Battery pack

Abstract

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a battery pack is provided. The battery pack includes a pack housing including a base plate and a guide protruding from the base plate, and a first battery cell assembly and a second battery cell assembly disposed on the base plate, each of the first and second battery cell assemblies including a cell stack containing a plurality of battery cells and a first crossbeam and a second crossbeam coupled to the cell stack, wherein the second crossbeam of the first battery cell assembly includes a second assembly window that exposes the guide.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack. This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 10-2023-0160135, filed on Nov. 20, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Background Art

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. Secondary batteries are widely used as an energy source for various cordless devices such as handsets, notebook computers, and cordless vacuum cleaners. In recent years, due to improvements in energy density and economies of scale, the manufacturing cost per unit capacity of secondary batteries has decreased epochally, and as the driving range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has increased to a level equivalent to that of fuel vehicles, the main use of secondary batteries has shifted from mobile devices to mobility.

[0003] The trend in the technological development of secondary batteries for mobility is the improvement of energy density and safety. Here, the energy density of a secondary battery is the value obtained by dividing the maximum electrical energy that the secondary battery can store by the mass of the secondary battery. Since a high energy density of a secondary battery directly relates to the driving efficiency and driving range of mobility, various studies have been conducted to improve the energy density of secondary batteries.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the technical idea of the present invention is to provide a battery pack with improved reliability and assembly.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, a battery pack is provided. The battery pack includes a pack housing including a base plate and a guide protruding from the base plate, and a first battery cell assembly and a second battery cell assembly disposed on the base plate, each of the first and second battery cell assemblies including a cell stack containing a plurality of battery cells and a first crossbeam and a second crossbeam coupled to the cell stack, the second crossbeam of the first battery cell assembly including a second assembly window that exposes the guide.

[0006] The first crossbeam of the second battery cell assembly is coupled to the second crossbeam of the first battery cell assembly.

[0007] The first crossbeam of the second battery cell assembly described above covers the guide.

[0008] The first crossbeam of the second battery cell assembly includes a first assembly window that exposes the guide.

[0009] The first assembly window of the first crossbeam of the second battery cell assembly overlaps with the second assembly window of the second crossbeam of the first battery cell assembly.

[0010] Each of the first crossbeams of the first battery cell assembly and the second battery cell assembly includes a first stepped structure, and each of the second crossbeams of the first battery cell assembly and the second battery cell assembly includes a second stepped structure, the height of which is greater than the height of the guide.

[0011] The second crossbeam of the first battery cell assembly and the second battery cell assembly further includes a bolting hole, the shape of which is the same as the shape of the second assembly window.

[0012] The second crossbeam of the first battery cell assembly and the second battery cell assembly further includes a bolting hole, the shape of which differs from the shape of the second assembly window.

[0013] The diameters of the multiple bolting holes differ from the diameter of the second assembly window described above.

[0014] According to an exemplary embodiment, a battery pack is provided. The battery pack includes a pack housing including a base plate and guides protruding from the base plate, and a battery cell assembly disposed on the base plate, the battery cell assembly including a cell stack including a plurality of battery cells, and a first crossbeam and a second crossbeam coupled to the cell stack, the first crossbeam including a first vertical rib and a second vertical rib, and a first horizontal rib and a second horizontal rib interposed between the first vertical rib and the second vertical rib, the second crossbeam including a third vertical rib and a fourth vertical rib, and a third horizontal rib and a fourth horizontal rib interposed between the third vertical rib and the fourth vertical rib, the third horizontal rib including a third window exposing a corresponding guide, and the fourth horizontal rib including a fourth window through which a corresponding guide penetrates.

[0015] The first cross beam mentioned above covers the guide mentioned above.

[0016] The first horizontal rib of the first crossbeam includes a first window that exposes the corresponding guide.

[0017] The second horizontal rib of the first cross beam includes a second window that exposes the corresponding one of the guides.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] A battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can include a battery cell assembly including a cross beam that exposes a guide. Thereby, the assembly property and reliability of the battery pack can be improved.

