Battery packs and automobiles containing them

Abstract

A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a cell array structure including a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of cooling tubes provided between the plurality of battery cells; and a pack case housing the cell array structure and having a cooling medium flow path communicating with the plurality of cooling tubes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack and an automobile including the same, and more particularly, to a battery pack with improved energy density and an automobile including the same.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0165927 filed on November 24, 2023, and all of the contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the application are incorporated herein.

Background Art

[0003] Secondary batteries with high applicability according to product groups and having electrical characteristics such as high energy density are commonly applied not only to portable devices but also to electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) driven by an electric drive source. Such secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for improving environmental friendliness and energy efficiency not only because of the primary advantage of significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels but also because no by-products are generated during energy use.

[0004] Currently, commonly used types of secondary batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, nickel zinc batteries, etc. The operating voltage of such a unit secondary battery cell, i.e., a unit battery cell, is about 2.5V to 4.5V. Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, a plurality of battery cells may be connected in series to form a battery pack. Also, depending on the charge and discharge capacity required for the battery pack, a plurality of battery cells may be connected in parallel to form a battery pack. For this reason, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack can be variously set according to the required output voltage or charge and discharge capacity.

[0005] On the other hand, when configuring a battery pack by connecting multiple battery cells in series or parallel, it is common practice to first configure a battery module containing at least one battery cell, and then use that at least one battery module to add other components and configure the battery pack.

[0006] Conventional battery packs are equipped with a cooling line structure for cooling the battery cells. The cooling line structure includes a plurality of cooling tubes provided between the battery cells, a cooling line connected to an external cooling device for supplying and recovering a cooling medium to the plurality of cooling tubes, and a cooling pipe connecting the cooling line and the plurality of cooling tubes.

[0007] Conventional cooling pipes are generally extended to a predetermined length within a pack case for connection to multiple cooling tubes and are provided on both sides of the edge within the pack case.

[0008] However, this type of cooling pipe structure in conventional battery packs has the problem of occupying a large volume within the pack case, which is disadvantageous in terms of the battery pack's energy density. In addition, the cooling structure of conventional battery packs has the problem of a complex connection structure due to the structure of cooling pipes connected to multiple cooling tubes, which in turn complicates the assembly process.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need to explore strategies that can provide battery packs that can increase space utilization and improve energy density. At the same time, there is a need to explore strategies that can improve assembly ease and process efficiency. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack and an automobile including the same that can simplify the cooling line structure, increase space utilization efficiency, and maximize energy density.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack and an automobile including the same that can improve assembly ease and process efficiency.

[0012] It should be noted that the technical problems that this invention aims to solve are not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] To solve the above objective, the present invention provides a battery pack comprising: a cell array structure including a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of cooling tubes provided between the plurality of battery cells; and a pack case housing the cell array structure and having a cooling medium flow path communicating with the plurality of cooling tubes.

[0014] Furthermore, preferably, the cooling medium channel can be formed integrally with the pack case.

[0015] Preferably, the cooling medium flow path is provided inside the side edge of the pack case and can be connected to an external cooling device outside the pack case.

[0016] Preferably, the pack case includes a bottom plate that supports the cell array structure and an outer sidewall coupled to the bottom plate and surrounding the periphery of the cell array structure, and the cooling medium flow path may be formed in the outer sidewall.

[0017] Preferably, the cooling medium flow path may include a cooling medium supply flow path for supplying the cooling medium to the plurality of cooling tubes, and a cooling medium discharge flow path separated from the cooling medium supply flow path for discharging the cooling medium that has circulated through the plurality of cooling tubes to an external cooling device.

[0018] Furthermore, preferably, the cooling medium supply channel and the cooling medium discharge channel may be arranged at a predetermined distance apart from each other in the height direction of the pack case.

[0019] Preferably, the battery pack may further include a connector unit connected to the pack case so as to be connected to the plurality of cooling tubes and in communication with the cooling medium flow path.

[0020] Preferably, the connector unit can connect the plurality of cooling tubes to the pack case in the space between the cell array structure within the pack case and the pack case.

[0021] Preferably, the ends of the plurality of cooling tubes may be provided with cooling medium inlet / outlet sections for guiding the inlet and outlet of the cooling medium, and these cooling medium inlet / outlet sections may be provided between the plurality of battery cells and the pack case.

