Battery pack and automobile including same

Abstract

A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell assembly including a plurality of battery cells, a coolant filled between the plurality of battery cells of the battery cell assembly, a pack case that accommodates the coolant and the battery cell assembly, and a waterproof adhesive provided at a predetermined height within the pack case and at least partially covering a lower end of the battery cell assembly.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack and a vehicle including the same. This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0023550, filed on February 22, 2021, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the relevant application are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0002] Secondary batteries, which have high applicability to various products and electrical properties such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that are driven by electrical sources. These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source because they are environmentally friendly and improve energy efficiency as they do not produce any by-products associated with energy use, as well as having the primary advantage of dramatically reducing the use of fossil fuels.

[0003] Currently, types of secondary batteries that are widely used include lithium ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, and nickel zinc batteries. 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 battery pack is configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series. Also, a battery pack may be configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in parallel depending on the charge / discharge capacity required for the battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack can be variously set depending on the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0004] In addition, when a battery pack is constructed by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series and parallel, a common method is to first construct a battery module consisting of at least one battery cell, and then use this at least one battery module to add other components to construct a battery pack or a battery rack.

[0005] In the case of such conventional battery packs, a water-cooling method that can further improve the cooling performance of the battery cells is a contact water-cooling method that realizes a water-cooling structure by directly filling a pack frame that houses the battery cells with coolant or the like.

[0006] In the case of such a direct water cooling method, a waterproof structure is particularly important due to the characteristics of the direct water cooling method. In the case of a conventional battery pack, the waterproof structure is ensured by individually press-fitting the battery cells into a pack frame or the like.

[0007] However, in the case of conventional battery packs, since each individual battery cell is fitted into the pack frame in the form of an interference fit, the work process is complicated, and as the number of battery cells increases, there is a problem that the possibility of leakage increases.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a solution that can provide a battery pack and a vehicle including the same that can realize a waterproof structure that can simplify the waterproofing process and improve the waterproofing reliability. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack and an automobile including the same, which can realize a waterproof structure that can simplify a waterproofing process and improve waterproofing reliability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a battery pack comprising: a battery cell assembly including a plurality of battery cells; a coolant filled between the plurality of battery cells of the battery cell assembly; a pack case accommodating the coolant and the battery cell assembly; and a waterproof adhesive provided at a predetermined height within the pack case and at least partially covering a lower end of the battery cell assembly.

[0011] The battery cell assembly may include the plurality of battery cells, a first case supporting one sides of the plurality of battery cells, a cell adhesive provided in the first case and fixing one sides of the plurality of battery cells, a second case spaced a predetermined distance from the cell adhesive and supporting the other sides of the plurality of battery cells, and a bus bar unit provided in the second case and electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells.

[0012] The coolant may be filled between the plurality of battery cells in the first case.

[0013] The first case may include a cover frame covering one side of the plurality of battery cells, a pair of main supports extending from the cover frame and provided on both sides of an outermost portion of the plurality of battery cells, and at least one cell divider provided between the pair of main supports and separating the plurality of battery cells.

[0014] The cell adhesive may be filled between the pair of main supports and the at least one cell divider.

[0015] The battery cell assembly may include at least one rigidity reinforcing rib provided in the first case or the second case and formed to a predetermined length to reinforce the rigidity of the battery cell assembly.

[0016] The first case and the second case may be made of a plastic material.

[0017] The pack case may include a base case supporting the battery cell assemblies, and cross beams provided on both sides of the base case and coupled to upper ends of the battery cell assemblies.

[0018] The waterproof adhesive may be filled to a predetermined height on the inner surface of the base case.

[0019] The battery pack may include a corrosion prevention member provided in the pack case to prevent corrosion of the battery cells of the battery cell assembly.

[0020] The corrosion protection member may include an oxygen scavenger that reacts with oxygen dissolved in the coolant.

[0021] The battery cell assembly may include an intermediate frame into which the plurality of battery cells are inserted and configured to support the plurality of battery cells.

[0022] The intermediate frame may include a frame body into which the plurality of battery cells are inserted, and a reinforcing rib provided on the frame body and disposed between the plurality of battery cells.