[0019] The effects obtainable from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly derived and understood by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure belong from the following description. That is, unintended effects associated with implementing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can also be derived by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a plan view showing a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a plan view of a first cross beam of a battery cell assembly. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line 2I-2I' of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] It is a plan view of a first cross beam of a battery cell assembly. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line 4I-4I' of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] A battery pack according to another exemplary embodiment is shown. [Figure 7] A battery pack according to another exemplary embodiment is shown. [Figure 8] It is a plan view of a first cross beam of a battery cell assembly. [Figure 9] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line 8I-8I' of FIG. 8.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before that, terms and words used in this specification and the claims are not to be construed as limited to ordinary or dictionary meanings, but can be construed as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical idea of the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms in order to explain the inventor's own invention in the best way.

[0022] Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical idea of the present invention. Therefore, there can be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of this application.

[0023] In addition, in the description of the present invention, when it is determined that a specific description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the present invention to an ordinary technician. Therefore, the shapes and sizes of the components in the drawings can be exaggerated, omitted, or shown schematically for a clearer explanation. Therefore, the sizes and ratios of each component do not fully reflect the actual sizes and ratios.

[0025] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a battery pack 100 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a first cross beam 125a of battery cell assemblies 120, 120'.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line 2I-2I' of FIG. 2.

[0028] Figure 4 is a plan view of the first crossbeam 125a of the battery cell assemblies 120 and 120'.

[0029] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the cutting line 4I-4I' in Figure 4.

[0030] Referring to Figures 1 to 5, the battery pack 100 may include a pack housing 110 and a plurality of battery cell assemblies 120, 120'. The battery pack 100 is the final form of a battery system installed in a mobility device or the like.

[0031] The pack housing 110 may include a base plate 110B, side walls 110S, a cross beam 110CB, and a guide 110G. Here, two directions substantially parallel to the mounting surface of the base plate 110B are defined as the X and Y directions, and the direction substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface of the base plate 110B is defined as the Z direction. The X, Y, and Z directions may be substantially perpendicular to each other.

[0032] The base plate 110B may have a flat shape. The side wall 110S may be substantially perpendicular to the base plate 110B. The side wall 110S may be adjacent to the edge of the base plate 110B. The side wall 110S may be coupled to the edge portion of the base plate 110B.

[0033] The base plate 110B may include a center beam 110CB. The center beam 110CB may be surrounded by side walls 110S. This allows the center beam 110CB to divide the space defined by the pack housing 110.

[0034] The base plate 110B and the side wall 110S can each be provided by an extrusion process. The base plate 110B may include a plurality of plates joined by friction stir welding. The center beam 110CB may be included in any one of the plurality of plates of the base plate 110B and may be formed together with one of the plurality of plates by an extrusion process, or may be welded to one of the plurality of plates of the base plate 110B.

[0035] Each of the guides 110G may protrude from the mounting surface of the base plate 110B. Each of the guides 110G may have a pin shape. Each of the guides 110G may include a pointed end. The guides 110G may be located in the positions where the battery cell assemblies 120, 120' are intended to be mounted.

[0036] Multiple battery cell assemblies 120 can be arranged on the mounting surface of the base plate 110B of the pack housing 110. Multiple battery cell assemblies 120 can be arranged in the X direction. The base plate 110B can support multiple battery cell assemblies 120. Side walls 110S can horizontally surround multiple battery cell assemblies 120.

[0037] The technical idea of ​​the present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments in which the battery pack 100 is of a moduleless type and each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120 does not include a module frame. However, this is a non-limiting example and does not limit the technical idea of ​​the present invention in any sense. A person of ordinary skill in the art can easily arrive at multiple battery cell assemblies including a module frame and a module-type battery pack including therein based on what is described herein.

[0038] Each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120 may include a cell stack 121, a front end plate assembly 123F, a rear end plate assembly 123R, a first cross beam 125a, a second cross beam 125b, and an FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) assembly 127.

[0039] A cell stack 121 can contain multiple battery cells. A battery cell is the basic unit of a lithium-ion battery, i.e., a secondary battery. A battery cell can include an electrode assembly, electrolyte, and case. Battery cells are classified into lithium-ion batteries, lithium-ion polymer batteries, lithium polymer batteries, etc., depending on the configuration of the electrode assembly and electrolyte.

[0040] The battery cell may be one of the following: a cylindrical battery cell, a prismatic battery cell, or a pouch-type battery cell. The electrode assembly of a cylindrical battery cell is housed in a cylindrical metal can. The electrode assembly of a prismatic battery cell is housed in a prismatic metal can. The electrode assembly of a pouch-type battery cell is housed in a pouch case containing an aluminum laminate sheet.

