Battery pack and automobile including same

Abstract

A battery pack and a vehicle including the same are disclosed. The battery pack according to one aspect of the present invention includes a battery module including a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of cooling tubes arranged between the plurality of battery cells and through which a cooling fluid flows for cooling the battery cells; a pack case that houses the battery module; and a cooling fluid distribution member that distributes the cooling fluid to the plurality of cooling tubes, and the cooling tubes are inserted into and coupled to the cooling fluid distribution member.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0183751 filed on December 23, 2022, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0107943 filed on August 17, 2023, and the contents disclosed in the specifications and drawings of those applications are incorporated herein in their entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery pack and a vehicle including the same, and more particularly to a battery pack capable of guiding uniform distribution of a cooling fluid and a vehicle including the same. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries, which have high applicability across a range of products and electrical properties such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that are powered by electrical sources. These secondary batteries not only have the primary advantage of dramatically reducing the use of fossil fuels, but also have the advantage of producing no by-products associated with energy use, and are therefore attracting attention as a new energy source that is environmentally friendly and improves energy efficiency.

[0004] Currently widely used types of secondary batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. The operating voltage of such unit secondary battery cells, i.e., unit battery cells, is approximately 2.5 V to 4.5 V. Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, a battery pack is constructed by connecting multiple batteries in series. Depending on the required charge / discharge capacity of the battery pack, multiple battery cells may also be connected in parallel to construct a battery pack. Therefore, the number of batteries included in the battery pack can be varied depending on the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0005] Meanwhile, when configuring a battery pack by connecting multiple battery cells in series / parallel, a common method is to first configure a battery module including at least one battery cell, and then use that at least one battery module to add other components to configure a battery pack or battery rack.

[0006] A conventional battery pack includes a battery module including a plurality of battery cells and a pack case that houses the battery module. The battery module may include the battery cells and a plurality of cooling tubes through which a cooling fluid flows to cool the battery cells.

[0007] However, in conventional battery packs, when supplying cooling fluid to multiple cooling tubes, it is difficult to distribute the cooling fluid evenly to each cooling tube, resulting in uneven flow of the cooling fluid and thereby reduced cooling performance. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack and a vehicle including the same that can uniformly distribute cooling fluid to each of a plurality of cooling tubes.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack and a vehicle including the same in which the formation of cooling channels is easy and which is more advantageous for changes in structural design.

[0010] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention given below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, there may be provided a battery pack including: a battery module including a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of cooling tubes disposed between the plurality of battery cells and through which a cooling fluid flows for cooling the battery cells; a pack case accommodating the battery module; and a cooling fluid distribution member that distributes the cooling fluid to the plurality of cooling tubes, wherein the cooling tubes are inserted into and coupled to the cooling fluid distribution member.

[0012] In one aspect, the cooling system includes a fluid supply member that supplies cooling fluid, and the cooling fluid distribution member may include a distribution pipe having a plurality of coupling portions that are respectively coupled to the plurality of cooling tubes, and a connecting pipe that connects the distribution pipe and the fluid supply member.

[0013] In one embodiment, the apparatus may include a pipe connection port for connecting the distribution pipe and the connection pipe.

[0014] In one embodiment, the connecting pipes may include a first connecting pipe coupled to the fluid supply member, and a second connecting pipe connected to the first connecting pipe and connected to the distribution pipe.

[0015] In one embodiment, the device may include a multiple port that connects the first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe.

[0016] In one embodiment, the multiplexed port is configured as a three-way port, and the three-way port can connect one first connecting pipe and two second connecting pipes.

[0017] In one embodiment, the fluid supply device may include a connector that connects the fluid supply member and the connecting pipe.

[0018] In one embodiment, the cooling system may include a gasket member that is coupled to the inside of the coupling portion of the distribution pipe and into which the cooling tube is inserted.

[0019] In one aspect, the gasket member may be made of a resilient material.

[0020] In one embodiment, the gasket member may be made of rubber.

[0021] In one embodiment, the gasket member may include an outer portion forming the outside; an inner portion forming the inside inside the outer portion; and an inner / outer connecting portion connecting the outer portion and the inner portion.

