Battery pack support and battery pack

Abstract

A battery pack structural assembly (2) comprising a plurality of lateral support devices (5) between which one or more groups of stacked battery cells (3) may be mounted and electrically interconnected, each lateral support device comprising a support frame (6) and a plurality of battery connection plates (16) mounted on the support frame, the battery connection plates having conductive surfaces facing an exterior of the lateral support, the support frame comprising a plurality of chambers (8) formed therein, the chambers being fluidly interconnected to form at least one passageway for circulating a cooling fluid through the lateral support devices, the chambers being covered by the battery connection plates.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a support structure for a battery pack having a plurality of battery cells assembled together and requiring cooling and interconnection means. The present invention also relates to a battery pack with an integrated support structure. One application for such a battery pack is for use in an electric vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional battery packs for electric vehicles typically include battery cells mounted within a steel and / or aluminum metal housing with reinforcing elements to increase the pack's rigidity and integrity in a crash. Because batteries generate heat during use, the battery cells are placed on individual cooling plates mounted within the metal housing. To ensure sufficient heat flow from the battery cells to the cooling element, it is known to provide a thermal interface material inserted between the battery cells and the cooling element, thereby improving contact and improving heat flow by conduction. Because the battery cells require electrical interconnections, each connected to an external cable connected to the battery pack, the cells typically include inter-cell busbars for electrically interconnecting the cells.

[0003] Conventional battery packs have many drawbacks, including the following: - Insufficient or uneven cooling of the battery cells, limiting the energy density of the battery cells.

[0004] There are many assembly components and electrical connections for cooling, and the structural resistance is large, which makes the assembly more complicated and the manufacturing cost higher, while reducing the reliability.

[0005] - A structurally rigid casing is required around the battery cells, which adds weight and bulk. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a compact and lightweight battery pack structural assembly for a high energy density battery pack. An object of the present invention is also to provide a battery pack structural assembly that is robust and compact, and yet can provide sufficient cooling for the battery cells of the battery pack.

[0007] A particular object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack and a structural assembly for a battery pack, especially for automotive applications. It would be advantageous to provide a battery pack structural assembly that is economical to manufacture.

[0008] It would be advantageous to provide a lightweight battery pack structural assembly. It would be advantageous to provide a battery pack structural assembly that is crash resistant. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] These objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a battery pack structural assembly as set forth in claim 1 and a battery pack as set forth in claim 20. Disclosed herein is a battery pack structural assembly comprising a plurality of lateral support devices between which one or more groups of stacked battery cells can be mounted and electrically interconnected. Each lateral support device comprises a support frame and a plurality of battery connection plates mounted on the support frame, the battery connection plates having conductive surfaces facing outwardly of the lateral support. The support frame includes a plurality of chambers formed therein, the chambers fluidly interconnected to form at least one passage for circulating a cooling fluid through the lateral support device, and the chambers are covered by the battery connection plates.

