Battery packs and devices containing them

Abstract

The present invention includes a battery pack and a device including the same. A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery modules, a case cover covering the plurality of battery modules, a case plate coupled to an edge of the case cover, and a gasket disposed in a groove of the case plate positioned to correspond to the edge of the case plate, the case plate including a first side plate covering both sides of the plurality of battery modules and a second side plate covering front and rear sides of the plurality of battery modules, and the gasket including ribs.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack and a device including the same, and more particularly to a battery pack and a device including the same with improved assembly and waterproof performance. [Cross-citation with related applications(s)] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0167368 dated November 29, 2021 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0147907 dated November 8, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the documents of said Korean patent applications are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0002] Due to technological development and increasing demand for mobile devices, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing. As a result, much research is being conducted on secondary batteries that can meet various requirements.

[0003] Secondary batteries are also attracting attention as a power source for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (Plug-In HEVs), etc., which have been proposed as a solution to air pollution caused by existing gasoline and diesel vehicles that use fossil fuels.

[0004] As a result, electric vehicles (EVs) that can run on batteries alone and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that use batteries in combination with existing engines have been developed, and some of these have been commercialized. Nickel-metal hydride secondary batteries are mainly used as secondary batteries to power EVs and HEVs, but recently, active research has been conducted into the use of lithium secondary batteries, which have high energy density, high discharge voltage, and stable output.

[0005] When such a secondary battery is used as a power source for a vehicle, the secondary battery is used in the form of a battery pack including a number of battery modules or battery module assemblies. Vehicle battery packs have rubber gaskets placed at the joints between cases to seal the battery pack. However, depending on the shape of the cases, unevenness may occur at the joints between the cases, which may result in assembly errors.

[0006] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the shape of a gasket located in a conventional battery pack.

[0007] 1 , one surface of a battery pack case 13 constituting a conventional battery pack 10 includes a groove 14 in which a gasket 20 is positioned. The gasket 20 corresponds to the shape of the groove 14, and the gasket 20 may include a protrusion 22. The width of a region of the gasket 20 including the protrusion 22 may be wider than the width of the groove 14. Therefore, the protrusion 22 and the groove 14 may partially overlap, and the gasket 20 including the protrusion 22 may be assembled by being tightly fitted into the groove 14.

[0008] However, in this case, there is a problem that waterproof performance cannot be ensured properly if the gasket 20 is not properly assembled in the groove 14, and some areas of the gasket 20 overlap each other or come off the groove 14. Therefore, in order to solve this problem, it is necessary to derive a gasket that improves assembly. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack with improved assembly efficiency and waterproof performance, and a device including the same.

[0010] However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above problems, and can be variously expanded within the scope of the technical ideas included in the present invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery modules, a case cover covering the plurality of battery modules, a case plate coupled to an edge of the case cover, and a gasket disposed in a groove of the case plate positioned to correspond to the edge of the case plate, wherein the case plate includes a first side plate covering both sides of the plurality of battery modules and a second side plate covering front and rear sides of the plurality of battery modules, and the gasket includes ribs.

[0012] The ribs may be provided at least one spaced apart along the length of the gasket.

[0013] The rib may be provided in contact with one surface of the case plate.

[0014] The lower surface of the rib may be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the case plate.

[0015] The upper surface of the rib may be aligned with the outer peripheral surface of the gasket.

[0016] The ribs may be located in a second region, which is a region of the gasket that corresponds to the shape of the edge of the first side plate, and in a third region, which is a region of the gasket that has a curvature that corresponds to the shape of the corner of the first side plate, and the number of ribs per area may be greater in the third region than in the second region.

[0017] The ribs may be formed in a direction perpendicular to the length of the gasket.

[0018] The rib may be bar-shaped.

[0019] The height of the rib may be less than the height of the gasket.

[0020] The ribs may be made of an elastic material.

[0021] The ribs may be made of rubber.

[0022] In a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention, the gasket may further include at least one protrusion spaced apart along the length of the gasket.

[0023] The protrusion may be located on an outer circumferential surface of the gasket.

[0024] The protrusion may be positioned in contact with one surface of the groove.

[0025] The protruding portion may have a shape that protrudes in the width direction of the gasket.

[0026] The width of the region of the gasket including the protrusion may be wider than the width of the gasket.

[0027] A region of the gasket including the protrusion may overlap the groove to form an interference fit.

