Energy Storage Device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an energy storage device including: a modular case having a plurality of storage spaces; a plurality of bare cells accommodated in each of the storage spaces; a cover coupled to the modular case; and a coupling part coupling the modular case and the cover, wherein the modular case is in direct contact with the bare cells accommodated in the storage spaces to support the bare cells, and the cover is coupled to the modular case to cover the storage spaces; an outer wall member protruding in a first direction toward the module case from a cover-facing surface of the cover body facing the module case; and an inner wall member protruding in the first direction from the cover-facing surface and disposed spaced apart from the outer wall member, and the coupling part is disposed between the outer wall member and the inner wall member to couple the modular case and the cover.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an energy storage device for storing energy, such as electrical energy. [Background technology]

[0002] Batteries and capacitors are typical energy storage devices that store electrical energy. Among these capacitors, ultra-capacitors (UC) have high efficiency, a semi-permanent lifespan, and quick charge / discharge characteristics, and are therefore forming a market as an energy storage device that can compensate for the short cycle and instantaneous high voltage issues that are the weaknesses of secondary batteries.

[0003] Due to these advantages, ultracapacitors are widely used not only as auxiliary power sources for mobile devices such as mobile phones, tablet PCs, and laptops, but also as main or auxiliary power sources for electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, solar power supplies, road signs, and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), which require high capacity.

[0004] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional plan view of an energy storage device according to the prior art.

[0005] Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional energy storage device 100 includes a plurality of bare cells 110, a plurality of cell cases 120 for housing the bare cells 110, and a module case 130 for housing the cell cases 120.

[0006] The bare cells 110 may be housed in the cell cases 120, respectively. The cell cases 120 housing the bare cells 110 may be housed in the module case 130. Accordingly, the energy storage device 100 according to the prior art may be modularized in a state where the bare cells 110 are housed in the cell cases 120.

[0007] Here, the energy density can be increased by increasing the number of bare cells 110 housed in the module case 130, but in the energy storage device 100 according to the conventional technology, the volume occupied by the cell case 120 inside the module case 130 acts as dead space, making it difficult to increase the energy density. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an energy storage device that can prevent a decrease in energy density due to a cell case in which a bare cell is housed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention can include the following configuration.

[0010] The energy storage device according to the present invention may include a module case having a plurality of receiving spaces formed therein, a plurality of bare cells received in the respective receiving spaces, a cover coupled to the module case, and a coupling part coupling the module case and the cover. The module case may be in direct contact with the bare cells received in the receiving spaces to support the bare cells.

[0011] In the energy storage device of the present invention, the cover may include a cover main body coupled to the module case to cover the storage space; an outer wall member protruding in a first direction toward the module case from a cover facing surface of the cover main body facing the module case; and an inner wall member protruding in the first direction from the cover facing surface and positioned at a distance from the outer wall member.

[0012] In the energy storage device according to the present invention, the coupling portion may include a first coupling member disposed between the outer wall member and the inner wall member to couple the module case and the cover. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, the following effects can be achieved.

[0014] The present invention can be embodied so that bare cells are directly supported in a module case without a cell case. Accordingly, the volume of the module case that would have been occupied by the cell case can be used as space to accommodate the bare cells. Therefore, the present invention can increase the energy density by increasing the volume of the bare cells.

[0015] The present invention is embodied to limit the distance that the first connecting member can move using the inner wall member and the outer wall member. Accordingly, the first connecting member can firmly maintain the state in which the cover and the module case are connected. Therefore, the present invention can improve pressure resistance and explosion-proof performance by increasing the pressure-resistant strength through the increased connecting force of the first connecting member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional plan view of an energy storage device according to the prior art. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic perspective view of an energy storage device according to the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of an energy storage device according to the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a bare cell in an energy storage device according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 3 is a schematic exploded cross-sectional view of the energy storage device according to the present invention taken along line II' in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic bottom perspective view of a cover of the energy storage device according to the present invention. [Figure 7] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the energy storage device according to the present invention taken along line II' of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a module case in the energy storage device according to the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic bottom view of the cover of the energy storage device according to the present invention. [Figure 10] 3 is a schematic exploded cross-sectional view showing, on an enlarged scale, the positional relationship between the outer wall member, the inner wall member, and the connecting portion, taken along line II' in FIG. 2.

[0023] FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an enlarged view of the arrangement relationship between an outer wall member, an inner wall member, and a connecting portion based on a bottom view of a cover in an energy storage device according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 12] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an enlarged view of the arrangement relationship between an outer wall member, an inner wall member, and a connecting portion based on a bottom view of a cover in an energy storage device according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 13] 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the cover of the energy storage device according to the present invention, taken along line II' in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 14] 1 is a schematic plan view of an energy storage device according to the present invention; [Figure 15] 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an energy storage device according to the present invention, in which an internal terminal and a first external terminal are connected to one side of a bare cell, and an internal terminal and a bus bar are connected to the other side of the bare cell, taken along line II-II' in FIG. [Figure 16] 2 is an exploded perspective view of a bare cell, an internal terminal, an external terminal, and a bus bar in the energy storage device according to the present invention; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the energy storage device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In Figures 11, 12, and 14 to 16, two parallel dashed lines are omission lines. Figures 11 and 12 conceptually show the arrangement of the coupling portion when the cover and the module case are coupled together, based on the bottom view of the cover.

[0018] The energy storage device 1 according to the present invention may be implemented by modularizing a plurality of ultra-capacitors (UCs). The energy storage device 1 according to the present invention may include a bare cell 2, a module case 3, and a cover 4.

[0019] 2 to 4, the bare cell 2 is housed in the module case 3. The bare cell 2 is called an electrode element and may refer to an ultracapacitor without a cell case (120, shown in FIG. 1) attached thereto. The bare cell 2 may be housed in the module case 3 without the cell case (120, shown in FIG. 1). Accordingly, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can utilize the volume occupied by the cell case (120, shown in FIG. 1) inside the module case 3 as a space for housing the bare cell 2, thereby further increasing the energy density through the increase in the volume of the bare cell 2.

[0020] The bare cell 2 may be formed by winding a first electrode 21, a second electrode 22 having the opposite polarity to the first electrode 21, and a separator 23 disposed between the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 to electrically separate the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22. In one embodiment, if the first electrode 21 is a positive electrode (+), the second electrode 22 is a negative electrode (-). Conversely, if the first electrode 21 is a negative electrode (-), the second electrode 22 is a positive electrode (+). The bare cell 2 may be wound in the order of the separator 23, the first electrode 21, the separator 23, and the second electrode 22. The bare cell 2 may be wound in the order of the separator 23, the second electrode 22, the separator 23, and the first electrode 21.

[0021] The first electrode 21 may include a first active material layer 211 formed using activated carbon on a metal current collector (not shown), and a first electrode lead 212 connected to one side of the first active material layer 211. In this case, the first electrode lead 212 is formed from a region of the current collector where the first active material layer 211 is not formed.

[0022] The second electrode 22 may include a second active material layer 221 formed using activated carbon on a metal current collector (not shown), and a second electrode lead 222 connected to one side of the second active material layer 221. In this case, the second electrode lead 222 is formed from a region of the current collector where the second active material layer 221 is not formed.

[0023] In the above-described embodiment, the current collectors constituting the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 may be formed using metal foil. The current collectors serve as paths for the transfer of charges emitted or supplied from the first active material layer 211 and the second active material layer 221. The first active material layer 211 and the second active material layer 221 may be formed by coating both sides of the current collectors. The first active material layer 211 and the second active material layer 221 are portions where electrical energy is stored.

[0024] In one embodiment, the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 may be wound such that the first electrode lead 212 is located on the upper side of the bare cell 2 and the second electrode lead 222 is located on the lower side of the bare cell 2.

[0025] Meanwhile, the bare cell 2 may be impregnated with an electrolyte for charging electrical energy. In this case, the process of impregnating the bare cell 2 with the electrolyte may be performed by immersing the bare cell 2 in a container filled with the electrolyte for a certain period of time. The process of impregnating the bare cell 2 with the electrolyte may be performed while the bare cell 2 is housed in the module case 3.