[0010] In an advantageous embodiment, adjacent chambers of said at least one passage are separated by a chamber separating wall comprising an orifice. In an advantageous embodiment, the chamber separation walls extend from a first side of the support frame to an opposite second side of the support frame at intermediate angles to both the X and Y directions, such that the plurality of successive chamber separation walls trace out a zigzag shape when viewed in the Z direction, with X, Y and Z representing three mutually perpendicular axes of a Cartesian reference system.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment, a chamber is arranged on a first side of the support frame and on an opposite second side of the support frame, and said chambers on both said first and second sides are covered by a battery connection plate.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment, the lateral support devices comprise at least one fluid port on each of the first and second ends of the support frame, the fluid port configured to couple to a fluid interconnection shaft mounted between and fluidly interconnecting two spaced apart lateral support devices.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the plurality of lateral support devices and the plurality of said fluid interconnect shafts form a serpentine structure. In an advantageous embodiment, the support frame comprises a central separation wall separating two passages, each of which is a passage for circulating a cooling fluid through the lateral support device.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment, the support frame comprises fastening sockets arranged on the peripheral wall of the support frame for fastening the walls of the casing to the lateral support devices. In an advantageous embodiment, the support frame is a support frame made of an integrally formed body.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the support frame is a polymeric support frame, optionally incorporating a reinforcing material. In an advantageous embodiment, the polymer is a thermoplastic.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the thermoplastic resin is - Aliphatic polyamides such as polyamide 66, polyamide 6, polyamide 11, polyamide 11, polyamide 12, polyamide 610, polyamide 66 / 610, polyamide 6 / 12, polyamide 666, semi-aromatic polyamides, such as polyamides whose diacid units are derived entirely or partly from terephthalates and / or isophthalates, such as PA6T, polyamide 6IT, PA6T / 66, PA6T / DT and PA6T / 6I, - polyolefins such as polypropylene, - polyesters such as poly(butylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene terephthalate); copolyetheresters, such as copolyetheresters having hard segments consisting of PBT, PET and / or PTT and soft segments consisting of poly(C2-4-alkylene oxide) diols; - Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), - polyacetal, - Liquid crystal polymer is selected from.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the support frame is injection molded. In an advantageous embodiment, the lateral support device has an elongated shape that fits a paralepidid with a minimum rectangular cross section of height H1, width W and length D, where D is greater than W and H1, and height H1 is slightly greater than height H2 of the battery cell.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the support frame comprises lateral conductor elements that traverse the dielectric material of the support frame from a first surface to an opposite second surface and electrically interconnect battery contact plates attached to said first surface and the opposite second surface.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the lateral conductor elements are in the form of pins or rods. In an advantageous embodiment, the battery contact plate is made of a conductive material, optionally coated on its inner surface with an insulating material that covers said chamber.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment, the battery contact plate is made of metal. In an advantageous embodiment, the battery connection plate is sealingly connected to the support frame by means of a welded connection.

[0021] Also disclosed herein is a battery pack including the above-described battery pack structural assembly and a plurality of battery cells mounted between and electrically interconnected by lateral support devices. Each battery cell has a generally elongated rectangular shape with a height H2, a length L, and a thickness T, where L is greater than H2, and the plurality of battery cells are stacked in the direction of their thickness T along the Y axis to form a group or module, with the lateral support devices extending in the Y direction and the length L of the battery cells oriented in the X direction, and X, Y, and Z representing three mutually perpendicular axes of a Cartesian reference system. Electrical terminals of the battery cells located at the ends of the battery cells contact battery connection plates.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, the battery pack further comprises a casing having top and bottom walls and side walls that enclose the top, bottom and sides of the battery pack, the casing being secured to the lateral support devices of the battery pack structural assembly at a plurality of securing points.

[0023] Other objects and advantageous aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the claims, the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show embodiments of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1a] 1 is a simplified perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1b]FIG. 1b shows the battery pack of FIG. 1a with the top casing part removed. [Figure 1c] FIG. 1b is a view similar to FIG. 1b with the top and side casing parts removed. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a pair of battery packs according to an embodiment of the present invention placed side by side. [Figure 3a] FIG. 1b is a perspective view of a battery pack structural assembly of the battery pack of FIG. 1a with the battery cells removed, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3b] FIG. 3b is a perspective view of the battery pack structural assembly components of FIG. 3a with the fluid interconnect shaft removed. [Figure 3c] 3b is a perspective view of the components of the battery pack structural assembly of FIG. 3a showing the fluid interconnect shaft exploded from the lateral support device. [Figure 3d] 3b is a perspective view similar to FIG. 3b from the other side of the assembly. [Figure 4a] FIG. 3b is a perspective view of a lateral support device of the battery pack structural assembly of FIG. 3a according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4b] 4b is a view similar to FIG. 4a with the battery connection plate removed from the lateral support device; [Figure 4c] FIG. 4c is a detailed cross-sectional view of a portion of the support frame shown in FIG. 4b. [Figure 4d] FIG. 4b is a detailed cross-sectional perspective view of the lateral support device of FIG. 4a. [Figure 5a] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a connection portion of a battery cell of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5b] 10 is a detailed view of the connection plates of the lateral support members with the battery cell connection portions and support frames removed of the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Referring to the figure, a battery pack 1 comprises a plurality of battery cells 3 interconnected together within a battery pack structural assembly 4, and a casing 2 covering the battery cells and the battery pack structural assembly.