[0022] In one embodiment, grooves may be formed on both sides of the inner-outer connection portion between the outer portion and the inner portion.

[0023] In one aspect, the coupling portion may contact the outer portion and the cooling tube may contact the inner portion.

[0024] In one embodiment, the coupling portion may have a separation prevention groove formed therein, and the gasket member may have a separation prevention protrusion formed thereon that is coupled to the separation prevention groove.

[0025] Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present invention, there can be provided a vehicle including the above-described battery pack. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] According to the various aspects described above, it is possible to achieve the effect of uniformly distributing the cooling fluid to each of the plurality of cooling tubes.

[0027] This has the effect of making the flow of the cooling fluid uniform and ensuring cooling performance.

[0028] Furthermore, according to the various aspects described above, the formation of the cooling flow passages becomes easier, and there are advantageous effects in terms of changes to the structural design.

[0029] In addition to these, the present invention can have various other effects, which will be explained in the sections for each embodiment, and explanations of effects that can be easily inferred by those skilled in the art will be omitted.

[0030] The drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further understand the technical concepts of the present invention as well as the content of the invention, and therefore the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to only the matters depicted in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a cooling fluid distribution member in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the flow of cooling fluid in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 1 is a perspective view of a battery module in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view of the cooling fluid distribution member and gasket member of section B of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion B of FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a gasket member in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC' in FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a diagram illustrating a case where the central axis of the coupling portion of the distribution pipe coincides with the central axis of the cooling tube in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a case where the central axis of the coupling portion of the distribution pipe does not coincide with the central axis of the cooling tube in the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle including a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical ideas of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms himself / herself in order to best describe the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical ideas of the present invention, and therefore various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therefor may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0033] In the drawings, the size of each component or specific parts of the component may be slightly exaggerated, omitted, or illustrated schematically for ease of explanation and clarity. Therefore, the size of each component does not fully reflect the actual size. If a detailed description of related well-known functions or configurations is deemed to be likely to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, such detailed description will be omitted.

[0034] The terms "coupled" or "connected" as used in this specification include not only cases where one member is directly coupled or connected to another member, but also cases where one member is indirectly coupled or connected to another member via a coupling member.

[0035] Throughout this specification, when a part is said to "comprise" a certain component, this does not mean that it may further include other components, unless otherwise specified.

[0036] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the interior of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of portion A of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] 1 to 5, a battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a battery module 100, a pack case 200, and a cooling fluid distribution member 300.

[0038] 5 , the battery module 100 includes a plurality of battery cells 110. The battery module 100 also includes a plurality of cooling tubes 120. The plurality of cooling tubes 120 are disposed between the plurality of battery cells 110, and a cooling fluid flows through the cooling tubes 120 to cool the battery cells 110. The battery module 100 may further include a module case for accommodating the battery cells 110.

[0039] The battery cell 110 may be provided in various types. For example, the battery cell 110 may include a prismatic battery cell (not shown) or a pouch-type battery cell (not shown). The pouch-type battery cell may have a structure in which a plurality of unit cells, each having a positive electrode plate, a separator, and a negative electrode plate arranged in this order, or a bi-cell, each having a positive electrode plate, a separator, a negative electrode plate, a separator, a positive electrode plate, a separator, and a negative electrode plate arranged in this order, are stacked according to the battery capacity. The pouch-type battery cell may also include electrode leads. The electrode leads are a type of terminal exposed to the outside and connected to an external device and may be made of a conductive material. The electrode leads may include a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead.

[0040] 2 to 5, the battery cells 110 may include cylindrical battery cells. That is, although the battery cells 110 provided in the battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may vary, for convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the case where the battery cells 110 are cylindrical battery cells.

[0041] The cylindrical battery cell may include an electrode assembly, a battery can, a positive current collector, a cell terminal, and a negative current collector.

[0042] The electrode assembly includes a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate. The electrode assembly may be wound in one direction with the separator interposed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, and may be provided in the form of a jelly roll having a center hole.