[0041] An electrode assembly includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator membrane interposed between the positive and negative electrodes. A jelly roll type electrode assembly consists of a rolled-up positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator membrane interposed between them. A stack type electrode assembly includes multiple positive electrodes, multiple negative electrodes, and multiple separator membranes interposed between them, stacked sequentially.

[0042] According to an exemplary embodiment, the battery cells of the cell stack 121 can constitute multiple banks. Each bank may include one or more parallel-connected battery cells. The banks may be connected in series with one another. The number of battery cells included in each of the banks and the number of banks in the cell stack 121 can be determined depending on the voltage and current to be output through the battery cell assembly 120.

[0043] According to an exemplary embodiment, the cell stack 121 may further include a plurality of separators. The plurality of separators can prevent the plurality of battery cells from swelling by horizontally supporting the plurality of battery cells. According to an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of separators may be thermal barriers. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of separators may have a high melting temperature and a low thermal conductivity. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of separators may include a flame retardant material such as ceramic and coated glass material. According to an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of separators may be configured to release a fire retarding material and a fire extinguishing agent in the event of a thermal runaway event.

[0044] The first crossbeams 125a and second crossbeams 125b of each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120 can be spaced apart from each other with the cell stack 121 in between. The first crossbeams 125a and second crossbeams 125b can cover the cell stack 121. The first crossbeams 125a and second crossbeams 125b can be fixed to the cell stack 121 by an adhesive or the like.

[0045] Each first crossbeam 125a of a plurality of battery cell assemblies 120 may include vertical ribs P1a, P2a and horizontal ribs R1a, R2a, R3a, R4a. The vertical ribs P1a, P2a may be substantially perpendicular to the X direction. The vertical ribs P1a, P2a may be spaced apart from each other in the X direction. The vertical rib P1a may be in contact with the cell stack 121. The vertical rib P1a may cover the first side surface 121S1 of the cell stack 121. The vertical rib P2a may be spaced apart from the cell stack 121 with the vertical rib P1a in between. The length of the vertical rib P1a in the Z direction may be longer than the length of the vertical rib P2a in the Z direction.

[0046] Horizontal ribs R1a, R2a, R3a, and R4a may be substantially perpendicular to the Z direction. Horizontal ribs R1a, R2a, R3a, and R4a may be spaced apart from each other in the Z direction. Horizontal ribs R1a, R2a, R3a, and R4a may be interposed between vertical ribs P1a and P2a. Horizontal ribs R1a, R2a, R3a, and R4a may be connected to vertical ribs P1a and P2a. Horizontal ribs R3a and R4a may be interposed between horizontal ribs R1a and R2a.

[0047] The first crossbeam 125a may include a staircase structure STa. The vertical rib P2a and horizontal rib R2a of the first crossbeam 125a can constitute the staircase structure STa.

[0048] The first crossbeam 125a can include multiple bolting holes 125aB. This allows each of the horizontal ribs R1a, R2a, R3a, and R4a to include multiple overlapping holes, and the overlapping of the multiple holes in the horizontal ribs R1a, R2a, R3a, and R4a can constitute multiple bolting holes 125aB.

[0049] Each of the multiple bolting holes 125aB can be formed, for example, by drilling, and the shape of each of the multiple bolting holes 125aB may be approximately circular. Each of the multiple bolting holes 125aB may also be formed by methods such as CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining or laser processing. Multiple bolting holes 125aB formed by CNC machining or laser processing can have a variety of shapes, such as squares, polygons such as triangles, crosses, and star shapes.

[0050] There may be a gap 125aC between the vertical ribs P1a, P2a and the horizontal ribs R1a, R2a, R3a, R4a. This allows the first crossbeam 125a to be lighter and improves the energy density of the battery pack 100. The vertical rib P1a may also be called the first vertical rib, the vertical rib P2a may be called the second vertical rib, the horizontal rib R1a may be called the first horizontal rib, and the horizontal rib R2a may be called the second horizontal rib.