[0022] Preferably, the connector unit may have a length shorter than the cooling medium inlet / outlet portion in the longitudinal direction of the plurality of cooling tubes.

[0023] Preferably, the connector unit may be provided in multiple quantities corresponding to the number of cooling tubes, and each cooling tube may be connected to communicate with the cooling medium flow path of the pack case.

[0024] Preferably, each of the plurality of connector units may include a supply connector for supplying a cooling medium to the cooling tube and a discharge connector for discharging the cooling medium that has circulated within the cooling tube into the cooling medium flow path of the pack case.

[0025] Preferably, the supply connector and the discharge connector may be arranged with the cooling tube in between.

[0026] Furthermore, the present invention provides a motor vehicle, characterized by including at least one battery pack according to the foregoing embodiments.

Advantages of the Invention

[0027] According to the various embodiments as described above, it is possible to provide a battery pack that simplifies the cooling line structure, improves the space utilization rate, and maximizes the energy density, as well as a motor vehicle including the same.

[0028] Also, according to the various embodiments as described above, it is possible to provide a battery pack that enhances the assemblability and improves the process efficiency, as well as a motor vehicle including the same.

[0029] Furthermore, according to the various embodiments of the present invention, various other additional effects can also be achieved. Regarding these various effects of the present invention, they will be described in detail in each embodiment, or the description will be omitted for effects that can be easily understood by those skilled in the art.

[0030] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further understand the technical idea of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention to be described later. Therefore, the present invention should not be construed as being limited only to the matters described in the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031] [Figure 1] It is a diagram for explaining a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a plan view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an enlarged view of part A of the battery pack in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a diagram for explaining an inner side wall portion of a pack case of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6]This is a side cross-sectional view of the pack case of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view of the BB section in Figure 6. [Figure 8] This diagram illustrates the cooling tubes of the cell array structure of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a diagram illustrating a battery pack connector unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This figure illustrates a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a magnified view of section C of the battery pack shown in Figure 10. [Figure 12] This is a diagram illustrating an automobile based on one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, terms and words used herein and in the claims should not be interpreted in a manner limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but rather in a manner consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that inventors may appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe their invention.

[0033] Therefore, the embodiments and configurations shown in the drawings described herein represent only one of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the present invention. It should be understood that there are various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted for these at the time of filing this application.

[0034] On the other hand, while this specification may use terms to indicate directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back, these terms are for convenience of explanation and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that they may differ depending on the position of the object or the observer.

[0035] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a plan view of the battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 4 is an enlarged view of part A of the battery pack in Figure 3.

[0036] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the battery pack 10 may include a cell array structure 100 and a pack case 200.

[0037] The cell array structure 100 may include a plurality of battery cells 110 and a plurality of cooling tubes 130 provided between the plurality of battery cells 110.

[0038] The plurality of battery cells 110 are secondary batteries and can be provided as cylindrical secondary batteries, pouch-type secondary batteries, or prismatic secondary batteries. In this embodiment, the description will be limited to the case where the plurality of battery cells 110 are provided as cylindrical secondary batteries.

[0039] The plurality of cooling tubes 130 are for cooling the plurality of battery cells 110, and the plurality of battery cells 110 can be cooled by a cooling medium flowing inside them, which will be described later. The plurality of cooling tubes 130 will be described in more detail in the related explanations below.

[0040] The pack case 200 can house the cell array structure 100. Such a pack case 200 may include cooling medium passages 250, 260 (see Figures 6 and 7) that communicate with the plurality of cooling tubes 130. The cooling medium passages 250, 260 (see Figures 6 and 7) may be connected to cooling device connection lines 270, 280 provided at one end of the pack case 200 for connection to an external cooling device.

[0041] In the case of the battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the pack case 200 is provided with cooling medium flow paths 250, 260 (see Figures 6 and 7) that communicate with the cooling tube 130, so that the cooling medium flow paths can be configured without providing a separate pipe member or the like that has a cooling medium flow path that communicates with the cooling tube.

[0042] Therefore, the battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention does not require additional components such as pipe members for communication with the cooling tube 130, and thus can significantly improve both space efficiency and energy density.

