Battery case

Abstract

To provide a battery case which effectively performs absorption of an external impact, and can support a shape of a battery pack, and further can stably fix the battery pack.SOLUTION: A battery case comprises: a base plate member 10; a support member 20 that surrounds the base plate member 10, is formed in a closed section, and supports the base plate member 10; and an absorption member 30 that is coupled to an external side surface of the support member 20, and forms the closed section to absorb an external impact. The absorption member 30 and the support member 20 are integrally formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery case. vinegar This is regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] The battery pack of an electric vehicle is composed of a number of modules, which are collections of secondary battery cells, installed inside the battery pack.

[0003] Automobiles equipped with battery packs may be susceptible to fire or explosion in the event of a vehicle collision, posing serious danger to the driver and passengers. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention provides a battery case that can effectively absorb external shock and support the shape of a battery pack. S The purpose is to provide.

[0005] In another aspect, the present invention provides a battery case capable of stably fixing a battery pack. S The purpose is to provide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A battery case according to one embodiment may include a base plate member, a support member that surrounds the base plate member, is formed with a closed cross-section, and supports the base plate member, and an absorption member that is coupled to an outer surface of the support member to form a closed cross-section and absorb external impacts.

[0007] Specifically, the absorbing member of the battery case according to one embodiment may include a facing plate portion disposed at a certain distance from the supporting member, and a spacing plate portion disposed between the supporting member and the facing plate portion.

[0008] Here, the spacing plate part of the battery case according to an embodiment may include a crease induction groove in at least a portion thereof, and the crease induction groove may be formed in a bellows shape.

[0009] In one embodiment, the absorption member of the battery case is formed by forming both ends of a plate material into a square closed cross section, bending the center of the plate material at a right angle to form a contact point where the vertices of the square closed cross sections on both sides meet, and then welding the contact point to form the absorption member and the support member as a single unit.

[0010] In addition, the support member of the battery case according to an embodiment may include a support pipe provided inside the support member forming a closed cross section.

[0011] Furthermore, the battery case according to one embodiment may include a pack fixing member having one end coupled to the base plate member and the other end provided in a bent form, for supporting an upper surface of the battery pack attached to the base plate member.

[0012] Here, the pack fixing member of the battery case according to an embodiment may be provided in a continuous form in a width direction of the base plate member.

[0013] Further, the battery case according to an embodiment may include a holding member coupled to an upper portion of the pack fixing member.

[0014] Here, the holding member of the battery case according to an embodiment may have recesses formed therein that are sandwiched in gaps between the plurality of adjacent pack fixing members.

[0015] Also, the recess of the battery case according to an embodiment may be provided in the form of a leaf spring that expands outward due to elasticity.

[0016] Also, the holding member of the battery case according to an embodiment may be provided in a form in which the recess is filled with a shock-absorbing material.

[0017] An automobile according to an embodiment may include the above-mentioned battery case in which a plurality of battery packs are mounted, an engine connected to the battery packs to provide driving force, and a body frame in which the engine is mounted and to which the battery case is coupled. Effect of the Invention

[0018] The battery case and the vehicle including the same of the present invention have the advantages of being able to effectively absorb external impacts and support the shape of the battery pack.

[0019] This prevents the battery pack from deforming and exploding, or from exploding due to a direct external impact on the battery pack.

[0020] In another aspect, the battery case and the vehicle including the same of the present invention have an advantage that the battery pack can be stably fixed.

[0021] However, the various yet significant advantages and effects of the present invention are not limited to the above, and can be more easily understood in the course of describing specific embodiments of the present invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a battery case according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment in which wrinkle guide grooves are formed in an absorbing member of a battery case. FIG. [Diagram 3] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an absorbing member of a battery case is formed by roll forming. FIG. [Figure 4] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment in which a support pipe is provided on a support member of a battery case. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which the battery case includes a pack fixing member. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which the battery case includes a pack fixing member. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which the battery case includes a pack fixing member. [Figure 8] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment in which a battery case includes a holding member. [Figure 9] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment in which a holding member of a battery case includes a cushioning material. FIG. [Figure 10] 1 is a configuration diagram showing a battery case and a vehicle including the same according to an embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Electric vehicles equipped with battery packs are prepared for collision accidents by using body collision reinforcement materials and reinforcement materials for the battery pack itself.

