Battery Pack

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery pack including an auxiliary partition that can suppress swelling that may occur in a battery module accommodated therein and can be easily attached and detached. More specifically, the battery pack of the present invention includes a pack case including a module region in which a cell stack is placed, the pack case including a base plate supporting a lower portion of the cell stack, a main partition formed to extend across the base plate and vertically coupled to a center portion of the base plate, a side wall vertically coupled to an edge of the base plate, and an auxiliary partition having both ends coupled to the main partition and the side wall, the auxiliary partition including a pair of reinforcing plates coupled to each other, the reinforcing plates including a plurality of reinforcing ribs formed to protrude and extending along a longitudinal direction of the auxiliary partition.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0059860 filed on May 16, 2022, and all the contents disclosed in the literature of the Korean patent application are included as part of this specification.

Background Art

[0003] 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, that is, a unit battery cell, is about 2.5V to 4.2V. 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 large number of battery cells may be connected in parallel to form a battery pack. Therefore, 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.

[0004] For example, when configuring a battery pack by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series and / or in parallel, first, a battery module composed of a plurality of battery cells is configured.

[0005] FIG. 1 shows a generally used battery module 10 and a pack case 20 included in a battery pack that houses the battery module 10.

[0006] Fig. 1(a) shows one form of the battery module 10. As shown in the figure, in the conventional battery module 10, end plates 12 are respectively coupled to the front and rear, and it has a shape in which the side surfaces are surrounded and protected by the module frame 11. In recent years, a battery module 10 in a form in which the above-mentioned module frame 11 is eliminated and the internal cells are exposed is also used.

[0007] Fig. 1(b) shows the pack case 20 that provides a space for accommodating the battery module 10 among general battery packs. Each battery module 10 is supported at the lower part by the base plate 21 in the space partitioned by the side wall 22 and the partition wall 23 in the pack case 20 shown in Fig. 1(b), and is electrically connected to other battery modules 10 in series or in parallel.

[0008] On the other hand, abnormal phenomena may occur during the charge and discharge process in the battery modules included in the battery pack. As one example, the swelling phenomenon can be cited. The above-mentioned swelling phenomenon is a phenomenon in which the battery cell expands due to gas or the like generated inside the battery cell. The above-mentioned swelling phenomenon may progress in each battery cell unit accommodated in the battery module, and as a result, it affects the battery module. In particular, the above-mentioned swelling phenomenon may progress in the central part of the battery module, that is, throughout the entire module frame. However, generally in each battery module housed in the pack case, since the above-mentioned module frame part is not a particularly fixed part, when the swelling phenomenon occurs severely, it may also affect the adjacent battery module.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need for a new solution method that can suppress the deformation of the form of the battery module to the maximum even when the swelling phenomenon occurs in each battery module housed in the above-mentioned pack case.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0010] Patent Document 1 Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0113906 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0011] Therefore, the present invention was devised to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a structure capable of reinforcing the side surface of a battery module housed in a pack case.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to suppress the swelling phenomenon of a battery module housed in a pack case.

[0013] Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood from the following description and will become more apparent from the embodiments of the present invention. Also, it will be easily understood that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof shown in the claims. Means for Solving the Problems

[0014] According to the present invention, there is provided a battery pack that houses a battery module including a cell stack in which a plurality of cells are stacked, the battery pack including a pack case including a module region in which the battery module is placed, the pack case including a base plate that supports the lower portion of the battery module, a main partition that extends across the base plate and is vertically coupled to the central portion of the base plate, side walls that are vertically coupled along the periphery of the base plate, and auxiliary partitions having both ends coupled to the main partition and the side walls, respectively, the auxiliary partitions including a pair of reinforcing plates coupled to each other, the reinforcing plates being a plurality of reinforcing ribs formed to protrude, and including a plurality of reinforcing ribs extending along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing plates.

[0015] The reinforcing ribs may be formed at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing plate.

[0016] The reinforcing plate may include a reinforcing groove having a curved shape between a pair of reinforcing ribs spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing plate.

[0017] The shape of the reinforcing groove may be the same as the shape of the reinforcing rib so that the reinforcing ribs can be meshed and inserted.

[0018] The reinforcing ribs and the reinforcing grooves may be alternately formed with each other along the longitudinal direction of the auxiliary partition wall.

[0019] The reinforcing ribs may have at least one of a trapezoidal shape and a parabolic shape.

