cooling pipe unit of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0083] Reference Figure 6 as well as Figures 3 to 5 The main cooling pipe units 310 , 320 may include first connection portions 312 , 322 , second connection portions 314 , 324 , and third connection portions 316 , 326 .

[0084] The first connecting parts 312, 322 can be communicatively connected to the cooling pipe 130 on one side (-X axis direction) facing the stacking direction (X axis direction), and the second connecting parts 314, 324 can be communicatively connected to the cooling pipe 130 on the other side (+X axis direction) facing the stacking direction (Z axis direction).

[0085] The third connection parts 316, 326 may communicate with the first connection parts 312, 322 and the second connection parts 314, 324. The third connection parts 316, 326 are used to connect with the cooling line 400 explained later and may be communicatively connected with the inlet connection part 430 and the outlet connection part 450 of the cooling line 400.

[0086] Figure 7 is a diagram for illustrating a side cooling pipe unit of a cooling pipe unit of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 8 is a side view showing a side cooling pipe unit of a cooling pipe unit of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a side cooling pipe unit of a cooling pipe unit of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0087] refer to Figures 7 to 9 as well as Figures 3 to 5 , multiple side cooling tubes 330, 340 can have connecting ends 332, 334, 342, 344, and when connected to the cooling tube members 130 facing each other, the connecting ends 332, 334, 342, 344 can cover the steps or assembly tolerances between the cooling tube members 130 facing each other in the stacking direction (X-axis direction).

[0088] Specifically, among the multiple side cooling tubes 330, 340, the side cooling tube 330 arranged on the lower side (-Z axis direction) of the battery pack housing 200 in the height direction (Z axis direction) may have connecting ends 332, 334, and when connected to the cooling tube members 130 facing each other, the connecting ends 332, 334 can cover the steps or assembly tolerances between the cooling tube members 130 facing each other in the stacking direction (X axis direction), and among the multiple side cooling tubes 330, 340, the side cooling tube 340 arranged on the upper side (+Z axis direction) of the battery pack housing 200 in the height direction (Z axis direction) may have connecting ends 342, 344, and when connected to the cooling tube members 130 facing each other, the connecting ends 342, 344 can cover the steps or assembly tolerances between the cooling tube members 130 facing each other in the stacking direction (X axis direction). Here, among the multiple side cooling tubes 330, 340, the side cooling tube 330 arranged on the lower side (-Z axis direction) of the battery pack housing 200 in the height direction (Z axis direction) may be the inlet tube 330 explained later, and among the multiple side cooling tubes 330, 340, the side cooling tube 340 arranged on the upper side (+Z axis direction) of the battery pack housing 200 in the height direction (Z axis direction) may be the outlet tube 340 explained later.

[0089] The connecting ends 332, 334, 342, 344 may include one side connecting ends 332, 342 and the other side connecting ends 334, 344. The one side connecting ends 332, 342 may be communicatively connected to the protruding tube 135 of the cooling pipe member 130 on one side (-X axis direction) facing the stacking direction (X axis direction), and the other side connecting ends 334, 344 may be communicatively connected to the protruding tube 135 of the cooling pipe member 130 and communicatively connected to the one side connecting ends 332, 342 on the other side (+X axis direction) facing the stacking direction (X axis direction).

[0090] Corrugations may be provided at the connection ends 332, 334, 342, 344 at predetermined intervals along the stacking direction (X-axis direction). The corrugations facilitate smoother connection between the connection ends 332, 334, 342, 344 and the protruding end 135 of the cooling tube 130 and may also prevent leakage of the cooling medium. The connection ends 332, 334, 342, 344 may have a predetermined amount of elasticity.

[0091] Therefore, in the battery pack 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, since the plurality of side cooling pipe units 300 include the connection end portions 332, 334, 342, 344 having elasticity and a corrugated structure, it is possible to prevent leakage of the cooling medium when connected to the cooling pipe member 130. Moreover, a more flexible connection is achieved, and the risk of damage to components that may occur during the connection can be significantly reduced.

[0092] The plurality of side cooling tube units 330, 340 may include first portions 332, 334, 342, 344 and second portions 336, 346. The first portions 332, 334, 342, 344 may have a predetermined thickness in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the battery cell array structure 100. The second portions 336, 346 may have a greater thickness than the first portions 332, 334, 342, 344. The second portions 336, 346 may be disposed between the first portions 332, 334, 342, 344.