[0043] For example, the electrode assembly may be manufactured by sequentially stacking a negative electrode plate, a separator, a positive electrode plate, and a separator at least once and winding the resulting laminate. Here, the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate may be formed in a sheet shape. That is, the electrode assembly may be a wound-type electrode assembly. The electrode assembly may have a winding structure well known in the related technical field and is not particularly limited.

[0044] The positive electrode plate has a positive electrode active material coated on one or both sides, and the negative electrode plate has a negative electrode active material coated on one or both sides. The positive electrode active material coated on the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode active material coated on the negative electrode plate may be any active material known in the art without limitation.

[0045] The separator may be a porous polymer film, such as a porous polymer film made of a polyolefin polymer such as an ethylene homopolymer, a propylene homopolymer, an ethylene / butene copolymer, an ethylene / hexene copolymer, or an ethylene / methacrylate copolymer, either alone or in combination. Alternatively, the separator may be a conventional porous nonwoven fabric, such as a nonwoven fabric made of high-melting-point glass fiber or polyethylene terephthalate fiber.

[0046] At least one surface of the separator may include a coating layer of inorganic particles. Alternatively, the separator itself may be made of a coating layer of inorganic particles. The particles constituting the coating layer may have a structure bonded with a binder such that interstitial volume exists between adjacent particles.

[0047] The battery can is cylindrically shaped, and can accommodate the electrode assembly therein and be electrically connected to the negative electrode plate of the electrode assembly. Therefore, the battery can may have the same polarity as the negative electrode plate, i.e., a negative electrode, but is not limited thereto.

[0048] In addition, a gap of a predetermined size may be formed between the battery can and the electrode assembly (between the battery can and the positive electrode current collector if the electrode assembly is coupled to the positive electrode current collector), and an insulator may be interposed in the gap. The battery can may be made of a conductive metal, such as, but not limited to, aluminum, steel, or stainless steel.

[0049] The positive current collector is electrically connected to the positive plate, for example, the positive current collector may be connected to the positive plate at the top of the electrode assembly.

[0050] The cell terminal is made of a conductive metal material and is electrically connected to the positive current collector plate. The cell terminal is also electrically connected to the positive plate of the electrode assembly via the positive current collector plate, and thus has a positive polarity. In other words, the cell terminal can function as a positive terminal.

[0051] The negative current collector is electrically connected to the negative plate and can be made of a conductive metal material such as aluminum, steel, copper, or nickel.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 5 , a plurality of cooling tubes 120 are provided. The cooling tubes 120 may be formed in various tubular shapes to allow a cooling fluid to flow through them to cool the battery cells 110. Furthermore, a plurality of cooling tubes 120 are disposed between a plurality of battery cells 110. In this case, one cooling tube 120 can cool the battery cells 110 that are in contact with both sides of the battery cells 110. Furthermore, the fluid flowing through the cooling tubes 120 may be various, for example, but not limited to, water. The cooling fluid may be supplied from a fluid supply member 500 (see FIG. 6 ), which may be connected to the cooling fluid distribution member 300.

[0053] It is advantageous for improving cooling performance if the cooling fluid flows uniformly through each of the plurality of cooling tubes 120. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, when a plurality of cooling tubes 120 are provided, a cooling fluid distribution member 300 is coupled to the cooling tubes 120 to uniformly cool the battery cells 110.

[0054] The cooling tubes 120 may be coupled to the cooling fluid distribution member 300 in various ways. For example, the cooling tubes 120 may be inserted into coupling portions 311 formed on the distribution pipes 310 of the cooling fluid distribution member 300 and coupled thereto (see FIGS. 9 and 10). In this case, a gasket member 400 may be interposed between the cooling tubes 120 and the coupling portions 311, which will be described later.

[0055] 2 and 4, the pack case 200 accommodates the battery module 100. To this end, the pack case 200 may be provided with an accommodation space for accommodating the battery module 100. In addition, the pack case 200 may accommodate or be coupled to various devices for controlling the charging and discharging of the battery cells 110, such as a battery management system (BMS), a current sensor, a fuse, etc. In addition, pack leads may be coupled to the pack case 200.