[0051] Each second crossbeam 125b of a plurality of battery cell assemblies 120 may include vertical ribs P1b, P2b and horizontal ribs R1b, R2b, R3b. The vertical ribs P1b, P2b may be substantially perpendicular to the X direction. The vertical ribs P1b, P2b may be spaced apart from each other in the X direction. The vertical rib P1b may be in contact with the cell stack 121. The vertical rib P1b may cover a second side surface 121S2 of the cell stack 121. The second side surface 121S2 may be opposite to the first side surface 121S1. The vertical rib P2b may be spaced apart from the cell stack 121 with the vertical rib P1b in between. The length of the vertical rib P1b in the Z direction may be longer than the length of the vertical rib P2b in the Z direction.

[0052] The horizontal ribs R1b, R2b, and R3b may be substantially perpendicular to the Z direction. The horizontal ribs R1b, R2b, and R3b may be spaced apart from each other in the Z direction. The horizontal ribs R1b, R2b, and R3b may be interposed between the vertical ribs P1b and P2b. The horizontal ribs R1b, R2b, and R3b may be connected to the vertical ribs P1b and P2b. The horizontal rib R3b may be interposed between the horizontal ribs R1b and R2b. The distance between the horizontal rib R1b and the base plate 110B may be greater than the height of the guide 110G. The height of the stepped structure STb of the second cross beam 125b may be greater than the height of the guide 110G. This may cause the guide 110G not to penetrate the horizontal rib R1b of the second cross beam 125b. The guide 110G may be spaced apart from the horizontal rib R1b of the second cross beam 125b. As a non-limiting example, the distance between the horizontal rib R3b and the base plate 110B may be greater than the guide 110G.

[0053] The second crossbeam 125b may include a staircase structure STb. The vertical rib P2b and horizontal rib R1b of the second crossbeam 125b can constitute the staircase structure STb.

[0054] The second crossbeam 125b can include multiple bolting holes 125bB. This allows each of the horizontal ribs R1b, R2b, and R3b to include multiple overlapping holes, and the multiple holes in the horizontal ribs R1b, R2b, and R3b can constitute multiple bolting holes 125bB.

[0055] The second crossbeam 125b can include an assembly window 125bW. This allows each of the horizontal ribs R1b, R2b, and R3b to include overlapping windows Rb1W, Rb2W, and Rb3W. Each of the windows Rb1W and Rb3W can expose a guide pin 110G. Window Rb2W can be penetrated by the guide pin 110G. The overlapping of multiple windows Rb1W, Rb2W, and Rb3W of the horizontal ribs R1b, R2b, and R3b can constitute the assembly window 125bW.

[0056] The assembly window 125bW allows the guide 125G on the upper base plate 110B to be exposed. This allows for precise determination of the pressure (e.g., pressure in the X direction) applied to multiple battery cell assemblies 120 when mounting them onto the base plate 110B, thereby improving the assembly efficiency of the battery pack 100. Furthermore, since the position of each battery cell assembly 120 is determined based on the guide 125G exposed through the assembly window 125bW, cumulative errors that would occur by sequentially mounting the battery cell assemblies 120 in the X direction can be prevented or mitigated.

[0057] Each of the multiple bolting holes 125bB and assembly windows 125bW can be formed, for example, by drilling, and the shape of each of the multiple bolting holes 125bB and assembly windows 125bW may be approximately circular. Each of the multiple bolting holes 125bB and assembly windows 125bW may be formed by methods such as CNC machining or laser processing. Each of the multiple bolting holes 125bB and assembly windows 125bW formed by CNC machining or laser processing can have a variety of shapes, such as squares, polygons such as triangles, crosses, and star shapes.

[0058] The shape of each assembly window 125bW may differ from the shape of each of the multiple bolting holes 125bB. For example, each assembly window 125bW may be a rectangle, and each of the multiple bolting holes 125bB may be a circle. As another example, each assembly window 125bW may be a circle with a different diameter from each of the multiple bolting holes 125bB.

[0059] In Figure 4, multiple bolting holes 125bB are interposed between assembly windows 125bW, but the positions of the assembly windows 125bW are illustrative and do not limit the technical idea of ​​the present invention in any way.

[0060] According to an exemplary embodiment, multiple bolting holes 125bB can overlap with multiple bolting holes 125aB. This allows mechanical fastening means, such as bolts, to penetrate the first and second crossbeams 125b, which are connected to each other, and be joined to the base plate 110B.

[0061] In this example, the first crossbeam 125a does not have to include the assembly window 125bW. This allows the first crossbeam 125a to cover the guide 110G. This means that the first crossbeam 125a may not expose the guide 110G. The first crossbeam 125a can overlap the guide 110G in the Z direction.