[0023] The present invention also provides a vehicle, comprising at least one battery pack according to the above-described embodiment. Effect of the Invention

[0024] According to the various embodiments described above, it is possible to provide a waterproof structure that can simplify a waterproofing process and to provide a battery pack and a vehicle including the same that can improve waterproof reliability.

[0025] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further understand the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to only the matters described in the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram for explaining a battery cell assembly of the battery pack of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 3 is a diagram illustrating a battery cell of the battery cell assembly of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the pack case of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] 2A to 2C are diagrams for explaining an assembly process of the battery pack of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 2A to 2C are diagrams for explaining an assembly process of the battery pack of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 2A to 2C are diagrams for explaining an assembly process of the battery pack of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] 2A to 2C are diagrams for explaining an assembly process of the battery pack of FIG. 1. [Figure 9] 2A to 2C are diagrams for explaining an assembly process of the battery pack of FIG. 1. [Figure 10] 2 is a diagram for explaining a safety assurance mechanism when an abnormal situation occurs in the battery pack of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 11 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 11 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 11 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 11 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The embodiments described herein are illustrative and are intended to facilitate understanding of the invention, and it should be understood that the present invention can be practiced in various forms different from the embodiments described herein. In addition, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the attached drawings may be drawn not to scale, but with some components exaggerated.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1 , a battery pack 10 may include a battery cell assembly 100 , a coolant 200 , a pack case 300 , and a waterproof adhesive 400 .

[0030] The battery cell assembly 100 may include a plurality of battery cells 110. Hereinafter, the battery cell assembly 100 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a battery cell assembly of the battery pack of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a battery cell of the battery cell assembly of FIG.

[0032] Referring to Figures 2, 3, and the above-mentioned Figure 1, the battery cell assembly 100 may include a plurality of battery cells 110, a first case 120, a cell adhesive 130, a second case 140, and a busbar unit 150.

[0033] The battery cells 110 are secondary batteries and may be cylindrical secondary batteries, pouch secondary batteries, or prismatic secondary batteries. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the battery cells 110 will be described as being cylindrical secondary batteries.

[0034] A vent portion 115 for discharging gas, flame, etc. may be provided at the top of each battery cell 110. The vent portion 115 may be formed to be thinner than the surrounding area at the top of the battery cell 110. This is to more easily discharging the gas or flame to the outside of the battery cell 110 by rupturing when an abnormal situation occurs in the battery cell 110 and the internal pressure increases above a certain level.

[0035] The vent 115 may be provided in the form of an opening or notch of a predetermined size, and may be formed in a structure in which a film that breaks when pressure exceeds a certain level is added to the opening of the predetermined size.

[0036] An insulating tube 118 may be provided on an outer circumferential surface of each battery cell 110. The insulating tube 118 is for insulating the battery cell 110 and may cover the outer circumferential surface of the battery cell 110. Thus, a plurality of insulating tubes 118 may be provided corresponding to the number of the battery cells 110. The plurality of insulating tubes 118 may be provided as shrink tubes.

[0037] The first case 120 may support one side of the plurality of battery cells 110. Specifically, the first case 120 may support upper sides of the plurality of battery cells 110.

[0038] The first case 120 may be made of a plastic material. The first case 120 may be coupled to a pack case 300 (described later) to form a waterproof structure that prevents leakage of the coolant 200 (described later). Here, the first case 120 and the pack case 300 (described later) may be bonded to each other by an adhesive to simplify an assembly process.

[0039] Hereinafter, the first case 120 will be described in more detail.

[0040] The first case 120 may include a cover frame 122 , a main support 124 , and a cell divider 126 .

[0041] The cover frame 122 may cover one side of the plurality of battery cells 110. Specifically, the cover frame 122 may cover upper portions of the plurality of battery cells 110 and form an upper portion of the battery cell assembly 100.

[0042] The cover frame 122 may be bonded to a cross beam 330 of a pack case 300, which will be described later, by an adhesive. The adhesive may be a thermally conductive adhesive, and may be made of the same material as the waterproof adhesive 400, which will be described later.

