Battery pack and device including same

Abstract

A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery module; a pack frame that houses the battery module and has a through hole formed on one surface thereof; a cooling port inserted into the through hole; a cooling connector located inside the pack frame and connected to the cooling port; a cover member that is coupled to the cooling port and has an opening formed therein; and a pack refrigerant tube connected to the cooling connector. The cooling port includes a plate-shaped base portion and a first tube that protrudes from the base portion in a first direction and passes through the through hole. The base portion includes a base protrusion formed on one surface of the base portion in the first direction. A sealing member is positioned between the opening of the cover member and the base protrusion.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] [CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0091134 dated July 12, 2021, and all contents disclosed in the documents of that Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery pack and a device including the same, and more particularly to a battery pack having a water-cooling structure and a device including the same. [Background technology]

[0003] In modern society, as the use of portable devices such as mobile phones, laptops, camcorders, and digital cameras has become commonplace, the development of technologies related to these mobile devices is progressing vigorously. In addition, rechargeable secondary batteries are used as the power source for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (P-HEVs), etc., as a solution to address air pollution caused by existing gasoline-powered vehicles that use fossil fuels, so there is an increasing need for the development of secondary batteries.

[0004] Currently, commercially available secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Of these, lithium secondary batteries are attracting attention due to the advantages they have over nickel-based secondary batteries, such as almost no memory effect, freedom to charge and discharge, a very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0005] Such lithium secondary batteries mainly use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as positive and negative active materials, respectively, and include an electrode assembly in which positive and negative plates coated with the positive and negative active materials are disposed with a separator between them, and a battery case that hermetically houses the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

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

[0007] In the case of secondary batteries used in small devices, two or three battery cells are arranged, while in the case of secondary batteries used in medium to large devices such as automobiles, a battery module in which a number of battery cells are electrically connected is used. In such battery modules, a number of battery cells are connected to each other in series or parallel to form a battery cell stack, thereby improving capacity and output. In addition, one or more battery modules can be attached with various control and protection systems such as a BMS (Battery Management System) and a cooling system to form a battery pack.

[0008] If the temperature of a secondary battery rises above the appropriate level, the performance of the secondary battery may deteriorate, and in severe cases, there may be a risk of explosion or fire. In particular, in a battery module or battery pack having a large number of secondary batteries, i.e., battery cells, the temperature may rise more rapidly in a small space due to the sum of heat generated from the large number of battery cells. In other words, a battery module including a large number of battery cells and a battery pack to which such a battery module is attached can obtain high output, but it is not easy to remove the heat generated in the battery cells during charging and discharging. If the heat of the battery cells is not properly dissipated, the battery cells will deteriorate faster, shortening their lifespan and increasing the possibility of explosion or fire.

[0009] Furthermore, battery modules included in vehicle battery packs are frequently exposed to direct sunlight and may be placed in high temperature conditions such as in summer or in desert regions.

[0010] Therefore, when constructing a battery module or battery pack, it is very important to ensure stable and effective cooling performance. In particular, as the capacity of battery modules and battery packs increases, the amount of heat generated increases, and a water-cooled cooling structure is required rather than an air-cooled structure to control the increased amount of heat generated. Although a water-cooled cooling structure has excellent cooling performance, it is essential to have a sealing structure that prevents the coolant from leaking into the battery pack.

[0011] As the demand for increased capacity and improved heat dissipation of battery packs continues, it is practically necessary to develop a battery pack with a stable sealing structure and cooling system. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery pack and a device including the same, which have improved sealing properties to prevent leakage of a refrigerant in a water-cooled cooling structure and improved assembly properties in the process of realizing the cooling structure.

[0013] However, the problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is not limited to the above problem, and can be variously expanded within the scope of the technical ideas included in the present invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery module; a pack frame that houses the battery module and has a through hole formed on one surface thereof; a cooling port inserted into the through hole; a cooling connector located inside the pack frame and connected to the cooling port; a cover member that is coupled to the cooling port and has an opening formed therein; and a pack refrigerant tube connected to the cooling connector. The cooling port includes a plate-shaped base portion and a first tube that protrudes from the base portion in a first direction and passes through the through hole. The base portion includes a base protrusion formed on one surface of the base portion in the first direction. A sealing member is positioned between the opening of the cover member and the base protrusion.

[0015] With the first tube passing through the through hole, the cooling connector may be coupled to the first tube.