[0093] The second portions 336, 346 having a relatively large thickness can effectively prevent the plurality of side cooling pipe units 330, 340 from sagging or separating from the cooling pipe member 130, which may occur when the plurality of side cooling pipe units 330, 340 are connected to only one cooling pipe member 130 during the assembly process when assembling the plurality of side cooling pipe units 330, 340 and the cooling pipe member 130.

[0094] Therefore, in the battery pack 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the plurality of side cooling pipe units 330 , 340 are assembled with the cooling pipe member 130 , sagging and poor assembly of the side cooling pipe units 330 , 340 can be prevented by the relatively thick second portions 336 , 346 .

[0095] When connected to the cooling pipe member 130, the first portions 332, 334, 342, 344 may be disposed closer to the cooling pipe member 130 than the second portions 336, 346. The first portions 332, 334, 342, 344 may be disposed at both ends of the cooling pipe unit 300 along the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the cooling pipe unit 300. That is, the first portions 332, 334, 342, 344 may be connection end portions 332, 334, 342, 344. The first portions 332, 334, 342, 344 may have corrugations disposed at predetermined intervals along the stacking direction (X-axis direction), and the second portions 336, 346 may have corrugations disposed at predetermined intervals along the stacking direction (X-axis direction).

[0096] As described above, when the side cooling pipe units 330, 340 and the cooling pipe member 130 are connected, the corrugations of the first portions 332, 334, 342, 344 and the second portions 336, 346 may lead to a more flexible connection and may also reduce the risk of damage to components that may occur during connection.

[0097] Furthermore, chamfered portions may be provided in the first portions 332 , 334 , 342 , and 344 for smoother connection with the protruding pipe 135 of the cooling pipe member 130 .

[0098] Cooling pipe channels 338, 348 communicating with the cooling pipe member 130 are provided in the plurality of side cooling pipe units 330, 340, and the cooling pipe channels 338, 348 may be formed larger in the first portions 332, 334, 342, 344 than in the second portions 336, 346. Therefore, a smoother flow of the cooling medium may be guided in the first portions 332, 334, 342, 344 closer to the cooling pipe member 130.

[0099] Furthermore, the cooling pipe channels 338, 348 may also be provided in the main cooling pipe units 310, 320 of the cooling pipe unit 300. Furthermore, the main cooling pipe units 310, 320 may further have chamfered portions or corrugated structures for guiding connection with the cooling pipe member 130.

[0100] Figure 10 is a diagram for illustrating cooling lines of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0101] refer to Figure 10 as well as Figures 3 to 5 , the battery pack 10 may include a cooling line 400 .

[0102] The cooling line 400 can be connected to an external cooling device to supply a cooling medium to the cooling tube 130 and output the cooling medium, which has circulated through the cooling tube 130, to the external cooling device. The cooling medium can be provided as a cooling fluid that can circulate through the cooling tube 130 while cooling the battery cells 110. As an example, the cooling medium can be prepared as cooling water. Of course, this is not limited to this, and the cooling medium can be prepared as any other cooling fluid that can circulate through the cooling tube 130 while cooling the battery cells 110.

[0103] The cooling line 400 may include a line body 410 , an inlet connection portion 430 , and an outlet connection portion 450 .

[0104] The pipeline body 410 is installed in the battery pack case 200 and can be connected to an external cooling device. To this end, a portion of the pipeline body 410 may be exposed to the outside of the battery pack case 200 to be connected to the external cooling device.

[0105] The inlet connection portion 430 is provided to the pipeline body 410 and may be connected to the main cooling pipe unit 310. Specifically, the inlet connection portion 430 may be connected to the inlet pipe 310 of the main cooling pipe units 310, 320 explained later.

[0106] The outlet connection portion 450 is provided to the pipeline body 410 and may be connected to the main cooling pipe unit 320. Specifically, the outlet connection portion 450 may be connected to the outlet pipe 320 of the main cooling pipe units 310, 320 explained later.

[0107] Hereinafter, a specific connection structure between the cooling pipe unit 300 and the battery cell array structure 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in more detail.