[0024] It is important for the battery case to have crashworthiness to protect the battery pack inside, and it is also important to reinforce the rigidity against various vibrations induced by the road surface while the vehicle is in operation.

[0025] Here, an upper cover member and a lower base member which are responsible for the outer surface of the battery case are mainly manufactured by press molding, and in order to reinforce such a battery case, a number of reinforcing materials may be added to the inside and outside of the battery case to configure it to meet performance requirements.

[0026] The reinforcing material must fulfill two roles: absorb external impacts and protect the battery pack from exploding by maintaining its shape.

[0027] However, while conventional reinforcing materials can maintain the shape of a battery pack by reinforcing the rigidity, they have a problem in that they cannot effectively absorb external impacts due to deformation.

[0028] Furthermore, in the conventional battery case, a pack fixing member that fixes the upper part of the battery pack is easily broken, making it difficult to stably fix the battery pack.

[0029] Here, the present applicant proposes a battery case and a vehicle including the same that can solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0030] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments may be modified into several other forms, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those having average knowledge in the art. Therefore, the shapes and sizes of elements in the drawings may be enlarged or reduced (or highlighted or simplified) for a clearer description.

[0031] Furthermore, the singular expressions in this specification include the plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, and the same reference numbers or reference numbers given in a similar manner throughout the specification refer to the same components or corresponding components.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, a battery case 1 according to an embodiment may include a base plate member 10, a support member 20, and an absorbing member 30.

[0033] According to an embodiment, the support member 20 may be coupled to a corner portion of the base plate member 10 .

[0034] According to one embodiment, the support member 20 may be formed with a closed cross section.

[0035] According to an embodiment, the absorbing member 30 may form a closed cross section in cooperation with an outer surface of the supporting member 20. Specifically, the absorbing member 30 may have an open structure at one surface in contact with the supporting member 20, but when combined with the supporting member 20, the internal space of the absorbing member may form a closed cross section.

[0036] As described above, the battery case 1 according to the embodiment includes the supporting member 20 to reinforce the rigidity, and also includes the absorbing member 30 to convert the external impact into deformation energy and effectively absorb it.

[0037] In other words, the support member 20 serves as a rigidity reinforcement that enables the base plate member 10 to maintain its shape against external impact, and the absorption member 30 can be configured to compressively deform in response to external impact and absorb the external impact.

[0038] This alleviates the problem of external impact on the battery pack 2 mounted on the base plate member 10, and further alleviates the problem of the battery pack 2 being damaged or exploded due to the external impact.

[0039] The base plate member 10 is a portion in which the battery pack 2 is mounted and accommodated. In addition, the support members 20 are provided at corners of the base plate member 10, so that the base plate member 10 can maintain its shape against external impact. This makes it possible to prevent the battery pack 2 mounted on the base plate member 10 from being deformed or damaged due to external impact, resulting in an explosion.

[0040] The support member 20 according to the embodiment can play a role in reinforcing the rigidity of the base plate member 10 by forming a closed cross-sectional shape that reinforces the rigidity against an external impact.

[0041] According to an embodiment, the support member 20 may further include a support pipe 21 inside the closed cross section in order to further enhance rigidity, which will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

[0042] According to an embodiment, the absorbing member 30 can absorb an external shock by changing its shape in response to the external shock. To this end, the absorbing member 30 is coupled to the outer surface of the supporting member 20, and thus can be formed in the shape of a closed cross section.

[0043] According to an embodiment, the absorbing member 30 is disposed outside the supporting member 20, so that the external impact is transmitted to the absorbing member 30 before the supporting member 20, and thus the external impact can be absorbed while being deformed first. This can improve the problem of the external impact being transmitted to the battery pack 2 mounted on the base plate member 10.

[0044] According to an embodiment, the absorbing member 30 may be formed with wrinkle induction grooves 32a in order to enhance the effect of absorbing an external shock by deformation of the shape due to the external shock, which will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

[0045] According to an embodiment, the absorbing member 30 may be formed by roll forming and integrally with the supporting member 20. A detailed description thereof will be given later with reference to FIG.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 2, the absorbing member 30 of the battery case 1 according to one embodiment may include a facing plate portion 31 arranged at a certain distance from the support member 20, and a spacing plate portion 32 provided between the support member 20 and the facing plate portion 31.

[0047] The absorbing member 30 according to an embodiment may include a wrinkle guide groove 32a formed in at least a part of the spacer portion 32. As a result, the absorbing member 30 according to an embodiment may be able to enhance the effect of absorbing an external impact by deforming its shape due to the external impact.

