Energy Storage Device

Abstract

To provide an energy storage system which can prevent fall of a battery module.SOLUTION: An energy storage system includes: a rack frame; a tray installed at the rack frame; a battery module which is disposed on the tray and may be moved in a first direction to be insertable into the rack frame; a guide rail arranged to face the battery module and configured to guide movement of the battery module; and a stopper provided between the battery module and the guide rail and configured to selectively restrict movement of the battery module in a second direction opposite the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an energy storage device. [Background technology]

[0002] In general, an energy storage system (ESS) is a device that can store surplus electricity or electricity produced using renewable energy. The energy storage system can be configured by installing a plurality of battery modules on a rack and housing the racks in a container. The battery module can be configured by assembling a plurality of secondary batteries electrically connected to each other in various structures.

[0003] The battery module may be inserted into or removed from the rack by sliding back and forth. However, if the battery module moves excessively in the removal direction during this process, the battery module may fall, damaging components or causing a safety accident. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an energy storage device that can prevent a battery module from falling. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The energy storage device according to the present invention includes a rack frame; a tray installed on the rack frame; a battery module disposed on the tray and inserted into the rack frame by moving in a first direction; a guide rail disposed opposite the battery module and guiding the movement of the battery module; and a stopper provided between the battery module and the guide rail and selectively restricting the movement of the battery module in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0006] A plurality of the stoppers may be provided, and the stoppers may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the first direction.

[0007] The guide rail may include: a rail body disposed to face the battery module; and a rail hole formed through the rail body and having a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end along the first direction.

[0008] The length of the rail hole may be shorter than the length of the battery module.

[0009] The stopper may include: a stopper body movably connected to the battery module; and a hook fixed to the stopper body and inserted into or removed from the rail hole along a movement direction of the stopper body.

[0010] The stopper body may be provided to be elastically deformable.

[0011] The stopper body may be connected to the battery module so as to be reciprocally movable in a direction intersecting the first direction.

[0012] The stopper body may include: a fixed end connected to the battery module; and a movable end extending from the fixed end and spaced apart from the battery module, and the movable end may be rotatable around the fixed end.

[0013] The moving end may extend from the fixed end along the second direction.

[0014] The hook may include a locking surface arranged to face the first end; and a guide surface extending from the locking surface along the first direction and arranged to be inclined relative to the locking surface.

[0015] The latching surface may contact the first end by the battery module moving in the second direction.

[0016] The locking surface may be disposed perpendicular to the first direction.

[0017] The distance between the guide surface and the stopper body may decrease toward the end.

[0018] The battery pack may further include an alignment member disposed between the tray and the battery module to align the position of the battery module.

[0019] The alignment member may include an alignment hole formed by penetrating one of the tray and the battery module; and an alignment protrusion protruding from the other of the tray and the battery module and inserted into or removed from the alignment hole in conjunction with movement of the battery module.

[0020] The alignment holes may include a first alignment hole, a second alignment hole, and a third alignment hole, which are sequentially arranged along the first direction; and the alignment protrusions may include a first alignment protrusion, a second alignment protrusion, and a third alignment protrusion, which are sequentially arranged along the first direction.

[0021] The second alignment holes may be arranged alternately with the first alignment holes in a direction intersecting the first direction, and the third alignment holes may be arranged to face the first alignment holes in a direction aligned with the first direction.

[0022] Edges of the first alignment protrusion, the second alignment protrusion, and the third alignment protrusion may be formed to be inclined. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] The energy storage device according to the present invention prevents the battery module from falling by restricting the battery module from moving more than a set distance during the process of detaching the battery module from the rack frame using the stopper, thereby preventing damage to equipment and safety accidents due to the battery module falling.

[0024] In the energy storage device according to the present invention, the degree of removal of the battery module can be adjusted in multiple stages by spacing a plurality of stoppers apart in the length direction of the battery module, thereby further improving the stability of the battery module removal operation.

[0025] The energy storage device according to the present invention can selectively restrict the movement of the battery module by moving the stopper body, thereby further improving the convenience of the removal operation.