[0108] Figure 11 is a diagram for illustrating a cell array structure of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0109] refer to Figure 11 as well as Figures 3 to 5 , the battery cell array structure 100 may include a side frame 150 .

[0110] The side frame 150 can accommodate a plurality of battery cells 110 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the battery pack housing 200. The cooling pipe unit 300 is provided to face the side frame 150 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) and can be arranged to be spaced apart from the side frame 150 by a predetermined distance.

[0111] Therefore, in the battery pack 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, problems such as collision or interference with the side frame 150 will not occur when assembling the cooling pipe unit 300 and the battery cell array structure 100, so the cooling pipe unit 300 can be prevented from being damaged or poorly assembled due to collision or interference with the side frame 150.

[0112] Hereinafter, the side frame 150 of the battery cell array structure 100 will be described in more detail.

[0113] The side frame 150 may include a pair of side walls 152 and a plurality of side structures 155 .

[0114] A pair of side walls 152 are provided on both sides of the outermost sides (+X axis direction and -X axis direction) of the battery cell array structure 100 and can support at least one row of battery cells 110 in the longitudinal direction (Y axis direction) of the battery pack housing 200. The pair of side walls 152 can be fixed to the outer side walls 260 of the battery pack housing 200, which will be explained later, by fastening members or the like. Therefore, the battery cell array structure 100 can be fixed and supported on the battery pack housing 200 more stably.

[0115] The plurality of side structures 155 are disposed between the pair of side walls 152 in the stacking direction (X-axis direction) and can support at least two rows of battery cells 110 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the battery pack housing 200. Specifically, the plurality of side structures 155 can support the battery cells 110 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) at the front side (+X-axis direction) and the rear side (-X-axis direction) according to the stacking direction (+X-axis direction).

[0116] The cooling pipe unit 300 is disposed so as to face the plurality of side structures 155 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the battery pack housing 200 and can be arranged to be spaced a predetermined distance apart from the plurality of side structures 155. Therefore, in the battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the battery cell array structure 100 and the cooling pipe unit 300 are assembled, there is no interference or collision with the side structures 155, and thus damage or poor assembly of the cooling pipe unit 300 can be effectively prevented.

[0117] In addition, the length d1 of each cooling pipe unit 300 may be less than or equal to the width d2 of each side structure 155 in the stacking direction (X-axis direction).

[0118] Therefore, in the battery pack 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, when assembling the battery cell array structure 100 and the cooling pipe unit 300 , assembly defects of the side structure 155 that may be caused by the cooling pipe unit 300 can be fundamentally prevented.

[0119] Hereinafter, an assembly process of the battery cell array structure 100 and the cooling pipe unit 300 of the battery pack 10 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail.

[0120] Figure 12 is a diagram for illustrating the assembly of a cell array structure and a cooling pipe unit of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0121] refer to Figure 12 , the manufacturer can assemble the cell array structure 100 of the battery pack 10 (see Figure 1 ) are assembled together with the cooling tube unit 300. First, the manufacturer or the like can secure the cooling tube 130 between the battery cells 110 using an adhesive or the like. Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, the assembly that secures the cooling tube 130 between the battery cells 110 is referred to as a cell-tube assembly.

[0122] Afterwards, the manufacturer or the like may place the side wall 152 of the side frame 150 at the outermost position, then place the battery cell tube assembly, and then place the side structure 155 of the side frame 150. Furthermore, the manufacturer or the like may place the battery cell tube assembly again, at which point the manufacturer or the like may connect the cooling tube unit 300 to the cooling tube 130 of the battery cell tube assembly.

[0123] In this way, the manufacturer or the like assembles the cell tube assembly and the side structure 155 while sequentially arranging the cell tube assembly and the side structure 155, and during this assembly process, the cooling pipe unit 300 can be sequentially connected to the cooling tubes 130 of the cell tube assembly. The cooling pipe unit 300 can be connected to the cooling tube 130 at the end of the cooling tube 130 protruding from the side frame 150. That is, the ends of the plurality of cooling tubes 130 are connected to the battery pack case 200 (see FIG. 2 ). Figure 2 ) protrudes out of the side frame 150 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction), and the cooling pipe unit 300 can be sequentially connected to multiple cooling pipe members 130 along the stacking direction (X-axis direction) of the side frame 150.