[0048] According to an embodiment, the wrinkle induction groove 32a forms a point where stress is concentrated when an external impact is applied, and thus, the wrinkle induction groove 32a can be induced to deform as compared to other portions. Therefore, when the absorbing member 30 receives an external impact, the wrinkle induction groove 32a can deform to absorb the external impact energy.

[0049] The facing plate portion 31 according to one embodiment is a portion facing the support member 20 and is disposed on the outer surface of the support member 20. The facing plate portion 31 cooperates with the spacing plate portion 32 and the outer surface of the support member 20 to form a closed cross section.

[0050] The spacing plate portion 32 according to one embodiment is provided between the facing plate portion 31 and the support member 20. Specifically, the spacing plate portion 32 is a portion extending from both ends of the facing plate portion 31 to the support member 20.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the spacer portion 32 is formed with the wrinkle induction grooves 32a, so that stress is concentrated in response to an external impact, and deformation is induced. As a result, the external impact force is dissipated into the deformation energy of the spacer portion 32.

[0052] Therefore, the battery case 1 according to the embodiment can prevent the problem of explosion caused by a direct external impact being applied to the battery pack 2.

[0053] The battery case 1 according to the embodiment includes an absorbing member 30 that absorbs external impact while being deformed, thereby reducing the external impact transmitted to the battery pack 2.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the crease induction groove 32a may be formed in a continuous bent shape along the width direction of the spacing plate portion 32. For example, the crease induction groove 32a may be formed in a bellows shape.

[0055] The wrinkle induction grooves 32a are in the form of bellows with continuous bending, so that stress can be concentrated at a plurality of points, and thus the absorbing member 30 can be deformed while absorbing an external shock more effectively.

[0056] 3, the absorbing member 30 of the battery case 1 according to an embodiment may be formed by roll forming so as to be integral with the supporting member 20. A square closed cross section is formed at both ends of a plate material B. Then, the plate material B is bent at a right angle at a center part C of the plate material B so that the vertices of the square closed cross sections on both sides are abutted. When a contact point P of the vertex is formed, the contact point P is welded and fixed, so that the absorbing member 30 and the supporting member 20 may be integrally formed.

[0057] More specifically, a plate material B is first prepared, and both ends of the plate material B are roll-formed into a square closed cross section. As an example of this, see FIG. 3(a).

[0058] Then, for example, the center part C, which is the central part corresponding to twice the length of one side of the square closed cross section, can be folded vertically. In this way, one vertex of the square closed cross section formed at both ends of the plate material B abuts against each other. The joint P where the vertices abut is welded. See FIG. 3(b) for an example of this.

[0059] This forms the support member 20 which is integral with the absorbing member 30 .

[0060] In this way, by forming the absorbing member 30 integrally with the supporting member 20, the bond between the absorbing member 30 and the supporting member 20 becomes stronger, and durability can be improved. In addition, the roll forming method has the advantage that it is possible to use a lightweight yet high-strength material since molding is possible without any restrictions on the strength of the material.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 4, the support member 20 of the battery case 1 according to an embodiment may further include a support pipe 21 inside the battery case 10 forming a closed cross section in order to further reinforce the rigidity.

[0062] A tubular support pipe 21 is provided inside the support member 20 along the length of the support member, thereby further enhancing the effect of reinforcing the rigidity of the support member 20. The support pipe 21 may be attached to the inside of the support member 20 by welding or by using an adhesive.

[0063] 5 to 7 are perspective views showing an embodiment in which the battery case 1 includes the pack fixing member 40. Here, Fig. 5 shows the battery case 1 including the pack fixing member 40 but in a state in which the battery pack 2 is not attached, Fig. 6 shows Fig. 5 exploded into individual components, and Fig. 7 shows the battery case 1 including the pack fixing member 40 but in a state in which the battery pack 2 is attached.

[0064] Referring to the above drawings, the battery case 1 according to one embodiment may include a pack fixing member 40 having one end (e.g., a lower portion) coupled to the base plate member 10 and the other end (e.g., an upper portion) provided in a folded form, and supporting the upper surface of the battery pack 2 attached to the base plate member 10.

[0065] In this manner, the pack fixing member 40 is configured to support the upper surface of the battery pack 2 attached to the base plate member 10, and thus can stably support the battery pack 2.