[0026] In the energy storage device according to the present invention, the guide surfaces are arranged at an angle relative to the locking surfaces, allowing the battery modules to be smoothly inserted into the rack frame.

[0027] The energy storage device according to the present invention can guide the battery modules to move in the correct direction and position themselves correctly using the guide rails and alignment members. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating a configuration of an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a side view schematically illustrating a configuration of an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a guide rail according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5]1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an installation state of a stopper according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is an enlarged view schematically illustrating the configuration of a stopper according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a side view schematically illustrating the configuration of a stopper according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating a configuration of a stopper according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a configuration of an alignment member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating a configuration of an alignment hole according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 11] 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of an alignment protrusion according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 12] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a process in which a battery module is inserted into a rack frame in an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a process in which a battery module is inserted into a rack frame in an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a process in which a battery module is inserted into a rack frame in an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a process in which a battery module is inserted into a rack frame in an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a process in which a battery module is inserted into a rack frame in an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] 10A to 10C are views schematically illustrating a process in which a battery module is detached from a rack frame in an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18]10A to 10C are views schematically illustrating a process in which a battery module is detached from a rack frame in an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] 10A to 10C are views schematically illustrating a process in which a battery module is detached from a rack frame in an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] 10A to 10C are views schematically illustrating a process in which a battery module is detached from a rack frame in an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the energy storage device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] In this process, the thickness of each line and the size of each component shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation. In addition, each term described below is defined in consideration of the function of the present invention, and may vary depending on the intention or practice of users and operators. Therefore, each term should be defined based on the contents of this specification as a whole.

[0031] Furthermore, in this specification, when one part is said to be "coupled (or connected)" to another part, this includes not only the case where they are "directly coupled (or connected)" but also the case where they are "indirectly coupled (or connected)" with another member interposed therebetween. In this specification, when one part is said to "include (or comprise)" one component, this does not mean that other components are excluded, but that it can further "include (or comprise)" other components, unless otherwise specified.

[0032] Furthermore, the same reference numerals may refer to the same elements throughout this specification. Even if the same or similar reference numerals are not mentioned or described in a particular drawing, those reference numerals may be described with reference to other drawings. Furthermore, even if a part is not indicated with a reference numeral in a particular drawing, that part may be described with reference to other drawings. Furthermore, the number, shape, size, and relative differences in size of each detailed element included in each drawing of this application are set for ease of understanding and are not intended to limit the embodiments, and may be embodied in various forms.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of an energy storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of an energy storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a side view schematically showing the configuration of an energy storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] 1 to 3, the energy storage device according to this embodiment includes a rack frame 100, a tray 200, a battery module 300, a guide rail 400, and a stopper 500.

[0035] The rack frame 100 has a space therein in which the battery modules 300 can be accommodated. The rack frame 100 according to this embodiment may have the form of a hollow box or a frame. The rack frame 100 may be disposed indoors in a building or may be disposed inside a container, cabinet, or the like. The rack frame 100 may be made of a highly rigid material such as steel to prevent damage due to the load applied from the battery modules 300. The shape of the rack frame 100 may be modified to various shapes such as a polyhedron or a cylinder in addition to the rectangular parallelepiped shape shown in FIG. 1 .

[0036] The rack frame 100 may include a first surface 101 and a second surface 102 located on the opposite side of the first surface 101. The first surface 101 and the second surface 102 may be arranged to face each other in parallel along a direction aligned with the X-axis with reference to FIG. 1. The first surface 101 is formed to be open, allowing the internal space of the rack frame 100 to communicate with the external space.

[0037] The first direction A described below may be a direction aligned with the X-axis in FIG. 1 from the first surface 101 to the second surface 102 of the rack frame 100. The second direction B may be the opposite direction to the first direction A, i.e., a direction aligned with the X-axis from the second surface 102 to the first surface 101 of the rack frame 100.

