Battery pack

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present invention, the battery pack includes a case forming an internal space and having a top plate and a side plate, a plurality of battery cells positioned inside the case, and fasteners passing through the top plate and fitted into the side plate, and the side plate may include a drain hole exposing the fasteners to an outside.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0183754 filed on December 23, 2022 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0105865 filed on August 11, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in the specification and drawings. [Background technology]

[0003] In recent years, as the demand for portable electronic products such as notebook computers, video cameras, and mobile phones has increased dramatically and the commercialization of robots, electric vehicles, and the like has progressed in earnest, active research has been conducted into high-performance secondary batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged.

[0004] Currently, commercially available secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Of these, lithium secondary batteries are attracting attention due to the advantages that they can be freely charged and discharged since they hardly experience a memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, as well as their extremely low self-discharge rate and high energy density.

[0005] This type of lithium secondary battery mainly uses a lithium-based oxide and a carbon material as a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material, respectively, and includes an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate coated with such a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material are arranged with a separator sandwiched therebetween, and an exterior material, such as a battery case, that encloses the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

[0006] In general, lithium secondary batteries can be broadly classified into can-type secondary batteries, in which the electrode assembly is housed in a metal can, and pouch-type secondary batteries, in which the electrode assembly is housed in a pouch made of an aluminum laminate sheet, depending on the shape of the exterior material.

[0007] Depending on the environment in which the battery pack is installed, the battery pack may be exposed to the external environment. The battery pack exposed to the outside may be damaged by various foreign objects or moisture. For example, in the case of fastening members forming the exterior of the battery pack, there is a risk that the fastening force may be weakened due to oxidation or corrosion caused by moisture. Therefore, a structure is required that can prevent the fastening members from being damaged even if they are exposed to moisture. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The present invention is directed to solving the above-referenced and other problems.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack that includes a structure that allows the moisture to be easily expelled or evaporated even if exposed to moisture.

[0010] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a battery pack with improved sealing ability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a battery pack according to one aspect of the present invention includes a case forming an internal space and having a top plate and a side plate, a plurality of battery cells positioned inside the case, and fastening members penetrating the top plate and inserted into the side plate, and the side plate may have a drainage hole exposing the fastening members to the outside.

[0012] The drainage holes may also be formed on the outer surfaces of the side plates.

[0013] Furthermore, the drainage holes may be formed obliquely downward.

[0014] Furthermore, the battery pack may further include a gasket secured between the top plate and the side plate.

[0015] Furthermore, the fastening member may be located outside the gasket.

[0016] Furthermore, the side plate may include a vertical portion having a fastening hole into which the fastening member is inserted and a horizontal portion extending inwardly from the vertical portion, and the gasket may be positioned between the horizontal portion and the top plate.

[0017] Furthermore, the drainage hole may expose a lower end surface of the fastening member.

[0018] Furthermore, the drainage holes may expose a side surface of the fastening member.

[0019] In addition to these, the battery pack may further include a breathable filter covering the drain hole.

[0020] In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention includes a battery pack according to the present invention. Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to at least one of the aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery pack including a structure that can easily expel or evaporate moisture even if the battery pack is exposed to moisture.

[0022] According to at least one of the aspects of the present invention, a battery pack with improved sealing ability can be provided.

[0023] The drawings attached to this specification are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to facilitate a further understanding of the technical ideas of the present invention as well as the content of the invention, and therefore the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to only the matters depicted in the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing some components of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a top plate and a gasket according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a side view of part A in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 2 is a partially exploded view showing the configuration of a partial cross section of part A in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a diagram showing a part of the configuration of a partial cross section of part A in FIG. 1. [Figure 8] 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a modification of the configuration of a partial cross section of part A in FIG. 1. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 shows a modified embodiment of part A of FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram showing a part of a configuration of a partial cross section of a modified embodiment of part A in FIG. 9. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in this specification and claims are not to be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but are to be interpreted as being corresponding to the technical ideas of the present invention in accordance with the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term himself / herself in order to best describe the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiment described in this specification and the configuration shown in the drawings are merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical ideas of the present invention, and therefore there may be various equivalent and modified embodiments that can be substituted therefor at the time of this application.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing some components of the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] 1 and 2, a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a case 20, a plurality of battery cells 10, and a fastening member 800.

[0028] The case 20 may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The case 20 may form the exterior of the battery pack. The case 20 may be composed of multiple parts. The case 20 may include a top plate 100, a pair of side plates 200, a base plate, a front plate 300, and a rear plate 400. The case 20 may be formed by fastening, combining, or fixing multiple plates. The case 20 may form a space inside.