[0026] 2 to 5, the module case 3 is for accommodating the bare cell 2. The module case 3 may have an accommodating space 31 formed therein. The bare cell 2 may be accommodated in the module case 3 by being accommodated in the accommodating space 31. The accommodating space 31 may be embodied as a groove formed at a certain depth from the top surface of the module case 3. The module case 3 may be in direct contact with the bare cell 2 accommodated in the accommodating space 31 to support the bare cell 2. That is, the bare cell 2 may be directly supported by the module case 3 without the cell case (120, shown in FIG. 1). Accordingly, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention is embodied such that the volume of the cell case (120, shown in FIG. 1) in the accommodating space 31 can be used as at least one of a space for accommodating the bare cell 2 and an empty space. Therefore, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention is embodied such that at least one of an increase in the volume of the empty space in the accommodating space 31 and an increase in energy density can be achieved by increasing the volume of the bare cell 2.

[0027] A plurality of the accommodating spaces 31 may be formed in the module case 3. The accommodating spaces 31 may be spaced apart from one another along the first axis direction (X-axis direction). The bare cells 2 may be accommodated in the accommodating spaces 31, and thereby spaced apart from one another along the first axis direction (X-axis direction). In this case, the module case 3 may be in direct contact with the bare cells 2 accommodated in the accommodating spaces 31 to support the bare cells 2. Although FIG. 3 illustrates three accommodating spaces 31 formed in the module case 3, the present invention is not limited thereto, and two or four or more accommodating spaces 31 may be formed in the module case 3.

[0028] The module case 3 may include a module body 30 in which the receiving space 31 is formed. The module body 30 forms the overall appearance of the module case 3. The module body 30 may include a bottom member 32, side wall members 33, and partition members 34.

[0029] The bottom member 32 is disposed under the receiving space 31. The bottom member 32 may have a supporting force for supporting the bare cell 2 received in the receiving space 31. The bottom member 32 is generally formed in a rectangular plate shape and may be disposed horizontally.

[0030] The side wall member 33 protrudes upward from the outer surface of the bottom member 32. The module case 3 may include a plurality of the side wall members 33. The side wall members 33 may protrude upward from different sides of the bottom member 32. In this case, the accommodating space 31 may be disposed inside the side wall members 33. The side wall members 33 may be generally formed in a rectangular plate shape and may be disposed upright in the vertical direction.

[0031] The partition member 34 serves to divide the accommodating space 31. The partition member 34 may protrude upward from the bottom member 32 between the side wall members 33. Accordingly, the partition member 34 may be disposed between the accommodating spaces 31. In this case, the partition member 34 may be disposed between the accommodating spaces 31 based on the first axis direction (X-axis direction). The module case 3 may include at least one partition member 34. When the number of the accommodating spaces 31 is N (N is an integer greater than 1), the module case 3 may include (N-1) partition members 34. When a plurality of partition members 34 are provided, the partition members 34 may be disposed spaced apart from each other along the first axis direction (X-axis direction). The partition member 34 may be generally formed in a rectangular plate shape and disposed upright in the vertical direction.

[0032] The partition member 34, the side wall member 33, and the bottom member 32 may be integrally formed. In this case, the partition member 34, the side wall member 33, and the bottom member 32 may be integrally formed through injection molding.

[0033] 2 to 7, the cover 4 is intended to be coupled to the module case 3. The cover 4 is coupled to the module case 3 and can cover the accommodating spaces 31. Accordingly, the accommodating spaces 31 can be spatially separated from each other.

[0034] The cover 4 and the module case 3 may be formed of a material that does not react with the electrolyte impregnated in the bare cell 2, such as a material with low conductivity. This is to prevent defects such as a short circuit from occurring when the electrolyte leaks from the bare cell 2, since the bare cell 2 is accommodated in the accommodation space 31 without the cell case (120, shown in FIG. 1). For example, the cover 4 and the module case 3 may be formed of a plastic material. Accordingly, the cover 4 and the module case 3 may prevent defects such as a short circuit from occurring even when the electrolyte leaks from the bare cell 2. The cover 4 and the module case 3 may be formed of a plastic material and be coupled to each other.

[0035] The cover 4 and the module case 3 may be formed of the same material. The cover 4 and the module case 3 may be formed using polyamide. The cover 4 and the module case 3 may be formed using at least one of DuPont's ZYTEL, MINLON, DELRIN, CRASTIN, RYNITE, ETPV, and SORONA.

[0036] The cover 4 may include a cover body 41 .

[0037] The cover main body 41 covers the receiving space 31. When the cover 4 and the module case 3 are coupled together, the cover main body 41 is disposed on the upper side of the module case 3 to cover the receiving space 31. The cover main body 41 may be coupled to the module case 3 such that a cover facing surface 411 faces the module case 3. In this case, the cover facing surface 411 may be disposed to face a first direction (the direction of the arrow FD). The first direction (the direction of the arrow FD) is a direction from the cover 4 toward the module case 3. A cover outer surface 412 disposed on the opposite side of the cover facing surface 411 may be disposed to face a second direction (the direction of the arrow SD). The second direction (the direction of the arrow SD) and the first direction (the direction of the arrow FD) may be parallel to the vertical direction but opposite to each other. In this case, the cover facing surface 411 may correspond to the bottom surface of the cover main body 41, and the cover outer surface 412 may correspond to the top surface of the cover main body 41. The cover main body 41 may be generally formed in a rectangular plate shape and disposed horizontally in the horizontal direction.

[0038] The cover 4 may include a plurality of spacing members 42 .

[0039] The spacing member 42 protrudes from the cover body 41. The spacing member 42 may protrude from the cover facing surface 411 toward the first direction (the direction of the arrow FD). When the cover 4 and the module case 3 are combined, the spacing member 42 may be inserted into the accommodating space 31. Accordingly, the spacing member 42 may support the bare cell 2 accommodated in the accommodating space 31 so that the bare cell 2 is spaced apart from the cover body 41. Therefore, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention may secure additional space between the bare cell 2 and the cover body 41 by using the spacing member 42. Accordingly, even if electrolyte leaks from the bare cell 2 when gravity acts on the cover 4, such as when the cover 4 is turned upside down so that it is positioned below the module case 3, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention may contain the leaked electrolyte by utilizing the space between the bare cell 2 and the cover body 41. Therefore, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can improve product reliability and safety by reducing the risk of short circuits caused by electrolyte leaking from the bare cell 2. The separator 42 and the cover body 41 may be integrally formed.

[0040] The cover 4 may be embodied such that a plurality of spacing members 42 are inserted into each of the receiving spaces 31. The spacing members 42 inserted into each of the receiving spaces 31 may be spaced apart from one another along a second axis direction (Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the first axis direction (X-axis direction). Accordingly, the spacing members 42 in each of the receiving spaces 31 may support different portions of the bare cell 2. Therefore, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention may reduce shaking and vibrations occurring in the bare cell 2 by using the spacing members 42, thereby improving the stability of the bare cell 2.

[0041] The cover 4 may include a plurality of spaced grooves 43 .

[0042] The spacing groove 43 is formed in each of the spacing members 42. The spacing groove 43 may be formed on one surface of the spacing member 42 facing the first direction (the direction of the arrow FD). The spacing groove 43 may be embodied as a groove formed to a certain depth on one surface of the spacing member 42. When the cover 4 and the module case 3 are combined, a portion of the bare cell 2 may be inserted into the spacing groove 43. Due to the spacing groove 43, one surface of the spacing member 42 may be formed to have a curved surface corresponding to the periphery of the bare cell 2.

[0043] The cover 4 may include a plurality of connecting members 44 .

[0044] The connecting member 44 connects the spacing members 42. The connecting member 44 may protrude from the cover facing surface 411 toward the first direction (the direction of the arrow FD). The connecting member 44 may be coupled to both ends of the spacing members 42 inserted into the respective accommodating spaces 31, thereby connecting the spacing members 42 to each other. The spacing members 42 connected by the connecting member 44 may more firmly support the bare cell 2. In this case, both ends of the spacing members 42 are based on the first axis direction (X-axis direction). Accordingly, spacing members 42 spaced apart from each other in the second axis direction (Y-axis direction) may be disposed between the connecting members 44 arranged to face each other based on the first axis direction (X-axis direction). Each of the connecting members 44 may be disposed parallel to the second axis direction (Y-axis direction).

[0045] The connecting members 44 may be inserted into each of the accommodating spaces 31. With respect to the spacing members 42 and the connecting members 44 inserted into each of the accommodating spaces 31, the connecting members 44 may function as both side walls of the spacing member 42 based on the first axis direction (X-axis direction). Accordingly, the connecting members 44 guide the coupling position between the cover 4 and the module case 3, thereby improving the ease of coupling the cover 4 and the module case 3. Furthermore, the connecting members 44 are inserted into the accommodating spaces 31 and supported by the module case 3, thereby limiting the relative movement of the cover 4 with respect to the module case 3. Therefore, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can more stably support the bare cell 2 using the connecting members 44. The connecting members 44 and the spacing members 42 inserted into each of the accommodating spaces 31 may be integrally formed. The connecting members 44, the spacing members 42, and the cover main body 41 may be integrally formed.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 7, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention may include a coupling portion 5.