[0056] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a cooling fluid distribution member in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the flow of the cooling fluid in FIG.

[0057] The cooling fluid distribution member 300 distributes the cooling fluid to the plurality of cooling tubes 120. Here, it is preferable that the cooling fluid distribution member 300 distributes the cooling fluid to each of the plurality of cooling tubes 120 uniformly.

[0058] 6, the cooling fluid distribution member 300 may include a distribution pipe 310 and a connection pipe 320. The distribution pipe 310 has a plurality of coupling portions 311 that are respectively coupled to the plurality of cooling tubes 120. The plurality of coupling portions 311 may be formed in parallel on the distribution pipe 310.

[0059] The coupling portion 311 may have various shapes, for example, but is not limited to, a circular cross section. Furthermore, the cross section of the coupling portion 311 may have various other shapes, such as a square, a triangle, or other shapes, as needed. Here, the inside of the coupling portion 311 is an empty space, and a gasket member 400 (described later) can be coupled to the inside of the coupling portion 311.

[0060] Furthermore, the multiple couplings 311 may be arranged to be spaced apart from one another at predetermined intervals, so that the cooling fluid flowing through the distribution pipe 310 travels to the cooling tubes 120 via the multiple couplings 311 .

[0061] The connecting portion 311 is protruded from the end of the distribution pipe 310, and here, the connecting portion 311 may be formed integrally with the distribution pipe 310, or may be made separately from the distribution pipe 310 and then connected to the distribution pipe 310.

[0062] The coupling portion 311 may have a separation prevention groove 312 (see FIG. 11), and a separation prevention protrusion 450 formed on the gasket member 400 may be coupled to the separation prevention groove 312. This will be described later.

[0063] 6 and 7, the distribution pipes 310 are connected to the connecting pipes 320, and the cooling fluid supplied from the fluid supply member 500 flows to the distribution pipes 310 through the connecting pipes 320.

[0064] The connecting pipe 320 connects the distribution pipe 310 and the fluid supply member 500. Here, the connecting pipe 320 can be connected to the distribution pipe 310 via the pipe connection port 330. That is, the pipe connection port 330 connects the distribution pipe 310 and the connecting pipe 320. Also, the connecting pipe 320 can be connected to the fluid supply member 500 via the connector 350. That is, the connector 350 connects the fluid supply member 500 and the connecting pipe 320.

[0065] The connecting pipe 320 may include a first connecting pipe 321 and a second connecting pipe 322. The first connecting pipe 321 may be coupled to the fluid supply member 500 via a connector 350. And the second connecting pipe 322 may be connected to the distribution pipe 310 via a pipe connection port 330.

[0066] Also, the second connection pipe 322 can be connected to the first connection pipe 321 via the multiplex port 340. That is, the multiplex port 340 connects the first connection pipe 321 and the second connection pipe 322.

[0067] The multi-port 340 may have various configurations, for example, it may be configured as a three-way port as shown in Fig. 6. Here, the three-way port may be configured to connect one first connection pipe 321 and two second connection pipes 322. For example, two second connection pipes 322 may be connected to the three-way port on both sides of the three-way port, and one first connection pipe 321 arranged in a direction intersecting the two second connection pipes 322 may be connected to the three-way port. However, this is merely one embodiment.

[0068] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a battery module in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling fluid distribution member and a gasket member of part B of FIG. 8, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of part B of FIG. 8, FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 10, FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a gasket member 400 in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view along line CC' of FIG. 12.

[0069] 8 to 11, the gasket member 400 is coupled to the inside of the coupling portion 311 of the distribution pipe 310. Then, the cooling tube 120 is inserted into the gasket member 400. That is, the gasket member 400 is interposed between the distribution pipe 310 and the cooling tube 120 to prevent leakage of the cooling fluid. That is, the gasket member 400 seals the gap between the distribution pipe 310 and the cooling tube 120. The gasket member 400 may be formed with different widths, thicknesses, and sizes of grooves 440 (described later) depending on the required performance.

