Battery pack and vehicle including said battery pack

Abstract

A battery pack according to the present invention is characterized in that it includes: a pack frame; and at least one battery module provided inside the pack frame, the battery module including a cell stack and an elastic support part coupled to the pack frame in a front-to-rear direction of the cell stack and pressing at least one of a front surface and a rear surface of the cell stack.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery pack, and more particularly to a battery pack that can maximize energy density within a battery module and simplify components, and a vehicle including the battery pack.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0030772, filed on March 11, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in the specification and drawings thereof. [Background technology]

[0003] In recent years, the demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, video cameras, and mobile phones has increased dramatically, and the development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, satellites, and other products has progressed in earnest. As a result, research into high-performance secondary batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged is being actively conducted.

[0004] Currently commercially available secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries, etc. Among these, lithium secondary batteries are attracting attention due to their advantages of being free to charge and discharge because they have almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, a very low self-discharge rate, and a high energy density.

[0005] Such lithium secondary batteries primarily use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as the positive and negative electrode active materials, respectively, and include an electrode assembly in which a separator is sandwiched between positive and negative electrode plates coated with the positive and negative electrode active materials, and an exterior packaging that encapsulates the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

[0006] Lithium secondary batteries are 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 an aluminum laminated sheet pouch, depending on the shape of the battery case. Can-type secondary batteries are further classified into cylindrical secondary batteries and prismatic secondary batteries depending on the shape of the metal can.

[0007] The pouch of a pouch-type secondary battery is generally divided into a lower sheet and an upper sheet covering the lower sheet. The pouch contains an electrode assembly formed by stacking and rolling up a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator. After the electrode assembly is contained, the edges of the upper and lower sheets are sealed by heat sealing or the like. Electrode tabs extending from each electrode are connected to electrode leads, and an insulating film may be attached to the electrode leads at the portions in contact with the sealing portions.

[0008] As described above, the pouch-type secondary battery has the flexibility to be formed into various shapes. Furthermore, the pouch-type secondary battery has the advantage that a secondary battery with the same capacity can be realized with a smaller volume and mass.

[0009] Meanwhile, conventional pouch-type secondary batteries disclose a structure in which the front, rear, left side, and rear side of a battery module including a cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked are fixed to a battery pack via separate fastening members (e.g., bolts). In such a structure, a certain amount of fastening space is required when fastening the battery module to the battery pack via the fastening members.

[0010] Furthermore, in order to prevent swelling of the battery cells, the conventional pouch-type secondary battery needs to include a plurality of buffer pads on the adjacent battery cells and on the outermost portions of the battery cells.

[0011] Therefore, conventional pouch-type secondary batteries have a problem in that many battery cells cannot be mounted in one battery module. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a battery pack that can maximize the energy density within a battery module and simplify the components, and a vehicle that includes the battery pack.

[0013] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the detailed description of the invention described below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] To achieve the above object, a battery pack according to the present invention includes: a pack frame; and at least one battery module provided inside the pack frame, the battery module including a cell stack and an elastic support member coupled to the pack frame in the front-to-rear direction of the cell stack and pressing against at least one of a front surface and a rear surface of the cell stack.

[0015] The battery module may further include a side plate portion supporting a front surface, a rear surface, an upper surface, and a lower surface of the cell stack, and the elastic support portion may be disposed on at least one of the front surface and the rear surface of the side plate portion.

[0016] Furthermore, the battery module may further include a module fixing part fastened to the elastic support part and pressing the elastic support part in the front-rear direction of the cell stack to fix the elastic support part to the pack frame.

[0017] Furthermore, the battery module may further include a buffer unit disposed on at least one of a front surface and a rear surface of the cell stack.

[0018] Furthermore, the elastic support portion may include a support portion main body that presses at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the cell stack, and a plurality of elastic portions formed in the support portion main body along the left-right direction of the cell stack.

[0019] Furthermore, the plurality of elastic portions may include bent portions that are joined in the front-to-rear direction of the cell stack to holes formed in the pack frame when bent in the front-to-rear direction of the cell stack.

[0020] Furthermore, the elastic support portion may further include a groove portion recessed in the vertical direction from the upper end of the support portion main body, formed in the support portion main body along the left-right direction of the cell stack, in which the elastic portion is provided, and a pair of protrusions protruding from the groove portion in the front-to-rear direction of the cell stack and formed opposite each other in the left-to-right direction of the cell stack.

[0021] Furthermore, the pack frame may include a first frame extending along the left-right direction of the cell stack, formed in multiple numbers along the front-rear direction of the cell stack, and covering the battery modules; and a second frame coupled to the first frame, extending along the front-rear direction of the cell stack, formed in multiple numbers along the left-right direction of the cell stack, and covering the battery modules, and the holes may be formed in multiple numbers in the first frame along the left-right direction of the cell stack.