[0062] There may be a gap 125bC between the vertical ribs P1b, P2b and the horizontal ribs R1b, R2b, R3b. This allows the second crossbeam 125b to be lighter and improves the energy density of the battery pack 100. The vertical rib P1b may also be called the third vertical rib, the vertical rib P2b may be called the fourth vertical rib, the horizontal rib R1b may be called the third horizontal rib, and the horizontal rib R2b may be called the fourth horizontal rib.

[0063] The distance between horizontal rib R3b and base plate 110B may be greater than the distance between horizontal rib R2b and base plate 110B. The distance between horizontal rib R1b and base plate 110B may be greater than the distance between horizontal rib R3b and base plate 110B. The distance between horizontal rib R2a and base plate 110B may be greater than the distance between horizontal rib R1b and base plate 110B. The distance between horizontal rib R4a and base plate 110B may be greater than the distance between horizontal rib R2a and base plate 110B. The distance between horizontal rib R3a and base plate 110B may be greater than the distance between horizontal rib R4a and base plate 110B. The distance between rib R1a and base plate 110B may be greater than the distance between horizontal rib R3a and base plate 110B.

[0064] Each first crossbeam 125a of a plurality of battery cell assemblies 120 can be coupled to a second crossbeam 125b of a subsequent battery cell assembly 120 or to a supporting beam of a base plate 110B. Each first crossbeam 125a of a plurality of battery cell assemblies 120 can overlap with a second crossbeam 125b of a subsequent battery cell assembly 120 or to a supporting beam of a base plate 110B.

[0065] The shape of the stepped structure STb of the second crossbeam 125b may be complementary to, but is not limited to, the stepped structure STb of the first crossbeam 125a. For example, taking into account assembly margins and process margins, there may be a clearance between the second crossbeam 125b and the first crossbeam 125a when they are joined.

[0066] The lower part of vertical rib P1a can face vertical rib P2b, the upper part of vertical rib P1b can face vertical rib P2a, and horizontal rib R2a can face horizontal rib R1b.

[0067] The front end plate assembly 123F and the rear end plate assembly 123R can be coupled to the cell stack 121. The front end plate assembly 123F may include a frame, an integrated circuit, and busbars. The frame may support the integrated circuit and busbars. The frame may prevent undesirable short circuits between conductive elements by supporting the conductive elements. The busbars may be external connection terminals for outputting the voltage of the cell stack 121. The rear end plate assembly 123R may include a frame and an integrated circuit.

[0068] The integrated circuits of the front end plate assembly 123F and the rear end plate assembly 123R can provide an electrical path for transmitting voltage and temperature sensing values ​​to an external source, such as a BMS (Battery Management System).

[0069] The FFC assembly 127 can be coupled to the front end plate assembly 123F and the rear end plate assembly 123R, respectively. The FFC assembly 127 can provide electrical connections to the front end plate assembly 123F and the rear end plate assembly 123R.

[0070] Multiple battery cell assemblies 120' can be arranged on the mounting surface of the base plate 110B of the pack housing 110. Multiple battery cell assemblies 120' can be separated from multiple battery cell assemblies 120 with a center beam 110CB in between. The center beam 110CB can be interposed between multiple battery cell assemblies 120' and multiple battery cell assemblies 120.

[0071] Each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120' may include a cell stack 121, a front end plate assembly 123F, a rear end plate assembly 123R, a first cross beam 125a, a second cross beam 125b, and an FFC assembly 127.

[0072] Each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120' is the same as each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120, except for the positions of the first crossbeam 125a and the second crossbeam 125b. The first crossbeam 125a of each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120' can be coupled to the side of the second side 121S2 of the cell stack 121, and the second crossbeam 125b of each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120' can be coupled to the side of the first side 121S1 of the cell stack 121. Thus, the description of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120 can be similarly applied to the multiple battery cell assemblies 120'.

[0073] In this example, multiple battery cell assemblies 120 are sequentially mounted in the pack housing 100 in the +X direction, and multiple battery cell assemblies 120' can also be sequentially mounted in the pack housing 100 in the +X direction.