[0016] An outer circumferential protrusion protruding in an outer circumferential direction may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the first tube.

[0017] The cooling connector may be lockingly coupled to the peripheral projection.

[0018] The sealing member may be located between an inner circumferential surface of the opening and an outer circumferential surface of the base protrusion.

[0019] The opening has an inner diameter larger than a diameter of the base protrusion, and a space in which the sealing member is seated may be formed between the opening and the base protrusion.

[0020] The cover member may be coupled to the one surface of the base portion in the first direction such that the first tube and the base protrusion pass through the opening.

[0021] The cover member may be located between an outer surface of the pack frame and the base portion.

[0022] The cover member may be attached to the base portion by a hook connection.

[0023] The cooling port may include a second tube protruding from the base in a second direction opposite the first direction.

[0024] The inside of the first pipe and the inside of the second pipe are connected to each other, and a refrigerant can flow through the inside of the first pipe and the inside of the second pipe. Effect of the Invention

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a space in which a sealing member is located can be naturally formed by combining a cooling port and a cover member, so that the sealing performance of a refrigerant circulation structure can be improved and the structure can be simplified.

[0026] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view showing one of the battery modules included in the battery pack of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which a module frame is removed from the battery module of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a perspective view showing one of the battery cells included in the battery module of FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 4 is a partial perspective view showing a coupling relationship between a cooling port, a cover member, and a cooling connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is a partial perspective view showing a coupling relationship between a cooling port, a cover member, and a cooling connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cooling port according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cooling port and a cover member are coupled together according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] 2A and 2B are perspective views of a cooling port and a cover member according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] 2 is a perspective view showing a cooling port, a cover member and a sealing member coupled together according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing a state before a first pipe of a cooling port and a cooling connector are coupled inside the pack frame. [Figure 12] 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line AA' in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a cooling port according to a comparative example of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view showing a cooling port, a joining bracket and a sealing member according to another comparative example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention may, however, be embodied in various different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0029] In order to clearly describe the present invention, parts that are not relevant to the description will be omitted, and the same reference numerals will be used throughout the specification to refer to the same or similar components.

[0030] In addition, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those shown. In the drawings, thicknesses are exaggerated to clearly express multiple layers and regions. In the drawings, thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated for convenience of explanation.

[0031] In addition, when a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is said to be "on" or "above" another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly above" the other part, but also the case where there is another part in between. Conversely, when a part is said to be "directly above" another part, it means that there is no other part in between. In addition, being "on" or "above" a reference part means being located above or below the reference part, and does not necessarily mean being located "on" or "above" the opposite direction of gravity.

[0032] Also, throughout the specification, when a part "comprises" a certain element, this means that it may further include other elements, but not excluding other elements, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

[0033] Also, throughout the specification, "on a plane" means when the subject part is viewed from above, and "on a cross section" means when the subject part is cut vertically and viewed from the side.

[0034] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the battery modules included in the battery pack of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module of Fig. 2 with a module frame removed. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the battery cells included in the battery module of Fig. 3.

[0035] 1 to 4, a battery pack 1000 according to the present embodiment includes a battery module 100 and a pack frame 200 that houses the battery module 100. There is no particular limit to the number of battery modules 100 housed in the pack frame 200, and one or a plurality of battery modules 100 may be housed.

[0036] First, the battery module 100 according to the present embodiment may include a plurality of battery cells 110 and a module frame 120 in which the battery cells 110 are housed.

[0037] The battery cell 110 according to the present embodiment may be a pouch-type battery cell. Such a pouch-type battery cell is formed by accommodating an electrode assembly in a pouch case made of a laminate sheet including a resin layer and a metal layer, and then fusing the outer periphery of the pouch case. Such a battery cell 110 may be formed in a rectangular sheet structure.

[0038] 4, the battery cell 110 according to the present embodiment may have a structure in which two electrode leads 111 and 112 face each other and protrude from one end 114a and the other end 114b of a battery body 113, respectively. The battery cell 110 may be manufactured by bonding both ends 114a and 114b of the battery case 114 and one side 114c connecting them in a state in which an electrode assembly (not shown) is housed in the battery case 114. In other words, the battery cell 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a total of three sealing parts 114sa, 114sb, and 114sc, and the sealing parts 114sa, 114sb, and 114sc are structured to be sealed by a method such as fusion, and the remaining other side is formed of a connecting part 115. The longitudinal direction of the battery cell 110 is defined between both ends 114a, 114b of the battery case 114, and the width direction of the battery cell 110 is defined between one side 114c connecting both ends 114a, 114b of the battery case 114 and the connecting portion 115.