[0043] Furthermore, the battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention can omit additional components such as pipe members, thereby increasing the efficiency of the manufacturing process and reducing manufacturing costs, thus ensuring price competitiveness.

[0044] The pack case 200 according to this embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail below.

[0045] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the inner side wall portion of the pack case of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the pack case of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the BB portion of Figure 6. Here, for the sake of explanation, the battery cells and side frames of the cell array structure are omitted from Figure 5.

[0046] Referring to Figures 5 to 7, the cooling medium channels 250 and 260 of the pack case 200 can be integrally formed with the pack case 200. Specifically, the cooling medium channels 250 and 260 can be integrally formed inside the pack case 200.

[0047] Therefore, according to the battery pack 10 of one embodiment of the present invention, the cooling medium flow paths 250 and 260 can be configured by utilizing the structure of the pack case 200 itself, thereby maximizing space efficiency and providing a battery pack 10 with a higher energy density.

[0048] The cooling medium channels 250 and 260 are provided inside the side edges of the pack case 200 and can be connected to an external cooling device provided outside the pack case 200. The side edges of the pack case 200 are provided as an extruded structure having a hollow portion inside, and the cooling medium channels 250 and 260 are formed in the hollow space within the side edges and can be provided at the same time as the formation of the extruded structure.

[0049] Therefore, according to the battery pack 10 of one embodiment, the cooling medium channels 250 and 260 can be formed simultaneously during the manufacturing of the pack case 200, which is manufactured as an extruded structure, thereby increasing process efficiency and simplifying the fastening structure.

[0050] Such a pack case 200 may include a bottom plate 220 and an outer side wall 240.

[0051] The bottom plate 220 can support the cell array structure 100. For this purpose, the bottom plate 220 may be provided with a predetermined support space capable of supporting the cell array structure 100.

[0052] The outer sidewall 240 is coupled to the bottom plate 220 and can surround the periphery of the cell array structure 100. The cooling medium channels 250 and 260 can be formed in the outer sidewall 240. The outer sidewall 240 is provided as an extruded aluminum structure having a hollow shape inside, and the cooling medium channels 250 and 260 can be provided simultaneously during the manufacturing of the outer sidewall 240.

[0053] The cooling medium flow paths 250 and 260 may include a cooling medium supply flow path (cooling medium flow path) 250 and a cooling medium discharge flow path (cooling medium flow path) 260.

[0054] The cooling medium supply channel 250 is for supplying the cooling medium to the plurality of cooling tubes 130, and is integrally provided inside one side of the outer side wall 240, and can be formed inside one side of the outer side wall 240 for a predetermined length.

[0055] The cooling medium is configured as a cooling fluid that can circulate within the cooling tube 130 while cooling the battery cell 110. For example, the cooling medium may be cooling water. However, it is not limited to this, and the cooling medium can of course be configured as any other cooling fluid that can circulate within the cooling tube 130 while cooling the battery cell 110.

[0056] The cooling medium supply channel 250 may be provided with a plurality of supply channel connection portions 255. The plurality of supply channel connection portions 255 are arranged at predetermined distances apart along the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the cooling medium supply channel 250 and may be connected to communicate with the supply connector 320 of the connector unit 300, which will be described later.

[0057] Such a cooling medium supply channel 250 may be connected to cooling device connection lines 270, 280 (see Figure 1) which are connected to an external cooling device for supplying the cooling medium. The cooling device connection lines 270, 280 are provided so as to be exposed to the outside of the pack case 200 and may include a cooling medium supply line (cooling device connection line) 270 and a cooling medium discharge line (cooling device connection line) 280. The cooling medium supply channel 250 may be connected to the cooling medium supply line 270 of the cooling device connection lines 270, 280.

[0058] The cooling medium discharge channel 260 is for discharging the cooling medium that has circulated through the plurality of cooling tubes 130 to an external cooling device, and can be partitioned from the cooling medium supply channel 250. The cooling medium discharge channel 260 is integrally provided inside one side of the outer sidewall 240 at a predetermined distance from the cooling medium supply channel 250, and can be formed inside one side of the outer sidewall 240 for a predetermined length. Specifically, the cooling medium supply channel 250 and the cooling medium discharge channel 260 can be arranged at a predetermined distance from each other in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the pack case 200. For example, the cooling medium supply channel 250 can be positioned lower than the cooling medium discharge channel 260 in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the pack case 200.