[0124] After the side structure 155 , the cell tube assembly, and the cooling tube unit 130 are fully connected, a manufacturer or the like may connect the remaining side wall of the pair of side walls 152 of the side frame 150 to the cell tube assembly to complete the assembly of the cell array structure 100 .

[0125] In addition, without configuring a battery cell tube assembly (the battery cell tube assembly is an assembly in which the cooling tubes 130 are fixed between the battery cells 110), during manufacturing, the manufacturer, etc. can fix the battery cells 110 and the cooling tubes 130 together with the assembly with the side frame 150 while arranging them in the order of battery cells 110, cooling tubes 130 and battery cells 110.

[0126] In this way, in the battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the cooling tube unit 130 is assembled together in a sequential assembly process along the stacking direction (X-axis direction) of the battery cell array structure 100, the assembly process of the cooling tube unit 130 is simplified, and thus the overall assembly cycle time can be reduced and the efficiency of the assembly process can be significantly improved.

[0127] Figure 13 and Figure 14 is a diagram for illustrating the assembly of a cooling pipe member and a cooling pipe unit of a cell array structure of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 15 and Figure 16 is a diagram for illustrating prevention of assembly errors achieved by a cooling pipe unit of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0128] Reference Figures 13 to 16 , when assembling the cell array structure 100 (see Figure 12), the manufacturer or the like may connect and assemble the side cooling pipe units 330, 340 of the cooling pipe unit 300 to the cooling pipe member 130. In addition, during the assembly process of the battery cell array structure 100, the alignment of the previously assembled battery cell array portion a and the newly assembled battery cell array portion b may be deformed according to the step or tolerance between the battery cell arrays. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, if a misalignment occurs between the previously assembled battery cell array portion a and the newly assembled battery cell array portion b during the assembly process, the side cooling pipe units 330, 340 of the cooling pipe unit 300 may absorb the misalignment c when connected to the cooling pipe member 130.

[0129] Therefore, in the battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the misalignment caused by steps or tolerances between the battery cell arrays during the assembly process of the battery cell array structure 100 is absorbed by the cooling pipe unit 300, the assembly defects of the battery cell array structure 100 caused by assembly tolerances, etc. can be effectively prevented.

[0130] Figure 17 and Figure 18 is a diagram for illustrating assembly of a cooling line and a cooling pipe unit of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0131] refer to Figure 17 and Figure 18 When the battery cell array structure 100 and the cooling pipe unit 130 are completely assembled, the manufacturer or the like may place the battery cell array structure 100 in the battery pack case 200 and secure the battery cell array structure 100 in the battery pack case 200 .

[0132] Thereafter, a manufacturer or the like may connect the inlet connection portion 430 and the outlet connection portion 450 of the cooling line 400 to the third connection portions 316 , 326 of the main cooling pipe units 310 , 320 to complete the assembly of the cooling line of the battery pack 10 .

[0133] Thus, in the battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cooling pipe unit 300 is assembled when the battery cell array structure 100 is assembled, and then the cooling line 400 is connected to the main cooling pipe units 310 and 320 of the cooling pipe unit 300 to completely assemble the cooling line. As a result, the cooling line assembly structure is simplified, thereby significantly increasing the efficiency of the overall assembly process.

[0134] Refer again Figures 3 to 7 , the cooling pipe units 310 , 320 , 330 , 340 may include inlet pipes 310 , 330 and outlet pipes 320 , 340 .

[0135] These inlet pipes 310, 330 may guide the cooling medium from the cooling lines to the plurality of cooling pipes 130. The inlet pipes 310, 330 may include an inlet pipe 310 of a main cooling pipe unit 310 and inlet pipes 330 of a plurality of side cooling pipe units 330.

[0136] The outlet pipes 320 and 340 are used to output the cooling medium that has circulated inside the plurality of cooling pipes 130 to the cooling line 400 , and may include the outlet pipe 320 of the main cooling pipe unit 320 and the outlet pipes 340 of the plurality of side cooling pipe units 340 .

[0137] The inlet pipes 310, 330 and the outlet pipes 320, 340 may be disposed between ends of the plurality of cooling pipe members 130 in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the plurality of cooling pipe members 130. According to this arrangement, the inlet pipes 310, 330 and the outlet pipes 320, 340 may not be exposed outside the cooling pipe member 130 in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the cooling pipe member 130.