[0066] For this, the pack fixing member 40 may be formed with a cross section having a substantially “￢” shape, for example. A lower end of the pack fixing member 40 may be coupled to the base plate member 10, and the other end of the bent shape may contact the upper surface of the battery pack 2.

[0067] Here, the pack fixing member 40 of the battery case 1 according to an embodiment may be provided in a continuous form in the width direction of the base plate member 10.

[0068] In this way, the shape of the pack fixing member 40 makes it possible to reinforce the rigidity with which the base plate member 10 is supported in the width direction.

[0069] Specifically, the pack fixing member 40 is formed with a length corresponding to the width of the base plate member 10, and is continuously arranged in the width direction of the base plate member 10, so that the pack fixing member 40 can play a role in supporting an external impact applied to the side of the base plate member 10. Furthermore, the cross section of the pack fixing member 40 is bent into a substantially "￢" shape, which can further enhance the effect of reinforcing rigidity.

[0070] This makes it possible to reduce the size of the lateral reinforcing member 60 that may be separately provided to reinforce the rigidity of the base plate member 10, or to eliminate the configuration of the lateral reinforcing member 60. This makes it possible to secure the arrangement space for the battery pack 2, to form a high energy density, and to reduce the weight of an automobile or the like in which the battery case 1 is provided.

[0071] The base plate member 10 may be provided with a cooling plate member 70 for cooling the battery pack 2. The cooling plate member 70 may be formed with a cooling channel through which a cooling fluid flows.

[0072] In addition, a cover member may be provided on the upper surface of the battery pack 2 mounted on the base plate member 10.

[0073] In one embodiment of the battery case 1, the cover member may include a dome portion that is arranged facing the base plate member 10 and covers the upper surface of the battery pack 2 attached to the base plate member 10, and a flange portion that is bent into a cornered shape at the corner of the dome portion and fastened to the support member 20.

[0074] The base plate member 10 may be provided with vertical reinforcing members for supporting the base plate member 10 in the length direction, in addition to the horizontal reinforcing members 60 for supporting the base plate member 10 in the width direction.

[0075] For example, the vertical reinforcing member may be provided in a continuous form along the length of the base plate member 10. The vertical reinforcing member may have a through groove formed at a portion where it intersects with the pack fixing member 40.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 8, a battery case 1 according to an embodiment may include holding members 50 coupled to upper portions of a plurality of adjacent pack fixing members 40 while supporting the battery packs 2, respectively.

[0077] The holding member 50 enables the pack fixing member 40 to more stably support the battery pack 2. The holding member 50 is coupled to the upper portions of the pack fixing members 40 adjacent to each other, thereby enabling more stable support between the adjacent pack fixing members 40.

[0078] Here, the holding member 50 may be simply plate-shaped, or a recess 51 may be formed in the holding member 50. By fitting such a recess 51 into the gap between adjacent pack fixing members 40, the pack fixing members 40 on both sides can be stably joined.

[0079] The recess 51 may be configured to be recessed downward, and the width of the recess 51 may be formed to correspond to the gap between the pack fixing members 40 adjacent to each other.

[0080] As a result, even when the pack fixing members 40 on both sides are subjected to a force pressing outward by the battery pack 2, the pack fixing members 40 are supported by the recesses 51 so as not to be pressed outward.

[0081] Also, the recess 51 of the battery case 1 according to an embodiment may be provided in the form of a leaf spring that expands outward due to elasticity.

[0082] As a result, the holding member 50 elastically supports the pack fixing member 40, so that the holding member 50 can stably support the pack fixing member 40 while flexibly responding to external shocks or external vibrations.

[0083] In other words, the recesses 51 apply an outwardly expanding elastic force to the pack fixing members 40 on both sides. Therefore, when the force that the pack fixing members 40 receive while being pressed outward is greater than the expansion elastic force, the recesses 51 support the pack fixing members 40 while being partially contracted. On the other hand, when the force that the pack fixing members 40 receive while being pressed outward becomes smaller than the expansion elastic force, the expansion elastic force of the recesses 51 causes the pack fixing members 40 to maintain their original position.

[0084] Therefore, the holding member 50 can flexibly support the puck fixing member 40 in response to the applied force.

[0085] The leaf spring shape of the recess 51 may be a shape having an inwardly concave cross section, as shown in Fig. 8, or may be a bellows shape. Such a recess 51 may provide an expansion elastic force within an elastic deformation range. However, the leaf spring shape of the recess 51 is not limited thereto, and any other leaf spring shape may be adopted for the recess 51 as long as it can provide an expansion elastic force to the pack fixing member 40.