[0028] The protrusion may be located on the outer circumferential surface of a region of the gasket where the rib is located.

[0029] The protrusions may be located on both sides of the gasket connected to one side of the gasket where the rib is located.

[0030] The height of the gasket may be greater than the height of the groove.

[0031] The width of the gasket may be smaller than the width of the groove. [Effects of the Invention]

[0032] According to one embodiment of the present invention, visually discernible ribs can be added to the gasket to improve assembly and cooling performance.

[0033] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the shape of a gasket located in a conventional battery pack. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first side plate according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a view showing the state in which the gasket is assembled in the area A1 of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a view showing the state in which the gasket is assembled in the area A1 of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the gasket is not properly assembled in the area A1 of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the gasket is not properly assembled in the area A1 of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the protruding portion of the gasket in the A1 region of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0036] In order to clearly describe the present invention, parts that are not relevant to the description will be omitted, and the same reference numerals will be used throughout the specification to refer to the same or similar components.

[0037] Furthermore, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for the convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those shown in the drawings. Thicknesses are exaggerated in the drawings to clearly show various layers and regions. In the drawings, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation.

[0038] Furthermore, when a layer, film, region, plate, or other part is said to be "on" or "above" another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly above" the other part, but also the case where there is another part in between. Conversely, when a part is said to be "directly above" another part, it means that there is no other part in between. Furthermore, being "on" or "above" a reference part means being located above or below the reference part, and does not necessarily mean being located "on" or "above" in the opposite direction of gravity.

[0039] Furthermore, throughout the specification, when a part "comprises" a certain element, this does not mean that other elements are excluded, and that other elements may also be included, unless otherwise specified to the contrary.

[0040] Furthermore, throughout the specification, "on a plane" means when the subject part is viewed from above, and "on a cross section" means when the subject part is cut vertically and viewed from the side.

[0041] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] 2 and 3, a battery pack 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a case cover 1200 that covers a plurality of battery modules 100, and case plates 1300 and 1400 that are coupled to edges of the case cover 1200.

[0043] Specifically, a battery pack 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a bottom plate 1100 to which a plurality of battery modules 100 are attached, a case cover 1200 provided to cover the top surfaces (z-axis direction) of the plurality of battery modules 100, and a first side plate (case plate) 1300 and a second side plate (case plate) 1400 coupled to the edge of the case cover 1200. The first side plate 1300 is provided to cover the side surfaces (y-axis direction) of the plurality of battery modules 100, and the second side plate 1400 is provided to cover the front and rear surfaces (x-axis direction and -x-axis direction) of the battery modules 100. Gaskets 2000 may be provided in grooves of the first side plate 1300 and the second side plate 1400 corresponding to the edges of the case cover 1200.

[0044] The battery module 100 may include a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked in a predetermined direction, and a module frame. The module frame may include an upper frame and a lower frame, and the battery cell stack may be attached between the upper frame and the lower frame to form the battery module 100. However, the module frame is not limited to the above, and may be a monoframe made of a metal plate material with top, bottom, and both side surfaces integrated together.

[0045] Here, the battery cells are not particularly limited in type, and may be pouch-type secondary batteries or prismatic secondary batteries, but are preferably pouch-type secondary batteries.

[0046] A heat sink may be provided on the lower plate 1100, and at least one battery module 100 may be attached to the heat sink. The size of the heat sink may correspond to the size of the battery module 100, or may be larger than the size of the battery module 100.

[0047] The case cover 1200 may be a plate that covers the upper portions of the plurality of battery modules 100. The case cover 1200 may have a size corresponding to the size of the lower plate 1100.

[0048] The first side plate 1300 may be a plate covering both sides of the plurality of battery modules 100. Opposing edges of the first side plate 1300 correspond to an edge of the bottom plate 1100 and an edge of the case cover 1200, respectively, and may be fastened to them using fastening members or by welding or other methods.

[0049] The first side plate 1300 includes a groove 1310 in which the gasket 2000 is attached. The groove 1310 may be an area dug to a constant depth along the edge of the first side plate 1300. The groove 1310 may be an area dug to a constant depth along the edge of the first side plate 1300 that faces the plurality of battery modules 100. The gasket 2000 may be positioned in the groove 1310.