[0043] A pair of main supports 124 may be provided. The pair of main supports 124 may extend from the cover frame 122 and be provided on both sides of the outermost periphery of the plurality of battery cells 110.

[0044] The cell divider 126 may be formed to protrude by a predetermined length from the cover frame 122. The cell divider 126 divides the battery cells 110 in the first case 120, and at least one or more cell dividers 126 may be provided. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the case where a plurality of cell dividers 126 are provided.

[0045] The plurality of cell dividers 126 protrude from the cover frame 122 by a predetermined length and are provided between the pair of main supports 124 to divide the plurality of battery cells 110 .

[0046] The cell adhesive 130 may be provided in the first case 120 and may fix one side of the plurality of battery cells 110. Specifically, the cell adhesive 130 may fix upper portions of the plurality of battery cells 110.

[0047] The cell adhesive 130 may be filled between the pair of main support parts 124 and the at least one cell partition part 126. The cell adhesive 130 may be a thermally conductive adhesive and may be made of the same material as the waterproof adhesive 400 described below.

[0048] The second case 140 may be spaced a predetermined distance from the cell adhesive 130 and support the other side of the plurality of battery cells 110. Specifically, the second case 140 may support a lower side of the plurality of battery cells 110. The second case 140 may be made of a plastic material like the first case 120.

[0049] The second case 140 will now be described in more detail.

[0050] The second case 140 may include a mounting frame 142 and a cell divider 146 .

[0051] The mounting frame 142 may support a lower side of the battery cell 110 and guide an electrical connection between a bus bar unit 150 (to be described later) and the battery cell 110. The mounting frame 142 may be provided with a guide opening for guiding an electrical connection between the battery cell 110 and the bus bar unit 150.

[0052] The cell divider 146 may be formed to protrude by a predetermined length from the mounting frame 142. The cell divider 146 divides the battery cells 110 in the second case 140, and at least one or more cell dividers 146 may be provided. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the case where a plurality of cell dividers 146 are provided.

[0053] The busbar unit 150 may be provided in the second case 140 and electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells 110. The busbar unit 150 may be connected to the plurality of battery cells 110 by laser welding, wire bonding, or the like.

[0054] 1 , the coolant 200 may be filled between the battery cells 110 of the battery cell assembly 100. The coolant 200 may be filled between the battery cells 110 in the first case 120.

[0055] The coolant 200 may be cooling water or insulating oil. That is, in the present embodiment, the battery module may have a direct water-cooling structure using the coolant 200. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the case where the coolant 200 is cooling water.

[0056] The pack case 300 may accommodate the coolant 200 and the battery cell assemblies 100. To this end, the pack case 300 may be provided with an accommodation space for accommodating the battery cell assemblies 100 and the coolant 200.

[0057] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the pack case of FIG.

[0058] With further reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 1, the pack case 300 may include a base case 310 and a cross beam 330.

[0059] The base case 310 may support the battery cell assembly 100. To this end, the base case 310 may have a predetermined area capable of supporting the battery cell assembly 100.

[0060] The cross beams 330 may be provided on both sides of the base case 310 and may be coupled to an upper end of the battery cell assembly 100. Specifically, the cross beams 330 may be coupled to both ends of the cover frame 122 of the first case 120.

[0061] The cross beams 330 may absorb or buffer an external impact applied from the outside of the pack case 300 and prevent the impact from being transmitted to the battery cells 110 inside the pack case 300 .

[0062] 1 to 4, the waterproof adhesive 400 may be provided at a predetermined height within the pack case 300 and may at least partially cover the lower end of the battery cell assembly 100.

[0063] Specifically, the waterproof adhesive 400 may be provided to fill a predetermined height on the inner surface of the base case 310. The lower portions of the battery cells 110 of the battery cell assembly 100, the second case 140, and the bus bar unit 150 may be immersed in the waterproof adhesive 400.

[0064] In this embodiment, the waterproof adhesive 400 can fix the battery cell assembly 100 in the pack case 300 while sealing the coolant 200 in the pack case 300, thereby simplifying the waterproofing process, reducing manufacturing costs, and improving waterproof reliability.

[0065] The waterproof adhesive 400 will be described in more detail below.