[0059] The cooling medium discharge channel 260 may be provided with a plurality of discharge channel connection portions 265. The plurality of discharge channel connection portions 265 are arranged at predetermined distances apart along the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the cooling medium discharge channel 260 and may be connected to communicate with the discharge connector 340 of the connector unit 300, which will be described later. The plurality of discharge channel connection portions 265 may be arranged offset from the plurality of supply channel connection portions 255 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the cooling medium channels 250 and 260.

[0060] Such a cooling medium discharge channel 260 may be connected to the cooling device connection lines 270 and 280, which are connected to an external cooling device for supplying the cooling medium. Specifically, the cooling medium discharge channel 260 may be connected to the cooling medium discharge line 280 of the cooling device connection lines 270 and 280.

[0061] The following describes in more detail other configurations of the battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the cooling tubes of the cell array structure of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Referring to Figure 8 and Figures 1 to 7, the plurality of cooling tubes 130 of the cell array structure 100 may be formed to a predetermined length along the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the pack case 200, and may have internal cooling channels for the circulation of the cooling medium. The ends of such plurality of cooling tubes 130 may be provided with cooling medium inlet / outlet sections 135 for guiding the inlet and outlet of the cooling medium. The cooling medium inlet / outlet sections 135 may be provided between the plurality of battery cells 110 and the pack case 200. Specifically, the cooling medium inlet / outlet sections 135 may be provided between the plurality of battery cells 110 and one inner wall of the outer sidewall 240 of the pack case 200. Inside the one inner wall of the outer sidewall 240, the cooling medium supply channel 250 and the cooling medium discharge channel 260 may be provided.

[0064] The cooling medium inlet / outlet section 135 may be provided with a supply connection section 137 and a discharge connection section 138. The supply connection section 137 is provided protruding for a predetermined length from one side (-Y axis direction) of the cooling medium inlet / outlet section 135 and can be connected to a supply connector 320 of a connector unit 300, which will be described later. The discharge connection section 138 is provided protruding for a predetermined length from the other side (+Y axis direction) of the cooling medium inlet / outlet section 135 and can be connected to a discharge connector 340 of a connector unit 300, which will be described later.

[0065] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack connector unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] Referring to Figure 9 and Figures 1 to 8, the battery pack 10 may include a connector unit 300.

[0067] The connector unit 300 can be connected to the plurality of cooling tubes 130 and coupled to the pack case 200 so as to communicate with the cooling medium passages 250 and 260. Such a connector unit 300 can be connected to the plurality of cooling tubes 130 and guide the communication between the cooling medium passages 250 and 260.

[0068] The connector unit 300 can connect the plurality of cooling tubes 130 to the pack case 200 in the space between the cell array structure 100 and the pack case 200 within the pack case 200. Specifically, the connector unit 300 can connect the cooling medium inlet / outlet portions 135 of the plurality of cooling tubes 130 to the outer side wall 240 of the pack case 200 in the space between one end of the cell array structure 100 within the pack case 200 and one inner wall of the outer side wall 240, so as to connect the cooling tubes 130 to the cooling medium flow paths 250, 260.

[0069] The connector unit 300 may have a length shorter than the cooling medium inlet / outlet portion 135 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the plurality of cooling tubes 130. Therefore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the connector unit 300 can be used to realize a configuration in which the size of the one-sided space W within the pack case 200 does not increase.

[0070] Multiple connector units 300 may be provided, corresponding to the number of cooling tubes 130. Each of the multiple connector units 300 can be connected to communicate with the cooling medium flow paths 250 and 260 of the pack case 200.

[0071] The following describes these multiple connector units 300 in more detail.

[0072] Each of the plurality of connector units 300 may include a supply connector 320 for supplying a cooling medium to the cooling tube 130, and a discharge connector 340 for discharging the cooling medium that has circulated within the cooling tube 130 to the cooling medium flow path 260 of the pack case 200. The supply connector 320 and the discharge connector 340 may be arranged on either side of the cooling tube 130.