[0047] The coupling part 5 couples the module case 3 and the cover 4. The coupling force of the coupling part 5 couples the module case 3 and the cover 4 affects the pressure resistance of each of the receiving spaces 31. The stronger the coupling force of the coupling part 5, the greater the pressure resistance. The pressure resistance may refer to the strength of the module case 3 and the cover 4 to withstand the internal pressure of each of the receiving spaces 31 without damage or breakage.

[0048] The coupling portion 5 can couple the module case 3 and the cover 4 through welding using a laser. The coupling portion 5 can couple the module case 3 and the cover 4 by being melted by a laser irradiated from above the cover 4.

[0049] The coupling part 5 may be coupled to the module case 3 so as to protrude from the module-facing surface 30a of the module body 30 toward the second direction (the direction of the arrow SD). The module-facing surface 30a may be a surface of the module body 30 facing the cover-facing surface 411. The coupling part 5 and the module body 30 may be integrally formed.

[0050] Here, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can improve pressure resistance and explosion-proof performance by increasing the pressure resistance strength as the module case 3 and the cover 4 are more firmly coupled through the coupling part 5. To this end, the cover 4 and the coupling part 5 can be embodied as follows.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 11, the cover 4 may include an outer wall member 45 and an inner wall member 46 .

[0052] The outer wall member 45 protrudes in the first direction (the direction of the arrow FD) from the cover facing surface 411. When the cover 4 and the module case 3 are coupled together, the outer wall member 45 may be disposed outside the coupling portion 5. Accordingly, the outer wall member 45 may support the coupling portion 5 from outside the coupling portion 5. The outer wall member 45 and the cover main body 41 may be integrally formed.

[0053] The inner wall member 46 protrudes from the cover facing surface 411 toward the first direction (the direction of the arrow FD). The inner wall member 46 may be disposed apart from the outer wall member 45. When the cover 4 and the module case 3 are coupled together, the inner wall member 46 may be disposed inside the coupling portion 5. Accordingly, the inner wall member 46 may support the coupling portion 5 from inside the coupling portion 5. The inner wall member 46 and the cover main body 41 may be formed integrally.

[0054] When the inner wall member 46 and the outer wall member 45 are provided, the coupling unit 5 may include a first coupling member 51. The first coupling member 51 is disposed between the inner wall member 46 and the outer wall member 45 to couple the cover 4 to the module case 3. The first coupling member 51 may correspond to a part of the coupling unit 5. When the cover 4 and the module case 3 are coupled together, the first coupling member 51 may be supported by the inner wall member 46 and the outer wall member 45, respectively. Accordingly, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can limit the distance that the first coupling member 51 can move using the inner wall member 46 and the outer wall member 45, so that the first coupling member 51 can firmly maintain the state in which the cover 4 and the module case 3 are coupled together. Therefore, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can improve its pressure resistance and explosion-proof performance by increasing the coupling force provided by the first coupling member 51, thereby increasing the pressure resistance strength. Meanwhile, the inner wall member 46 may support the first connecting member 51 from inside the first connecting member 51. The outer wall member 45 may support the first connecting member 51 from outside the first connecting member 51.

[0055] The inner wall member 46 and the outer wall member 45 support the first bonding resin formed by melting the first connecting member 51, thereby limiting the distance the first bonding resin can flow. Accordingly, the first bonding resin hardens while its flow is restricted by the inner wall member 46 and the outer wall member 45, thereby more firmly bonding the cover 4 and the module case 3. Therefore, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can further improve pressure resistance and explosion-proof performance by further increasing the bonding strength of the first connecting member 51. Meanwhile, the first connecting member 51 can be melted by a laser while disposed between the inner wall member 46 and the outer wall member 45 to become the first bonding resin. Thereafter, the first bonding resin hardens between the inner wall member 46 and the outer wall member 45 to become the first bonding member 51 again, thereby firmly bonding the cover 4 and the module case 3 with the first connecting member 51. The first connecting member 51 can be formed to a size sufficient to fill the space between the inner wall member 46 and the outer wall member 45.

[0056] The inner wall member 46 may be disposed spaced inward from the outer wall member 45. When the cover 4 and the module case 3 are combined, the inner wall member 46 may be disposed at a position spaced a shorter distance from the accommodating space 31 than the outer wall member 45. The outer wall member 45 may be disposed to surround the portion of the cover facing surface 411 that covers the accommodating space 31. Accordingly, when the cover 4 and the module case 3 are combined, the entire accommodating space 31 may be disposed inside the outer wall member 45. The outer wall member 45 may be formed in the shape of a ring whose interior is open. For example, the outer wall member 45 may be formed in the shape of a square ring with curved corners. The outer wall member 45 may be formed in the same shape as the side surface of the cover body 41.

[0057] In this case, the first connecting member 51 may be a portion of the connecting portion 5 that is arranged parallel to the first axis direction (X-axis direction). Portions of the connecting portion 5 that correspond to the first connecting member 51 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the second axis direction (Y-axis direction). When the first connecting member 51 is arranged between the inner wall member 46 and the outer wall member 45, the outer surface of the first connecting member 51 may contact the inner surface of the outer wall member 45. In this case, the inner surface of the outer wall member 45 may be the inner surface of a portion of the outer wall member 45 that is arranged parallel to the first axis direction (X-axis direction). The inner surface of the first connecting member 51 may contact the outer surface of the inner wall member 46. In this case, the outer surface of the inner wall member 46 may be the outer surface of a portion of the inner wall member 46 that is arranged parallel to the first axis direction (X-axis direction). The first connecting member 51 may protrude from the side wall member 33 in the second direction (direction of arrow SD).

[0058] 2 to 11, in the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention, the second coupling member 52 of the coupling part 5 may be embodied to be supported by the connecting member 44.

[0059] The second connecting member 52 connects the cover 4 and the module case 3. The second connecting member 52 may correspond to a part of the connecting portion 5. The second connecting member 52 may be a portion of the connecting portion 5 arranged parallel to the second axis direction (Y-axis direction). The portions of the connecting portion 5 corresponding to the second connecting member 52 may be arranged spaced apart from each other along the first axis direction (X-axis direction). The second connecting member 52 and the first connecting member 51 may be connected to each other. In this case, the second connecting member 52 and the first connecting member 51 may be connected to each other so as to form a ring shape with an open interior as a whole. For example, the second connecting member 52 and the first connecting member 51 may be connected to each other so as to form a square ring shape with curved corners. The second connecting member 52 and the first connecting member 51 may have the same shape as the outer wall member 45 but may be smaller in size than the outer wall member 45. Accordingly, the outer surface of the second connecting member 52 and the outer surface of the first connecting member 51 may come into contact with the inner surface of the outer wall member 45. The second connecting member 52 may protrude from the side wall member 33 in the second direction (the direction of the arrow SD).

[0060] When the second connecting member 52 is provided, the cover 4 may include a first spacing member 421 and a first connecting member 441. The first spacing member 421 may correspond to a portion of the spacing member 42. The first spacing member 421 may be disposed in the receiving space 31 at a position corresponding to the first receiving space 311. The first connecting member 441 connects both ends of the first spacing member 421 in the first axis direction (X-axis direction) among the connecting members 44. The second connecting member 52 is disposed between the outer wall member 45 and the first connecting member 441 (hereinafter referred to as the “first adjacent connecting member 441”), which is the closest to the outer wall member 45 in the first axis direction (X-axis direction), to connect the cover 4 and the module case 3. Accordingly, the second connecting member 52 may be supported by the first adjacent connecting member 441 and the outer wall member 45, respectively. Therefore, in the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention, the movable distance of the second connecting member 52 can be limited, and the second connecting member 52 can firmly maintain the state in which the cover 4 and the module case 3 are connected together. Accordingly, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can improve its pressure resistance and explosion-proof performance by increasing the pressure resistance strength through an increase in the connecting force of the second connecting member 52. Meanwhile, the outer surface of the second connecting member 52 may be supported by the inner surface of a portion of the outer wall member 45 that is arranged parallel to the second axis direction (Y-axis direction). The inner surface of the second connecting member 52 may be supported by the outer surface of the first adjacent connecting member 441.