[0074] The battery pack 100 may include multiple exhaust devices. Each exhaust device can be coupled to any one of the side walls 110S. The side walls 110S may include exhaust paths connected to the multiple exhaust devices. The multiple exhaust devices can be configured to slow down thermal propagation by releasing hot gases from inside the battery pack 100 to the outside when at least one of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120 is in a thermal runway state.

[0075] Here, thermal runaway of multiple battery cell assemblies 120, 120' is a state in which the temperature change of multiple battery cell assemblies 120, 120' further accelerates that temperature change, resulting in an uncontrollable positive feedback loop. Multiple battery cell assemblies 120, 120' in a thermal runaway state exhibit a rapid temperature increase and emit large amounts of high-pressure gas and combustion residue.

[0076] The battery pack 100 may further include electrical components. The electrical components may be located on the pack housing 110. The electrical components may be located between one of the side walls 110S on which the exhaust system is installed and a plurality of battery cell assemblies 120, 120'.

[0077] Electrical components may include, for example, a BMS (Battery Management System). The BMS can be configured to perform tasks such as monitoring, balancing, and controlling the battery pack. Monitoring of the battery pack 100 may include measuring the voltage and current at specific nodes within a plurality of battery cell assemblies 120, 120', and measuring the temperature at a set location within the battery pack 100. The battery pack 100 may include instruments for measuring the aforementioned voltage, current, and temperature.

[0078] Balancing the battery pack 100 is an operation that reduces deviations between multiple battery cell assemblies 120, 120'. Control of the battery pack 100 includes preventing overcharging, over-discharging, and overcurrent. Through monitoring, balancing, and control, the battery pack 100 can operate under optimal conditions, thereby preventing shortening of the lifespan of each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120, 120'.

[0079] The electrical components may further include a cooling system, a Power Relay Assembly (PRA), a safety plug, and the like. The cooling system may include a cooling fan. The cooling fan can prevent overheating of each of the multiple battery cell assemblies 120, 120' by circulating air inside the battery pack 100. The PRA can be configured to supply or cut off power from the high-voltage battery to an external load (e.g., the vehicle's motor). The PRA can protect the multiple battery cell assemblies 120, 120' and the external load (e.g., the vehicle's motor) by cutting off the power supply to the external load (e.g., the vehicle's motor) in situations where abnormal voltages occur, such as voltage surges.

[0080] The battery pack 100 may further include multiple interbus bars configured to electrically connect multiple battery cell assemblies 120, 120'. Multiple battery cell assemblies 120, 120' may be connected in series by multiple interbus bars. This allows the battery pack 100 to be configured to output a high voltage to an external load (e.g., a vehicle motor).

[0081] The battery pack 100 may further include a lid plate coupled to the side wall 110S. The lid plate can cover elements located inside the battery pack 100, such as battery cell assemblies 120, 120' and electrical components. The lid plate can be secured to the battery pack 100 by mechanical fastening means, such as bolts.

[0082] (Second Embodiment) Figure 6 shows a battery pack 100' according to another exemplary embodiment.

[0083] Referring to Figure 6, the battery pack 100' may include a pack housing 110 and a plurality of battery cell assemblies 120 mounted on the pack housing 110.

[0084] In this example, some battery cell assemblies 120 can be mounted sequentially in the pack housing 100 in one direction (e.g., the +X direction), and some battery cell assemblies 120 can be mounted sequentially in the pack housing 100 in the opposite direction (e.g., the -X direction).

[0085] (Third embodiment) Figure 7 shows a battery pack 100'' according to another exemplary embodiment.

[0086] Figure 8 is a plan view of the first crossbeam 125a' of the battery cell assemblies 120'', 120''''.

[0087] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view along the cutting line 8I-8I' in Figure 8.

[0088] Referring to Figures 7 to 9, the battery pack 100'' may include a pack housing 110 and a plurality of battery cell assemblies 120'', 120'''' mounted on the pack housing 110.

[0089] Multiple battery cell assemblies 120'' are substantially the same as battery cell assembly 120 in Figure 1, except that they include a first crossbeam 125a' instead of a first crossbeam 125a (see Figure 3). Multiple battery cell assemblies 120'' are substantially the same as battery cell assembly 120' in Figure 1, except that they include a first crossbeam 125a' instead of a first crossbeam 125a (see Figure 3).