[0038] The tray 200 is installed inside the rack frame 100 and partitions the internal space of the rack frame 100. The tray 200 according to this embodiment may be formed in a substantially flat plate shape. The tray 200 may be integrally fixed to the rack frame 100 by welding or the like, or may be detachably assembled to the rack frame 100 by bolting, fitting, or the like. The tray 200 may be arranged horizontally with respect to the bottom surface of the rack frame 100. A plurality of trays 200 may be provided. A plurality of trays 200 may be stacked vertically inside the rack frame 100, i.e., along the Z-axis direction with reference to FIG. 1. The number of trays 200, the spacing between adjacent trays 200, and the height of the battery modules 300 (described later) may be variously modified in design. The tray 200 may be formed of a highly rigid material such as steel to prevent damage due to a load applied from the battery modules 300.

[0039] The battery module 300 stores power through charging and discharging operations and supplies the stored power to an external electronic device (not shown). The battery module 300 may include a module case having a roughly box shape, a plurality of battery cells disposed inside the module case, and a cooling plate through which coolant flows to cool the battery cells. The battery cells may be pouch-type secondary batteries, prismatic secondary batteries, or cylindrical secondary batteries.

[0040] The battery modules 300 may be arranged such that their length directions are aligned with the first direction A. When the battery modules 300 are arranged outside the rack frame 100 so as to face the first surface 101, they can be inserted into the rack frame 100 via the first surface 101 by moving in the first direction A. On the other hand, when the battery modules 300 are inserted into the rack frame 100, they can be removed from the rack frame 100 via the first surface 101 by moving in the second direction B.

[0041] The battery module 300 may be placed on the tray 200 inside the rack frame 100. More specifically, the lower surface of the battery module 300 may contact the upper surface of the tray 200.

[0042] A plurality of battery modules 300 may be provided. The plurality of battery modules 300 may be arranged in a plurality of rows inside the rack frame 100 along a direction perpendicular to the first direction A, i.e., along the Y-axis and Z-axis directions with reference to FIG. 1. The plurality of battery modules 300 arranged along the Z-axis direction may be arranged on each tray 200.

[0043] The guide rail 400 is disposed to face the battery module 300 and guides the movement of the battery module 300. That is, the guide rail 400 may function as a component that guides the movement direction of the rack frame 100 to maintain the first direction A or the second direction B during the process of inserting the battery module 300 into the rack frame 100 or removing it from the rack frame 100.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a guide rail according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] 1 to 4, a guide rail 400 according to this embodiment may include a rail body 410 and a rail hole 420.

[0046] The rail body 410 is disposed inside the rack frame 100 to face the battery module 300. The rail body 410 according to this embodiment may be formed in a generally plate-like shape and disposed to face the side of the battery module 300 in parallel. The rail body 410 may be disposed such that its length is aligned with the first direction A. The rail body 410 may be fixed to the tray 200 or the rack frame 100. The rail body 410 may be in direct contact with the side of the battery module 300 or may be spaced a predetermined distance from the side of the battery module 300. A plurality of rail bodies 410 may be provided. Any pair of the plurality of rail bodies 410 may be disposed to face both sides of each battery module 300, respectively.

[0047] The rail holes 420 may be formed to penetrate the rail body 410. More specifically, the rail holes 420 may penetrate the rail body 410 in a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the battery module 300 (a direction aligned with the Y axis with reference to FIG. 1 ). The length of the rail holes 420 may be shorter than the lengths of the battery module 300 and the rail body 410.

[0048] The rail hole 420 may include a first end 421 and a second end 422 spaced apart from the first end 421 along the first direction A. The first end 421 and the second end 422 may be boundary surfaces between the rail hole 420 and the rail main body 410, respectively, which are disposed at both ends of the rail hole 420. The first end 421 may be disposed facing the first surface 101 of the rack frame 100, and the second end 422 may be disposed facing the second surface 102 of the rack frame 100.

[0049] The stopper 500 is provided between the battery module 300 and the guide rail 400 and selectively restricts movement of the battery module 300 in the second direction B. That is, the stopper 500 may function as a component that restricts or allows movement of the battery module 300 in the second direction B when the battery module 300 is detached from the rack frame 100. Thus, the stopper 500 may prevent the battery module 300 from suddenly moving in the second direction B during the process of the battery module 300 being detached from the rack frame 100, thereby preventing the battery module 300 from falling.