[0070] The gasket member 400 may be made of various materials, for example, various elastic materials, including, but not limited to, various types of rubber.

[0071] 12 and 13 , the gasket member 400 may include an outer portion 410, an inner portion 420, and an inner / outer connecting portion 430. The outer portion 410 forms the outer side of the gasket member 400. The inner portion 420 forms the inner side within the outer portion 410. The inner / outer connecting portion 430 connects the outer portion 410 and the inner portion 420 to each other. The inner / outer connecting portion 430 may be formed in various portions of the outer portion 410 and the inner portion 420. For example, as shown in FIG. 13 , the inner / outer connecting portion 430 may be formed in the center of the outer portion 410 and the inner portion 420, but is not limited to this. Here, the center does not necessarily mean the exact center, but should be understood as a concept that includes not only the exact center but also a position close to the center.

[0072] Additionally, grooves 440 may be formed on both sides of the inner / outer connecting portion 430 between the outer portion 410 and the inner portion 420. Here, the grooves 440 enable the gasket member 400 to maintain its sealing performance even when compressed or expanded.

[0073] Figure 14 is a diagram showing a case where the central axis of the joint portion of the distribution pipe and the central axis of the cooling tube coincide in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 15 is a diagram showing a case where the central axis of the joint portion of the distribution pipe and the central axis of the cooling tube do not coincide in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] FIG. 14 shows an ideal state in which the central axis X of the joint 311 of the distribution pipe 310 coincides with the central axis Y of the cooling tube 120. However, in many cases, due to processing errors and tolerances, assembly errors and tolerances during assembly, the central axis X of the joint 311 of the distribution pipe 310 does not coincide with the central axis Y of the cooling tube 120, as shown in FIG. 15.

[0075] In this way, even if the central axis X of the joint portion 311 of the distribution pipe 310 does not coincide with the central axis Y of the cooling tube 120, the gasket member 400 is elastically deformable, as shown in Fig. 15. Here, a groove 440 is formed in the gasket member 400 to facilitate elastic deformation of the gasket member 400.

[0076] In this way, the elastically deformable gasket member 400 and the groove 440 formed in the gasket member 400 can maintain a tight seal between the distribution pipe 310 and the cooling tube 120 even if the central axis X of the joint 311 of the distribution pipe 310 and the central axis Y of the cooling tube 120 are misaligned, thereby ensuring excellent sealing performance.

[0077] 14 and 15, the coupling portion 311 of the distribution pipe 310 may be configured to contact the outer portion 410 of the gasket member 400, and the cooling tube 120 may be configured to contact the inner portion 420 of the gasket member 400.

[0078] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 11, the coupling portion 311 may have a separation prevention groove 312 formed therein, and the gasket member 400 may have a separation prevention protrusion 450 coupled to the separation prevention groove 312 formed therein.

[0079] It is advantageous for the gasket member 400 to be first coupled to the coupling portion 311 of the distribution pipe 310 before inserting the cooling tube 120. Therefore, the gasket member 400 can be first coupled to the coupling portion 311 of the distribution pipe 310 before inserting the cooling tube 120.

[0080] Here, when the gasket member 400 is coupled to the coupling portion 311, it may come off from the coupling portion 311. To prevent this, a separation prevention structure may be formed in the coupling portion 311 and the gasket member 400. Here, the separation prevention structure may take various forms, and for example, a separation prevention groove 312 may be formed in the coupling portion 311, a separation prevention protrusion 450 may be formed in the gasket member 400, and the separation prevention protrusion 450 may be configured to be coupled to the separation prevention groove 312.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 13, a pair of anti-detachment protrusions 450 may be formed on the upper and lower sides of the gasket member 400, but this is merely one embodiment.

[0082] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle including a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] 16, an automobile 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include one or more of the above-described battery packs 10. The battery pack 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be applied to the automobile 20, for example, a predetermined automobile 20 that is configured to use electricity, such as an electric automobile or a hybrid automobile.