[0020] The reinforcing ribs may be formed at predetermined intervals along the height direction of the reinforcing plate.

[0021] The auxiliary partition wall includes a first reinforcing plate having reinforcing ribs formed on one side and a second reinforcing plate having reinforcing ribs formed on one side facing the first reinforcing plate, and each reinforcing rib included in the first reinforcing plate and the second reinforcing plate may be formed at corresponding heights.

[0022] The reinforcing plate includes a reinforcing groove having a curved shape between a pair of reinforcing ribs spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing plate, and the first reinforcing plate may be coupled so that the reinforcing ribs and the reinforcing grooves mesh with the reinforcing grooves and the reinforcing ribs of the second reinforcing plate.

[0023] The first reinforcing plate is coupled to the second reinforcing plate so that each reinforcing rib is inserted into the reinforcing groove of the second reinforcing plate at a corresponding position, and the second reinforcing plate may be coupled to the first reinforcing plate so that each reinforcing rib is inserted into the reinforcing groove of the first reinforcing plate at a corresponding position.

[0024] The reinforcing plate may include a through hole drilled so as to vertically penetrate the reinforcing rib.

[0025] The pack case includes a coupling groove formed at the bottom of the module region corresponding to the position of the through hole, and the auxiliary partition wall may be coupled to the pack case by a bolt that penetrates the through hole and is inserted into the coupling groove.

[0026] The reinforcing plate further includes a reinforcing bar formed to extend vertically through the reinforcing rib, and the reinforcing bar may include a reinforcing hole drilled so as to vertically penetrate.

[0027] The pack case includes a coupling groove formed at the bottom of the module region corresponding to the position of the reinforcing hole, and the auxiliary partition wall may be coupled to the pack case by a bolt that penetrates the reinforcing hole and is inserted into the coupling groove.

[0028] The reinforcing plate includes auxiliary coupling holes drilled to horizontally penetrate both ends, and the side wall and the main partition wall each include an auxiliary coupling groove formed corresponding to the position of the auxiliary coupling hole of the auxiliary partition wall. The auxiliary partition wall may be coupled to the pack case by a bolt that penetrates the auxiliary coupling hole and is inserted into the auxiliary coupling groove.

Advantages of the Invention

[0029] According to the present invention, the swelling phenomenon of the battery module housed in the pack case can be effectively suppressed.

[0030] In addition, the present invention can partition the battery module housed in the pack case and improve the assembly efficiency of the pack case by using a structure that can be freely detached from the pack case.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0032] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before that, the terms and words used in this specification and the claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical idea of the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms in order to best explain his own invention.

[0033] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention, and there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of this application.

[0034] In addition, in the description of the present invention, if it is determined that a specific description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0035] Embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the present invention to an ordinary technician. Therefore, the shapes and sizes of the components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for a clearer explanation. Accordingly, the sizes and ratios of the respective components do not fully reflect the actual sizes and ratios.

[0036] The present invention relates to a battery pack that houses a battery module including a cell stack in which a plurality of cells are stacked.

[0037] The battery module housed in the battery pack of the present invention may be composed of a cell stack and end plates respectively coupled to the front and rear of the cell stack, or may further include a module frame surrounding the side and upper and lower surfaces of the cell stack.

[0038] The battery pack of the present invention includes a pack case including a module region in which the battery module is placed.

[0039] Figures 2 to 9 relate to a battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figures 10 to 13 relate to a battery pack according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0041] (First Embodiment) Figure 2 is a perspective view of a pack case 200 included in a battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 shows a state in which a battery module 100 is housed in the pack case 200 of Figure 2.

[0042] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the pack case 200 is composed of a base plate 210, a main partition 220, side walls 230, and auxiliary partitions 240.

[0043] The auxiliary partition 240 of the present invention is detachably installed on the base plate 210 and the side walls 230 of the pack case 200.

[0044] Figure 4 shows the pack case 200 with the auxiliary partition 240 removed.

[0045] According to Figures 2 to 4, the base plate 210 corresponds to the bottom of the pack case 200 and serves to support the lower part of the battery module 100 that is seated on the upper part.

[0046] A coupling groove 210h may be formed on the base plate 210 so that a bolt B can be inserted and screwed.

[0047] The main partition 220 is formed to extend across the base plate 210 and is vertically coupled to the central part of the base plate 210.