[0050] A plurality of stoppers 500 may be provided. The plurality of stoppers 500 may be arranged spaced apart from each other along the first direction A. As a result, the plurality of stoppers 500 restrict the movement of the battery module 300 in the second direction B in multiple stages, thereby further improving the stability of the removal operation of the battery module 300. The plurality of stoppers 500 may be arranged symmetrically on both sides of the battery module 300 perpendicular to the Y-axis direction.

[0051] Figure 5 is a perspective view that schematically shows the installation state of a stopper according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 is an enlarged view that schematically shows the configuration of a stopper according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 7 is a side view that schematically shows the configuration of a stopper according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 8 is a plan view that schematically shows the configuration of a stopper according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] 5 to 8, the stopper 500 according to this embodiment may include a stopper body 510 and a hook 520.

[0053] The stopper body 510 is movably connected to the battery module 300 and supports the hook 520, which will be described later. The stopper body 510 moves in response to an external force applied from the outside and can function as a component for adjusting the relative position of the hook 520 with respect to the guide rail 400.

[0054] The stopper body 510 according to this embodiment may be formed in a substantially flat plate shape. In an initial position where no external force is applied, the stopper body 510 may be disposed such that its inner and outer surfaces face parallel to the side surface of the battery module 300 and the rail body 410, respectively. The stopper body 510 may be connected to the battery module 300 so as to be reciprocally movable in a direction intersecting the first direction A. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6 , the stopper body 510 may include a fixed end 511 fixed to the side surface of the battery module 300 and a movable end 512 extending from the fixed end 511. The movable end 512 may extend from the fixed end 511 in the second direction B and be disposed spaced apart from the side surface of the battery module 300. The movable end 512 may rotate clockwise or counterclockwise around the fixed end 511. For example, when a pressure toward the side of the battery module 300 is applied to the outer surface of the stopper body 510 facing the rail body 410, the moving end 512 may rotate toward the side of the battery module 300 around the fixed end 511.

[0055] The stopper body 510 may be elastically deformable. Thus, when an external force applied from the outside is removed, the stopper body 510 may return to its initial position by its own elastic restoring force. For example, the stopper body 510 may be made of a plastic material that has sufficient rigidity and is elastically deformable.

[0056] The hook 520 is fixed to the stopper body 510 and is inserted into or removed from the rail hole 420 in the movement direction of the stopper body 510. The hook 520 may be maintained inserted into the rail hole 420 by facing the rail body 410 when the stopper body 510 is located in its initial position. The hook 520 may move in the first direction A or the second direction B together with the battery module 300 when inserted into the rail hole 420. The vertical width of the hook 520 may be smaller than the vertical width of the rail hole 420. This allows the hook 520 to move smoothly inside the rail hole 420.

[0057] The hook 520 can move in the second direction B within the rail hole 420 by a set distance or more, thereby interfering with the rail body 410 and restricting the movement of the battery module 300 in the second direction B. In this state, the hook 520 can allow the battery module 300 to move in the second direction B only when the hook 520 is released from the rail hole 420 due to the movement of the stopper body 510.

[0058] Meanwhile, the hooks 520 can always allow the battery module 300 to move in the first direction A regardless of whether it is inserted into the rail holes 420. That is, the hooks 520 can selectively restrict the movement of the battery module 300 only when the battery module 300 is detached from the rack frame 100.

[0059] The hook 520 according to this embodiment may include a locking surface 521 and a guide surface 522 .

[0060] The locking surface 521 may be disposed on one side of the hook 520 and may be disposed to face the first end 421 of the rail hole 420 when the hook 520 is inserted into the rail hole 420. The locking surface 521 may have a planar shape perpendicular to the first direction A and the second direction B. When the battery module 300 moves in the second direction B by more than a set distance while the hook 520 is inserted into the rail hole 420, the locking surface 521 may come into contact with the first end 421 of the rail hole 420, thereby restricting the movement of the battery module 300 in the second direction B.