[0050] The gasket 2000 is a component additionally positioned on the first side plate 1300, and when the first side plate 1300 is combined with other components that make up the battery pack 1000, it can improve the sealing performance and improve the waterproof and vibration-proof performance of the battery pack 1000.

[0051] The second side plate 1400 may be a plate that covers the front and rear of the plurality of battery modules 100. The upper edge of the second side plate 1400 corresponds to an edge of the case cover 1200, the lower edge of the second side plate 1400 corresponds to an edge of the bottom plate 1100, and the edges on both sides of the second side plate 1400 correspond to edges of the two first side plates 1300, respectively, and may be fastened together using fastening members or joined together by welding or other methods.

[0052] In this drawing, the gasket 2000 is shown as being mounted in the groove 1310 of the first side plate 1300, but this is not limited thereto and the gasket 2000 may also be mounted in the groove of the second side plate 1400.

[0053] The bottom plate 1100, the case cover 1200, the first side plate 1300, and the second side plate 1400 may be made of a rigid material, thereby protecting the battery modules 100 and the electrical components connected thereto from external physical impacts.

[0054] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first side plate according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 4, a gasket 2000 may be attached to the groove of the first side plate 1300 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] The gasket 2000 may be located along the edge of the first side plate 1300. The gasket 2000 may be located in a groove dug to a certain depth along the edge of the first side plate 1300. The gasket 2000 may be fitted into the groove.

[0057] The shape of the gasket 2000 can correspond to the shape of the edge of the first side plate 1300. The shape of the gasket 2000 can correspond to the shape of the groove in the first side plate 1300. The width of the gasket 2000 can be smaller than the width of the groove, and the height of the gasket 2000 can be greater than the height of the groove.

[0058] The gasket 2000 may be made of an elastic material. For example, the gasket 2000 may be made of rubber. Therefore, when pressure is applied to the gasket 2000, the shape of the gasket 2000 can be deformed in response to the applied pressure. For example, when pressure is applied to the gasket 2000, the shape of the gasket 2000 attached to the groove can be deformed so that no empty space is generated in the groove. Therefore, it is possible to prevent moisture, dust, etc. from entering the battery pack from the outside.

[0059] The gasket 2000 may include visually identifiable ribs (described below) to prevent the gasket 2000 from separating from the groove 1310 or from overlapping with other regions during assembly, thereby improving ease of assembly. The gasket 2000 may also include protrusions (described below) that can be tightly fitted with the groove so that some regions overlap, thereby improving the fixing force when the gasket 2000 is fitted with the groove. The ribs and protrusions will be described in detail below.

[0060] 5 and 6 are diagrams showing the assembled state of the gasket in the area A1 of FIG.

[0061] 5 and 6, a gasket 2000 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes visually discernible ribs 2100.

[0062] The rib 2100 is located in one area of ​​the gasket 2000, and it can be used to check whether the gasket 2000 is properly fitted into the groove 1310 of the first side plate 1300. Specifically, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, if the rib 2100 is located outside the groove 1310 and the shape of the rib 2100 can be visually identified, then the gasket is properly joined.

[0063] At least one rib 2100 may be provided spaced apart along the length of the gasket 2000. The number of ribs 2100 per area may differ between the region where the gasket 2000 extends along one edge of the first side plate 1300 and the region that forms the corner of the first side plate 1300.

[0064] Specifically, the ribs 2100 may be located in the second region A2 and the third region A3 of Fig. 4. More ribs 2100 may be located in the third region A3 than in the second region A2 of Fig. 4. That is, the number of ribs 2100 per area of ​​the gasket 2000 may be greater in the third region A3 than in the second region A2 of Fig. 4.

[0065] The second region A2 may be a region of the gasket 2000 that does not have a curvature. In other words, the second region A2 may be a region of the gasket 2000 that corresponds to the shape of the edge of the first side plate 1300.

[0066] The third region A3 may be a region of the gasket 2000 that has a curvature corresponding to the shape of the corner of the first side plate 1300. In other words, the third region A3 may be a region of the gasket 2000 that is located in the corner of the first side plate 1300.

[0067] The third region A3, which is a region where the gasket 2000 has a curvature, may be more difficult to assemble due to assembly tolerances, etc., compared to the second region A2, which is not a curvature of the gasket 2000. Therefore, by arranging more ribs 2100 in the third region, the assembly efficiency of the battery can be improved.