[0022] Furthermore, the side plate portion may include a first side plate that supports the front, top, and bottom surfaces of the cell stack, and a second side plate that is connected to the first side plate and supports the rear surface of the cell stack.

[0023] Furthermore, the side plate portion may include a first support portion that supports the front surface of the cell stack, and a second support portion that extends from the first support portion in the front-to-rear direction of the cell stack and supports the upper and lower surfaces of the cell stack.

[0024] Furthermore, the battery module may further include a side plate portion that supports the front, rear, top, and bottom surfaces of the cell stack, and a module fixing portion that is provided between the side plate portion and the elastic support portion in the front-to-back direction of the cell stack and that fixes the elastic support portion to the pack frame by pressing the elastic portion in the front-to-back direction of the cell stack.

[0025] Furthermore, the elastic support portion may include a support portion main body that presses at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the cell stack, and a plurality of elastic portions formed in the support portion main body along the left-right direction of the cell stack, and the module fixing portion may include a pressing portion that is inserted in the up-down direction on the rear side of the elastic portion via the groove portion and comes into contact with the elastic portion in the front-to-back direction of the cell stack to press the bent portion in the direction of the hole, and side portions that are formed on both sides of the pressing portion and are positioned between the pair of protrusions when the pressing portion is inserted on the rear side of the elastic portion, and are fixed to the elastic support portion in the left-to-right direction of the cell stack.

[0026] Furthermore, the battery module may further include side plate portions supporting the front, rear, upper and lower surfaces of the cell stack, and the buffer unit may be disposed between the side plate portions and the cell stack in the front-to-rear direction of the cell stack.

[0027] Furthermore, the buffer unit may include a first buffer pad arranged between the first side plate and the front surface of the cell stack in the fore-and-aft direction of the cell stack, and a second buffer pad arranged between the second side plate and the rear surface of the cell stack in the fore-and-aft direction of the cell stack.

[0028] To achieve the above object, the automobile according to the present invention includes the battery pack according to the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0029] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a battery module can be fixed to a battery pack with a simpler structure than conventional methods, no additional fastening members are required, and components can be simplified. Also, more battery cells can be mounted in one battery module.

[0030] Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the number of buffer pads for preventing swelling of the battery cells can be minimized, thereby simplifying the components, and more battery cells can be mounted in one battery module.

[0031] Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since more battery cells can be mounted in one battery module than conventionally, the energy density in the battery module can be maximized.

[0032] The drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the present invention to be described later, serve to further understand the technical concepts of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the matters described in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the overall shape of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the battery module of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3 is a diagram showing an elastic support part of the battery module of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 5] 3 is a diagram showing an elastic support part of the battery module of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 6] 3 is a diagram showing a side plate portion of the battery module of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 7]3 is a diagram showing a side plate portion of the battery module of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 8] 3 is a diagram showing a module fixing portion of the battery module of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 9] 3 is a diagram showing the battery module of FIG. 2 attached to a pack frame. FIG. [Figure 10a] 10 is a side view showing a state in which the elastic support part in FIG. 9 is attached to a pack frame. FIG. [Figure 10b] 10 is a side view showing a state in which the elastic support part in FIG. 9 is attached to a pack frame. FIG. [Figure 10c] 10 is a side view showing a state in which the elastic support part in FIG. 9 is attached to a pack frame. FIG. [Figure 11] 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the module fixing portion of FIG. 8 fixes the battery module to the pack frame. [Figure 12] 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the module fixing portion of FIG. 8 fixes the battery module to the pack frame. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. [Figure 14] 13 is a side view showing a state in which the module fixing portion in FIG. 12 fixes the battery module to the pack frame. FIG. [Figure 15] 13 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the elastic support portion in FIG. 12 presses the battery module. FIG. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a battery pack including a battery module and the battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a battery pack including a battery module and the battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a battery pack including a battery module and the battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in the specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as having meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical ideas of the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventors themselves can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best explain the invention.

[0035] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of the present invention, and that there may be various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therefor at the time of this application.

[0036] 1 is a diagram showing the overall shape of a battery pack 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a module fixing portion 400, which will be described later, is omitted from the illustration.

[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, the X-axis direction shown in the drawings may refer to the front-to-back direction, the Y-axis direction may refer to the left-to-right direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction and the horizontal plane (XY plane), and the Z-axis direction may refer to the up-to-down direction perpendicular to both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 1 , a battery pack 1 may include a pack frame 10 and at least one battery module 50 .

[0039] The pack frame 10 can accommodate at least one battery module 50 therein. To this end, the pack frame 10 may be provided with an accommodating space for accommodating the at least one battery module 50. The pack frame 10 will be described in more detail in the following related description.