[0061] The guide surface 522 may be disposed on the other side of the hook 520 and extend from the locking surface 521 along the first direction A. The guide surface 522 may be disposed to be inclined with respect to the locking surface 521. For example, the guide surface 522 may have the form of an inclined surface in which the distance from the stopper body 510 gradually decreases toward the end, i.e., the first direction A. As a result, when the battery module 300 is inserted into the rack frame 100, the guide surface 522 comes into contact with the rail body 410 and can rotate the moving end 512 of the stopper body 510 in a direction toward the side of the battery module 300.

[0062] The energy storage device according to this embodiment may further include an alignment member 600 .

[0063] The alignment member 600 is provided between the tray 200 and the battery module 300 to align the position of the battery module 300. That is, the alignment member 600 may function as a component that positions the battery module 300 in the correct position on the tray 200 when the battery module 300 is inserted into the rack frame 100. The alignment member 600 may also function as a component that restricts sudden movement of the battery module 300 in the first direction A or the second direction B when the battery module 300 is inserted into or removed from the rack frame 100. Thus, the alignment member 600 may prevent excessive load from being applied to the stopper 500.

[0064] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of an alignment member according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 9, an alignment member 600 according to this embodiment may include an alignment hole 610 and an alignment protrusion 620 .

[0066] The alignment holes 610 are formed to penetrate either the tray 200 or the battery module 300. In the following description, the alignment holes 610 are formed in the tray 200. However, the alignment holes 610 are not limited to this and may be formed in the battery module 300.

[0067] FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically illustrating the configuration of an alignment hole according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] 9 and 10, the alignment holes 610 according to this embodiment may include a first alignment hole 611, a second alignment hole 612, and a third alignment hole 613.

[0069] The first alignment holes 611, the second alignment holes 612, and the third alignment holes 613 may have the form of holes that penetrate the tray 200 vertically, i.e., in a direction aligned with the Z axis. The cross-sectional shapes of the first alignment holes 611, the second alignment holes 612, and the third alignment holes 613 may be designed to have various shapes such as a polygon, an ellipse, etc. in addition to the circular shape shown in FIG.

[0070] The first alignment holes 611, the second alignment holes 612, and the third alignment holes 613 may be arranged sequentially along the first direction A. That is, the first alignment holes 611, the second alignment holes 612, and the third alignment holes 613 may be arranged sequentially from one end of the tray 200 facing the first surface 101 to the other end of the tray 200 facing the second surface 102.

[0071] The first alignment hole 611 and the third alignment hole 613 may be arranged to face each other in a direction aligned with the first direction A. That is, the central axes of the first alignment hole 611 and the third alignment hole 613 may intersect at different points on a line aligned with the first direction A.

[0072] The first alignment holes 611 and the second alignment holes 612 may be alternately arranged in a direction intersecting the first direction A. That is, the first alignment holes 611 and the second alignment holes 612 may have their central axes aligned in the first direction A and intersect with different straight lines spaced apart in the Y-axis direction.

[0073] The first alignment hole 611, the second alignment hole 612, and the third alignment hole 613 may be provided in plural numbers. For example, as shown in Fig. 10, the first alignment hole 611, the second alignment hole 612, and the third alignment hole 613 may each be provided in pairs. The pairs of the first alignment hole 611, the second alignment hole 612, and the third alignment hole 613 may be arranged in two rows along a direction intersecting with the first direction A.

[0074] The alignment protrusions 620 protrude from the remaining one of the tray 200 and the battery module 300. In the following description, the alignment protrusions 620 protrude from the battery module 300 as an example. However, the alignment protrusions 620 are not limited to this and may protrude from the tray 200. The alignment protrusions 620 may be inserted into or removed from the alignment holes 610 in conjunction with the movement of the battery module 300.

[0075] FIG. 11 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the configuration of an alignment protrusion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0076] 9 and 11, the alignment protrusion 620 according to this embodiment may include a first alignment protrusion 621, a second alignment protrusion 622, and a third alignment protrusion 623.

[0077] The first alignment protrusion 621, the second alignment protrusion 622, and the third alignment protrusion 623 may protrude vertically downward from the lower surface of the battery module 300. The cross-sectional shapes of the first alignment protrusion 621, the second alignment protrusion 622, and the third alignment protrusion 623 may be variously designed within a range of shapes that can be inserted into the alignment hole 610, other than the circular shape shown in FIG.