[0039] However, the battery cell 110 described above is an exemplary structure, and it goes without saying that a unidirectional battery cell in which two electrode leads protrude in the same direction is also possible.

[0040] The battery cell 110 may be composed of a plurality of cells, and the plurality of cells 110 may be stacked so as to be electrically connected to each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of cells 110 may be stacked in a direction parallel to the y-axis. The battery case 114 is generally formed in a laminate structure of a resin layer / metal foil film layer / resin layer. For example, when the surface of the battery case is formed of an O (biaxially oriented)-nylon layer, the battery cells 110 tend to slip easily due to an external impact when stacking the plurality of cells 110 to form a medium- to large-sized battery module. Therefore, in order to prevent this and maintain a stable stacked structure of the battery cells, the battery cells 110 may be stacked by attaching an adhesive member such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive such as double-sided tape or a chemical adhesive that bonds by a chemical reaction when bonded to the surface of the battery case.

[0041] The module frame 120 is a structure for housing a plurality of battery cells 110, and may be a monoframe made of a metal plate with an integrated upper surface, lower surface, and both sides. However, this is only one exemplary structure, and both a form in which an upper cover is joined to a U-shaped frame with an open top, and a form in which a U-shaped frame and an inverted U-shaped frame are combined with each other are possible.

[0042] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 3, the battery module 100 according to the present embodiment may further include a busbar frame 130 and a busbar 140 attached to the busbar frame 130. Specifically, the busbar frame 130 may be located on one side (x-axis direction) and the other side (-x-axis direction) of the battery cell 110. The one side (x-axis direction) and the other side (-x-axis direction) correspond to the directions in which the electrode leads 111 and 112 of the battery cell 110 protrude. A lead slit is formed in the busbar frame 130, and the electrode leads 111 and 112 of the battery cell 110 may pass through the lead slit and then bend to be joined to the busbar 140. As long as physical and electrical connection is possible, the joining method is not particularly limited, and welding is performed as an example. That is, the battery cells 110 may be electrically connected to each other via the busbar 140.

[0043] Meanwhile, referring again to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the battery pack 1000 according to the present embodiment may further include a heat sink 100S located on one side of the battery module 100. As an example, the heat sink 100S may be located under each battery module 100. The heat sink 100S is a component through which a refrigerant flows, and is responsible for cooling the battery module 100 that generates heat. In addition, the battery pack 1000 according to the present embodiment includes a pack refrigerant pipe 700 housed in the pack frame 200. The pack refrigerant pipe 700 may be connected to the heat sink 100S, and may supply a refrigerant to the inside of the heat sink 100S or discharge a refrigerant from the heat sink 100S. That is, the pack refrigerant pipe 700 is provided for the refrigerant circulation structure of the heat sink 100S.

[0044] Meanwhile, a pack cover 900 may be positioned on the top of the pack frame 200. The above-mentioned battery modules 100, heat sinks 100S, pack refrigerant pipes 700 and other electrical components may be housed between the pack frame 200 and the pack cover 900.

[0045] The cooling port, the cover member, and the cooling connector according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG.

[0046] 5 and 6 are partial perspective views showing the coupling relationship between the cooling port, the cover member and the cooling connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the pack refrigerant pipe 700 and the cooling connector 600 in FIG. 5 are omitted.

[0047] 1, 5 and 6, a through hole 200H is formed on one surface of a pack frame 200. A battery pack 1000 according to the present embodiment includes a cooling port 300 inserted into the through hole 200H, a cooling connector 600 located inside the pack frame 200 and connected to the cooling port 300, and a cover member 400 coupled to the cooling port 300 and having an opening. At this time, a pack refrigerant pipe 700 is connected to the cooling connector 600. That is, the pack refrigerant pipe 700 can connect the heat sink 100S and the cooling connector 600.