[0061] The first adjacent connecting member 441 and the outer wall member 45 support the second bonding resin formed by melting the second connecting member 52, thereby limiting the distance the second bonding resin can flow. Accordingly, the second bonding resin hardens while its flow is restricted by the first adjacent connecting member 441 and the outer wall member 45, thereby more firmly bonding the cover 4 and the module case 3. Therefore, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can further improve pressure resistance and explosion-proof performance by further increasing the bonding strength provided by the second connecting member 52. Meanwhile, the second bonding member 52 can be melted by a laser while disposed between the first adjacent connecting member 441 and the outer wall member 45 to become the second bonding resin. Thereafter, the second bonding resin hardens between the first adjacent connecting member 441 and the outer wall member 45 to become the second bonding member 52 again, thereby firmly bonding the cover 4 and the module case 3 by the second bonding member 52. The second connecting member 52 may be formed to a size that can fill the space between the first adjacent connecting member 441 and the outer wall member 45 .

[0062] Meanwhile, the first accommodating space 311 may be disposed at the outermost position of the accommodating space 31 based on the first axis direction (X-axis direction). For example, two accommodating spaces 31 disposed at both ends of the accommodating space 31 based on the first axis direction (X-axis direction) may correspond to the first accommodating space 311. In this case, two portions of the connecting part 5 disposed at both ends based on the first axis direction (X-axis direction) may correspond to the second connecting member 52. Two bundles of the spacing members 42 disposed at both ends based on the first axis direction (X-axis direction) may correspond to the first spacing members 421. Among the connecting members 44, the connecting members 44 connecting both ends of the first spacing members 421 based on the first axis direction (X-axis direction) may correspond to the first connecting members 441. Accordingly, the two portions of the connecting part 5 corresponding to the second connecting members 52 may be disposed between the first adjacent connecting members 441 and the outer wall member 45 based on the first axis direction (X-axis direction).

[0063] Here, a portion of the second coupling member 52 may be supported by the first adjacent connecting member 441 , and another portion may be supported by the first inner wall member 461 within the inner wall member 46 .

[0064] The first inner wall members 461 may be spaced apart from each other along the second axis direction (Y-axis direction). The first spacing members 421 may be disposed between the first inner wall members 461 based on the second axis direction (Y-axis direction). Each of the first inner wall members 461 may include a first supporting inner wall 461a and a plurality of first supporting side walls 461b.

[0065] Each of the first support inner walls 461a is spaced apart from the outer wall member 45 based on the second axis direction (Y-axis direction). Based on the second axis direction (Y-axis direction), each of the first support inner walls 461a and the outer wall member 45 can support the first connecting member 51. In this case, the first connecting member 51 can be supported by a portion of the outer wall member 45 that is arranged parallel to the first axis direction (X-axis direction) and the first support inner walls 461a. Each of the first support inner walls 461a can correspond to a portion of the first inner wall member 461 that is arranged parallel to the first axis direction (X-axis direction).

[0066] The first support side wall 461b may have one side connected to both ends of the first support inner wall 461a and the other side extending toward the first connecting member 441. One side of the second binding resin may be supported by the outer wall member 45. In this case, one side of the second binding resin may be supported by a portion of the outer wall member 45 that is arranged parallel to the second axis direction (Y-axis direction). A portion of the other side of the second binding resin may be supported by the first adjacent connecting member 441, and another portion may be supported by a portion of the first support side wall 461b that is separated from the outer wall member 45 at the shortest distance based on the first axis direction (X-axis direction) (hereinafter referred to as "first adjacent support side wall 461b"). Accordingly, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention may be embodied such that the flowable distance of the second binder resin is limited using the outer wall member 45, the first adjacent connecting member 441, and the first adjacent support sidewall 461b, and the second connecting member 52 formed by the hardened second binder resin firmly connects the cover 4 and the module case 3. In this case, the outer surface of the second connecting member 52 may be supported by the inner surface of the outer wall member 45. The inner surface of the second connecting member 52 may be supported by the outer surface of the first adjacent connecting member 441 and the outer surface of the first adjacent support sidewall 461b. The outer surface of the first adjacent connecting member 441 and the outer surface of the first adjacent support sidewall 461b may be disposed on a virtual reference line parallel to the second axis direction (Y-axis direction). Accordingly, the outer surface of the first adjacent connecting member 441 and the outer surface of the first adjacent support sidewall 461b may be disposed to form a single plane.

[0067] 2 to 12, in the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention, the third coupling member 53 of the coupling part 5 may be embodied to be supported by the connecting member 44.

[0068] The third connecting member 53 connects the cover 4 and the module case 3. The third connecting member 53 may correspond to a part of the connecting portion 5. The third connecting member 53 may correspond to a portion of the connecting portion 5 that is parallel to the second axis direction (Y-axis direction) and is disposed between the second connecting members 52. If the third connecting member 53 is embodied as a plurality of portions in the connecting portion 5, the portions corresponding to the third connecting member 53 may be disposed spaced apart from each other along the first axis direction (X-axis direction). The third connecting member 53 may protrude from the partition member 34 toward the second direction (direction of arrow SD). Both ends of the portion corresponding to the third connecting member 53 may be connected to the portions corresponding to the first connecting members 51 based on the second axis direction (Y-axis direction).

[0069] When the third connecting member 53 is provided, the cover 4 may include a second spacing member 422 and a second connecting member 442. The second spacing member 422 may correspond to a portion of the spacing member 42. The second spacing member 422 may be disposed in the accommodating space 31 at a position corresponding to the second accommodating space 312. The second connecting member 442 connects both ends of the second spacing member 422 in the connecting member 44 with respect to the first axis direction (X-axis direction). The third connecting member 53 is disposed between a first connecting member 441 (hereinafter referred to as the “first opposing connecting member 441”) and a second connecting member 442 (hereinafter referred to as the “second opposing connecting member 442”) disposed to face each other with respect to the first axis direction (X-axis direction), thereby connecting the cover 4 and the module case 3. Accordingly, the third connecting member 53 may be supported by the first opposing connecting member 441 and the second opposing connecting member 442, respectively. Therefore, in the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention, the movable distance of the third connecting member 53 can be limited, and thus the third connecting member 53 can firmly maintain the cover 4 and the module case 3 connected together. Accordingly, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can improve its pressure resistance and explosion-proof performance by increasing the pressure resistance strength through an increase in the connecting force of the third connecting member 53. Meanwhile, the first opposing connecting member 441 and the second opposing connecting member 442 may be separated from each other by the shortest distance in the first axis direction (X-axis direction) among the first connecting member 441 and the second connecting member 442. In the first axis direction (X-axis direction), one side of the third connecting member 53 may be supported by the first opposing connecting member 441, and the other side of the third connecting member 53 may be supported by the second opposing connecting member 442.

[0070] The first and second opposing connecting members 441 and 442 support the third bonding resin formed by melting the third connecting member 53, thereby limiting the distance the third bonding resin can flow. Accordingly, the third bonding resin hardens while its flow is restricted by the first and second opposing connecting members 441 and 442, thereby more firmly bonding the cover 4 and the module case 3. Therefore, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can further improve pressure resistance and explosion-proof performance by further increasing the bonding strength of the third connecting member 53. Meanwhile, the third connecting member 53 can be melted by a laser while disposed between the first and second opposing connecting members 441 and 442 to become the third bonding resin. Thereafter, the third bonding resin hardens between the first and second opposing connecting members 441 and 442 to become the third connecting member 53 again, thereby firmly bonding the cover 4 and the module case 3 by the third connecting member 53. The third connecting member 53 may be formed to have a size that can fill the space between the first opposing connecting member 441 and the second opposing connecting member 442 .

[0071] Meanwhile, the second accommodating space 312 may be disposed inside the accommodating space 31 based on the first axis direction (X-axis direction). For example, the portion disposed between the first accommodating spaces 311 in the accommodating space 31 based on the first axis direction (X-axis direction) may correspond to the second accommodating space 312. In this case, the portion of the coupling part 5 disposed between the portions corresponding to the second coupling member 52 based on the first axis direction (X-axis direction) may correspond to the third coupling member 53. The portion of the spacing member 42 disposed between the first spacing members 421 based on the first axis direction (X-axis direction) may correspond to the second spacing member 422. The connecting member 44 connecting both ends of the second spacing members 422 based on the first axis direction (X-axis direction) may correspond to the second connecting member 442. A plurality of second accommodating spaces 312 may be provided. In this case, the third connecting member 53 arranged between the second accommodating spaces 312 based on the first axis direction (X axis direction) can be supported by the second opposing connecting members 442 arranged to face each other.

[0072] Here, a portion of the third connecting member 53 may be supported by the first opposing connecting member 441 and the second opposing connecting member 442, and another portion may be supported by the second inner wall member 462 within the inner wall member 46.