[0078] The first alignment protrusion 621, the second alignment protrusion 622, and the third alignment protrusion 623 may be sequentially arranged along the first direction A. That is, the first alignment protrusion 621, the second alignment protrusion 622, and the third alignment protrusion 623 may be sequentially arranged from the front surface of the battery module 300, which is arranged to face the first surface 101, toward the rear surface thereof when the battery module 300 is fully inserted into the rack frame 100.

[0079] The first alignment protrusions 621 and the third alignment protrusions 623 may be arranged to face each other in a direction aligned with the first direction A. That is, the central axes of the first alignment protrusions 621 and the third alignment protrusions 623 may intersect at different points on a line aligned with the first direction A.

[0080] The first aligned protrusions 621 and the second aligned protrusions 622 may be alternately arranged in a direction intersecting the first direction A. That is, the first aligned protrusions 621 and the second aligned protrusions 622 may have central axes aligned in the first direction A and intersect with different straight lines spaced apart in the Y-axis direction.

[0081] The first alignment protrusions 621, the second alignment protrusions 622, and the third alignment protrusions 623 may be provided in plural numbers. For example, as shown in Fig. 11, the first alignment protrusions 621, the second alignment protrusions 622, and the third alignment protrusions 623 may each be provided in pairs. The pairs of first alignment protrusions 621, second alignment protrusions 622, and third alignment protrusions 623 may be arranged in two rows along a direction intersecting with the first direction A. The number and spacing of the first alignment protrusions 621, second alignment protrusions 622, and third alignment protrusions 623 may be formed to correspond to the number and spacing of the first alignment holes 611, second alignment holes 612, and third alignment holes 613.

[0082] The edges of the first alignment protrusion 621, the second alignment protrusion 622, and the third alignment protrusion 623 may be formed to be inclined, so that the first alignment protrusion 621, the second alignment protrusion 622, and the third alignment protrusion 623 may smoothly come out of the first alignment hole 611, the second alignment hole 612, and the third alignment hole 613 when the battery module 300 is moved.

[0083] More specifically, a first inclined surface 621a may be formed on one side of the first alignment protrusion 621, a second inclined surface 622a may be formed on one side of the second alignment protrusion 622, and a third inclined surface 623a and a fourth inclined surface 623b may be formed on both sides of the third alignment protrusion 623, respectively.

[0084] The first inclined surface 621a, the second inclined surface 622a, the third inclined surface 623a, and the fourth inclined surface 623b may be formed to be farther away from the central axes of the first alignment protrusion 621, the second alignment protrusion 622, and the third alignment protrusion 623, respectively, toward the lower surface of the battery module 300. The first inclined surface 621a, the second inclined surface 622a, the third inclined surface 623a, and the fourth inclined surface 623b may be in contact with the lower surface of the battery module 300.

[0085] The first inclined surface 621a, the second inclined surface 622a, and the third inclined surface 623a may be arranged to face the second direction B, and the fourth inclined surface 623b may be arranged to face the first direction A. On the other hand, when the alignment protrusion 620 protrudes from the tray 200, the first inclined surface 621a, the second inclined surface 622a, and the third inclined surface 623a may be arranged to face the first direction A, and the fourth inclined surface 623b may be arranged to face the second direction B.

[0086] The operation of the energy storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

[0087] 12 to 16 are views schematically illustrating a process in which a battery module is inserted into a rack frame in an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0088] 12 to 14, the battery module 300 is inserted into the rack frame 100 via the first surface 101 by moving in a first direction A while being disposed outside the rack frame 100.

[0089] When the rack frame 100 moves in the first direction A by a set distance or more, the guide surface 522 comes into contact with the rail main body 410.

[0090] Since the guide surface 522 is disposed so as to be inclined with respect to the first direction A, a part of the reaction force generated by contact between the guide surface 522 and the rail body 410 is converted into a pressure force toward the side of the battery module 300.

[0091] The pressure converted by the guide surface 522 causes the moving end 512 of the stopper body 510 to rotate toward the side of the battery module 300, and the hook 520 moves in the first direction A while maintaining contact with the rail body 410.