[0086] Referring to FIG. 9, the holding member 50 of the battery case 1 according to the embodiment may be provided in a form in which the recess 51 is filled with a buffer material 52.

[0087] When the holding member 50 supports the pack fixing members 40 on both sides, the provision of the buffer material 52 in the recesses 51 can more reliably prevent the pack fixing members 40 from spreading outward.

[0088] The buffer material 52 may be made of a shape-restoring sponge, foam metal, etc. The buffer material 52 may serve to push the pack fixing member 40 to its original position.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 10, a vehicle according to one embodiment may include a battery case 1 in which a plurality of battery packs 2 are mounted, an engine 4 connected to the battery packs 2 to provide driving force, and a body frame 3 to which the battery case 1 is coupled.

[0090] The automobile includes the above-mentioned battery case 1, and can effectively absorb external impacts and maintain the shape of the battery pack 2, thereby preventing the battery pack 2 from being damaged or exploding.

[0091] In another aspect, the automobile includes the above-described battery case 1, which can stably fix the battery pack 2 and stably support the pack fixing member 40 while flexibly responding to external shocks or external vibrations.

[0092] The vehicle body frame 3 forms the shape of an automobile, and an engine 4 for generating driving force is provided thereon.

[0093] The engine 4 is connected to the battery pack 2 mounted in the battery case 1, and can generate driving force by receiving electric energy from the battery pack 2. Conversely, the engine 4 can charge the battery pack 2.

[0094] This embodiment relates to a battery case 1 and a vehicle including the same, which can effectively absorb external impact and maintain the shape of the battery pack 2. This can prevent problems such as the battery pack 2 exploding while deforming or the battery pack 2 exploding due to a direct external impact being applied to the battery pack 2.

[0095] The battery case 1 according to an embodiment includes a support member 20, which can maintain the shape of the battery case 1 so that the battery pack 2 is not deformed or damaged by an external impact. In addition, the battery case 1 includes an absorbing member 30 that absorbs the external impact while being deformed, thereby reducing the external impact transmitted to the battery pack 2.

[0096] The battery case 1 according to the embodiment may stably fix the battery pack 2 by including the pack fixing member 40. Furthermore, the pack fixing member 40 may also play a role in reinforcing the rigidity of the battery case 1.

[0097] Furthermore, the battery case 1 according to the embodiment includes a holding member 50, so that the pack fixing member 40 can more stably support the battery pack 2. Furthermore, the holding member 50 elastically supports the pack fixing member 40, thereby enabling the pack fixing member 40 to stably support the pack fixing member 40 while flexibly responding to external impact or external vibration.

[0098] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and that various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the technical idea of ​​the present invention described in the claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0099] As described above, this embodiment is useful for, for example, an automobile equipped with a battery pack.

Claims

1. A base plate member; a support member that surrounds the base plate member, has a closed cross section, and supports the base plate member; an absorbing member that is coupled to an outer surface of the supporting member to form a closed cross section and absorbs external impact; Including, The absorbing member and the supporting member are integrally formed in the battery case.

2. The absorbent member is A facing plate portion disposed at a certain distance from the support member; a spacer portion disposed between the support member and the facing plate portion; The battery case of claim 1 .

3. The spacing plate portion includes a wrinkle induction groove in at least a portion thereof, The battery case according to claim 2 , wherein the wrinkle induction grooves are formed in the form of bellows.

4. The battery case of claim 1, wherein the battery case is formed by forming both ends of a plate material into a square closed cross section, bending a center portion of the plate material at a right angle to form a contact point where the vertices of the square closed cross sections on both sides meet, and welding the contact point.

5. The battery case according to claim 1 , wherein the support member has a support pipe provided inside thereof forming a closed cross section.

6. The battery case according to claim 1 , further comprising a pack fixing member having one end connected to the base plate member and the other end provided in a bent shape, the pack fixing member supporting an upper surface of the battery pack attached to the base plate member.

7. The battery case according to claim 6 , wherein the pack fixing member is provided in a continuous form in a width direction of the base plate member.

8. The battery case according to claim 6 , further comprising a holding member coupled to an upper portion of the pack fixing member.

9. The battery case according to claim 8 , wherein the holding member is formed with recesses that are sandwiched in gaps between the plurality of adjacent pack fixing members.

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