[0084] In addition to the battery pack 10, the automobile 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include various other components included in the automobile 20. For example, the automobile 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a vehicle body, a motor, a control device such as an electronic control unit (ECU), and the like, in addition to the battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] An energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes one or more battery packs 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention described above. Furthermore, an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include general components included in an energy storage device in addition to such battery pack 10. In particular, an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be a residential (building) energy storage device for home or office use, used to store energy in a home, office, building, or the like.

[0086] In addition, since the energy storage device has a large energy capacity, it may include a plurality of battery packs 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, which are electrically connected to each other. In addition, the energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include various other components of energy storage devices known at the time of filing of the present invention. Furthermore, such energy storage devices can be used in various locations and devices, such as smart grid systems and electric charging stations.

[0087] According to the various embodiments described above, it is possible to provide a battery pack 10 and an automobile 20 including the battery pack 10 that can guide the uniform distribution of cooling fluid to the cooling tube 120 side.

[0088] This makes it possible to provide a battery pack 10 and an automobile 20 including the battery pack 10 that can ensure cooling performance through a uniform flow of cooling fluid.

[0089] Furthermore, the various embodiments described above make it possible to provide a battery pack 10 and an automobile 20 including the battery pack 10 that are easy to form cooling channels and that are more advantageous in terms of structural design changes.

[0090] In this specification, when terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear are used, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms are used merely for the convenience of explanation and may vary depending on the position of the object in question, the position of the observer, etc.

[0091] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto, and that various modifications and variations may be made by those skilled in the art within the spirit of the present invention and the scope of equivalents of the claims. Therefore, the above-disclosed embodiments should be considered from an illustrative perspective, not a restrictive one. The true scope of the spirit of the present invention is defined by the claims, and all variations within the scope of equivalents thereof should be construed as being included in the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0092] The present invention relates to a battery pack and an automobile including the same, and is particularly applicable to industries related to secondary batteries. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 10 Battery Pack 100 Battery Module 200 pack case 300 Cooling fluid distribution member

Claims

1. a battery module including a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of cooling tubes disposed between the plurality of battery cells and through which a cooling fluid flows for cooling the battery cells; a pack case that houses the battery module; a cooling fluid distribution member that distributes a cooling fluid to the plurality of cooling tubes; Including, The battery pack, wherein the cooling tube is inserted into and coupled to the cooling fluid distribution member, a fluid supply member for supplying a cooling fluid; The cooling fluid distribution member comprises: a distribution pipe having a plurality of coupling portions respectively coupled to the plurality of cooling tubes; a connecting pipe connecting the distribution pipe and the fluid supply member; Including, a battery pack, wherein one of the connection portions of the distribution pipe is connected to one of the openings of one of the cooling tubes.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising a pipe connection port connecting the distribution pipe and the connecting pipe.

3. The connecting pipe is a first connecting pipe coupled to the fluid supply member; a second connecting pipe connected to the first connecting pipe and connected to the distribution pipe; 10. The battery pack of claim 1, comprising:

4. The battery pack according to claim 3 , comprising a multi-port connecting the first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe.

5. The multiplexed port is configured as a 3-way port, The battery pack according to claim 4 , wherein the three-way port connects one of the first connecting pipes and two of the second connecting pipes.

6. The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising a connector connecting the fluid supply member and the connecting pipe.

7. The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising a gasket member coupled to an inside of the coupling portion of the distribution pipe, into which the cooling tube is inserted.

8. The battery pack according to claim 7 , wherein the gasket member is made of an elastic material.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8 , wherein the gasket member is made of rubber.

10. The gasket member is an outer portion forming an outer side; an inner portion forming an inner side within the outer portion; an inner / outer connection portion that connects the outer portion and the inner portion; 8. The battery pack of claim 7, comprising:

11. The battery pack according to claim 10 , wherein a groove is formed on both sides of the inner-outer connection portion between the outer portion and the inner portion.

12. The battery pack according to claim 11 , wherein the coupling portion contacts the outer portion and the cooling tube contacts the inner portion.

13. The coupling portion is formed with a groove for preventing separation, The battery pack according to claim 7 , wherein the gasket member has a separation prevention protrusion that is coupled to the separation prevention groove.

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

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