[0048] Inside the pack frame 200, the heat sink 100S of the battery module 100, the pack refrigerant pipe 700, and the cooling connector 600 are connected in this order. Meanwhile, although not specifically shown, the cooling port 300 may be connected to a refrigerant supply / discharge system outside the pack frame 200. As will be described later, the cooling port 300 and the cooling connector 600 are connected to each other through a through hole 200H formed in the pack frame 200. That is, the cooling port 300, the cooling connector 600, the pack refrigerant pipe 700, and the heat sink 100S are connected in this order, and a refrigerant circulation structure for cooling the battery module 100 can be formed inside the battery pack 1000.

[0049] The structures of the cooling port, the cover member, and the cooling connector according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to Figs.

[0050] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a cooling port according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a cooling port and a cover member according to an embodiment of the present invention in a combined state. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a cooling port and a cover member according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a cooling port, a cover member and a sealing member according to an embodiment of the present invention in a combined state. In Figs. 8 and 10, the cover member 400 is shaded for ease of explanation.

[0051] 5 to 9, the cooling port 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plate-shaped base portion 330 and a first pipe 310 protruding from the base portion 330 in a first direction d1 and passing through a through hole 200H of a pack frame 200. Here, the first direction d1 may be a direction toward the inside of the pack frame 200 at the through hole 200H. The cooling port 300 may further include a second pipe 320 protruding from the base portion 330 in a second direction d2 opposite to the first direction d1. Here, the second direction may be a direction toward the outside of the pack frame 200 at the through hole 200H. The inside of the first pipe 310 and the inside of the second pipe 320 are connected to each other, and a refrigerant may flow through the inside of the first pipe 310 and the inside of the second pipe 320. The base portion 330 includes a base protrusion portion 330P formed on one surface of the base portion 330 in the first direction d1. Although the base portion 330 is shown as a plate-like member with rounded corners, there are no particular limitations on its shape as long as it is plate-like.

[0052] 7 to 10, as described above, the cover member 400 having the opening 410H formed therein is coupled to the cooling port 300. At this time, the sealing member 500 is positioned between the opening 410H of the cover member 400 and the base protrusion 330P. The sealing member 500 is an O-ring type member and prevents leakage of the refrigerant between the cooling port 300 and the through hole 200H.

[0053] Specifically, the cover member 400 may be coupled to one surface of the base portion 330 in the first direction d1 such that the first tube 310 and the base protrusion portion 330P pass through the opening 410H. Therefore, as shown in FIG 6, the cover member 400 may be positioned between the outer surface of the pack frame 200 and the base portion 330 of the cooling port 300.

[0054] At this time, the opening 410H may be a circular hole type, and the base protrusion 330P may be a cylindrical protrusion corresponding thereto. The inner diameter dm1 of the opening 410H is configured to be larger than the diameter dm2 of the base protrusion 330P, and a space in which the sealing member 500 is seated is formed between the opening 410H and the base protrusion 330P. That is, the sealing member 500 according to the present embodiment may be located between the inner peripheral surface of the opening 410H and the outer peripheral surface of the base protrusion 330P. More specifically, the sealing member 500 is fixed between the inner peripheral surface of the opening 410H and the outer peripheral surface of the base protrusion 330P, and can block the outflow of the refrigerant between the cooling port 300 and the outer surface of the pack frame 200.

[0055] Meanwhile, the coolant in this specification is a medium for cooling, and is not particularly limited, but may be cooling water, for example. That is, the battery pack 1000 according to the present embodiment may have a water-cooling type cooling structure.

[0056] Meanwhile, the cover member 400 and the base part 330 according to the present embodiment may be fastened together by a physical method. For example, the cover member 400 according to the present embodiment may be attached to the base part 330 by a hook coupling. Specifically, a hook protrusion 330HP may be formed on each side of the base part 330, and a hook groove 420H may be formed on the cover member 400 to correspond to the hook protrusion 330HP. The cover member 400 and the base part 330 may be hook-coupled together in such a manner that the hook protrusion 330HP is inserted into the hook groove 420H. However, this is merely an example, and in other embodiments, the cover member may have a hook protrusion formed thereon, and the base part may have a hook groove formed thereon. The number of hook protrusions and hook grooves is not particularly limited.

[0057] Hereinafter, the connection relationship between the first pipe and the cooling connector of the cooling port according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0058] Fig. 11 is a partial perspective view showing a state before the first tube of the cooling port and the cooling connector are coupled inside the pack frame. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section cut along the cutting line A-A' in Fig. 11. In particular, Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view assuming that the cooling connector 600 and the first tube 310 of the cooling port 300 in Fig. 11 are coupled to each other.