[0048] The battery modules 100 respectively seated on both sides of the main partition 220 are symmetric with respect to each other with the main partition 220 as a reference.

[0049] The main partition wall 220 serves to largely partition and divide the internal space of the pack case 200 into two regions, and can also serve to insert and protect various conducting wires used inside the pack case 200.

[0050] The side wall 230 is vertically coupled along the periphery of the base plate 210 and serves to surround and protect the outer surface of the battery module 100 located on the base plate 210.

[0051] Auxiliary coupling grooves 220h and 230h may be formed in the main partition wall 220 and the side wall 230 so that bolts B can be inserted therein for screw coupling.

[0052] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the auxiliary partition wall 240 included in the battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 2, both ends of the auxiliary partition wall 240 are respectively coupled to the main partition wall 220 and the side wall 230.

[0054] The auxiliary partition wall 240 is installed at a predetermined interval along the longitudinal direction d of the main partition wall 220 on both sides of the main partition wall 220, and any one of the auxiliary partition walls 240 is adjacent to two module regions A on both sides.

[0055] The interval between the auxiliary partition walls 240 is preferably substantially the same as the width of the battery module 100 to be used. That is, the battery module 100 accommodated in the module region A is preferably inserted in close contact with the auxiliary partition walls 240 on both sides. Therefore, the battery module 100 inserted into the module region A can be supported by the auxiliary partition walls 240 on both sides.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 5, the auxiliary partition wall 240 is composed of a pair of reinforcing plates 241 coupled to each other, and the pair of reinforcing plates 241 are shaped such that they engage with each other on one side facing each other.

[0057] Specifically, the reinforcing plate 241 is characterized by including a plurality of reinforcing ribs 2411 that protrude from one side and extend along the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241. By the engagement of the reinforcing ribs 2411 of the reinforcing plate 241 facing each other, the pair of reinforcing plates 241 are coupled to form the auxiliary partition wall 240.

[0058] FIG. 6 shows a separated pair of reinforcing plates 241.

[0059] The reinforcing rib 2411 may preferably have a trapezoidal shape with inclined surfaces formed on both sides, or may have a parabolic shape (not shown).

[0060] Referring to FIG. 6, the reinforcing ribs 2411 are formed at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241.

[0061] The reinforcing plate 241 includes reinforcing grooves 2412 formed in a curved shape by the inclined surfaces of the reinforcing ribs 2411 between the adjacent reinforcing ribs 2411 arranged along the longitudinal direction d. At this time, the reinforcing grooves 2412 preferably have the same shape as the reinforcing ribs 2411 so that the reinforcing ribs 2411 can be engaged and inserted. For example, if the reinforcing rib 2411 has a trapezoidal shape, the reinforcing groove 2412 also has a trapezoidal shape.

[0062] The reinforcing ribs 2411 and the reinforcing grooves 2412 are preferably formed alternately with each other along the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241.

[0063] Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the reinforcing ribs 2411 are formed at predetermined intervals along the height direction d2 of the reinforcing plate 241.

[0064] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a pair of reinforcing plates 241 shown in FIG. 6.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 7, the auxiliary partition wall 240 of the present invention includes a first reinforcing plate 241a located on one side and a second reinforcing plate 241b located opposite to the first reinforcing plate 241a.

[0066] The reinforcing ribs 2411 formed on the first reinforcing plate 241a and the second reinforcing plate 241b are formed at heights that are symmetric with each other with respect to the height direction d2 of the reinforcing plate 241, but are formed at positions shifted from each other with respect to the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241. For example, the reinforcing rib 241a1 of the first reinforcing plate 241a and the reinforcing groove 2412 of the second reinforcing plate 241b are located opposite to each other. Therefore, in the auxiliary partition wall 240 of the present invention formed by combining the first reinforcing plate 241a and the second reinforcing plate 241b, the reinforcing rib 241a1 and the reinforcing groove 2412 of the first reinforcing plate 241a engage with the reinforcing groove 2412 and the reinforcing rib 241b1 of the second reinforcing plate 241b.

[0067] FIG. 8 shows the auxiliary partition wall 240 in which the first reinforcing plate 241a and the second reinforcing plate 241b are combined. According to FIG. 8, the first reinforcing plate 241a is combined with the second reinforcing plate 241b such that each reinforcing rib 241a1 is inserted into the reinforcing groove 2412 of the second reinforcing plate 241b at a corresponding position, and the second reinforcing plate 241b is combined with the first reinforcing plate 241a such that each reinforcing rib 241b1 is inserted into the reinforcing groove 2412 of the first reinforcing plate 241a at a corresponding position.