[0068] The rib 2100 may have a bar shape formed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the gasket 2000. However, the shape of the rib 2100 is not limited to this, and any shape is possible as long as the shape of the rib 2100 can be visually identified.

[0069] One surface of the rib 2100 may be positioned in contact with one surface of the first side plate 1300. Specifically, the lower surface of the rib 2100 may be positioned in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the first side plate 1300. In other words, the lower surface of the rib 2100 may be positioned in contact with the upper surface of the first side plate 1300.

[0070] The top surface of the rib 2100 may be flush with the outer periphery of the gasket 2000. The rib 2100 may be a portion of the gasket 2000 that extends perpendicular to the length of the gasket 2000.

[0071] The width of the rib 2100 may correspond to the width of the gasket 2000, or may be wider or narrower than the width of the gasket 2000. The height of the rib 2100 may be shorter than the height of the gasket 2000. For example, the height of the rib 2100 may be 2 mm to 3 mm. The height of the rib 2100 may be such that it does not affect the waterproof performance and vibration-proof performance of the battery pack when pressure is applied in the height direction.

[0072] The ribs 2100 may be formed of the same material as the gasket 2000. The ribs 2100 may be formed of an elastic material. For example, the ribs 2100 may be formed of rubber. Therefore, when pressure is applied to the ribs 2100, the ribs 2100 can change shape in response to the applied pressure.

[0073] The gasket 2000 may be smaller than the width (x-axis or y-axis direction) of the groove 1310 of the first side plate 1300. However, since the height of the gasket 2000 is greater than the height of the groove 1310, when the first side plate 1300 contacts the lower plate, case cover, second side plate, etc., if pressure is applied in the height direction of the gasket 2000, the gasket 2000 can expand in the width direction and change shape. Therefore, the space between the groove 1310 and the gasket 2000 is filled, preventing moisture and dust from entering the battery pack from the outside. In this case, if pressure is also applied in the height direction of the rib 2100, the rib 2100 changes to a flatter shape, and the reduced height of the rib 2100 does not affect the waterproof and vibration-proof performance of the battery pack.

[0074] 7 and 8 are diagrams showing the state in which the gasket is not properly assembled in the area A1 of FIG.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 7, if the gasket 2000 according to one embodiment of the present invention is not properly fitted into the groove 1310 of the first side plate 1300, the rib 2100 may not abut against the first side plate 1300 and may float.

[0076] In this case, it can be visually recognized that the gasket 2000 in the area adjacent to the floating rib 2100 is not properly fitted into the groove 1310. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the waterproof performance and vibration-proof performance of the battery pack due to incorrect assembly of the gasket 2000.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 8, if the gasket 2000 according to one embodiment of the present invention is not properly fitted into the groove 1310 of the first side plate 1300, a portion of the rib 2100 may be in the groove 1310, and the overall shape of the rib 2100 may not be visually discernible.

[0078] In this case, it can be visually recognized that the gasket 2000 in the area adjacent to the area where the rib 2100 is partially inserted into the groove 1310 is not properly fitted into the groove 1310. This makes it possible to prevent deterioration of the waterproof performance and vibration-proof performance of the battery pack due to improper assembly of the gasket 2000.

[0079] Therefore, it is possible to visually determine whether the shape of rib 2100 and the position of rib 2100 are in contact with one surface of first side plate 1300, and therefore it is possible to intuitively determine whether there is an assembly defect in gasket 2000. This can improve not only the waterproof performance and vibration-proof performance of the battery pack, but also the ease of assembly.

[0080] Furthermore, the gasket 2000 may include a protrusion (described later) that can be tightly fitted into the groove so that a portion of the protrusion overlaps the groove, in order to improve the fixing force when the gasket 2000 is fitted into the groove.

[0081] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the protruding portion of the gasket in the A1 region of FIG.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 9, a gasket 2000 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a protrusion 2200.

[0083] At least one protrusion 2200 may be provided spaced apart along the length of the gasket 2000. The protrusion 2200 may be located on the outer circumferential surface of the gasket 2000. The protrusion 2200 may be located on both sides of the outer circumferential surface of the gasket 2000. The protrusion 2200 may be located on opposing sides of the gasket 2000. The protrusion 2200 may be located in contact with one side of the groove 1310.

[0084] The protrusion 2200 may have a semicircular shape protruding from the gasket 2000. The protrusion 2200 may have a semicircular shape protruding in the width direction of the gasket 2000. However, the protrusion 2200 may have any shape as long as it protrudes from the gasket 2000, and is not limited to the shape shown in the drawing.