[0138] Therefore, in the battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when an external impact or the like occurs in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the battery pack housing 200, the main impact can be prevented from being transmitted to the inlet pipes 310, 330 and the outlet pipes 320, 340, thereby effectively preventing the risk of damage to the cooling pipe unit 300 that may occur due to the external impact.

[0139] The inlet pipes 310 and 330 can be arranged lower than the outlet pipes 320 and 340 in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the ends of the plurality of cooling tubes 130. Therefore, the cooling medium transported from the cooling line 400 can be supplied to the bottom of the cooling tube 130 through the relatively low-lying inlet pipes 310 and 330, and the cooling medium that has already circulated within the cooling tube 130 can be output from the upper portion of the cooling tube 130 to the cooling line 400 through the outlet pipes 320 and 340 arranged above the inlet pipes 310 and 330 (in the +Z-axis direction). If the cooling medium supplied from the cooling line 400 is first supplied to the lower side of the cooling tube 130, the flow efficiency of the cooling medium can be further improved. However, this is merely an example, and depending on the design, the inlet pipes can also be arranged higher than the outlet pipes.

[0140] Hereinafter, a cooling pipe unit 305 of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0141] Figure 19 is a side view showing a cooling pipe unit of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cooling pipe unit of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0142] Reference Figure 19 and Figure 20 , the cooling pipe unit 305 may include an inner pipe 352 and an outer pipe 356. The inner pipe 352 may be connected to the outer pipe 356 in the stacking direction (X-axis direction, see Figure 3 ) on the cooling pipe members 130 facing each other, and the outer pipe 356 can be arranged on the outside of the inner pipe 352 and along the longitudinal direction of the cooling pipe unit 305 (X axis direction, see Figure 3 ) surrounds the outside of the central portion of the inner tube 352. The inner tube 352 and the outer tube 356 can be prepared by double injection.

[0143] The outer tube 356 may have a higher hardness than the inner tube 352. Specifically, the inner tube 352 may be made of a material with a lower hardness than the outer tube 356, and the outer tube 356 may be made of a material with a higher hardness than the inner tube 352.

[0144] The inner tube 352 may have the corrugations and chamfers as described above. The inner tube 352 having such a structure and relatively low hardness can prevent leakage of the cooling medium and serve as an assembly guide during the assembly of the battery cell array structure 100. In addition, the outer tube 356 having a relatively high hardness can prevent the cooling medium from leaking when connecting the cooling tube unit 305 and the cooling tube member 130 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 3 ) may occur during the cooling pipe unit 305 sagging and defective assembly.

[0145] Inner tube 352 may be made of a rubber material having a certain degree of elasticity. For example, inner tube 352 may be made of soft rubber. Outer tube 356 may be made of a rubber material having a higher hardness than inner tube 352. For example, outer tube 356 may be made of a hard rubber material. Outer tube 356 may also be made of plastic to ensure higher hardness.

[0146] Figure 21 and Figure 22 FIG. 1 is a diagram for illustrating assembly of a cooling pipe member and a cooling pipe unit of a cell array structure of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0147] refer to Figure 21 and Figure 22 As in the previous embodiment, the cooling tube unit 305 can be in the battery cell array structure 100 (see Figure 12 ) during the assembly process of the battery cell array structure. In other words, as described above, during the assembly process of the battery cell array structure, the cooling pipe units 305 can also be sequentially connected to the cooling pipe members 130, and the cooling pipe members 130 are stacked during the sequential stacking assembly of the cooling pipe members 130. In this way, the cooling pipe units 305 can be provided as a multi-layer structure made of composite materials with different hardnesses.

[0148] Reference again Figure 1 and Figure 2The battery pack case 200 of the battery pack 10 may include a bottom plate 220 and an outer sidewall 260 .

[0149] The bottom plate 220 is used to support the bottom of the battery cell array structure 100 and may form the bottom of the battery pack housing 200. The bottom plate 220 may have a predetermined protruding rib structure. This rib structure may serve as a predetermined exhaust transmission line that guides the flow path of thermal event gas, etc. at the bottom of the battery cell array structure.