[0092] Thereafter, the hook 520 is disposed to face the rail hole 420 , and the stopper body 510 is restored to its initial position by its elastic restoring force, and the hook 520 is inserted into the rail hole 420 .

[0093] The hook 520 moves in the first direction A together with the battery module 300 while being inserted into the rail hole 420 .

[0094] The above-described operation may be repeated sequentially for a plurality of stoppers 500 spaced apart from one another along the length of the battery module 300 until the battery module 300 is completely inserted into the rack frame 100.

[0095] 15 and 16, when the battery module 300 is inserted into the rack frame 100 from the outside thereof, the third alignment protrusion 623 is inserted into the first alignment hole 611.

[0096] Thereafter, as the battery module 300 continues to move in the first direction A, the third alignment protrusion 623 separates from the first alignment hole 611 by the fourth inclined surface 623b and moves in the first direction A together with the battery module 300 while maintaining contact with the tray 200.

[0097] During this process, the first alignment holes 611 and the second alignment holes 612 are alternately arranged in a direction intersecting the first direction A, so that the third alignment protrusion 623 is not inserted into the second alignment hole 612 and can move continuously toward the third alignment hole 613.

[0098] Thereafter, the third alignment protrusion 623 is inserted into the third alignment hole 613, and at the same time, the second alignment protrusion 622 and the first alignment protrusion 621 are inserted into the first alignment hole 611 and the second alignment hole 612, respectively.

[0099] By arranging the first inclined surface 621a and the second inclined surface 622a toward the second direction B, the peripheral surfaces of the second alignment protrusion 622 and the first alignment protrusion 621 engage with the edge surfaces of the first alignment hole 611 and the second alignment hole 612, respectively, and movement of the battery module 300 in the first direction A is stopped.

[0100] 17 to 20 are views schematically illustrating a process in which a battery module is detached from a rack frame in an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0101] 16 to 19, when the battery module 300 moves in the second direction B in the state of FIG. 16, the hook 520 inserted into the rail hole 420 moves toward the first end 421.

[0102] When the battery module 300 moves in the second direction B by more than the set distance, the locking surface 521 of the hook 520 comes into contact with the first end 421, and the movement of the battery module 300 in the second direction B is stopped. As a result, the battery module 300 can be maintained in a state of protruding from the first surface 101 of the rack frame 100 by the set distance.

[0103] Thereafter, when the worker intends to continue moving the battery module 300 in the second direction B, the worker applies pressure to the outer surface of the stopper body 510 toward the side surface of the battery module 300 .

[0104] The moving end 512 of the stopper body 510 moves toward the side of the battery module 300 due to the pressure, and the hook 520 is released from the rail hole 420 .

[0105] As a result, the hooks 520 do not collide with the rail body 410, and the battery module 300 can continue to move in the second direction B.

[0106] After the stopper body 510 is released to the outside of the rack frame 100, the operator can release the pressure applied to the stopper body 510, so that the stopper body 510 can be restored to its initial position by its own elastic restoring force.

[0107] The above-described operation may be repeated sequentially for a plurality of stoppers 500 spaced apart from one another along the length of the battery module 300 until the battery module 300 is completely inserted into the rack frame 100.

[0108] Referring to Figures 16 and 20, when the battery module 300 moves in the second direction B in the state of Figure 16, the first alignment protrusion 621, the second alignment protrusion 622, and the third alignment protrusion 623 move away from the first alignment hole 611, the second alignment hole 612, and the third alignment hole 613 via the first inclined surface 621a, the second inclined surface 622a, and the third inclined surface 623a.

[0109] Thereafter, as the battery module 300 continues to move in the second direction B, the first alignment protrusions 621 and the second alignment protrusions 622 are sequentially released from the tray 200, and the third alignment protrusions 623 are inserted into the first alignment holes 611. Thus, the third alignment protrusions 623, apart from the stoppers 500, can ultimately prevent the battery module 300 from falling off the rack frame 100.

[0110] Thereafter, the third alignment protrusions 623 are released from the first alignment holes 611 by the third inclined surfaces 623 a, and the battery modules 300 are completely released from the rack frame 100 .