[0066] The waterproof adhesive 400 may be provided as a potting resin (waterproof adhesive) 400. The potting resin (waterproof adhesive) 400 may include a silicone resin or a urethane resin having high cooling and adhesive performance. This is merely an example, and the potting resin (waterproof adhesive) 400 may be provided with other resin materials such as an acrylic resin or an epoxy resin having high cooling and adhesive performance.

[0067] The potting resin (waterproof adhesive) 400 may include a phase change material. This is to further improve the cooling performance of the potting resin (waterproof adhesive) 400 and to further reduce the thermal energy of the battery cell 110 through a phase change. For example, the potting resin (waterproof adhesive) 400 may include a paraffin material. The paraffin material undergoes a phase change at a temperature of 33° C. to 46° C. and undergoes an endothermic reaction, thereby effectively improving the cooling performance of the battery cell 110. The paraffin material may be encapsulated with an acrylic coating or the like to improve the injection performance when the potting resin (waterproof adhesive) 400 is injected.

[0068] The potting resin (waterproof adhesive) 400 may include a flame retardant. The flame retardant is a ceramic-based flame retardant that may be added to the potting resin (waterproof adhesive) 400. For example, the flame retardant may be provided as aluminum hydroxide.

[0069] Accordingly, the potting resin (waterproof adhesive) 400 is made of a composite resin including a resin material such as silicone resin or urethane resin, a paraffin material which is a phase change material, and a flame retardant material such as aluminum hydroxide, thereby realizing a waterproof function, greatly improving the cooling performance of the battery cell 110, and more effectively blocking heat transfer to the surroundings when an abnormality occurs in the battery cell 110.

[0070] The assembly process of the battery pack 10 according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0071] 5 to 9 are diagrams for explaining the assembly process of the battery pack of FIG.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 5 , a manufacturer may place the first case 120 of the battery cell assembly 100 upside down, fill the cell adhesive 130 inside to a predetermined height, and then place and fix the battery cells 110 between the main supports 124 by upside down and between the cell dividers 126.

[0073] Referring to Fig. 6, the manufacturer may then provide the second case 140 to cover the battery cells 110. Referring to Fig. 7, the manufacturer may then place the bus bar unit 150 on the mounting frame 142 of the second case 140. Referring to Fig. 8, the manufacturer may then electrically connect the bus bar unit 150 and the battery cells 110 to each other by laser welding, wire bonding, or the like.

[0074] 9, the manufacturer may then turn over and invert the battery cell assembly 100, and fix the battery cell assembly 100 in the pack case 300 filled with the waterproof adhesive 400. The manufacturer may then inject the coolant 200 (see FIG. 1) into the battery cell assembly 100. Here, the injection of the coolant 200 may be performed through a coolant inlet formed in at least one of the battery cell assembly 100 and the pack case 300. When the injection of the coolant 200 is completed, the manufacturer may seal the coolant inlet.

[0075] As described above, the battery pack 10 according to the present embodiment embodies a waterproof structure by adhesive bonding using the first case 120, the cell adhesive 130, the second case 140, and the waterproof adhesive 400, etc., with the potting resin, etc., thereby simplifying the waterproof assembly process.

[0076] In the battery pack 10 according to the present embodiment, in implementing the waterproof structure, the battery cells 110 are implemented by an integrated adhesive bonding structure of the battery cells using the cell adhesive 130 and the waterproof adhesive 400, rather than a structure based on individual interference fit of the battery cells, so that the efficiency of the assembly process can be significantly improved and the possibility of leakage can be significantly reduced compared to an individual battery cell bonding structure.

[0077] Hereinafter, a safety assurance mechanism in the battery pack 10 according to this embodiment when an abnormal situation occurs due to overheating or the like will be described.

[0078] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a safety assurance mechanism when an abnormal situation occurs in the battery pack of FIG.

[0079] 10, in the battery pack 10, an abnormality such as overheating may occur in any one of the battery cells 110, generating gas or flames. In this case, the gas or flames can quickly escape from the vent 115 of the battery cell 110 in which the abnormality has occurred.