[0040] The at least one battery module 50 may include a cell stack 100 and an elastic support member 200 .

[0041] The cell stack 100 may include at least one battery cell 110. In one embodiment, there may be only one battery cell 110. Alternatively, a plurality of the battery cells 110 may be stacked and arranged in the front-rear direction of the pack frame 10.

[0042] The at least one battery cell 110 is a secondary battery and may be a pouch-type battery cell, a cylindrical battery cell, or a prismatic battery cell. In one example, the battery cell may be a pouch-type battery cell. The elastic support member 200 is coupled to the pack frame 10 in the front-rear direction of the cell stack 100 and can press at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the cell stack 100. The elastic support member 200 can effectively suppress swelling that may occur in the at least one battery module 50.

[0043] In this case, by providing the elastic support members 200 only on the front or rear surface of the cell stack 100, it is possible to press only one of the front and rear surfaces of the cell stack 100. Alternatively, by providing the elastic support members 200 on both the front and rear surfaces of the cell stack 100, it is possible to press both the front and rear surfaces of the cell stack 100.

[0044] In this embodiment, a case where a pair of elastic support parts 200 are provided will be described as an example.

[0045] The elastic support member 200 will be described in more detail below.

[0046] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the battery module 50 of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module 50 of Fig. 2, and Figs. 4 and 5 are diagrams showing the elastic support member 200 of the battery module 50 of Fig. 2. In this case, Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the first elastic support member 220 of the elastic support member 200, and Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the second elastic support member 240 of the elastic support member 200.

[0047] 1 to 5, the elastic supporting part 200 may include a first elastic supporting part 220 and a second elastic supporting part 240. As shown in FIG.

[0048] The first elastic support member 220 may press the front surface of the cell stack 100. In this case, the first elastic support member 220 may be coupled to the pack frame 10 in the front-rear direction of the cell stack 100 and press the front surface of the cell stack 100.

[0049] The first elastic support part 220 may include a support part body 222 , a plurality of elastic parts 224 , a plurality of grooves 226 and a pair of protrusions 228 .

[0050] The support body 222 may press the front surface of the cell stack 100. In one example, the support body 222 may be formed in a plate shape extending in the left-right direction of the cell stack 100.

[0051] The plurality of elastic portions 224 may be formed in the support portion main body 222 along the left-right direction of the cell stack 100 .

[0052] The plurality of elastic portions 224 may include bent portions 2242 .

[0053] The bent portion 2242 may be coupled to a hole H formed in the pack frame 10 in the front-rear direction of the cell stack 100 in a state where it is bent in the front-rear direction of the cell stack 100. As a result, the first elastic support portion 220 and the pack frame 10 may be directly coupled to each other.

[0054] In one example, the bent portion 2242 and the hole H may be formed in corresponding shapes to facilitate coupling therebetween.

[0055] The plurality of grooves 226 may be recessed in the up-down direction from the upper end of the support body 222. The plurality of grooves 226 may be formed in the support body 222 along the left-right direction of the cell stack 100. The plurality of grooves 226 may be provided with the elastic portions 224.

[0056] Due to this configuration of the groove portion 226, the module fixing portion 400, which will be described later, can be easily inserted into the rear side of the elastic portion 224.

[0057] The pair of protrusions 228 may protrude from the groove 226 in the front-rear direction of the cell stack 100, and may be formed opposite each other in the left-right direction of the cell stack 100. In one example, the pair of protrusions 228 may protrude from above the groove 226 in the front-rear direction of the cell stack 100.

[0058] Due to the configuration of the pair of protrusions 248 described above, the module fixing portion 400 (described later) can be easily fixed to the first elastic support portion 220.

[0059] The second elastic support part 240 may press the rear surface of the cell stack 100. In this case, the second elastic support part 240 may be coupled to the pack frame 10 in the front-rear direction of the cell stack 100 and press the rear surface of the cell stack 100.

[0060] The second elastic support part 240 may include a support part body 242 , a plurality of elastic parts 244 , a plurality of grooves 246 and a pair of protrusions 248 .

[0061] The support body 242 may press against the rear surface of the cell stack 100. In one example, the support body 242 may be formed in a plate shape extending in the left-right direction of the cell stack 100.

[0062] The plurality of elastic portions 244 may be formed in the support portion main body 242 along the left-right direction of the cell stack 100 .

[0063] The plurality of elastic portions 244 may include bent portions 2442 .

[0064] The bent portion 2442 can be coupled to a hole H formed in the pack frame 10 in the front-rear direction of the cell stack 100 in a state where it is bent in the front-rear direction of the cell stack 100. This allows the second elastic support portion 240 and the pack frame 10 to be directly coupled to each other.