[0029] The top plate 100 may have a shape of a square plate. The side plate 200 may have a shape of a square plate. The side plates 200 may be configured in a pair. Each side plate 200 may extend downward from the top plate 100 in the -Z axis direction. The pair of side plates 200 may be arranged along the left-right direction or the Y axis direction.

[0030] A plurality of battery cells 10 may be located inside the case 20. The battery cell 10 may refer to a secondary battery. In this case, the battery cell 10 may have a square pouch shape. The plurality of battery cells 10 may be arranged or stacked along the vertical direction or the Z-axis direction.

[0031] The fastening member 800 may penetrate the top plate 100 and be fitted into the side plate 200. For example, the fastening member 800 may be a bolt and may be coupled to a thread formed in the side plate 200. The fastening member 800 may be provided in multiple numbers. The multiple fastening members 800 may fasten, connect, or fix the top plate 100 and the side plate 200. The fastening member 800 may be made of a metal material.

[0032] The side plate 200 may include a drainage hole 202. The drainage hole 202 may expose at least a portion of the fastening member 800 to the outside. The drainage hole 202 may be provided in multiple numbers.

[0033] When the battery pack is exposed to the outdoors or an external environment, the fastening member 800 may be exposed to moisture. If the moisture is not properly discharged or dried, the fastening member 800 may be oxidized or corroded. There is a concern that the corroded fastening member 800 may have a weaker fastening force. This may cause the top plate 100 and the side plate 200 to be disengaged from each other. Therefore, there is a concern that the internal components of the battery pack may be exposed to foreign matter or moisture, which may reduce the safety of the battery pack.

[0034] According to this configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, the fastening member 800 forming the case 20 of the battery pack can be at least partially exposed to the outside. As a result, even if moisture accumulates in the fastening member 800, the moisture can be easily discharged or evaporated to the outside. As a result, it is possible to prevent the fastening member 800 from being oxidized or corroded, and the binding force of the fastening member 800 can be maintained.

[0035] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a top plate 100 and a gasket 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a gasket 700. The gasket 700 may extend along the periphery of the top plate 100. The gasket 700 may have a square ring shape. The top plate 100 may have a seal groove 102 formed on an inner surface thereof, and the gasket 700 may be fitted or housed in the seal groove 102. The gasket 700 may be made of a highly flexible metal material. The gasket 700 may be positioned or fixed between the top plate 100 and the side plate 200. The gasket 700 may be compressed and deformed between the top plate 100 and the side plate 200.

[0036] According to such a configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, the gasket 700 can provide a seal between the top plate 100 and the side plate 200. This makes it possible for the battery pack to be waterproof and dustproof.

[0037] Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of part A in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a side view of part A in Fig. 1. Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, a drainage hole 202 of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention may be formed on an outer surface of a side plate 200. The drainage hole 202 may communicate with fastening holes 103, 201 into which a fastening member 800 is inserted.

[0038] According to this configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, moisture accumulated in the fastening member 800 can be discharged or evaporated to the outside through the drainage holes 202 .

[0039] Fig. 6 is an exploded view of a portion of a partial cross-sectional configuration of part A in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a view showing a portion of a partial cross-sectional configuration of part A in Fig. 1. Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, a fastening member 800 of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a head 810 and a body 820. The head 810 may be positioned in the groove 101. The body 820 may extend downward or in the -Z axis direction from the head 810. The body 820 may include a screw thread formed along the longitudinal direction.

[0040] 6 and 7, the drainage hole 202 of the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention may expose a bottom surface 822 or a lower end surface 822 of the fastening member 800. A gap or space may be formed between the lower end surface 822 of the fastening member 800 and the side plate 200.

[0041] According to this configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, moisture accumulated on the lower end surface 822 of the fastening member 800 can be discharged to the outside or evaporated through the drainage holes 202 .

[0042] 6 and 7, the drainage hole 202 of the battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention may expose at least a portion of the side surface 821 of the fastening member 800.

[0043] According to this configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, moisture accumulated on the side surface 821 of the fastening member 800 can be discharged to the outside or evaporated through the drainage holes 202 .

[0044] 6 and 7, the fastening member 800 of the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention may be located outside the gasket 700. The gasket 700 may be compressed and deformed by the fastening force of the fastening member 800. The fastening member 800 may provide a fastening force for fastening the top plate 100 and the side plate 200, but may have difficulty in blocking the penetration of moisture or foreign matter.

[0045] According to such a configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, the gasket 700 is positioned inside the fastening member 800, thereby preventing or blocking the penetration of moisture or foreign matter into the inside of the battery pack.