[0059] 10 to 12, in a state where the first tube 310 of the cooling port 300 according to this embodiment passes through the through hole 200H of the pack frame 200, the cooling connector 600 may be coupled to the first tube 310. Also, as described above, the cooling connector 600 may be connected to the pack refrigerant tube 700. Meanwhile, a state where the sealing member 500 is positioned on the outside of the pack frame 200 between the inner peripheral surface of the opening 410H and the outer peripheral surface of the base protrusion 330P is shown.

[0060] An outer circumferential protrusion 310P protruding in the outer circumferential direction is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the first tube 310, and an inner circumferential protrusion 600P is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the cooling connector 600. As shown in Fig. 12, when the first tube 310 is inserted into the cooling connector 600, the inner circumferential protrusion 600P of the cooling connector 600 can be engaged and coupled to the outer circumferential protrusion 310P of the first tube 310. In this manner, the first tube 310 and the cooling connector 600 can be coupled to each other inside the pack frame 200.

[0061] 6, 7, 9, and 12, the base portion 330 according to this embodiment is formed with a base hole 330H, and a bolt portion 800 is located on the outer surface of the pack frame 200. The bolt portion 800 may be coupled to the nut portion 800N after passing through the base hole 330H. That is, the base portion 330 may be fixed to the pack frame 200 by a bolt / nut coupling method. Although the base portion 330 is illustrated as having a triangular shape, there is no particular limitation on its shape as long as it has a plate shape so as to be fixed to the pack frame 200. There is also no particular limitation on the number of base holes 330H.

[0062] As described above, the second pipe 320 according to the present embodiment protrudes from the through hole 200H in the second direction d2 toward the outside of the pack frame 200, and may be connected to a refrigerant supply / discharge system outside the battery pack 1000. For example, it may be connected to an external cooling pipe or cooling motor.

[0063] Hereinafter, advantages of the cooling port, cover member and sealing member according to this embodiment will be described in comparison with comparative examples.

[0064] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a cooling port according to a comparative example of the present invention.

[0065] 13, a cooling port 30a according to a comparative example of the present invention may include a first tube 31a, a second tube 32a, and a base portion 33a. The first tube 31a protrudes in a first direction d1, and the second tube 32a protrudes in a second direction d2 opposite to the first direction d1. The inside of the first tube 31a and the inside of the second tube 32a are connected to each other, and a refrigerant may flow through the inside of the first tube 31a and the inside of the second tube 32a.

[0066] The first tube 31a has an outer peripheral protrusion 31aP protruding in the outer circumferential direction for connection with a cooling connector, and the base portion 33a has an indented groove 33G for receiving an O-ring-type sealing member (not shown).

[0067] In the manufacturing of the cooling port 30a, an injection molding method is used, but in order to form the first pipe 31a and the indented groove 33G in the injection molding method, the mold must be taken out in the first direction d1 or the second direction d2. In this case, the outer peripheral protrusion 31aP, which protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the first direction d1 and the second direction d2, is caught. As a result, when the cooling port 30a shown in FIG. 13 is manufactured by the injection molding method, there is a problem that an undercut occurs at the outer peripheral protrusion 31aP. In other words, it is impossible to simultaneously manufacture the outer peripheral protrusion 31aP and the indented groove 33G by the injection molding method.

[0068] FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view showing a cooling port, a joining bracket and a sealing member according to another comparative example of the present invention.

[0069] 14, a cooling port 30b according to another comparative example of the present invention may include a first tube 31b, a second tube 32b, and a base portion 33b. The first tube 31b protrudes in a first direction d1, and the second tube 32b protrudes in a second direction d2 opposite to the first direction d1. The inside of the first tube 31b and the inside of the second tube 32b are connected to each other, and a refrigerant may flow through the inside of the first tube 31b and the inside of the second tube 32b. The first tube 31b passes through a through hole 20H of the pack frame 20. The first tube 31b is formed with an outer peripheral protrusion 31bp protruding in the outer peripheral direction for coupling with a cooling connector.

[0070] In order to solve the above problems of the cooling port 30a shown in FIG. 13, instead of forming a recess in the base portion 33b of the cooling port 30b, a separate joining bracket 40b is added.

[0071] The connecting bracket 40b is located between the outer surface of the pack frame 20 and the base portion 33b. An opening 40H is formed in the connecting bracket 40b, and the first pipe 31b can pass through such opening 40H.