[0065] In one example, the bent portion 2442 and the hole H may be formed in corresponding shapes to facilitate coupling therebetween.

[0066] The plurality of grooves 246 may be recessed in the up-down direction from the upper end of the support body 242. The plurality of grooves 246 may be formed in the support body 242 along the left-right direction of the cell stack 100. The plurality of grooves 246 may be provided with the elastic portions 244.

[0067] Due to this configuration of the groove portion 246, the module fixing portion 400, which will be described later, can be easily inserted behind the elastic portion 244.

[0068] The pair of protrusions 248 may protrude from the groove 246 in the front-rear direction of the cell stack 100, and may be formed opposite each other in the left-right direction of the cell stack 100. In one example, the pair of protrusions 248 may protrude from above the groove 246 in the front-rear direction of the cell stack 100.

[0069] Due to the configuration of the pair of protrusions 248 described above, the module fixing portion 400 (described later) can be easily fixed to the second elastic support portion 240.

[0070] Figures 6 and 7 are diagrams showing the side plate unit 300 of the battery module 50 of Figure 2. In this case, Figure 6 is a diagram showing the first side plate 320 of the side plate unit 300, and Figure 7 is a diagram showing the second side plate 340 of the side plate unit 300.

[0071] 1 to 3, 6 and 7, the battery module 50 may further include a side plate portion 300.

[0072] The side plate parts 300 may support the front, rear, top, and bottom surfaces of the cell stack 100. As a result, the side plate parts 300 may more stably support the cell stack 100 in the front-rear and up-down directions.

[0073] Here, the elastic support member 200 may be disposed on at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the side plate member 300. The elastic support member 200 may more stably guide the side plate member 300 to support the cell stack 100 by pressing the cell stack 100 in the front-rear direction.

[0074] The side plate portion 300 will be described in more detail below.

[0075] The side plate part 300 may include a first side plate 320 and a second side plate 340 .

[0076] The first side plate 320 may support the front, upper, and lower surfaces of the cell stack 100 .

[0077] The first side plate 320 may include a first support portion 322 and a second support portion 324 .

[0078] The first support portion 322 may support the front surface of the cell stack 100 .

[0079] The second support portion 324 may extend from the first support portion 322 in the front-rear direction of the cell stack 100. In addition, the second support portion 324 may support the upper and lower surfaces of the cell stack 100.

[0080] Meanwhile, the first elastic support part 220 may be disposed on the first support part 322 (the front surface of the side plate part 300). Such a first elastic support part 220 may more stably guide the first support part 322 to support the front surface of the cell stack 100 by pressing the cell stack 100 in the front-rear direction.

[0081] The second side plate 340 may be connected to the first side plate 320. In addition, the second side plate 340 may support the rear surface of the cell stack 100.

[0082] The second elastic support member 240 may be disposed on the second side plate 340 (the rear surface of the side plate portion 300). The second elastic support member 240 may more stably support the rear surface of the cell stack 100 of the second side plate 340 by pressing the cell stack 100 in the front-rear direction.

[0083] In the drawings illustrating the embodiments of the present invention, the side plate unit 300 is shown as two members, namely, a first side plate 320 and a second side plate 340. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the side plate unit 300 may be integrally formed to support the front, rear, top, and bottom surfaces of the cell stack 100.

[0084] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the module fixing portion 400 of the battery module 50 of FIG.

[0085] 1 to 3 and 8, the battery module 50 may further include a module fixing portion 400.

[0086] The module fixing portion 400 can fix the elastic support portion 200 to the pack frame 10 by pressing the elastic portions 224, 244 in the front-rear direction of the cell stack 100. In this case, the module fixing portion 400 can be provided between the side plate portion 300 and the elastic portions 224, 244 in the front-rear direction of the cell stack 100.

[0087] Meanwhile, when the module fixing part 400 is removed from the battery module 50 in the vertical direction, the battery module 50 can be removed from the pack frame 10 of the battery pack 1.

[0088] The module fixing portion 400 will be described in more detail below.

[0089] The module fixing portion 400 may include a pressing portion 420 and a side portion 440 .

[0090] The pressing portion 420 can be inserted in the vertical direction behind the elastic portions 224, 244 via the grooves 226, 246. Furthermore, the pressing portion 420 can come into contact with the elastic portions 224, 244 in the front-rear direction of the cell stack 100. This allows the pressing portion 420 to press the bent portions 2242, 2442 of the elastic portions 224, 244 in the direction of the hole H (see FIGS. 11 to 14, which will be described later). Therefore, the pressing portion 420 can further ensure the fixing force of the battery module 50 to the battery pack 1.