[0068] At this time, the reinforcing ribs 2411 that are combined while being shifted from each other form a strip shape extending along the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241. That is, the reinforcing ribs 2411 that engage with each other in a symmetric shape are in contact with each other such that their inclined surfaces coincide with each other to form one strip shape. Therefore, a plurality of strips formed by the combination of the reinforcing ribs 2411 along the height direction d2 of the reinforcing plate 241 can be formed in one auxiliary partition wall 240.

[0069] With the structure as described above, each battery module 100 housed in the battery pack of the present invention as shown in FIG. 3 can have its side surfaces firmly supported by each of the reinforcing ribs 2411 forming the one strip shape.

[0070] The reinforcing plate 241 included in the battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes through holes 2411h that are perforated so as to vertically penetrate the reinforcing ribs 2411, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8.

[0071] The through holes 2411h are formed at the same positions in each of the reinforcing ribs 2411. For example, each of the through holes 2411h included in the reinforcing ribs 2411 formed along the height direction d2 of the reinforcing plate 241 at the same position with respect to the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241 is formed at a corresponding position to each other.

[0072] One bolt B can be inserted into each of the through holes 2411h formed at the same position with respect to the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241, and the reinforcing plate 241 can be screw-coupled with the bolt B inserted into the through holes 2411h.

[0073] The battery module 100 housed in the module region A of the battery pack of the present invention can have its side surfaces primarily supported by the reinforcing plate 241 included in the auxiliary partition wall 240, and can have its side surfaces triply supported by the reinforcing ribs 2411 formed on the reinforcing plate 241 and the bolts B inserted into the through holes 2411h of the reinforcing ribs 2411.

[0074] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the reinforcing plate 241 includes protruding portions 243 protruding upward at both ends thereof, and includes auxiliary coupling holes 243h that are perforated so as to horizontally penetrate the protruding portions 243.

[0075] A bolt B can be inserted into the auxiliary coupling holes 243h, and the reinforcing plate 241 can be screw-coupled with the bolt B inserted into the auxiliary coupling holes 243h.

[0076] FIG. 9 shows that bolts B are inserted into the through holes 2411h and the auxiliary coupling holes 243h of any one of the reinforcing plates 241, respectively. (However, for the sake of simplicity, the specific structure such as the thread of the bolt B is omitted in the illustration.)

[0077] Referring to FIG. 9, one bolt B is inserted and coupled into the through holes 2411h of the respective reinforcing ribs 2411 formed at the same position in the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241.

[0078] Also, bolts B are horizontally inserted and coupled into the auxiliary coupling holes 243h formed at the ends of the reinforcing plate 241.

[0079] The battery module 100 of the present invention can be fixed to the pack case 200 included in the battery pack by bolts B inserted and coupled into the through holes 2411h and the auxiliary coupling holes 243h.

[0080] Specifically, the auxiliary partition 240 can be fixedly coupled to the base plate 210 by bolts B that vertically penetrate the through holes 2411h and are inserted into the coupling grooves 210h of the base plate 210. The bolts B can be inserted and coupled into the respective through holes 2411h formed at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241.

[0081] The bolts B inserted into the through holes 2411h fix the pair of reinforcing plates 241 constituting the auxiliary partition 240 to the base plate 210. Therefore, even if gas is generated inside the battery module 100 accommodated in the module region A between the auxiliary partitions 240, the swelling phenomenon in which the battery module 100 expands can be suppressed by the bolts B vertically arranged along the side surface of the battery module 100 and the auxiliary partition 240 coupled to the base plate 210 by the bolts B.

[0082] The auxiliary partition wall 240 can be installed such that the auxiliary coupling holes 243h of the respective reinforcing plates 241 correspond to the auxiliary coupling grooves 220h and 230h of the side wall 230 and the main partition wall 220. At this time, the auxiliary partition wall 240 can horizontally penetrate the auxiliary coupling holes 243h and be fixedly coupled to the side wall 230 and the main partition wall 220 by bolts B inserted into the auxiliary coupling grooves 220h and 230h. Therefore, the auxiliary partition wall 240 installed inside the pack case 200 can be fixedly coupled not only to the base plate 210 but also to the side wall 230 and the main partition wall 220 to support the battery module 100.