[0090] Each first crossbeam 125a' of multiple battery cell assemblies 120'' and multiple battery cell assemblies 120''' can include vertical ribs P1a, P2a and horizontal ribs R1a', R2a', R3a', R4a'. Each first crossbeam 125a' of multiple battery cell assemblies 120'' and multiple battery cell assemblies 120''' can include an assembly window 125aW. Thus, each of the horizontal ribs R1a', R2a', R3a', R4a' can include overlapping windows R1aW, R2aW, R3aW, R4aW, and the overlaps of the windows R1aW, R2aW, R3aW, R4aW of the horizontal ribs R1a', R2a', R3a', R4a' can constitute the assembly window 125aW.

[0091] The assembly window 125aW of the first crossbeam 125a' can overlap with the corresponding assembly window 125bW of the second crossbeam 125b. This allows the assembly window 125aW of the first crossbeam 125a' to expose the corresponding guide 125G. This allows the quality of the assembly process to be inspected using a vision machine or the like after the mounting of multiple battery cell assemblies 120'', 120'''' is complete.

[0092] The present invention has been described in more detail above with reference to the drawings and embodiments. However, the configurations described in the drawings or embodiments described herein are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the present invention. Therefore, there may be a variety of equivalents and modifications that can be substituted for them at the time of filing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 100 Battery Packs 100' Battery Pack 100'' Battery Pack 110 Pack Housing 110B Base Plate 110CB Crossbeam 110G Guide 110S side wall 120 Battery Cell Assembly 120' Battery Cell Assembly 120'' Battery Cell Assembly 120'' Battery Cell Assembly 121 Cell Stack 121S1 1st side 121S2 2nd side 123F Front End Plate Assembly 123R Rear End Plate Assembly 125a First Crossbeam 125a' First crossbeam 125aB Bolting Hole 125aC vacant space 125aW Assembly Window 125b Second Crossbeam 125bB Bolting Hole 125bC Empty space 125bW Assembly Window 125G Guide 127 FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) Assembly

Claims

1. A pack housing including a base plate and a guide protruding from the base plate, The base plate includes a first battery cell assembly and a second battery cell assembly, Each of the first and second battery cell assemblies includes a cell stack containing a plurality of battery cells and a first crossbeam and a second crossbeam coupled to the cell stack. The second crossbeam of the first battery cell assembly includes a second assembly window that exposes the guide, in a battery pack.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the first crossbeam of the second battery cell assembly is coupled with the second crossbeam of the first battery cell assembly.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the first crossbeam of the second battery cell assembly covers the guide.

4. The battery pack according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first crossbeam of the second battery cell assembly includes a first assembly window that exposes the guide.

5. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the first assembly window of the first crossbeam of the second battery cell assembly overlaps with the second assembly window of the second crossbeam of the first battery cell assembly.

6. The first crossbeam of the first battery cell assembly and the second battery cell assembly each includes a first stepped structure, The second crossbeam of the first battery cell assembly and the second battery cell assembly each includes a second stepped structure. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the height of the second stair structure is greater than the height of the guide.

7. The second crossbeam of each of the first and second battery cell assemblies further includes a bolting hole, The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the bolting hole is the same as the shape of the second assembly window.

8. The second crossbeam of each of the first and second battery cell assemblies further includes a bolting hole, The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the bolting hole is different from the shape of the second assembly window.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8, wherein the diameters of the multiple bolting holes are different from the diameter of the second assembly window.

10. A pack housing including a base plate and a guide protruding from the base plate, Includes a battery cell assembly disposed on the base plate, The battery cell assembly includes a cell stack comprising a plurality of battery cells, and a first crossbeam and a second crossbeam coupled to the cell stack. The first crossbeam includes a first vertical rib and a second vertical rib, and a first horizontal rib and a second horizontal rib interposed between the first vertical rib and the second vertical rib. The second crossbeam includes a third vertical rib and a fourth vertical rib, and a third horizontal rib and a fourth horizontal rib interposed between the third vertical rib and the fourth vertical rib, The third horizontal rib includes a third window that exposes the corresponding guide, The battery pack includes a fourth horizontal rib which is penetrated by a corresponding guide.

11. The battery pack according to claim 10, wherein the first crossbeam covers the guide.

12. The first horizontal rib of the first crossbeam includes a first window that exposes a corresponding guide, The battery pack according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the second horizontal rib of the first crossbeam includes a second window for exposing a corresponding guide.

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