[0091] The side portions 440 may be formed on both sides of the pressing portion 420. Furthermore, when the pressing portion 420 is inserted behind the elastic portions 224, 244, the side portions 440 may be positioned between a pair of protrusions 228, 248. This allows the side portions 440 to be fixed to the elastic support portion 200 in the left-right direction of the cell stack 100 (see FIGS. 11 to 14 described below). Therefore, the side portions 440 can prevent the module fixing portion 400 from coming off the elastic support portion 200.

[0092] 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the battery module 50 of FIG. 2 is attached to the pack frame 10, and FIG. 10a is a side view showing a state in which the elastic support member 200 of FIG. 9 is attached to the pack frame 10. In this case, although FIG. 10a exemplarily shows only the first elastic support member 220 of the elastic support member 200, the following description can be similarly applied to the second elastic support member 240.

[0093] 9 and 10a, the bent portions 2242 and 2442 of the elastic support member 200 may be coupled to the holes H formed in the pack frame 10 in the front-rear direction of the cell stack 100.

[0094] This allows the battery module 50 to be easily fixed to the battery pack 1 without the need for separate fastening members (for example, bolts).

[0095] Furthermore, the fastening space when the battery module 50 is fixed to the battery pack 1 can be minimized, thereby securing additional mounting space for the battery cells 110.

[0096] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which the module fixing portion 400 of Fig. 8 fixes the battery module 50 to the pack frame 10, Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a state in which the module fixing portion 400 of Fig. 8 has fixed the battery module 50 to the pack frame 10, Fig. 13 is an enlarged view of portion A of Fig. 12, and Fig. 14 is a side view showing a state in which the module fixing portion 400 of Fig. 12 has fixed the battery module 50 to the pack frame 10. In Fig. 14, only the first elastic support member 220 of the elastic support member 200 is shown as an example, but the following description can be similarly applied to the second elastic support member 240.

[0097] 10b, when the battery module 50 is coupled to the first frame 12, the bent portion 2242 may be fastened by being engaged with the hole H. The elastic portion 224 may maintain a compressed state. At this time, the elastic portion 224 may provide a restoring force (RF) in the rear or negative X-axis direction. As a result, the cell stack 100 may be provided with a restoring force (RF) biased in the rear or negative X-axis direction by the elastic portion 224 of the first elastic support portion 220. In addition, the cell stack 100 may be provided with a restoring force (RF) biased in the forward or positive X-axis direction by the elastic portion 244 of the second elastic support portion 240. At this time, the height of the bent portion 2242 or the hole H may be formed to a height cl corresponding to the middle of the height of the cell stack 100.

[0098] 10c, when swelling occurs in the cell stack 100, the amount of deformation in the front-rear direction, the +X-axis direction, or the -X-axis direction may be greatest at a height cl corresponding to the middle of the height of the cell stack 100. In this case, because the height of the bent portion 2242 or the hole H is formed at a height cl corresponding to the middle of the height of the cell stack 100, the restoring force (RF) of the elastic portion 224 can be effectively transmitted to the cell stack 100. The force (SF) caused by the swelling of the cell stack 100 may act in the opposite direction to the restoring force (RF) of the elastic portion 224. In other words, the restoring force (RF) of the elastic portion 224 may act in a direction that suppresses the swelling of the cell stack 100.

[0099] Meanwhile, the first buffer pad 520 and the second buffer pad 540 included in the buffer unit 500 are compressed when swelling occurs in the cell stack 100, thereby providing a restoring force to the cell stack 100. As a result, the first buffer pad 520 and the second buffer pad 540 can suppress the swelling of the cell stack 100.

[0100] The battery pack 1 of the present invention includes the first elastic support member 220 and the second elastic support member 240, and thus can effectively suppress the swelling phenomenon of the cell stack 100 even if the number of first buffer pads 520 and second buffer pads 540 is smaller than the number of buffer pads provided in a conventional battery pack. Since the battery pack 1 of the present invention has fewer buffer pads 520 and 540, it can achieve higher energy density.

[0101] 11 to 14, the pressing portion 420 and the elastic portions 224, 244 including the bending portions 2242, 2442 may be formed in shapes corresponding to each other. Thus, the pressing portion 420 can easily press the bending portions 2242, 2442 in the direction of the hole H of the pack frame 10 when inserted into the rear side of the elastic portions 224, 244.

[0102] Furthermore, when the pressing portion 420 is inserted behind the elastic portions 224, 244, the side portion 440 can be fixed to the elastic support portion 200 in the left-right direction of the cell stack 100 by the pair of protrusions 228, 248.

[0103] In one example, the side portions 440 may be formed to face each other on both sides of the pressing portion 420 in the left-right direction of the cell stack 100. Furthermore, the upper ends of the side portions 440 may be positioned between the pair of protrusions 228, 248, thereby being fixed to the elastic support portion 200 in the left-right direction of the cell stack 100.