[0083] The battery pack of the present invention may further include an upper cover (not shown) coupled to the pack case 200 so as to cover the upper portions of the respective battery modules 100 accommodated in the module region A of the pack case 200.

[0084] Since the upper cover corresponds to a known technique, a more detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0085] (Second Embodiment) FIG. 10 shows the pack case 200 included in the battery pack according to the second embodiment of the present invention and the battery module 100 accommodated in the pack case 200.

[0086] The battery pack according to the second embodiment of the present invention has a difference in the structure of the auxiliary partition wall 240 from the battery pack according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the configurations of the base plate 210, the main partition wall 220, and the side wall 230 are replaced with the contents of the first embodiment.

[0087] FIG. 11 shows a pair of reinforcing plates 241 constituting the auxiliary partition wall 240 included in the battery pack according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0088] The auxiliary partition wall 240 has a structure in which the arranged pair of reinforcing plates 241 are coupled.

[0089] The auxiliary partition wall 240 is coupled to the main partition wall 220 and the side wall 230 at both ends, respectively, in the same manner as the auxiliary partition wall 240 of the battery pack according to the first embodiment.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 11, the auxiliary partition wall 240 is composed of a pair of reinforcing plates 241, and the pair of reinforcing plates 241 are shaped to mesh with each other on one side facing each other.

[0091] Specifically, the reinforcing plate 241 is characterized by including a plurality of reinforcing ribs 2411 protruding from one side and extending along the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241. When each of the reinforcing ribs 2411 meshes with the reinforcing ribs 2411 of the opposing reinforcing plate 241, the pair of reinforcing plates 241 are coupled to form the auxiliary partition wall 240.

[0092] The reinforcing rib 2411 may preferably have a trapezoidal shape with inclined surfaces formed on both sides, or may have a parabolic shape (not shown).

[0093] Referring to FIG. 11, the reinforcing ribs 2411 are formed at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241.

[0094] The reinforcing plate 241 includes reinforcing grooves 2412 formed in a curved shape by the inclined surfaces of the reinforcing ribs 2411 between the adjacent reinforcing ribs 2411 arranged along the longitudinal direction d. At this time, the reinforcing grooves 2412 preferably have the same shape as the reinforcing ribs 2411 so that the reinforcing ribs 2411 can be meshed and inserted. For example, if the reinforcing rib 2411 has a trapezoidal shape, the reinforcing groove 2412 also has a trapezoidal shape.

[0095] The reinforcing ribs 2411 and the reinforcing grooves 2412 are preferably formed alternately with each other along the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241.

[0096] Also, as shown in FIG. 11, the reinforcing ribs 2411 are formed at predetermined intervals along the height direction d2 of the reinforcing plate 241.

[0097] The reinforcing plate 241 constituting the auxiliary partition wall 240 includes a first reinforcing plate 241a located on one side and a second reinforcing plate 241b facing the first reinforcing plate 241a and coupled to the first reinforcing plate 241a.

[0098] The reinforcing ribs 2411 respectively formed on the first reinforcing plate 241a and the second reinforcing plate 241b are formed at heights that are symmetric with respect to each other with reference to the height direction d2 of the reinforcing plate 241, but are formed at positions shifted from each other with reference to the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241. For example, the reinforcing rib 241a1 of the first reinforcing plate 241a and the reinforcing groove 2412 of the second reinforcing plate 241b are at positions symmetric with respect to each other.

[0099] The auxiliary partition wall 240 included in the battery pack according to the second embodiment of the present invention further includes a reinforcing bar 242 extending through the reinforcing rib 2411 vertically, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0100] The reinforcing bar 242 is formed on the reinforcing plate 241 at a predetermined interval with reference to the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241. The reinforcing bar 242 is preferably formed at the same position as the reinforcing rib 2411.

[0101] The reinforcing bar 242 includes a reinforcing hole 242h drilled vertically.

[0102] One bolt B can be inserted into the reinforcing hole 242h of the reinforcing bar 242, and the reinforcing plate 241 can be screwed to the bolt B inserted into the reinforcing hole 242h. Therefore, each battery module 100 accommodated in the battery pack of the present invention can be primarily supported by the reinforcing plate 241, and can be quadruplely supported by the reinforcing rib 2411 formed on the reinforcing plate 241, the vertically extending reinforcing bar 242, and the bolt B inserted into the reinforcing hole 242h of the reinforcing bar 242.