[0080] In addition, in this embodiment, since the cell adhesive 130 is filled on the upper part of the vent portion 115 of the battery cell 110, it is possible to effectively prevent the spread of a flame or the like to the adjacent battery cell 110 in the event of an abnormal situation occurring and the battery cell 110 in which the vent portion 115 is opened.

[0081] Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the first case 120 may be made of a material that is easily broken by fire, etc., so that the fire, etc., may quickly escape to the outside of the battery pack 10 before it spreads to the adjacent battery cell 110 around the battery cell 110 where the abnormal situation occurs. The first case 120 may be made of a plastic material that is easily broken by fire, etc., as described above.

[0082] In this manner, in the case of the battery pack 10 according to the present embodiment, the area surrounding the vent portion 115 of the battery cell 110 is filled with the waterproof adhesive 400, and the waterproof adhesive 400 can effectively prevent the transmission of heat, gas, flame, etc. to the adjacent battery cell 110 when the abnormal situation occurs, thereby preventing the risk of chain fire.

[0083] Therefore, the battery pack 10 according to the present embodiment can further ensure the safety of the battery pack 10 by preventing explosions such as thermal runaway caused by chain fires when an abnormal situation occurs in the battery pack 10 due to the waterproof adhesive 400.

[0084] 11 and 12 are diagrams illustrating a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] Since the battery pack 20 according to this embodiment is similar to the battery pack 10 according to the previously described embodiment, a redundant description of configurations that are substantially the same or similar to those of the previously described embodiment will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences from the previously described embodiment.

[0086] 11 and 12, the battery pack 20 may include a battery cell assembly 105, a coolant 200, a pack case 300, and a waterproof adhesive 400.

[0087] The battery cell assembly 105 may include a battery cell 110 , a first case 120 , a cell adhesive 130 , a busbar unit 150 , and a second case 160 .

[0088] The battery cell 110, the first case 120, the cell adhesive 130, and the bus bar unit 150 are substantially the same as or similar to those in the above-described embodiment, and therefore, redundant description will be omitted below.

[0089] The second case 160 may include a mounting frame 162 and a rigid reinforcing rib 165 .

[0090] The mounting frame 162 is substantially the same as or similar to the embodiment described above, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0091] The rigidity reinforcing rib 165 is provided on the second case 160. Specifically, the rigidity reinforcing rib 165 may be formed on the mounting frame 162 of the second case 160 and formed to a predetermined length along the longitudinal direction of the battery cell 110 to reinforce the rigidity of the battery cell assembly 105. The rigidity reinforcing rib 165 may be provided on the first case 120 instead of the second case 160, or may be provided on each of the first case 120 and the second case 160.

[0092] The stiffening ribs 165 may optimize a flow path structure to improve the cooling performance of the coolant 200 as well as provide a guide to optimize the amount of the coolant 200 injected, while also providing stiffening reinforcement for the battery cell assembly 100.

[0093] The coolant 200, the pack case 300, and the waterproof adhesive 400 are substantially the same as or similar to those in the above-described embodiment, and therefore, redundant description will be omitted below.

[0094] As described above, the battery pack 20 according to this embodiment can reinforce the rigidity of the battery cell assembly 100 and improve the cooling performance of the coolant 200 by the rigidity reinforcing rib 165.

[0095] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] The battery pack 30 according to this embodiment is similar to the battery pack 10 according to the previously described embodiment, so that a redundant description of configurations that are substantially the same or similar to those of the previously described embodiment will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences from the previously described embodiment.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 13 , the battery pack 30 may include a battery cell assembly 100 , a coolant 200 , a pack case 300 , a waterproof adhesive 400 , and a corrosion prevention member 500 .

[0098] The battery cell assembly 100, the coolant 200, the pack case 300, and the waterproof adhesive 400 are substantially the same as or similar to those in the above-described embodiment, and therefore, redundant description will be omitted below.

[0099] The corrosion prevention member 500 is for preventing corrosion of the battery cells of the battery cell assembly 100 and may be provided in the pack case 300. Specifically, the corrosion prevention member 500 may be provided between the battery cells of the battery cell assembly 100.

[0100] In this embodiment, since the battery cells of the battery cell assembly 100 are provided in the coolant 200 provided as cooling water, corrosion of the battery can forming the outer periphery of the battery cells may occur.