[0104] The handle portion 410 may extend above the pressing portion 420 or in the +Z axis direction. The handle portion 410 may also be located between a pair of side portions 440. The handle portion 410 may be configured so that a user can grasp it to attach or detach the module fixing portion 400. For example, the handle portion 410 may extend above the pressing portion 420 and then bend forward.

[0105] The side portion 440 may include a first part 441, a second part 442, and a third part 443. The first part 441 may extend obliquely upward from the pressing portion 420. The second part 442 may extend obliquely upward from the first part 441. The first part 441 and the second part 442 may extend obliquely in different directions from each other or may form a recess. The third part 443 may extend vertically upward from the second part 442. The first part 441, the second part 442, and the third part 443 may be integrally formed. When the module fixing portion 400 is attached, the recess formed by the second part 442 and the third part 443 may be engaged with the protrusion 228 and fastened together. The protrusion 228 may be engaged with the second part 442. The protrusion 228 may press the second part 442 downward or in the −Z axis direction. The third part 443 can support the protrusion 228 from the side.

[0106] According to the battery pack 1 of the present invention, the module fixing portion 400 presses the elastic portions 224, 244 of the elastic support portion 200 in the front-rear direction of the cell stack 100, thereby further ensuring the fixing force of the battery module 50 to the battery pack 1. As a result, the battery module 50 is more stably fixed to the battery pack 1, and the swelling phenomenon of the battery module 50 can be more effectively suppressed by the elastic support portion 200.

[0107] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the elastic support member 200 in FIG. 12 presses the battery module 50. In FIG.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 15, the battery module 50 may further include a buffer unit 500.

[0109] The buffer unit 500 can contract the cell stack 100 by pressing at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the cell stack 100 using the elastic support member 200. In one example, the buffer unit 500 can be made of an elastic material such as sponge to allow the cell stack 100 to contract.

[0110] The buffer unit 500 may be disposed between the side plate portion 300 and the cell stack 100 in the front-rear direction of the cell stack 100. Specifically, the buffer unit 500 may be disposed between the front surface of the side plate portion 300 and the front surface of the cell stack 100. In addition, the buffer unit 500 may be disposed between the rear surface of the side plate portion 300 and the rear surface of the cell stack 100.

[0111] The buffer unit 500 may include a first buffer pad 520 and a second buffer pad 540 .

[0112] The first buffer pad 520 may be disposed between the first side plate 320 (specifically, the first support portion 322) and the front surface of the cell stack 100 in the front-rear direction of the cell stack 100. In this case, the first buffer pad 520 may contract the front surface of the cell stack 100.

[0113] The second buffer pad 540 may be disposed between the second side plate 340 and the rear surface of the cell stack 100 in the front-rear direction of the cell stack 100. In this case, the second buffer pad 540 may contract the rear surface of the cell stack 100.

[0114] In the battery pack 1 of the present invention, the battery module 50 can be fixed to the pack frame 10 by the elastic support members 200. In this state, the elastic support members 200 can press at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the cell stack 100. The elastic support members 200 can effectively suppress swelling that may occur in the battery module 50.

[0115] As a result, the number of buffer pads for preventing swelling of the battery cells 110 can be minimized (for example, between the front surface of the side plate portion 300 and the front surface of the cell stack 100, and between the rear surface of the side plate portion 300 and the rear surface of the cell stack 100), thereby simplifying the components.

[0116] The pack frame 10 described above may be a frame having an overall shape of a substantially rectangular column.

[0117] Referring again to FIGS. 1, 9 and 11, the pack frame 10 may include a first frame 12 and a second frame 14.

[0118] The first frame 12 may cover the battery module 50. For example, the first frame 12 may cover the front or rear surface of the battery module 50. In this case, the first frame 12 may extend along the left-right direction of the cell stack 100, and a plurality of first frames 12 may be formed along the front-rear direction of the cell stack 100. Meanwhile, a plurality of holes H may be formed in the first frame 12 along the left-right direction of the cell stack 100.

[0119] The second frame 14 may be coupled to the first frame 12 and cover the battery module 50. For example, the second frame 14 may cover one side or the other side of the battery module 50. In this case, the second frame 14 may extend along the front-rear direction of the cell stack 100 and may be formed in plurality along the left-right direction of the cell stack 100.

[0120] In one embodiment, a portion of the first frame 12 may form one side surface and the other side surface in the front-rear direction of the battery pack 1. Also, a portion of the second frame 14 may form one side surface and the other side surface in the left-right direction of the battery pack 1.

[0121] According to the present invention, by coupling the elastic support part 200 to the hole H provided in the pack frame 10, the battery module 50 can be fixed to the battery pack 1 without using a separate fastening member.