[0073] The second inner wall members 462 may be spaced apart from each other along the second axis direction (Y-axis direction). The second spacing members 422 may be disposed between the second inner wall members 462 based on the second axis direction (Y-axis direction). Each of the second inner wall members 462 may include a second supporting inner wall 462a and a plurality of second supporting side walls 462b.

[0074] Each of the second support inner walls 462a is spaced apart from the outer wall member 45 based on the second axis direction (Y-axis direction). Based on the second axis direction (Y-axis direction), each of the second support inner walls 462a and the outer wall member 45 can support the first connecting member 51. In this case, the first connecting member 51 can be supported by a portion of the outer wall member 45 that is arranged parallel to the first axis direction (X-axis direction) and the second support inner walls 462a. Each of the second support inner walls 462a can correspond to a portion of the second inner wall member 462 that is arranged parallel to the first axis direction (X-axis direction).

[0075] The second support side wall 462b may have one side connected to both ends of the second support inner wall 462a and the other side extending toward the second connecting member 442. The third binding resin may be supported by the first supporting side wall 461b (hereinafter referred to as the "first opposing supporting side wall 461b") and the second supporting side wall 462b (hereinafter referred to as the "second opposing supporting side wall 462b"), which are arranged to face each other. The first opposing supporting side wall 461b and the second opposing supporting side wall 462b may be spaced apart from each other by the shortest distance in the first axis direction (X-axis direction) among the first supporting side wall 461b and the second supporting side wall 462b. In this case, one side of the third binding resin may be partially supported by the first opposing connecting member 441, and the other side may be supported by the first opposing supporting side wall 461b. The other side of the third binding resin may be partially supported by the second opposing connecting member 442 and partially supported by the second opposing supporting side wall 462b. Accordingly, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention may be embodied such that a distance that the third binding resin can flow is limited using the first opposing connecting member 441, the first opposing supporting side wall 461b, the second opposing connecting member 442, and the second opposing supporting side wall 462b, and thereby the third binding resin hardens to form a third binding member 53 that firmly binds the cover 4 and the module case 3.

[0076] In this case, one side of the third joining member 53 may be supported by the outer surface of the first opposing connecting member 441 and the outer surface of the first opposing support side wall 461b. The outer surface of the first opposing connecting member 441 and the outer surface of the first opposing support side wall 461b may be disposed on a virtual reference line parallel to the second axis direction (Y-axis direction). Accordingly, the outer surface of the first opposing connecting member 441 and the outer surface of the first opposing support side wall 461b may be disposed to form a single surface. The other side of the third joining member 53 may be supported by the outer surface of the second opposing connecting member 442 and the outer surface of the second opposing support side wall 462b. The outer surface of the second opposing connecting member 442 and the outer surface of the second opposing support side wall 462b may be disposed on a virtual reference line parallel to the second axis direction (Y-axis direction). Accordingly, the outer surface of the second opposing connecting member 442 and the outer surface of the second opposing support side wall 462b may be disposed to form a single surface.

[0077] On the other hand, when a plurality of second accommodating spaces 312 are provided, the third coupling members 53 arranged between the second accommodating spaces 312 based on the first axis direction (X-axis direction) can be supported by second opposing connecting members 442 arranged to face each other and second opposing support side walls 462b arranged to face each other.

[0078] Meanwhile, in the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention, the outer wall member 45 may be formed in a ring shape along the outermost edge of the cover body 41, and thus, when the cover 4 and the module case 3 are coupled together, the outer wall member 45 may form a closed shape. Also, in the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention, the inner wall member 46 and the connecting member 44 may be formed in a ring shape along each edge of the accommodation space 31, and thus, when the cover 4 and the module case 3 are coupled together, the inner wall member 46 and the connecting member 44 may form a closed shape for each accommodation space 31. Through such structures of the outer wall member 45, the inner wall member 46, and the connecting member 44, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can completely separate the individual accommodation spaces 31, thereby preventing the movement of electrolyte between the accommodation spaces 31. As a result, the effect of doubly preventing the leakage of electrolyte from the inside to the outside of the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can be achieved.

[0079] Here, the outer wall member 45 and the inner wall member 46 may be formed symmetrically with respect to a first line of symmetry of the cover body 41 based on the first axis direction (X-axis direction). The first line of symmetry of the cover body 41 may be disposed parallel to the second axis direction (Y-axis direction) at a position spaced the same distance from both ends of the cover body 41 based on the first axis direction (X-axis direction). The outer wall member 45 and the inner wall member 46 may be formed symmetrically with respect to a second line of symmetry of the cover body 41 based on the second axis direction (Y-axis direction). The second line of symmetry of the cover body 41 may be disposed parallel to the first axis direction (X-axis direction) at a position spaced the same distance from both ends of the cover body 41 based on the second axis direction (Y-axis direction).

[0080] Furthermore, the coupling parts 5 may be formed symmetrically with respect to a first line of symmetry of the module body 30 in the first axis direction (X-axis direction). The first line of symmetry of the module body 30 may be disposed parallel to the second axis direction (Y-axis direction) at positions spaced the same distance from both ends of the module body 30 in the first axis direction (X-axis direction). The coupling parts 5 may be formed symmetrically with respect to a second line of symmetry of the module body 30 in the second axis direction (Y-axis direction). The second line of symmetry of the module body 30 may be disposed parallel to the first axis direction (X-axis direction) at positions spaced the same distance from both ends of the module body 30 in the second axis direction (Y-axis direction).

[0081] As described above, the outer wall member 45, the inner wall member 46, and the coupling portion 5 are formed symmetrically with respect to the line of symmetry in the first axis direction (X-axis direction) and the second axis direction (Y-axis direction), respectively, so that the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can couple the cover 4 and the module case 3 with a uniform coupling force overall using the coupling portion 5. Therefore, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can improve pressure resistance and explosion-proof performance by realizing a uniform coupling force overall.

[0082] 2 to 13, in the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention, the cover 4 may be embodied to support the bare cells 2 housed in the module case 3. To this end, the cover 4 may include a plurality of spacing protrusions 47.

[0083] The spacing protrusions 47 may be formed on each of the spacing members 42. Based on the first axis direction (X-axis direction), the spacing protrusions 47 may protrude in the first direction (direction of arrow FD) from both sides of the spacing grooves 43 formed in each of the spacing members 42. Accordingly, each of the spacing protrusions 47 limits the distance that the bare cell 2 inserted into the spacing grooves 43 can move in the first axis direction (X-axis direction), thereby reducing shaking and vibration occurring in the bare cell 2. Therefore, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can improve the stability of the bare cell 2 by using the spacing protrusions 47.

[0084] Each of the spacing protrusions 47 may include a protruding surface 471. The protruding surface 471 is a surface of the spacing protrusion 47 that is arranged to face the first direction (direction of the arrow FD). The protruding surfaces 471 may be formed to form a curved surface with a center of curvature that faces the second direction (direction of the arrow SD). That is, the protruding surfaces 471 may form a curved surface that bulges toward the first direction (direction of the arrow FD). Accordingly, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can achieve the following effects.

[0085] First, in the comparative example in which each of the spacing protrusions 47 protrudes in the first direction (the direction of the arrow FD) and has a sharp tip, there is a high risk that the pointed portion of the spacing protrusions 47 may be damaged or broken as the bare cell 2 expands during use.

[0086] Next, in the case of an embodiment in which the protrusion surface 471 of each of the spacing protrusions 47 is a curved surface that bulges toward the first direction (the direction of the arrow FD), even if the bare cell 2 expands during use and comes into contact with the protrusion surface 471, the risk of the bare cell 2 being damaged or broken by the protrusion surface 471 can be reduced.

[0087] As described above, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention is embodied to reduce the risk of damage or breakage of the bare cell 2 even if the bare cell 2 expands during use by utilizing the curved protrusion surface 471. Therefore, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can not only extend the maintenance cycle for the bare cell 2 but also reduce the maintenance costs for the bare cell 2.

[0088] When the spacing protrusions 47 are provided, each of the connecting members 44 may protrude from the cover facing surface 411 toward the first direction (the direction of the arrow FD) by a length shorter than each of the spacing protrusions 47. Accordingly, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can reduce the possibility that the bare cell 2 will come into contact with the connecting members 44 even if the bare cell 2 expands during use. Therefore, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can further reduce the risk of the bare cell 2 being damaged or broken during use.