[0026] Each of the plurality of battery cells includes a cell body 22 and electrical terminals 26, and the individual battery cells are rechargeable and include, for example, lithium-ion charge storage materials as are well known in the art. Other known battery types may be used as well. As are well known in the art, the plurality of battery cells may be connected in series to produce a particular voltage, or groups of cells may be interconnected together in parallel to provide a particular current.

[0027] An important application for battery pack 1 according to embodiments of the present invention is for use in automotive applications, for example in land vehicles such as electric passenger cars. Applications other than automotive applications, for example in aircraft and marine vessels, can also advantageously incorporate the present invention. The battery pack can also be used as a fixed or portable charge storage device for other applications in industrial, commercial, and residential sectors without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0028] The battery pack structural assembly 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention serves multiple purposes, including providing structural rigidity to protect the battery pack 1, providing cooling for the battery cells 3, and providing electrical interconnections for the battery cells 3. The casing 2 includes top and bottom walls 2a and side walls 2b that encase the top, bottom, and sides of the battery pack. The casing is secured to the battery pack structural assembly at multiple fastening points 37, forming a rigid, lightweight structure that is compact and resistant to crushing and impact forces. The battery pack structural assembly 4 includes ports 20, 20a, 20b for the inlet and outlet of cooling fluid, and electrical connections 32, such as cable connections or pluggable connectors, for electrical connection to external power sources and consumer systems.

[0029] For ease of explanation, reference is made herein to an orthogonal system having three orthogonal axes X, Y, and Z (as shown in the figures), with the understanding that the choice of axes and names is merely to provide a spatial reference and orientation for describing the configuration of the battery pack. Individual battery cells 3 have a generally rectangular shape with a height H2, a length L, and a thickness T, where L is greater than H2. In embodiments, height H2 is greater than thickness T, although in variations H2 can be less than T.

[0030] A plurality of battery cells 3 are stacked in the direction of their thickness T along the Y axis to form a group or module 35 lying in the XY plane. Crush resistance in the Z direction, perpendicular to the XY plane in which the battery cells are mounted, is provided by the lateral support devices 5 of the battery pack structural assembly 4. Crush resistance in the Y direction in which the battery cells are stacked is also provided by the lateral support devices 5 of the battery pack structural assembly 4.

[0031] The longitudinal orientation of the battery cells, which have an elongated rectangular shape as shown in the figure, is aligned in the X direction. The battery cells 3 are arranged in stacked battery cell groups 35 and mounted between lateral support devices 5 located at both longitudinal ends of the battery cells.

[0032] The lateral support devices 5 are interconnected together by fluid interconnect shafts 18 which serve primarily to interconnect the lateral support devices with fluid connections for cooling fluid to flow therethrough. In an embodiment, the fluid interconnect shafts 18 are alternately positioned at different ends of the lateral support devices, thus forming the serpentine shape of the battery pack structural assembly 4, as best shown in FIG. 3a.

[0033] Cooling fluid flowing through the lateral support device 5 and fluid interconnecting shaft 18 can thus circulate through the supply passage through a serpentine circuit path, and in a first variation, the outlet port at the end of the serpentine circuit path is distal from the cooling fluid inlet port 20 a. In another variation, the cooling fluid flows back through the serpentine circuit in a return passage separate from the supply passage, exiting through port 20 b on the same side as the inlet port 20 a where the cooling fluid was injected.

[0034] Each lateral support device 5 comprises a support frame 6 which is advantageously in the form of a polymer body, optionally with a reinforcing material, and is preferably integrally formed and is preferably injection moulded, although other materials and manufacturing processes may be used within the scope of the invention, for example additive or subtractive manufacturing processes. However, an injection moulding process by which the support frame of the lateral support device may be moulded is advantageous, as this process may be particularly advantageous in terms of manufacturing costs and structural rigidity. Advantageously, the polymer is Aliphatic polyamides such as polyamide 66, polyamide 6, polyamide 11, polyamide 11, polyamide 12, polyamide 610, polyamide 66 / 610, polyamide 6 / 12, polyamide 666, semi-aromatic polyamides, such as polyamides in which all or part of their diacid units are derived from terephthalates and / or isophthalates, such as PA6T, polyamide 6IT, PA6T / 66, PA6T / DT and PA6T / 6I, Polyolefins such as polypropylene, Polyesters such as poly(butylene terephthalate) and poly(ethylene terephthalate); copolyetheresters, such as copolyetheresters having hard segments consisting of PBT, PET and / or PTT and soft segments consisting of poly(C2-4-alkylene oxide) diols; Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), Polyacetal, Liquid crystal polymer The thermoplastic resin may be selected from the following:

[0035] The thermoplastic resins can additionally, and in some cases are preferred, to have reinforcement incorporated therein in the form of fibers, flakes or plates of reinforcing material such as glass, aramid and / or carbon.

[0036] In embodiments in which the coolant fluid comprises water and / or alcohol, the polymer used for the support frame 6 is preferably selected from polyamides, especially long-chain polyamides and / or semi-aromatic polyamides.

[0037] The lateral support device 5 has a shape conforming to a paraplegia with a minimum rectangular cross section of height H1, width W and length D, where height is the Z direction, width is the X direction and length is the Y direction in the Cartesian system defined above. Height H1 is slightly greater than height H2 of the battery cells so that the battery cells do not extend in the Z direction beyond the top and bottom edges of the lateral support device.

[0038] The support frames 6 of each lateral support device 5 can have identical configurations to reduce the number of components that need to be manufactured using different tooling sets. Each support frame 6 includes a peripheral wall 7 enclosing multiple chambers 8 and a central separation wall 9 extending in the longitudinal X direction between first and second ends 7b of the peripheral wall 7. Top and bottom walls 7a of the peripheral wall 7 are spaced apart in the Z direction and form support surfaces for the opposing top and bottom casing side surfaces 2a. First and second ends 7b of the peripheral wall 7 define support surfaces for the casing side surfaces 2b.

[0039] The chambers 8 are defined by chamber separation walls 10 that extend from one side of the support frame to the other at intermediate angles to both the X and Y directions, and thus follow an alternating zigzag pattern when viewed in the Z direction. Each of the support walls 10 includes an orifice 11 so that cooling fluid can flow from one chamber to the next through the alternating angled chamber separation walls 10. The orifices 11 on one side of the central separation wall 9 and the chambers 8 are fluidly interconnected, forming a first passageway for cooling fluid flow, and the orifices 11 on the other side of the central separation wall 9 and the chambers 8 are also fluidly interconnected, forming a second passageway for cooling fluid flow.

[0040] The zigzag chamber separation walls 10 provide structural rigidity against crushing forces acting in the Z direction, i.e., against the top and bottom casing elements 2a. The central separation wall 9 also provides structural rigidity to the support frame 6 and, in embodiments, can provide a wall that seals adjacent chambers in the Z direction, thus separating cooling fluid flowing through one side of the support frame from cooling fluid flowing on the other side of the support frame, such that one side can represent a passage for inflow and the other passage can represent return flow. However, in certain embodiments, both passages can be used for cooling fluid flowing in the same direction.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4c, the X-direction support frame 6 exhibits an open chamber side that can be manufactured using a die that opens and closes in the X direction. The open chamber side 36 may be covered with a plate, specifically a battery connection plate 16. The battery connection plate 16 comprises conductors, or at least has conductors on its outer surface, for electrical connection with the electrical terminals at the longitudinal ends of the battery cells to connect multiple battery cells together in series and parallel connections depending on the required electrical connection requirements. In embodiments, the battery connection plate may be made of a conductive material such as metal, e.g., aluminum, copper, alloys thereof, and other metals. The electrical terminals of the battery cells may be spring contacts to the battery connection plate, but are preferably welded, brazed, or soldered to the battery connection plate directly or via interconnecting conductor elements (not shown).

[0042] To interconnect the battery connection plates 16 from one longitudinal side of the support frame to the other, lateral conductor elements 14, which may be in the form of connection posts or pins, for example, traverse the dielectric material of the support frame 6 from one side to the other. The lateral conductor elements 14 provide conductive ends that are in contact with the plates 16 mounted above the chamber 8. Depending on the desired electrical interconnection scheme, certain lateral conductor elements 14 may be omitted or may be replaced with non-conductive material that simply provides support against which the battery connection plates 16 are pressed. While the lateral conductor elements 14 can have other configurations, in the preferred embodiment they are particularly simple in the form of rods and can be easily assembled by insertion into cavities molded along different locations in the central separation wall 9, as best shown in FIG. 4c, for example.