[0122] Meanwhile, the different battery modules 50 provided inside the pack frame 10 may be arranged such that the front faces (first support portions 322) of the respective side plate portions 300 face in different directions, as shown in Fig. 9. Alternatively, although not shown, the different battery modules 50 may be arranged such that the front faces of the respective side plate portions 300 face in the same direction.

[0123] In addition, the battery pack 1 may further include separate upper and lower covers (not shown) for covering the upper and lower parts of the at least one battery module 50 .

[0124] As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the battery module 50 can be fixed to the battery pack 1 with a simpler structure than conventional ones, and additional fastening members are not required, which simplifies the components. Furthermore, a larger number of battery cells 110 can be mounted in one battery module 50.

[0125] Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to simplify the components by minimizing the number of buffer pads for preventing swelling of the battery cells 110. Furthermore, it is possible to mount more battery cells 110 in one battery module 50.

[0126] Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since more battery cells 110 can be mounted in one battery module 50 than conventionally, the energy density in the battery module 50 can be maximized.

[0127] 16 to 18 are diagrams showing a battery module 52 and a battery pack 2 including the same according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0128] The battery module 52 and the battery pack 2 according to this embodiment are similar to the battery module 50 and the battery pack 1 according to the previous embodiment, and therefore, redundant descriptions of configurations that are substantially the same as or similar to those of the previous embodiment will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences from the previous embodiment.

[0129] 16 to 18, the battery pack 2 may include a pack frame 10 and at least one battery module 52. In this case, a pair of cell stacks 100 may be provided in one battery module 52. In one example, the cell stacks 100 may be arranged side by side in a pair in the left-right direction of the pack frame 10.

[0130] The pack frame 10 can accommodate such at least one battery module 52 therein.

[0131] The at least one battery module 52 may include an elastic support portion 202 and a side plate portion 302 .

[0132] The elastic support portion 202 is coupled to the pack frame 10 in the front-rear direction of the cell stack 100, and can press at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the entire pair of cell stacks 100. In one example, the elastic support portion 202 can be formed to extend further in the left-right direction of the cell stack 100 compared to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 15 so that it can press at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the entire pair of cell stacks 100.

[0133] The side plate portions 302 can support the front, rear, top, and bottom surfaces of the entire pair of cell stacks 100. In one example, the side plate portions 302 can be formed to extend further in the left-right direction of the cell stack 100 compared to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 15 so as to support the front, rear, top, and bottom surfaces of the entire pair of cell stacks 100.

[0134] Meanwhile, the battery packs 1 and 2 according to the present invention may further include, in addition to the pack frame 10 and the battery modules 50 and 52, various devices for controlling the charging and discharging of the battery modules 50 and 52, such as a battery management system (BMS), a current sensor, and a fuse.

[0135] Furthermore, the battery packs 1 and 2 according to the present invention can be applied to automobiles such as electric vehicles, that is, automobiles according to the present invention can include the battery packs 1 and 2 according to the present invention.

[0136] Although the present invention has been described above using limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited to these, and it goes without saying that various modifications and variations can be made by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains within the technical spirit of the present invention and the scope of equivalents of the claims.

[0137] Meanwhile, although directional terms such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear are used in this specification, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art of the present invention that these terms are used merely for ease of explanation and may differ depending on the position of the object in question, the position of the observer, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0138] 1 battery pack 2 battery packs 10 pack frames 12 First Frame 14 2nd Frame 50 Battery Module 52 Battery Module 100 cell stack 110 battery cells 200 Elastic support part 202 Elastic support part 220 First elastic support part 222 Support body 224 Elastic part 226 Groove 228 Protrusion 240 Second elastic support part 242 Support body 244 Elastic part 246 Groove 248 Protrusion 300 Side plate 302 Side plate part 320 First Side Plate 322 1st support part 324 Second support part 340 Second Side Plate 400 Module fixing part 410 Hand part 420 Pressing part 440 Side part 441 Part 1 442 Part 2 443 Part 3 500 Buffer Unit 520 Buffer Pad 520 First buffer pad 540 Buffer Pad 540 Second buffer pad 2242 Bent section 2442 Bending section H hole

Claims

1. Pack frame and at least one battery module provided inside the pack frame, the at least one battery module comprising: a cell stack; and an elastic support portion coupled to the pack frame in a front-to-rear direction of the cell stack so as to press at least one of a front surface and a rear surface of the cell stack; Including, The battery module includes: a module fixing portion fastened to the elastic support portion, the module fixing portion pressing the elastic support portion in the front-rear direction of the cell stack to fix the elastic support portion to the pack frame, The elastic support portion is a support body that presses at least one of the front surface and the rear surface of the cell stack; a plurality of elastic portions formed in the support body along the left-right direction of the cell stack; Including, a battery pack in which, when the battery module is coupled to the pack frame, the elastic portion is fastened to the pack frame, maintains a compressed state, and provides a restoring force to the cell stack in a front-rear direction of the cell stack.