[0089] When the spacing protrusions 47 are provided, the connecting surface 440 of each of the connecting members 44 may be formed as a curved surface with the center of curvature disposed in the second direction (direction of the arrow SD). That is, the connecting surface 440 may be formed as a curved surface that bulges in the first direction (direction of the arrow FD). Accordingly, even if the bare cell 2 expands and comes into contact with the connecting surface 440 during use, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can reduce the risk of the bare cell 2 being damaged or broken by the connecting surface 440.

[0090] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 13, the cover 4 may include a plurality of reinforcing members 48.

[0091] The reinforcing member 48 connects the spacing members 42. The reinforcing member 48 may connect the spacing members 42 that are spaced apart from each other along the second axis direction (Y-axis direction). For example, the first spacing member 421 and the second spacing member 422 may be connected by different reinforcing members 48. The reinforcing member 48, together with the connecting member 44, may connect the spacing members 42 that are spaced apart from each other along the second axis direction (Y-axis direction). Accordingly, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention may more firmly support the bare cell 2 by using the spacing members 42. Each of the reinforcing members 48 may be arranged parallel to the second axis direction (Y-axis direction). The reinforcing members 48 may be arranged spaced apart from each other along the first axis direction (X-axis direction).

[0092] The reinforcing members 48 may be disposed between the connecting members 44 connecting both ends of the spacing member 42 in the first axis direction (X-axis direction). For example, different reinforcing members 48 may be disposed between the first connecting members 441 and between the second connecting members 442 in the first axis direction (X-axis direction). Accordingly, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention may further increase the strength of the spacing member 42 by using the reinforcing members 48 and the connecting members 44, thereby improving the support stability for the bare cell 2. Although FIG. 9 illustrates two reinforcing members 48 disposed between the connecting members 44 connecting both ends of the spacing member 42 in the first axis direction (X-axis direction), the present invention is not limited thereto, and three or more reinforcing members 48 may be disposed between the connecting members 44.

[0093] Each of the reinforcing members 48 may protrude from the cover facing surface 411 in the first direction (the direction of the arrow FD) by a length shorter than each of the connecting members 44. Accordingly, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention may reduce interference between the bare cells 2 inserted in the spacing grooves 43 and the reinforcing members 48. The reinforcing members 48 may be embodied so as not to protrude toward the spacing grooves 43. In this case, each of the reinforcing members 48 may protrude from the cover facing surface 411 in the first direction (the direction of the arrow FD) by a length shorter than each of the spacing members 42.

[0094] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 13, the cover 4 may include a plurality of protruding members 49.

[0095] The protruding member 49 protrudes from the cover outer surface 412 toward the second direction (arrow SD direction). As the protruding member 49 protrudes from the cover outer surface 412, the thickness of the portion of the cover body 41 where the protruding member 49 is formed can be increased. Accordingly, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can further improve pressure resistance and explosion-proof performance by increasing the strength of the cover body 41 using the protruding member 49. Here, the thickness may be a length based on the first direction (arrow FD direction).

[0096] The protruding members 49 may be disposed at positions corresponding to the respective accommodating spaces 31. Accordingly, the protruding members 49 may be disposed at portions that directly affect the pressure resistance of the accommodating spaces 31. Furthermore, since the protruding members 49 protrude from the cover outer surface 412 in the second direction (direction of arrow SD) at positions corresponding to the respective accommodating spaces 31, the pressure resistance of the accommodating spaces 31 can be increased without affecting the volume of the accommodating spaces 31. The horizontal cross section of each of the protruding members 49 may be formed to have a shape and size that is approximately the same as the horizontal cross section of each of the accommodating spaces 31. Here, the horizontal cross section is based on a horizontal plane on which the first axis direction (X-axis direction) and the second axis direction (Y-axis direction) are disposed.

[0097] Here, the module case 3 may be implemented such that the bare cell 2 is disposed at a position spaced apart from the bottom member 32. To this end, the module case 3 may include a plurality of support members 35.

[0098] The support members 35 protrude from the bottom member 32. The support members 35 may protrude from the bottom member 32 in the second direction (the direction of the arrow SD) in each of the receiving spaces 31. Accordingly, the support members 35 may support the bare cell 2 so that the bare cell 2 is spaced apart from the bottom member 32 in the receiving space 31. Therefore, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can secure additional space between the bare cell 2 and the bottom member 32 by using the support members 35. Accordingly, when gravity acts on the bottom member 32, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can contain the leaked electrolyte by utilizing the space between the bare cell 2 and the bottom member 32, even if the electrolyte leaks from the bare cell 2. Therefore, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can reduce the risk of a short circuit caused by the electrolyte leaking from the bare cell 2, thereby further improving product reliability and safety.

[0099] Each of the support members 35 may include a support groove 351 and a support surface 352 .

[0100] The bare cell 2 can be inserted into the support groove 351. The support groove 351 can be implemented as a groove formed to a certain depth in the support member 35. A part of the bare cell 2 accommodated in the receiving space 31 can be inserted into the support groove 351.

[0101] The support surface 352 may come into contact with the bare cell 2 inserted into the support groove 351. The support surface 352 is a surface disposed facing the support groove 351. The support surface 352 may be formed to have a curved surface corresponding to the periphery of the bare cell 2. Accordingly, the support surface 352 supports the bare cell 2 inserted into the support groove 351, thereby limiting the distance that the bare cell 2 can move. Therefore, the support surface 352 may reduce vibrations and shaking that occur in the bare cell 2.

[0102] A plurality of the support members 35 may be inserted into each of the accommodating spaces 31. In this case, the support members 35 may be spaced apart from each other along the second axis direction (Y-axis direction) in each of the accommodating spaces 31. Accordingly, the support members 35 inserted into each of the accommodating spaces 31 may support different portions of the bare cell 2, thereby more stably supporting the bare cell 2.

[0103] Each of the support members 35 may be formed to have the same length as the receiving space 31 based on the first axis direction (X-axis direction). Accordingly, both ends of the support member 35 based on the first axis direction (X-axis direction) may be coupled to the side wall member 33 and the partition member 34 or may be coupled to the partition member 34. Therefore, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can strengthen the supporting force of the support member 35 by using the side wall member 33 and the partition member 34, and can be embodied to more stably support the bare cell 2 by using the support member 35.

[0104] The module case 3 may include a plurality of reinforcing protrusions 36 .

[0105] The reinforcing protrusions 36 connect the support members 35. The reinforcing protrusions 36 may connect the support members 35 spaced apart from each other along the second axis (Y-axis) direction. That is, the support members 35 arranged in each of the accommodating spaces 31 may be connected by the reinforcing protrusions 36. Accordingly, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention may more firmly support the bare cell 2 using the support members 35. The reinforcing protrusions 36 may be arranged parallel to the second axis (Y-axis) direction. The reinforcing protrusions 36 may be arranged spaced apart from each other along the first axis (X-axis) direction. The reinforcing protrusions 36 may be arranged between both ends of the support members 35 based on the first axis (X-axis) direction. Although FIG. 8 illustrates two reinforcing protrusions 36 arranged for each accommodating space 31, the present invention is not limited thereto, and three or more reinforcing protrusions 36 may be arranged for each accommodating space 31.

[0106] Each of the reinforcing protrusions 36 may protrude from the bottom member 32 in the second direction (the direction of the arrow SD). Each of the reinforcing protrusions 36 may protrude from the bottom member 32 in the second direction (the direction of the arrow SD) to a length shorter than that of each of the support members 35. Accordingly, the reinforcing protrusions 36 may be embodied so as not to protrude toward the support grooves 351. Therefore, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can prevent interference between the bare cells 2 inserted in the support grooves 351 and the reinforcing protrusions 36.

[0107] 2 to 13, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention may include an external terminal 6.

[0108] The external terminal 6 is electrically connected to at least one of the bare cells 2. The external terminal 6 may be made of a conductive material. One side of the external terminal 6 may be electrically connected to at least one of the bare cells 2 inside the module case 3. The other side of the external terminal 6 may be disposed outside the module case 3. The other side of the external terminal 6 may be electrically connected to another energy storage device 1 outside the module case 3. The other side of the external terminal 6 may be electrically connected to an external device (not shown) outside the module case 3. The external device performs a predetermined operation on the bare cell 2 through the external terminal 6. For example, the external device may be a management device that manages power. The external device may be a detection device that performs a monitoring operation for monitoring the voltage of the bare cell 2 or a balancing operation for adjusting the voltage of the bare cell 2. The external terminal 6 may be coupled to the module case 3 through insert molding.