[0043] The battery contact plate 16 may be sealingly bonded to the rim of the chamber 8 by bonding using an adhesive, or it may be sealingly bonded to the rim of the chamber 8 by welding, for example ultrasonically or thermally, to the polymeric material of the support frame forming the rim.

[0044] The peripheral wall may advantageously comprise fastening sockets 34 for riveted, screwed or welded connections for securing the casing top and bottom walls 2 a and the casing side walls 2 b to the peripheral wall 7 of the support frame 6 at the fastening sockets 34. In an embodiment, the fastening sockets 34 may form an integral part of the support frame material, in particular a thermoplastic material, which is preferably reinforced. In another embodiment, the fastening sockets may comprise metal inserts or inserts of another sturdy material for fastening applications, which are inserted into the support structure, for example by overmolding, bonding, welding or an interference fit.

[0045] Opposite ends of the support frame are provided with fluid coupling ports 20. The fluid coupling ports 20 at one end of the support frame face one side and the fluid coupling ports at the opposite end face the opposite side. Thus, one end of the support frame 6 may be coupled to the fluid interconnection shaft 18 on one side, and at the other end, the support frame 6 is coupled to the fluid interconnection shaft 18 on the other side, thus forming a serpentine structure as shown in Figure 3a.

[0046] The fluid interconnect shaft 18 includes a fluid coupling port 38 having a coupling portion that engages on the shroud portion 21 of the fluid coupling portion 20 on the support frame 6. A sealing element 23, for example in the form of an O-ring or other type of sealing element, is disposed between the interconnect coupling and the shroud portion, and is preferably provided on the male element.

[0047] To provide air circulation or other cooling means between the casing, and in particular the top and bottom walls 2a of the casing, and the battery cells, the peripheral wall may further include recesses 30, leaving gaps between the casing and the peripheral wall 7 for gas to pass through and circulate to some extent.

[0048] Advantageously, therefore, the multiple lateral support devices 5 serving both cooling and electrical interconnection also provide excellent structural rigidity using zigzag chamber separation walls 10 of lightweight construction.

[0049] The casing 2 may be made of sheet metal or alternatively may be made of a composite, polymer or other material which is fixed to the peripheral wall 7 of the lateral support device 5 and which, in combination with the peripheral wall 7, provides structural rigidity in an extremely light structure.

[0050] Additionally, the multiple lateral support devices 5 within the battery pack generally provide high anti-crush forces in both the Z and Y directions, so that the battery pack can be assembled within the floor of the electric vehicle without additional structures for crush protection.

[0051] Thus, a compact and thin battery pack can be provided, and extremely thin battery packs can be assembled side by side as shown in FIG. 2, or alternatively stacked on top of each other (not shown).

[0052] The electrical terminals of the battery cells also provide good conductors for conducting heat away from the batteries and into the battery contact plate 16. The battery contact plate 16 is in direct contact with the cooling fluid in the fluid flow passages formed by the chamber 8 and the orifices 11 in the support frame 6. The cooling fluid may advantageously be a dielectric fluid, in which case the battery contact plate 16 need not be insulated on its inside. If the cooling fluid is a conductive aqueous or other fluid, the battery contact plate can have an insulating layer on its inside, except where it contacts the lateral conductor elements 14.

[0053] Although a serpentine configuration is shown in the embodiment of Figure 3a, it is also possible to provide structural interconnecting shafts on both sides of the battery module 35 to increase crush strength (additional stiffness in the longitudinal direction X). [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1 battery pack 35 groups or modules 2 Casing 2a Top, bottom wall 2b side wall 37 Fixed point 3 battery cells 22 Cell Body 24 Connection end 26 Electrical terminals 4 Battery pack structure assembly 5 Lateral support device 6 Support Frame 7. Perimeter Wall 7a Top, bottom wall 34 Fixed socket 7b First end, second end 30 grooves 20, 20a, 20b Fluid connection ports 21 Shroud 23 Sealing Elements 8 Chambers 36 Open Side 9 Central separation wall 10. Chamber separation wall 11 Orifice 14 Lateral conductor element 16 Battery connection board 32 External Connections 18 Fluid Interconnect Shaft 38 Fluid coupling port