[0101] To prevent this, the corrosion prevention member 500 may include an oxygen scavenger that reacts with oxygen dissolved in the coolant 200 provided as the cooling water. Also, the corrosion prevention member 500 may be made of a material including zinc or calcium that is more prone to corrosion, i.e. oxidation, than the typical nickel-plated steel material that is a component of the battery can, so as to prevent corrosion of the battery can of the battery cell. If all of the oxygen dissolved in the cooling water reacts with the corrosion prevention member 500, corrosion will not progress any further, so that the corrosion prevention member 500 can effectively prevent corrosion of the battery cell.

[0102] In this manner, the battery pack 30 according to this embodiment can effectively prevent corrosion of the battery cells of the battery cell assembly 100 disposed in the coolant 200 by the corrosion prevention member 500.

[0103] In addition, the structure of the battery packs 10, 20, and 30, which can simplify the waterproofing process and improve the waterproofing reliability according to the present embodiment, can be similarly applied to the structure of a battery module. That is, if the battery module has the above-mentioned battery pack structure, it is possible to similarly implement the waterproofing structure that can simplify the waterproofing process and improve the waterproofing reliability.

[0104] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] The battery pack 40 according to this embodiment is similar to the battery pack 10 according to the previously described embodiment, so that redundant descriptions of configurations that are substantially the same or similar to those of the previously described embodiment will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences from the previously described embodiment.

[0106] Referring to FIG. 14 , the battery pack 40 may include a coolant 200, a pack case 305, a waterproof adhesive 400, and a battery cell assembly 600.

[0107] The coolant 200, the pack case 305, and the waterproof adhesive 400 are similar to those in the above-described embodiment, so that the overlapping description will be omitted below.

[0108] The battery cell assembly 600 may include a plurality of battery cells 610 , a cell frame 620 , an intermediate frame 630 , a cell adhesive 640 , and a cover frame 650 .

[0109] The plurality of battery cells 610 are substantially the same as or similar to the plurality of battery cells 110 of the above-described embodiment, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0110] The cell frame 620 may support the plurality of battery cells 610. The cell frame 620 may have a plurality of cell grooves into which the plurality of battery cells 610 are inserted to more stably support the plurality of battery cells 610.

[0111] The intermediate frame 630 may be provided to receive the plurality of battery cells 610 and support the plurality of battery cells 610. The intermediate frame 630 may allow the plurality of battery cells 610 to be more stably fixed to the cell frame 620.

[0112] The intermediate frame 630 may be coupled to the cell frame 620. Specifically, both ends of the intermediate frame 630 may be coupled to both ends of the cell frame 620.

[0113] The cell adhesive 640 is attached to the plurality of battery cells 610 and the cell frame 620, and may further increase the fixing force of the plurality of battery cells 610.

[0114] In addition, the cell adhesive 640 may be interposed between the cell frame 620 and a cover frame 650 (to be described later) to guide the connection between the cell frame 620 and the cover frame 650 (to be described later).

[0115] The cover frame 650 may cover the plurality of battery cells 610 and be coupled to the pack case 305. Meanwhile, the waterproof adhesive 400 may be provided between the cover frame 650 and the pack case 305, thereby making the coupling between the cover frame 650 and the pack case 305 more solid and preventing penetration of external foreign matter and leakage of internal cooling water.

[0116] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0117] The battery pack 50 according to this embodiment is similar to the battery pack 40 according to the previously described embodiment, so that redundant descriptions of configurations that are substantially the same or similar to those of the previously described embodiment will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences from the previously described embodiment.

[0118] Referring to FIG. 15 , the battery pack 50 may include a coolant 200, a pack case 305, a waterproof adhesive 400, and a battery cell assembly 605.

[0119] The coolant 200, the pack case 305 and the waterproof adhesive 400 are similar to those in the above-described embodiment, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0120] The battery cell assembly 605 may include a battery cell 610 , a cell frame 620 , an intermediate frame 635 , a cell adhesive 640 , and a cover frame 650 .