[0085] The width of a region of the gasket 2000 that includes the protrusion 2200 may be wider than the width of a region of the gasket 2000 that does not include the protrusion 2200. Furthermore, the width of a region of the gasket 2000 that includes the protrusion 2200 may be wider than the width of the groove 1310. Therefore, the region of the gasket 2000 that includes the protrusion 2200 may be tightly fitted into the groove 1310. In this case, the shape of the protrusion 2200 may be partially deformed to overlap with the groove 1310 for the tight fit. This prevents the gasket 2000 from coming off the groove 1310, improving waterproof performance and vibration-proofing performance, and also improving assembly ease.

[0086] Although not shown in the drawing, the protrusions 2200 may be located in the same region of the gasket 2000 as the region where the ribs are located. Specifically, the protrusions 2200 may be located on both sides of the gasket 2000 connected to the one surface of the gasket 2000 where the ribs are located. In other words, when the ribs are located on the top surface of the outer periphery of the gasket 2000, the protrusions 2200 may be located on both side surfaces of the outer periphery of the gasket 2000.

[0087] Although the gasket 2000 described above is described as being mounted in the groove 1310 of the first side plate, this is not limited thereto, and the gasket 2000 may also be mounted in the groove of the second side plate.

[0088] The battery pack described above can be applied to a variety of devices, including transportation means such as electric bicycles, electric cars, and hybrid cars, but the present invention is not limited thereto and can be applied to a variety of devices that use a battery pack, which also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0089] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the following claims also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1000: Battery pack 1100: Lower plate 1200:Case cover 1300: First side plate (case plate) 1310: Groove 1400: Second side plate (case plate) 2000: Gasket 2100: Rib 2200:Protrusion

Claims

1. a plurality of battery modules; a case cover that covers the plurality of battery modules; a case plate coupled to an edge of the case cover; a gasket disposed in a groove of the case plate that is positioned to correspond to an edge of the case plate; Including, the case plate includes a first side plate covering both side surfaces of the plurality of battery modules and a second side plate covering a front surface and a rear surface of the plurality of battery modules; The gasket includes a rib. The rib extends in a direction perpendicular to a height direction of the gasket, the height direction being the thickness direction, and a lower portion of the rib is provided in contact with the case plate.

2. The battery pack of claim 1 , wherein the rib comprises a plurality of the ribs spaced apart along the length of the gasket.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the rib is provided in contact with one surface of the case plate.

4. The battery pack according to claim 3 , wherein a lower surface of the rib is provided in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the case plate.

5. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of the rib is positioned on the same line as an outer peripheral surface of the gasket.

6. the rib is located in a second region of the gasket that corresponds to the shape of the edge of the first side plate, and is also located in a third region of the gasket that corresponds to the shape of the corner of the first side plate, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the number of the ribs per area is greater in the third region than in the second region.

7. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the rib is formed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the gasket.

8. The battery pack according to claim 7 , wherein the rib is in the shape of a bar, i.e., a plate.

9. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the height of the rib is smaller than the height of the gasket.

10. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the rib is made of an elastic material.

11. The battery pack according to claim 10 , wherein the rib is made of rubber.

12. The battery pack of claim 1 , wherein the gasket further comprises at least one protrusion spaced apart along the length of the gasket.

13. The battery pack according to claim 12 , wherein the protrusion is located on an outer circumferential surface of the gasket.

14. The battery pack according to claim 12 , wherein the protrusion is positioned in contact with one surface of the groove.

15. The battery pack according to claim 12 , wherein the protrusion protrudes in a width direction of the gasket.

16. The battery pack according to claim 12 , wherein a width of the region of the gasket including the protrusion is wider than a width of the gasket excluding the protrusion.

17. The battery pack according to claim 16 , wherein a region of the gasket including the protrusion overlaps with the groove to form an interference fit.

18. The battery pack according to claim 12 , wherein the protrusion is located on the outer circumferential surface of the gasket in a region where the rib is located.

19. The battery pack according to claim 18 , wherein the protrusions are located on both sides of the gasket connected to one side of the gasket on which the rib is located.

20. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the height of the gasket is greater than the height of the groove.

21. A battery pack as described in claim 1, wherein the width of the gasket excluding the ribs is smaller than the width of the groove portion.

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