2. The battery module includes: The cell stack further includes side plates for supporting the front, rear, upper, and lower surfaces of the cell stack, The elastic support portion is The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the side plate portion is disposed on at least one of a front surface and a rear surface of the side plate portion.

3. The battery module includes: The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising a buffer unit disposed on at least one of a front surface and a rear surface of the cell stack.

4. A pack frame; at least one battery module provided inside the pack frame, the at least one battery module comprising: a cell stack; and an elastic support portion coupled to the pack frame in a front-to-rear direction of the cell stack so as to press at least one of a front surface and a rear surface of the cell stack; Including, The elastic support portion is a support body that presses at least one of the front surface and the rear surface of the cell stack; a plurality of elastic portions formed in the support body along the left-right direction of the cell stack; Including, The plurality of elastic portions are a bent portion coupled to a hole formed in the pack frame in the front-rear direction of the cell stack in a state where the cell stack is bent in the front-rear direction of the cell stack.

5. A pack frame; at least one battery module provided inside the pack frame, the at least one battery module comprising: a cell stack; and an elastic support portion coupled to the pack frame in a front-to-rear direction of the cell stack so as to press at least one of a front surface and a rear surface of the cell stack; Including, The elastic support portion is a support body that presses at least one of the front surface and the rear surface of the cell stack; a plurality of elastic portions formed in the support body along the left-right direction of the cell stack; Including, The elastic support portion is a groove portion that is recessed in the up-down direction from an upper end of the support portion main body and is formed in the support portion main body along the left-right direction of the cell stack, the groove portion including the elastic portion; a pair of protrusions protruding from the groove in the front-rear direction of the cell stack and formed opposite to each other in the left-right direction of the cell stack; Further including a battery pack.

6. The pack frame includes: a first frame extending along the left-right direction of the cell stack, the first frame being formed in plurality along the front-rear direction of the cell stack so as to cover the battery module; a second frame coupled to the first frame and extending along a front-rear direction of the cell stack, the second frame being formed in plurality along a left-right direction of the cell stack so as to cover the battery module; Including, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of holes are formed in the first frame along the left-right direction of the cell stack.

7. The side plate portion is a first side plate supporting a front surface, an upper surface, and a lower surface of the cell stack; a second side plate connected to the first side plate and supporting a rear surface of the cell stack; 3. The battery pack of claim 2, comprising:

8. The side plate portion is a first support portion that supports a front surface of the cell stack; a second support portion extending from the first support portion in the front-rear direction of the cell stack and supporting an upper surface and a lower surface of the cell stack; 3. The battery pack of claim 2, comprising:

9. The battery module includes: Side plate portions supporting the front, rear, upper and lower surfaces of the cell stack; further comprising the module fixing portion is provided between the side plate portion and the elastic support portion in the front-rear direction of the cell stack, and fixes the elastic support portion to the pack frame by pressing the elastic portion in the front-rear direction of the cell stack. The battery pack according to claim 1 .

10. A pack frame; at least one battery module provided inside the pack frame, the at least one battery module comprising: a cell stack; and an elastic support portion coupled to the pack frame in a front-to-rear direction of the cell stack so as to press at least one of a front surface and a rear surface of the cell stack; Including, The battery module includes: a module fixing portion fastened to the elastic support portion, the module fixing portion pressing the elastic support portion in the front-rear direction of the cell stack to fix the elastic support portion to the pack frame, The elastic support portion is a support body that presses at least one of the front surface and the rear surface of the cell stack; a plurality of elastic portions formed in the support body along the left-right direction of the cell stack; Including, The module fixing portion is a pressing portion that is inserted in the vertical direction behind the elastic portion through the groove portion and that contacts the elastic portion in the front-rear direction of the cell stack to press the bent portion toward the hole; side portions formed on both sides of the pressing portion and positioned between a pair of protruding portions when the pressing portion is inserted into the rear side of the elastic portion, the side portions being fixed to the elastic support portion in the left-right direction of the cell stack; Including the battery pack.

11. The battery module includes: The cell stack further includes side plates for supporting the front, rear, upper, and lower surfaces of the cell stack, The buffer unit comprises: The battery pack according to claim 3 , wherein the side plate portion is disposed between the cell stack and the side plate portion in the front-rear direction of the cell stack.

12. The buffer unit comprises: a first buffer pad disposed between a first side plate and a front surface of the cell stack in the front-rear direction of the cell stack; a second buffer pad disposed between the second side plate and the rear surface of the cell stack in the front-rear direction of the cell stack; 12. The battery pack of claim 11, comprising:

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

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