[0111] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, these are merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and equivalent alternative embodiments are possible.

[0112] Therefore, the technical scope of protection of the present invention should be defined by the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 100 rack frame 101 Page 1 102 Side 2 200 trays 300 Battery Module 400 guide rail 410 Rail body 420 Rail Hall 421 First end 422 Second end 500 Stopper 510 Stopper body 511 Fixed end 512 Moving end 520 Hook 521 Locking surface 522 Guide surface 600 Alignment member 610 Alignment Hall 611 1st Alignment Hall 612 2nd Alignment Hall 613 3rd Alignment Hall 620 Aligned protrusions 621 First alignment protrusion 621a 1st slope 622 Second alignment protrusion 622a 2nd slope 623 Third alignment protrusion 623a Third slope 623b 4th slope

Claims

1. Rack frame; a tray mounted on the rack frame; a battery module disposed on the tray and inserted into the rack frame by moving in a first direction; a guide rail disposed opposite the battery module and configured to guide the movement of the battery module; and a stopper provided between the battery module and the guide rail, the stopper selectively restricting movement of the battery module in a second direction opposite to the first direction; The guide rail is a rail body disposed opposite the battery module; and a rail hole formed through the rail body and having a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end along the first direction.

2. The energy storage device of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the stoppers are provided, and the plurality of stoppers are spaced apart from each other along the first direction.

3. The energy storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the length of the rail hole is shorter than the length of the battery module.

4. The stopper is a stopper body movably connected to the battery module; and 2. The energy storage device according to claim 1, further comprising: a hook fixed to the stopper body and adapted to be inserted into or removed from the rail hole along the movement direction of the stopper body.

5. The energy storage device according to claim 4 , wherein the stopper body is elastically deformable.

6. The energy storage device of claim 4 , wherein the stopper body is connected to the battery module so as to be reciprocally movable in a direction intersecting the first direction.

7. The stopper body is a fixed end portion coupled to the battery module; and a movable end portion extending from the fixed end portion and spaced apart from the battery module; The energy storage device of claim 6 , wherein the moving end is rotatable about the fixed end.

8. The energy storage device of claim 7 , wherein the moving end portion extends from the fixed end portion along the second direction.

9. The hook is a locking surface disposed opposite the first end; and The energy storage device according to claim 4 , further comprising: a guide surface extending from the locking surface along the first direction and disposed at an angle relative to the locking surface.

10. The energy storage device of claim 9 , wherein the latching surface contacts the first end portion when the battery module moves in the second direction.

11. The energy storage device according to claim 9 , wherein the engagement surface is disposed perpendicular to the first direction.

12. The energy storage device according to claim 9, wherein the distance between the guide surface and the stopper body decreases toward an end of the guide surface.

13. A rack frame; a tray mounted on the rack frame; a battery module disposed on the tray and inserted into the rack frame by moving in a first direction; a guide rail disposed opposite the battery module and configured to guide the movement of the battery module; a stopper provided between the battery module and the guide rail, the stopper selectively restricting movement of the battery module in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and an alignment member provided between the tray and the battery module for aligning the position of the battery module.

14. The alignment member is an alignment hole formed through one of the tray and the battery module; and 14. The energy storage device of claim 13, further comprising: an alignment protrusion protruding from the remaining one of the tray and the battery module, and adapted to be inserted into or removed from the alignment hole in association with movement of the battery module.

15. the alignment holes include a first alignment hole, a second alignment hole, and a third alignment hole that are sequentially arranged along the first direction; The energy storage device of claim 14 , wherein the alignment protrusions include a first alignment protrusion, a second alignment protrusion, and a third alignment protrusion, which are sequentially arranged along the first direction.

16. the second alignment holes are alternately arranged with the first alignment holes in a direction intersecting the first direction, The energy storage device of claim 15, wherein the third alignment hole is arranged to face the first alignment hole in a direction aligned with the first direction.

17. The energy storage device of claim 15, wherein edges of the first alignment protrusion, the second alignment protrusion, and the third alignment protrusion are formed to be inclined.

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