[0072] Sealing members 50b1 and 50b2 in the form of O-rings may be positioned between the joining bracket 40b and the base portion 33b and between the joining bracket 40b and the outer surface of the pack frame 20. Bracket recessed grooves 40G are formed on both sides of the joining bracket 40b so that the sealing members 50b1 and 50b2 can be seated therein.

[0073] That is, in this comparative example, in order to prevent the occurrence of undercut, a separate connecting bracket 40b with a bracket indentation groove 40G is added instead of forming a recess in the base portion 33b itself. However, since the connecting bracket 40b is interposed, the area where a sealing member must be added to prevent the leakage of the refrigerant is increased to two places, between the connecting bracket 40b and the base portion 33b and between the connecting bracket 40b and the outer surface of the pack frame 20. Although no undercut occurs, there is a disadvantage that two sealing members 50b1 and 50b2 are required, and unnecessary parts are increased. In addition, in the process of connecting each part, the assembly positions between the two sealing members 50b1 and 50b2, the connecting bracket 40b, and the base portion 33b must be precisely set, which complicates the manufacturing process. In addition, the increase in the area where the sealing members 50b1 and 50b2 are required means that the number of places where the leakage of the refrigerant can occur increases. In other words, it can be said that the sealing ability to prevent the leakage of the refrigerant is reduced.

[0074] On the other hand, the cooling port 300 according to the present embodiment can naturally provide a space in which the sealing member 500 is located by being coupled to the cover member 400. Therefore, defects such as undercuts do not occur during the manufacturing process, and there is no need to use an additional sealing member. This leads to an advantage that the required configuration and materials are reduced, allowing for cost reduction. In addition, since the manufacturing process is easy due to the mechanical coupling between the base part 330 and the cover member 400, the structure is simplified and the manufacturing process is also simple. In addition, since the area requiring the sealing member is reduced compared to the cooling port 30b of FIG. 14, there is an advantage that there is less risk of refrigerant leakage.

[0075] In this embodiment, terms indicating directions such as front, back, left, right, up, and down are used, but these terms are used for convenience of explanation and may change depending on the position of the target object or the position of the observer, etc.

[0076] One or more battery modules according to the present embodiments described above may be installed together with various control and protection systems, such as a Battery Management System (BMS), a Battery Disconnect Unit (BDU), and a cooling system, to form a battery pack.

[0077] The battery pack can be applied to various devices, specifically, but not limited to, transportation means such as electric bicycles, electric cars, and hybrids, and ESS (Energy Storage Systems).

[0078] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the following claims also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1000 Battery Packs 100 Battery Module 300 Cooling Port 400 Cover material 500 Sealing material 600 Cooling Connector 700 pack refrigerant pipe

Claims

1. A battery module; a pack frame that houses the battery module and has a through hole formed on one surface; A cooling port inserted into the through hole; a cooling connector located inside the pack frame and connected to the cooling port; a cover member coupled to the cooling port and having an opening formed therein; a pack refrigerant tube connected to the cooling connector; Including, the cooling port includes a plate-shaped base portion and a first pipe protruding from the base portion in a first direction and passing through the through hole, The base portion has a base protrusion formed on one surface of the base portion in the first direction, The battery pack, wherein a sealing member is located between the opening of the cover member and the base protrusion.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the cooling connector is coupled to the first tube with the first tube passing through the through hole.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2 , wherein an outer peripheral protrusion that protrudes in an outer circumferential direction is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the first tube.

4. The battery pack according to claim 3 , wherein the cooling connector is engaged and coupled to the outer peripheral protrusion.

5. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the sealing member is located between an inner circumferential surface of the opening and an outer circumferential surface of the base protrusion.

6. 2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein an inner diameter of the opening is larger than a diameter of the base protrusion, and a space in which the sealing member is seated is formed between the opening and the base protrusion.

7. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the cover member is coupled to the one surface of the base portion in the first direction so that the first tube and the base protrusion pass through the opening.

8. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the cover member is located between an outer surface of the pack frame and the base portion.

9. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the cover member is attached to the base portion by a hook connection.

10. The battery pack of claim 1 , wherein the cooling port includes a second tube protruding from the base in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

11. The inside of the first tube and the inside of the second tube are connected to each other, The battery pack according to claim 10 , wherein a coolant flows through the first tube and the second tube.

12. A device comprising the battery pack of claim 1.

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