[0103] FIG. 12 shows the auxiliary partition wall 240 to which the first reinforcing plate 241a and the second reinforcing plate 241b are joined. According to FIG. 12, the first reinforcing plate 241a is joined to the second reinforcing plate 241b such that each reinforcing rib 241a1 is inserted into the reinforcing groove 2412 of the second reinforcing plate 241b at a corresponding position, and the second reinforcing plate 241b is joined to the first reinforcing plate 241a such that each reinforcing rib 241b1 is inserted into the reinforcing groove 2412 of the second reinforcing plate 241b at a corresponding position.

[0104] At this time, each pair of mutually offset and joined reinforcing ribs 2411 forms a strip extending along the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241. That is, each pair of mutually meshing reinforcing ribs 2411 having symmetrical shapes are in contact with each other such that their inclined surfaces coincide with each other to form one strip. Therefore, a plurality of strips formed by the joining of the reinforcing ribs 2411 can be formed in one auxiliary partition wall 240 along the height direction d2 of the reinforcing plate 241.

[0105] With the above-described structure, each battery module 100 housed in the battery pack of the present invention can be firmly supported by the reinforcing bars 242 formed perpendicularly so as to intersect each of the reinforcing ribs 2411 forming the one strip and the plurality of strip-shaped reinforcing ribs 2411 along the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241.

[0106] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the reinforcing plate 241 includes protruding portions 243 protruding upward at both ends thereof, and includes auxiliary coupling holes 243h formed so as to penetrate the protruding portions 243 in the horizontal direction.

[0107] A bolt B can be inserted into the auxiliary coupling hole 243h, and the reinforcing plate 241 can be screwed to the bolt B inserted into the auxiliary coupling hole 243h.

[0108] FIG. 13 shows that bolts B are inserted into the reinforcing holes 242h and the auxiliary coupling holes 243h of any one of the reinforcing plates 241, respectively. (However, for the sake of simplicity, specific structures such as the threads of the bolts B are omitted in the illustration.)

[0109] Referring to FIG. 13, one bolt B is inserted and coupled to each reinforcement hole 242h of each reinforcement bar 242 formed at the same position in the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcement plate 241.

[0110] Also, a bolt B is horizontally inserted and coupled to the auxiliary coupling hole 243h formed at the end of the reinforcement plate 241.

[0111] The battery module 100 of the present invention can be fixed to the pack case 200 included in the battery pack by bolts B inserted and coupled to the reinforcement holes 242h and the auxiliary coupling holes 243h.

[0112] Specifically, the auxiliary partition 240 can be fixedly coupled to the base plate 210 by a bolt B that vertically penetrates the reinforcement hole 242h and is inserted into the coupling groove 210h of the base plate 210. The bolts B can be inserted and coupled to each of the plurality of reinforcement holes 242h spaced apart at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcement plate 241.

[0113] The bolt B inserted into the reinforcement hole 242h causes a pair of reinforcement plates 241 constituting the auxiliary partition 240 to be fixed to the base plate 210. Therefore, even if gas is generated inside the battery module 100 housed in the module region A between the auxiliary partitions 240, the swelling phenomenon in which the battery module 100 expands can be suppressed by the bolts B vertically arranged along the side surface of the battery module 100 and the auxiliary partition 240 coupled to the base plate 210 by the bolts B.

[0114] The auxiliary partition wall 240 can be installed such that the auxiliary coupling holes 243h of the respective reinforcing plates 241 correspond to the auxiliary coupling grooves 220h and 230h of the side wall 230 and the main partition wall 220. At this time, the auxiliary partition wall 240 can horizontally penetrate the auxiliary coupling holes 243h and be fixedly coupled to the side wall 230 and the main partition wall 220 by bolts B inserted into the auxiliary coupling grooves 220h and 230h. Therefore, the auxiliary partition wall 240 installed inside the pack case 200 can be fixedly coupled not only to the base plate 210 but also to the side wall 230 and the main partition wall 220 to support the battery module 100.

[0115] The battery pack of the present invention may further include an upper cover (not shown) coupled to the pack case 200 so as to cover the upper portions of the respective battery modules 100 accommodated in the module region A of the pack case 200.