[0046] 6 and 7, the side plate 200 of the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a vertical portion 204 having a fastening hole 201 into which a fastening member 800 is inserted, and a first horizontal portion 203 extending inwardly from the vertical portion 204. The gasket 700 may be located between the horizontal portion and the top plate 100.

[0047] The fastening hole 201 may be formed in the up-down direction or the Z-axis direction. The vertical portion 204 may include a thread formed along the periphery of the fastening hole 201. The fastening member 800 may be fastened to the thread of the vertical portion 204. The drainage hole 202 may be in communication with the fastening hole 201. The drainage hole 202 may extend horizontally from the fastening hole 201.

[0048] The first horizontal portion 203 may extend inward or in the -Y-axis direction from an upper end or upper side of the vertical portion 204. The first horizontal portion 203 may support a lower surface or an inner surface of the top plate 100. The first horizontal portion 203 may include a seal groove 102. The top plate 100 may have a seal groove 102 formed on an inner surface thereof, and the gasket 700 may be fitted or housed in the seal groove 102. The gasket 700 may be made of a highly flexible metal material. The gasket 700 may be positioned or fixed between the top plate 100 and the first horizontal portion 203 of the side plate 200. The gasket 700 may be compressed and deformed between the top plate 100 and the first horizontal portion 203 of the side plate 200.

[0049] The first horizontal portion 205 may form the drainage hole 202. The first horizontal portion 205 may extend horizontally from the bottom end of the vertical portion 204 or the bottom end of the fastening hole 201.

[0050] According to this configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, the side plate 200 includes the first horizontal portion 203, thereby improving the connection with the top plate 100 and improving the waterproof and dustproof performance of the battery pack.

[0051] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a modified embodiment of the partial cross-sectional configuration of part A in Fig. 1. Referring to Fig. 8, the drain hole 202 of the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention may be formed obliquely downward.

[0052] The inclined portion 206 may form the drainage hole 202. The inclined portion 206 may extend diagonally downward from the bottom end of the vertical portion 204 or the bottom end of the fastening hole 201.

[0053] According to this configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, moisture or foreign matter accumulated in the drain hole 202 can be easily discharged along the inclined portion 206 to the outside of the battery pack.

[0054] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a modified embodiment of part A in Fig. 1. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a partial cross-sectional configuration of a modified embodiment of part A in Fig. 9. Referring to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a filter 600 that covers the drain hole 202 and has breathability.

[0055] The filter 600 may be attached or fastened to the side plate 200 so as to cover the drain hole 202. The filter 600 may allow moisture accumulated in the drain hole 202 to pass through. In contrast, the filter 600 may prevent external foreign matter from penetrating into the drain hole 202.

[0056] According to this configuration of one embodiment of the present invention, moisture accumulated in the drain hole 202 can be easily discharged, while preventing or blocking the penetration of foreign matter into the drain hole 202.

[0057] An automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the battery pack according to the embodiment of the present invention described above. The battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention may be applicable to automobiles such as electric automobiles and hybrid automobiles. Furthermore, the automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include various other components included in an automobile in addition to the battery pack. For example, the automobile according to the present invention may further include a vehicle body, a motor, a control device such as an electronic control unit (ECU), etc. in addition to the battery pack according to the present invention.

[0058] Meanwhile, in this specification, directional terms such as up, down, left, right, front, and back are used, but these terms are used merely for ease of explanation, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art of the present invention that they may vary depending on the position of the object in question, the position of the observer, etc.

[0059] As described above, the present invention has been described using limited embodiments and drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these in any way, and it goes without saying that various modifications and variations can be made by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs within the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 10 Battery Cells 20 cases 100 Top Plate 200 Side Plate 202 Drainage hole 800 Fastening member

Claims

1. a case that defines an internal space and includes a top plate and a side plate; a plurality of battery cells disposed within the case; A fastening member that penetrates the top plate and is fitted into the side plate; Including, The side plate has a drainage hole through which the fastening member is exposed to the outside.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the drain hole is formed in an outer surface of the side plate.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2 , wherein the drain hole is formed obliquely downward.

4. 10. The battery pack of claim 1, further comprising a gasket secured between the top plate and the side plate.

5. The battery pack according to claim 4 , wherein the fastening member is located outside the gasket.

6. The side plate is a vertical portion having a fastening hole into which the fastening member is inserted; a horizontal portion extending inwardly from the vertical portion; Including, The battery pack according to claim 4 , wherein the gasket is located between the horizontal portion and the top plate.

7. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the drainage hole exposes a lower end surface of the fastening member.

8. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the drainage hole exposes a side surface of the fastening member.

9. The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising a breathable filter covering the drain hole.

10. A motor vehicle comprising a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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