[0150] The outer sidewall 260 is connected to the bottom plate 220 and can form a side edge of the battery pack case 200. The outer sidewall 260 is connected to the side wall 152 of the side frame 150 of the battery cell array structure 100 by fastening members, etc., so that the battery cell array structure 100 can be more stably fixed in the battery pack case 200.

[0151] The battery pack 10 may include an electrical unit 500. The electrical unit 500 is disposed in the battery pack case 200 and may include electrical components such as a BMS that controls the cell array structure 100 of the battery pack 10. The electrical unit 500 may also include components such as a current sensor, a fuse, and a service plug.

[0152] Although not shown, the battery pack 10 may further include a bus bar assembly and a pack cover.

[0153] The bus bar assembly is used for electrical connection of the battery cells 110 of the battery cell array structure 100 , and may be disposed on an upper side of the battery cell array structure 100 and connected to the battery cells 110 .

[0154] The pack cover is used to house the cell array structure 100 together with the pack case 200 and may be coupled with the pack case 200 to cover the upper side of the cell array structure 100. In addition, the cooling line 400 may be exposed to the outside of the pack cover to be connected to an external cooling device.

[0155] Figure 23 is a diagram for illustrating a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0156] Reference Figure 23 The vehicle 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one battery pack 10 according to the above-described embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, in addition to the battery pack 10, the vehicle 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may further include various other components included in the vehicle. For example, in addition to the battery pack 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the vehicle 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a vehicle body, a motor, and a control device such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0157] Furthermore, the battery pack 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided to other devices, instruments, and equipment, such as an energy storage device (ESS) using a secondary battery, in addition to the vehicle 1 .

[0158] According to the various embodiments described above, it is possible to provide the battery pack 10 and the vehicle 1 including the same, which can increase space utilization and maximize energy density by simplifying the cooling line structure.

[0159] Furthermore, according to the various embodiments described above, it is possible to provide the battery pack 10 that can increase process efficiency by enhancing assembly and the vehicle 1 including the same.

[0160] The present disclosure has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, are given by way of illustration only, as various changes and modifications within the scope of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Claims

1. A battery pack, comprising: A battery cell array structure, comprising a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of cooling tubes disposed between the plurality of battery cells; a battery pack housing, the battery pack housing being configured to accommodate the battery cell array structure; as well as A cooling pipe unit is provided between the plurality of cooling pipes in the battery pack housing along a stacking direction of the plurality of cooling pipes to connect the cooling pipes facing each other in the stacking direction, thereby achieving communication.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, in, The cooling pipe unit has a connecting end portion that, when connected to cooling pipes facing each other in the stacking direction, covers a step or assembly tolerance between the cooling pipes facing each other.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, in, The connection end portion has corrugations arranged at predetermined intervals along the stacking direction.

4. The battery pack according to claim 2, in, The connecting end portion is configured to have a predetermined amount of elasticity.

5. The battery pack according to claim 1, in, The cooling pipe unit comprises: a first portion having a predetermined thickness in a height direction of the battery cell array structure; and A second portion having a thickness greater than that of the first portion.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, in, The first portion is arranged so as to be closer to the cooling pipe than the second portion when connected to the cooling pipe.

7. The battery pack according to claim 5, in, The first portions are provided at both ends of the cooling pipe unit along a longitudinal direction of the cooling pipe unit.

8. The battery pack according to claim 5, in, The first portion has corrugations arranged at predetermined intervals along the stacking direction.

9. The battery pack according to claim 5, in, The second portion has corrugations arranged at predetermined intervals along the stacking direction.

10. The battery pack according to claim 5, in, A cooling pipe channel communicating with the cooling pipe member is provided inside the cooling pipe unit, and The cooling pipe channel is formed in the first portion to be larger than that in the second portion.

11. The battery pack according to claim 1, in, The cooling pipe unit comprises: inner tubes connected to cooling tube members facing each other in the stacking direction; and An outer tube is arranged on the outside of the inner tube.

12. The battery pack according to claim 11, in, The outer tube has a higher hardness than the inner tube.

13. The battery pack according to claim 12, in, The inner tube and the outer tube are made of rubber.

14. The battery pack according to claim 12, in, The outer tube is made of plastic.

15. A vehicle comprising at least one battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

Images