[0073] The supply connector 320 may include a connector body 322, a tube connection portion 324, and a case connection portion 326.

[0074] The connector body 322 forms the external appearance of the supply connector 320 and may have a substantially bent shape. The tube connection portion 324 is provided at one end of the connector body 322 and may be connected to the supply connection portion 137 of the cooling medium inlet / outlet portion 135 of the cooling tube 130. The case connection portion 326 is provided at the other end of the connector body 322 and may be connected to the supply channel connection portion 255 of the pack case 200.

[0075] The discharge connector 340 may include a connector body 342, a tube connection portion 344, and a case connection portion 346.

[0076] The connector body 342 forms the external appearance of the discharge connector 340 and may have a substantially bent shape. The tube connection portion 344 is provided at one end of the connector body 342 and may be connected to the discharge connection portion 138 of the cooling medium inlet / outlet portion 135 of the cooling tube 130. The case connection portion 346 is provided at the other end of the connector body 342 and may be connected to the discharge channel connection portion 265 of the pack case 200.

[0077] Referring again to Figures 1 to 4, the cell array structure 100 of the battery pack 10 may include a side frame 150.

[0078] The side frame 150 can accommodate a plurality of battery cells 110 and a plurality of cooling tubes 130 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the pack case 200. Such a side frame 150 may include a pair of side walls 152 and a plurality of side structures 155.

[0079] The pair of sidewalls 152 are positioned on both sides of the outermost perimeter of the cell array structure 100 (+Y axis direction and -Y axis direction) and can support at least one row of battery cells 110 in the longitudinal direction (X axis direction) of the pack case 200. The pair of sidewalls 152 can be fixed to the outer sidewall 240 of the pack case 200 via fastening members or the like. Thus, the cell array structure 100 can be more stably fixed and supported to the pack case 200.

[0080] The plurality of side structures 155 are provided between the pair of side walls 152 in the stacking direction (Y-axis direction) of the plurality of cooling tubes 130 and can support at least two rows of battery cells 110 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the pack case 200. Specifically, the plurality of side structures 155 can support the battery cells 110 along the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) on both the front (+Y-axis direction) and rear (-Y-axis direction) sides along the stacking direction (Y-axis direction).

[0081] Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 11 is an enlarged view of section C of the battery pack in Figure 10.

[0082] Since the battery pack 20 according to this embodiment is similar to the battery pack 10 of the previous embodiment, redundant explanations of configurations that are substantially the same or similar to those of the previous embodiment will be omitted, and the following explanation will focus on the differences from the previous embodiment.

[0083] Referring to Figures 10 and 11, the battery pack 20 may include the cell array structure 100, the pack case 200, and a plurality of connector units 400.

[0084] Since the cell array structure 100 and the pack case 200 are substantially the same as or similar to those in the above embodiment, a redundant explanation will be omitted below.

[0085] Each of the plurality of connector units 400 may include a supply connector 420 for supplying a cooling medium to the cooling tube 130, and a discharge connector 440 for discharging the cooling medium that has circulated within the cooling tube 130 to the cooling medium flow path 260 (see Figure 7) of the pack case 200. The supply connector 420 and the discharge connector 440 may be arranged on either side of the cooling tube 130.

[0086] The supply connector 420 may include a connector body 422, a tube connection portion 424, and a case connection portion 426.

[0087] The connector body 422 forms the external appearance of the supply connector 420, is formed in a substantially linear shape, and may have a length shorter than the cooling medium inlet / outlet portion 135 of the cooling tube 130 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the cooling tube 130. The tube connection portion 424 is provided at one end of the connector body 422 and may be connected to the supply connection portion 137 of the cooling medium inlet / outlet portion 135 of the cooling tube 130 so as to communicate with it. The case connection portion 426 is provided at the other end of the connector body 422 and may be connected to the supply channel connection portion 255 (see Figure 7) of the pack case 200.

[0088] The discharge connector 440 may include a connector body 442, a tube connection portion 444, and a case connection portion 446.