[0109] The other side of the external terminal 6 may be formed in a plate shape standing parallel to the first direction (FD arrow direction). Accordingly, when a plurality of energy storage devices 1 according to the present invention are provided and arranged in a stacked manner, it is possible to improve the ease of electrically connecting the energy storage devices 1 according to the present invention in series through the other side of the external terminal 6 standing parallel to the first direction (FD arrow direction).

[0110] 2 to 16, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention may include a first external terminal 61 and a second external terminal 62.

[0111] The first external terminal 61 may be electrically connected to the first bare cell 2a among the bare cells 2. The first bare cell 2a may be one of the bare cells 2 arranged at both ends in the first axis direction (X-axis direction). For example, with reference to FIG. 14, the first bare cell 2a may be the one arranged at the leftmost side of the bare cells 2. Meanwhile, the first external terminal 61 may be coupled to the module case 3 through insert molding.

[0112] The first external terminal 61 may include a first external terminal body 611 and a first drawer member 612 .

[0113] The first external terminal body 611 may be electrically connected to the first bare cell 2a. The first external terminal body 611 may be disposed inside the module case 3. The first external terminal body 611 may correspond to one side of the external terminal 6.

[0114] The first drawer member 612 may be disposed outside the module case 3. The first drawer member 612 may be electrically connected to the external device or another energy storage device 1 outside the module case 3. The first drawer member 612 may be formed in a plate shape standing parallel to the first direction (direction of arrow FD). Accordingly, when a plurality of energy storage devices 1 according to the present invention are stacked, it is possible to improve the ease of electrically connecting the energy storage devices 1 according to the present invention in series. The first drawer member 612 may be coupled to the first external terminal body 611. The first drawer member 612 and the first external terminal body 611 may be integrally formed.

[0115] Referring to FIG. 14, when the first external terminal 61 is electrically connected to the first bare cell 2a located on the leftmost side of the bare cells 2, the first drawer member 612 may be located to the right of the first external terminal body 611.

[0116] The first external terminal 61 may include a first protruding member 613 .

[0117] The first protruding member 613 may protrude from an upper portion of the first external terminal body 611 toward the side wall member 33. An insertion groove (not shown) into which the first protruding member 613 is inserted may be formed in the side wall member 33. In this case, the first protruding member 613 may be inserted into the insertion groove.

[0118] The second external terminal 62 may be electrically connected to the second bare cell 2b of the bare cell 2. The second bare cell 2b may be one of the bare cells 2 arranged at both ends in the first axis direction (X-axis direction). For example, with reference to FIG. 14, if the first bare cell 2a is arranged at the leftmost position among the bare cells 2, the second bare cell 2b may be arranged at the rightmost position. Meanwhile, the second external terminal 62 may be coupled to the module case 3 through insert molding.

[0119] The second external terminal 62 may include a second external terminal body 621 and a second drawer member 622 .

[0120] The second external terminal body 621 may be electrically connected to the second bare cell 2b. The second external terminal body 621 may be disposed inside the module case 3. The second external terminal body 621 may correspond to one side of the external terminal 6.

[0121] The second drawer member 622 may be disposed outside the module case 3. The second drawer member 622 may be electrically connected to the external device or another energy storage device 1 outside the module case 3. The second drawer member 622 may be formed in a plate shape standing parallel to the first direction (direction of arrow FD). Accordingly, when a plurality of energy storage devices 1 according to the present invention are stacked, it is possible to improve the ease of electrically connecting the energy storage devices 1 according to the present invention in series. The second drawer member 622 may be coupled to the second external terminal body 621. The second drawer member 622 and the second external terminal body 621 may be integrally formed.

[0122] The second drawer member 622 and the first drawer member 612 may protrude in the same direction from the module case 3. When the bare cells 2 housed inside the module case 3 are connected in series, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention may be embodied such that 2N bare cells 2 are housed in the module case 3. Therefore, since the second drawer member 622 and the first drawer member 612 of the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention may protrude in the same direction from the module case 3, the ease of electrically connecting the energy storage devices 1 according to the present invention in series may be improved.

[0123] When the second drawer member 622 and the first drawer member 612 protrude in the same direction from the module case 3, the second drawer member 622 may be disposed on one side of the second external terminal body 621 that is closer to the first external terminal 61 in the first axis direction (X-axis direction). The first drawer member 612 may be disposed on one side of the first external terminal body 611 that is closer to the second external terminal 62 in the first axis direction (X-axis direction). With reference to FIG. 14, when the second external terminal 62 is electrically connected to the second bare cell 2b located on the rightmost side of the bare cell 2, the second drawer member 622 may be disposed on the left side of the second external terminal body 621. With reference to FIG. 14, when the first external terminal 61 is electrically connected to the first bare cell 2a located on the leftmost side of the bare cell 2, the first drawer member 612 may be disposed on the right side of the first external terminal body 611. Accordingly, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can reduce the distance between the second drawer member 622 and the first drawer member 612 outside the module case 3, thereby further improving the ease of electrically connecting the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention in series.

[0124] The second external terminal 62 may include a second protruding member 623 .

[0125] The second protruding member 623 may protrude from an upper portion of the second external terminal body 621 toward the side wall member 33. The second protruding member 623 may be inserted into the insertion groove (not shown) formed in the side wall member 33.

[0126] The second external terminal 62 and the first external terminal 61 may be formed symmetrically to each other. For example, the second external terminal 62 and the first external terminal 61 may be formed symmetrically to each other with respect to a line of symmetry parallel to the second axis direction (Y-axis direction).

[0127] 2 to 16, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention may include a plurality of bus bars 7.

[0128] Each of the bus bars 7 electrically connects at least two of the bare cells 2. When the bare cells 2 are connected in series, each of the bus bars 7 can electrically connect two bare cells 2. In this case, each of the bus bars 7 can be inserted into one partition member 34 and disposed in two receiving spaces 31, thereby electrically connecting two bare cells 2. When the bare cells 2 are connected in parallel, all of the bare cells 2 housed in the module case 3 can be electrically connected. In this case, the bare cells 2 can be inserted into all of the partition members 34 of the module case 3 and disposed in all of the receiving spaces 31, thereby electrically connecting all of the bare cells 2. The bus bars 7 can be connected to the module case 3 so as to be supported by the side wall members 33. The bus bars 7 can be connected to the module case 3 through insert molding. The bus bars 7 can be made of a conductive material.

[0129] Meanwhile, the bus bar 7 is not disposed on one side of the bare cell 2 to which the external terminal 6 is electrically connected. For example, if the first external terminal 61 is electrically connected to one side of the first bare cell 2a, the bus bar 7 may not be disposed on one side of the first bare cell 2a, but may be disposed only on the other side of the first bare cell 2a. For example, if the second external terminal 62 is electrically connected to one side of the second bare cell 2b, the bus bar 7 may not be disposed on one side of the second bare cell 2b, but may be disposed only on the other side of the second bare cell 2b. The remaining bare cells 2 not electrically connected to the external terminals 61 and 62 may all be electrically connected to the bus bar 7 on both sides.

[0130] Each of the bus bars 7 may include a bus bar body 71 .

[0131] The busbar body 71 may be disposed between the bare cell 2 accommodated in the accommodating space 31 and the sidewall member 33. The busbar body 71 may be electrically connected to the bare cell 2 accommodated in the accommodating space 31. The busbar body 71 may be disposed upright in the vertical direction.

[0132] Each of the bus bars 7 may include an upper protruding member 72 .

[0133] The upper protruding member 72 protrudes from the busbar body 71. The upper protruding member 72 may be in contact with the upper surface of the sidewall member 33 and supported by the sidewall member 33. The upper protruding member 72 may be inserted into the insertion groove formed in the sidewall member 33. The upper protruding member 72 may protrude from the upper part of the busbar body 71 toward the sidewall member 33. The upper protruding member 72 and the busbar body 71 may be integrally formed.

[0134] 2 to 16, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention may include a plurality of internal terminals 8.

[0135] The internal terminals 8 are to be connected to the bare cells 2, respectively. The internal terminals 8 may be connected to the bus bars 7 or the external terminals 6. In the case of a bare cell 2 having both sides electrically connected to different bus bars 7, the internal terminal 8 connected to one side of the bare cell 2 and the internal terminal 8 connected to the other side of the bare cell 2 may be connected to different bus bars 7. In the case of a bare cell 2 having one side electrically connected to the external terminal 6 and the other side electrically connected to the bus bar 7, the internal terminal 8 connected to one side of the bare cell 2 may be connected to the external terminal 6, and the internal terminal 8 connected to the other side of the bare cell 2 may be connected to the bus bar 7. The internal terminals 8 may be formed of a conductive material.