[0121] The battery cell 610 and the cell frame 620 are similar to those in the above-described embodiment, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0122] The intermediate frame 635 may include a frame body 6351 and a reinforcing rib 6353 .

[0123] The plurality of battery cells may be inserted into the frame body 6351. The frame body 6351 is similar to the intermediate frame 630 of the above-described embodiment, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0124] The reinforcing ribs 6353 may be provided on the frame body 6351 and disposed between the plurality of battery cells 610. The reinforcing ribs 6353 may reinforce the rigidity of the frame body 6351. The reinforcing ribs 6353 may further increase the rigidity of the intermediate frame 635.

[0125] In addition, the reinforcing ribs 6353 may separate the plurality of battery cells 610. As a result, even if an abnormality such as overheating occurs in one of the plurality of battery cells 610, the reinforcing ribs 6353 may minimize heat transfer to the adjacent battery cell 610.

[0126] The cell adhesive 640 and the cover frame 650 are similar to those in the above-described embodiment, and therefore, a duplicated description will be omitted below.

[0127] FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0128] 16, the automobile 1 may be an electric automobile or a hybrid automobile and may include at least one of the battery packs 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 according to the above-described embodiments as an energy source. The automobile 1 according to the present embodiment includes the battery packs 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 described above, and thus includes all of the advantages of the battery packs 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 described above.

[0129] According to the various embodiments as described above, it is possible to provide the battery packs 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and the automobile 1 including the battery packs 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, which can simplify the waterproofing process and improve the waterproofing reliability.

[0130] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the specific preferred embodiments described above, and that various modifications can be made by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical ideas and perspectives of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0131] 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 Battery Packs 100, 105, 600, 605 Battery Cell Assembly 200 Coolant 300, 305 pack case 400 Potting resin (waterproof adhesive)

Claims

1. A battery pack comprising: a battery cell assembly including a plurality of battery cells; A coolant is filled between the plurality of battery cells of the battery cell assembly; and a pack case that contains the coolant and the battery cell assembly; a waterproof adhesive provided at a predetermined height within the pack case and at least partially covering a lower end of the battery cell assembly; Including, The battery cell assembly includes: the plurality of battery cells; a first case supporting one side of the plurality of battery cells; a cell adhesive provided in the first case and configured to fix one side of the plurality of battery cells; a second case spaced a predetermined distance from the cell adhesive and supporting the other sides of the battery cells; a bus bar unit provided in the second case and electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells; Including, a predetermined height of the waterproof adhesive provided in the pack case such that at least the bus bar unit is immersed in the waterproof adhesive.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the coolant is filled between the plurality of battery cells in the first case.

3. The first case is a cover frame for covering one side of the plurality of battery cells; a pair of main supports extending from the cover frame and provided on both sides of an outermost portion of the plurality of battery cells; At least one cell partition portion provided between the pair of main supports and partitioning the plurality of battery cells; 2. The battery pack of claim 1, comprising:

4. The battery pack according to claim 3 , wherein the cell adhesive is filled between the pair of main supports and the at least one cell divider.

5. 2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the battery cell assembly includes at least one rigidity reinforcing rib provided in the first case or the second case and formed to a predetermined length to reinforce the rigidity of the battery cell assembly.

6. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the first case and the second case are made of a plastic material.

7. The pack case includes: a base case supporting the battery cell assembly; a cross beam provided on each side of the base case and coupled to an upper end of the battery cell assembly; 7. The battery pack according to claim 1, comprising:

8. The battery pack according to claim 7 , wherein the waterproof adhesive is filled to a predetermined height on the inner surface of the base case.

9. The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising a corrosion prevention member provided in the pack case to prevent corrosion of the battery cells of the battery cell assembly.

10. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein the corrosion prevention member includes an oxygen scavenger that reacts with oxygen dissolved in the coolant.

11. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the battery cell assembly includes an intermediate frame into which the plurality of battery cells are inserted and configured to support the plurality of battery cells.

12. The intermediate frame is a frame body into which the plurality of battery cells are inserted; a reinforcing rib provided on the frame body and disposed between the plurality of battery cells; 12. The battery pack of claim 11, comprising:

13. A motor vehicle comprising at least one battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

Images