[0116] Since the upper cover corresponds to a known technique, a more detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0117] As described above, the present invention has been described in more detail with reference to the drawings and embodiments. However, the configurations described in the drawings or embodiments described in this specification are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace these at the time of the present application.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0118] 10: (Prior Art) Battery Module 11: (Prior Art) Module Frame 12: (Prior Art) End Plate 20: (Prior Art) Pack Case 21: (Prior Art) Base Plate 22: (Prior Art) Side Wall 23: (Prior Art) Partition Wall 100: Battery Module 200: Pack Case 210: Base plate 210h: Coupling groove 220: Main partition wall 230: Side wall 220h, 230h: Auxiliary coupling groove 240: Auxiliary partition wall 241: Reinforcing plate 241a: First reinforcing plate 241a1: Reinforcing rib of the first reinforcing plate 241b: Second reinforcing plate 241b1: Reinforcing rib of the second reinforcing plate 2411: Reinforcing rib 2411h: Through hole 2412: Reinforcing groove 242: Reinforcing bar 242h: Reinforcing hole 243: Protrusion 243h: Auxiliary coupling hole A: Module area B: Bolt d: Longitudinal direction of the reinforcing plate d2: Height direction of the reinforcing plate

Claims

1. A battery pack that houses a battery module including a cell stack in which a plurality of cells are stacked, including a pack case including a module area where the battery module is placed, wherein the pack case includes a base plate that supports the lower part of the battery module, a main partition that extends across the base plate and is vertically coupled to the central part of the base plate, side walls that are vertically coupled along the periphery of the base plate, and auxiliary partitions whose both ends are respectively coupled to the main partition and the side walls, the auxiliary partitions including a pair of reinforcing plates coupled to each other, and the reinforcing plates are a plurality of reinforcing ribs formed to protrude, including a plurality of reinforcing ribs extending along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing plate, the battery pack.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing ribs are formed at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing plate.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the reinforcing plate includes a reinforcing groove having a curved shape between a pair of reinforcing ribs spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing plate.

4. The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein the shape of the reinforcing groove is the same as the shape of the reinforcing rib so that the reinforcing ribs can be meshed and inserted.

5. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the reinforcing ribs and the reinforcing grooves are alternately formed with each other along the longitudinal direction of the auxiliary partition.

6. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing rib has at least one of a trapezoidal shape and a parabolic shape.

7. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the reinforcing ribs are formed at predetermined intervals along the height direction of the reinforcing plate.

8. The auxiliary partition includes a first reinforcing plate having reinforcing ribs formed on one side, and a second reinforcing plate having reinforcing ribs formed on one side facing the first reinforcing plate, and each of the reinforcing ribs included in the first reinforcing plate and the second reinforcing plate is formed at a corresponding height, the battery pack according to claim 7.

9. The reinforcing plate includes a reinforcing groove having a curved shape between a pair of reinforcing ribs spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing plate, The battery pack according to claim 8, wherein the first reinforcing plate is coupled such that the reinforcing ribs and reinforcing grooves of the first reinforcing plate mesh with the reinforcing grooves and reinforcing ribs of the second reinforcing plate.

10. The first reinforcing plate is coupled to the second reinforcing plate such that each reinforcing rib is inserted into a reinforcing groove of the second reinforcing plate at a corresponding position. The battery pack according to claim 8, wherein the second reinforcing plate is coupled to the first reinforcing plate such that each reinforcing rib is inserted into a reinforcing groove of the first reinforcing plate at a corresponding position.

11. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing plate includes through holes drilled so as to vertically penetrate the reinforcing ribs.

12. The pack case includes coupling grooves formed at the bottom of the module region corresponding to the positions of the through holes. The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein the auxiliary partition penetrates through the through holes and is coupled to the pack case by bolts inserted into the coupling grooves.

13. The reinforcing plate further includes reinforcing bars formed to extend vertically through the reinforcing ribs. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing bars include reinforcing holes drilled so as to vertically penetrate.

14. The pack case includes coupling grooves formed at the bottom of the module region corresponding to the positions of the reinforcing holes. The battery pack according to claim 13, wherein the auxiliary partition penetrates through the reinforcing holes and is coupled to the pack case by bolts inserted into the coupling grooves.

15. The reinforcing plate includes auxiliary coupling holes drilled so as to horizontally penetrate both ends thereof. The side wall and the main partition each include auxiliary coupling grooves formed to correspond to the positions of the auxiliary coupling holes of the auxiliary partition. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary partition penetrates through the auxiliary coupling holes and is coupled to the pack case by bolts inserted into the auxiliary coupling grooves.

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