Claims

1. A battery pack including a battery pack structure assembly and a plurality of battery cells (3), The battery pack structural assembly (2) comprises a plurality of lateral support devices (5); Between said lateral support devices (5) one or more groups of stacked battery cells (3) are mounted and electrically interconnected; Each of the lateral support devices comprises a support frame (6) and a plurality of battery connection plates (16) mounted on the support frame; the battery contact plate has a conductive surface facing outwardly of the lateral support; the support frame having a plurality of chambers (8) formed therein; the plurality of chambers (8) are fluidly connected to one another to form at least one passageway for circulating a cooling fluid through the lateral support device; the plurality of chambers are covered by the battery connection plate; Each battery cell has a generally elongated rectangular shape with a height H2, a length L, and a thickness T, L being greater than H2; A plurality of battery cells are stacked in the direction of their thickness T in the direction of the Y axis to form a group or module (35); the lateral support devices extend in the Y direction; The length L of the battery cell is oriented in the X direction; X, Y and Z represent three mutually orthogonal axes of a Cartesian reference system; an electrical terminal of the battery cell disposed at an end of the battery cell contacts the battery connection plate; Battery pack.

2. Adjacent chambers of said at least one passage are separated by a chamber separation wall (10) comprising an orifice (11); The battery pack according to claim 1 .

3. the chamber separation wall extends from a first side of the support frame to an opposite second side of the support frame at an intermediate angle relative to both the X and Y directions; a plurality of continuous chamber separation walls following a zigzag shape when viewed in the Z direction; The battery pack according to claim 2 .

4. the chamber is disposed on a first side of the support frame and an opposite second side of the support frame; the chamber on both the first side and the second side is covered by the battery contact plate; The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the lateral support device comprising at least one fluid port on each of the first and second ends of the support frame; the fluid port is configured to couple to a fluid interconnect shaft (18) mounted between and fluidly interconnecting two spaced-apart lateral support devices; The battery pack according to claim 1 .

6. the plurality of lateral support devices and the plurality of fluid interconnection shafts form a serpentine structure. The battery pack according to claim 5 .

7. the support frame includes a central separation wall separating two passageways; the individual passages being passages for circulating a cooling fluid through the lateral support device; The battery pack according to claim 1 .

8. the support frame comprises fixing sockets (34) arranged on the peripheral wall (7) of the support frame for fastening the walls (2a, 2b) of the casing (2) to the lateral support devices, The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The support frame is a support frame made of an integrally formed body. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. the support frame is a polymeric support frame, optionally incorporating a reinforcing material; The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The polymer is a thermoplastic resin. The battery pack according to claim 10.

12. The thermoplastic resin is aliphatic polyamides, Semi-aromatic polyamide polyolefin, polyester, copolyetherester, Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), Polyacetal, Liquid Crystal Polymer Selected from: The battery pack according to claim 11.

13. the support frame is injection molded; The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. the lateral support device having an elongated shape conforming to a parallelepiped having a minimum rectangular cross section of height H1, width W and length D; D is longer than W and H1; The height H1 is slightly higher than the height H2 of the battery cell. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. the support frame includes a lateral conductor element (14) that traverses the dielectric material of the support frame from a first surface to an opposite second surface to electrically connect the battery contact plates attached to the first surface and the opposite second surface to each other; The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. the lateral conductor elements are in the form of pins or rods; The battery pack according to claim 15.

17. The battery connection plate is made of a conductive material, and optionally has an inner surface coated with an insulating material that covers the chamber. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. The battery connection plate is made of metal.

18. The battery pack according to claim 17.

19. the battery connection plate is sealingly coupled to the support frame by a welded connection; The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. A battery pack further comprising a casing (2) having top and bottom walls (2a) and side walls (2b) enclosing the top, bottom and sides of the battery pack; The casing is fixed to the lateral support device (5) of the battery pack structural assembly at a plurality of fixing points (37). The battery pack according to claim 1 .

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