[0136] Each of the internal terminals 8 may include an internal terminal body 81 .

[0137] The internal terminal body 81 may be disposed between the bare cell 2 and the bus bar 7. In this case, the internal terminal body 81 may be connected to the bare cell 2 and the bus bar 7, respectively, thereby electrically connecting the bare cell 2 and the bus bar 7. The internal terminal body 81 may be disposed between the bare cell 2 and the external terminal 6. The internal terminal body 81 may be connected to the bare cell 2 and the external terminal 6, respectively, thereby electrically connecting the bare cell 2 and the external terminal 6. An inner surface of the internal terminal body 81 may be connected to the first electrode lead 212 or the second electrode lead 222 of the bare cell 2. An outer surface of the internal terminal body 81 may be connected to the bus bar body 71 of the bus bar 7 or the external terminal body of the external terminal 6.

[0138] Each of the internal terminals 8 may include a terminal protruding member 82 .

[0139] The terminal protruding member 82 protrudes from the internal terminal body 81. The terminal protruding member 82 may protrude from an upper portion of the internal terminal body 81 toward the side wall member 33. The terminal protruding member 82 and the internal terminal body 81 may be integrally formed.

[0140] When the internal terminal 8 is connected to the bus bar 7, the terminal protruding member 82 may come into contact with the upper protruding member 72 of the bus bar 7 and be supported by the bus bar 7. Accordingly, the internal terminal 8 may be firmly supported by the bus bar 7, and thus may be stably maintained in a state where it is connected to the bare cell 2 and the bus bar 7, respectively.

[0141] When the internal terminal 8 is connected to the first external terminal 61, the terminal protruding member 82 may come into contact with the first protruding member 613 of the first external terminal 61 and be supported by the first protruding member 613. Accordingly, the internal terminal 8 is firmly supported by the first external terminal 61, and thus may be stably maintained in a state of being connected to the first bare cell 2a and the first external terminal 61, respectively.

[0142] When the internal terminal 8 is connected to the second external terminal 62, the terminal protruding member 82 may come into contact with the second protruding member 623 of the second external terminal 62 and be supported by the second protruding member 623. Accordingly, the internal terminal 8 is firmly supported by the second external terminal 62, and thus may be stably maintained in a state of being connected to the second bare cell 2b and the second external terminal 62, respectively.

[0143] Each of the internal terminals 8 may include a plurality of impregnation holes 83 .

[0144] The impregnation holes 83 may be formed through the internal terminal body 81. The impregnation holes 83 may be used as passages for impregnating the bare cell 2 with electrolyte. Accordingly, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention is embodied such that an impregnation operation of impregnating the bare cell 2 with electrolyte can be performed through the impregnation holes 83 with the internal terminal 8 coupled to the bare cell 2. Therefore, the energy storage device 1 according to the present invention can improve the ease of the impregnation operation.

[0145] Each of the impregnation holes 83 may be formed to penetrate the inner terminal body 81. In this case, the impregnation holes 83 may be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction based on the center of the inner terminal body 81. Any one of the impregnation holes 83 may be formed to penetrate the center of the inner terminal body 81.

[0146] The present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various substitutions, modifications and changes can be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. a modular case having a plurality of storage spaces formed therein; a plurality of bare cells accommodated in each of the accommodation spaces; a cover coupled to the module case; and a coupling portion that couples the module case and the cover, the module case is in direct contact with a bare cell accommodated in the accommodation space to support the bare cell; The cover is a cover body coupled to the module case so as to cover the accommodation space; an outer wall member protruding from a cover-facing surface of the cover body facing the module case toward a first direction toward the module case; and an inner wall member that protrudes from the cover opposing surface toward the first direction and is disposed apart from the outer wall member; The energy storage device, wherein the coupling portion includes a first coupling member disposed between the outer wall member and the inner wall member to couple the module case and the cover.

2. 2. The energy storage device according to claim 1, wherein the outer wall member and the inner wall member support the first bonding resin so as to limit a distance that the first bonding resin formed by melting the first bonding member can flow.

3. the module case includes a module body in which the accommodation space is formed, 3. The energy storage device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling portion is coupled to the module case so as to protrude from a module-facing surface of the module body facing the cover-facing surface toward a second direction toward the cover body.

4. the outer wall member is disposed so as to surround a portion of the cover-facing surface that covers the storage space, The energy storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the inner wall member is disposed inwardly and spaced apart from the outer wall member.

5. The housing spaces are spaced apart from each other along a first axis direction in the module case, the cover includes a plurality of first spacing members protruding in the first direction from positions corresponding to the first accommodating spaces in the accommodating space, and a plurality of first connecting members connecting both ends of the first spacing members with respect to the first axial direction, the coupling portion includes a second coupling member disposed between the first connecting member and the outer wall member at a minimum distance from the outer wall member in the first axial direction, and the second coupling member coupling the module case and the cover, 2. The energy storage device of claim 1, wherein the first connecting member that is the shortest distance from the outer wall member based on the first axial direction and the outer wall member support the second bonding resin so as to limit a distance over which the second bonding resin formed by melting the second bonding member can flow.

6. the inner wall member includes a plurality of first inner wall members spaced apart from one another along a second axis direction perpendicular to the first axis direction, the first separating member is disposed between the first inner wall members with respect to the second axial direction; Each of the first inner wall members includes a first supporting inner wall spaced apart from the outer wall member in the second axial direction and supporting the first connecting member, and a plurality of first supporting side walls each having one side connected to both ends of the first supporting inner wall and the other side extending toward the first connecting member, 6. The energy storage device of claim 5, wherein one side of the second binding resin is supported by the outer wall member, and the other side is supported by the first connecting member and the first supporting side wall, which are spaced a shortest distance from the outer wall member based on the first axial direction.

7. the cover includes a plurality of second spacing members protruding in the first direction from positions corresponding to the second accommodating spaces in the accommodating space, and a plurality of second connecting members connecting both ends of the second spacing members with respect to the first axial direction, the coupling portion includes a third coupling member disposed between a first coupling member and a second coupling member disposed to face each other with respect to the first axis direction, and coupling the module case and the cover together; 7. The energy storage device of claim 6, wherein the first connecting member and the second connecting member, which are arranged to face each other based on the first axial direction, support the third binding resin so as to limit a distance over which the third binding resin formed by melting the third binding member can flow.

8. the inner wall member includes a plurality of second inner wall members spaced apart from one another along the second axis; Each of the second inner wall members includes a second supporting inner wall spaced apart from the outer wall member in the second axial direction and supporting the first connecting member, and a plurality of second supporting side walls each having one side connected to both ends of the second supporting inner wall and the other side extending toward the second connecting member, 8. The energy storage device of claim 7, wherein a first support sidewall and a second support sidewall, which are arranged to face each other with respect to the first axial direction, support the third binder resin and limit a distance that the third binder resin can flow.

9. The housing spaces are spaced apart from each other along a first axis direction in the module case, the cover includes a plurality of spacing members protruding in the first direction from the cover facing surface, a plurality of spacing grooves formed in the spacing members, and a plurality of spacing protrusions protruding in the first direction from both sides of each of the spacing grooves based on the first axis direction, Each of the spacing protrusions includes a protrusion surface that is arranged to face the first direction, The energy storage device according to claim 1 , wherein each of the protruding surfaces is formed to form a curved surface with a center of curvature disposed in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

10. the cover includes a plurality of connecting members protruding from the cover facing surface toward the first direction, The energy storage device of claim 9, wherein each of the connecting members protrudes from the cover facing surface toward the first direction by a length shorter than each of the spacing protrusions.

11. the cover includes a plurality of connecting members protruding from the cover facing surface toward the first direction, Each of the connecting members includes a connecting surface arranged to face the first direction, The energy storage device according to claim 9, wherein each of the connecting surfaces is formed to form a curved surface with a center of curvature disposed in the second direction.

12. The housing spaces are spaced apart from each other along a first axis direction in the module case, the cover includes a plurality of spacing members protruding from the cover facing surface toward the first direction, a plurality of connecting members connecting the spacing members arranged to be spaced apart from each other along a second axis direction perpendicular to the first axis direction, and a plurality of reinforcing members connecting the spacing members arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the second axis direction, The energy storage device of claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member is disposed between connecting members that connect both ends of the spacing member in the first axial direction.

13. the cover includes a plurality of protruding members protruding from an outer cover surface of the cover body disposed on the opposite side of the cover facing surface toward a second direction opposite to the first direction, The energy storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the protruding members are disposed at positions corresponding to the respective receiving spaces.

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