[0089] The connector body 442 forms the external appearance of the discharge connector 440, is formed in a substantially linear shape, and may have a length shorter than the cooling medium inlet / outlet portion 135 of the cooling tube 130 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the cooling tube 130. The tube connection portion 444 is provided at one end of the connector body 442 and may be connected to the discharge connection portion 138 of the cooling medium inlet / outlet portion 135 of the cooling tube 130. The case connection portion 446 is provided at the other end of the connector body 442 and may be connected to the discharge channel connection portion 265 (see Figure 7) of the pack case 200.

[0090] Thus, the connector unit 400 can be formed in a straight shape rather than a bent shape as in the above embodiment. Therefore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the connector unit 400 can be configured with a simpler structure, thereby further increasing the manufacturing efficiency of the battery pack 20 and further reducing manufacturing costs.

[0091] Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating an automobile according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] Referring to Figure 12, an automobile 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include at least one of the battery packs 10 and 20 described above. Furthermore, an automobile 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include various other components included in the automobile, in addition to such battery packs 10 and 20. For example, an automobile 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include, in addition to the battery packs 10 and 20, a vehicle body, a motor, and a control device such as an electronic control unit (ECU).

[0093] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the battery packs 10 and 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention can be installed not only in the automobile 1, but also in other devices, mechanisms, and equipment such as energy storage systems that use secondary batteries.

[0094] According to the various embodiments described above, it is possible to provide battery packs 10, 20 and an automobile V including them that can simplify the cooling line structure, increase space utilization efficiency, and maximize energy density.

[0095] Furthermore, according to the various embodiments described above, it is possible to provide battery packs 10 and 20 and an automobile V including them that can improve assembly ease and process efficiency.

[0096] As described above, the present invention has been explained by limited embodiments and drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of equivalent technical concepts and claims of the present invention by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0097] 10 Battery Packs 100 Cell Array Structure 110 battery cells 130 Cooling Tubes 200 pack case 250, 260 Cooling medium flow path

Claims

1. A cell array structure including a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of cooling tubes provided between the plurality of battery cells, A pack case containing the cell array structure and having a cooling medium channel that communicates with the plurality of cooling tubes, Includes a battery pack.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the cooling medium channel is integrally formed with the pack case.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the cooling medium channel is provided inside the side edge of the pack case and is connected to an external cooling device outside the pack case.

4. The aforementioned pack case is A bottom plate supporting the cell array structure, An outer side wall connected to the bottom plate, the outer side wall surrounding the periphery of the cell array structure, Includes, The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the cooling medium channel is formed in the outer sidewall.

5. The aforementioned cooling medium flow path is A cooling medium supply channel for supplying a cooling medium to the plurality of cooling tubes, A cooling medium discharge channel is separated from the aforementioned cooling medium supply channel and is used to discharge the cooling medium that has circulated through the plurality of cooling tubes to an external cooling device, The battery pack according to claim 1, including the following:

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein the cooling medium supply channel and the cooling medium discharge channel are arranged at a predetermined distance apart from each other in the height direction of the pack case.

7. The battery pack according to claim 1, further comprising a connector unit connected to the plurality of cooling tubes, the connector unit being coupled to the pack case so as to communicate with the cooling medium flow path.

8. The battery pack according to claim 7, wherein the connector unit connects the plurality of cooling tubes to the pack case in the space between the cell array structure within the pack case and the pack case.

9. The ends of the aforementioned plurality of cooling tubes are provided with cooling medium inlet / outlet sections for guiding the inlet and outlet of the cooling medium. The battery pack according to claim 7, wherein the cooling medium inlet / outlet section is provided between the plurality of battery cells and the pack case.

10. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein the connector unit has a length shorter than the cooling medium inlet / outlet portion in the longitudinal direction of the plurality of cooling tubes.

11. The battery pack according to claim 7, wherein the connector unit is provided in multiple quantities corresponding to the number of cooling tubes, and each cooling tube is connected to communicate with the cooling medium flow path of the pack case.

12. Each of the multiple connector units is, A supply connector for supplying a cooling medium to the cooling tube side, A discharge connector for discharging the cooling medium that has circulated within the cooling tube into the cooling medium flow path of the pack case, The battery pack according to claim 11, including the following:

13. The battery pack according to claim 12, wherein the supply connector and the discharge connector are arranged with the cooling tube in between.

14. An automobile comprising at least one battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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