Battery pack

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present invention, the battery pack includes a case forming an internal space and having a top plate and a side plate, a plurality of battery cells positioned inside the case, and fasteners passing through the top plate and fitted into the side plate, and the side plate may include a drain hole exposing the fasteners to an outside.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0183754 filed on December 23, 2022, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0105865 filed on August 11, 2023, and all the contents disclosed in the specifications and drawings of the applications are incorporated into this application.

Background Art

[0003] In recent years, the demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, video cameras, and mobile phones has rapidly increased, and as the commercialization of robots, electric vehicles, etc. has become full-scale, research on high-performance secondary batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged has been actively conducted.

[0004] Currently, commercially available secondary batteries include nickel cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, nickel zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries, etc. Among them, lithium secondary batteries are particularly spotlighted for their advantages of being able to charge and discharge freely because they hardly have a memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, having a very low self-discharge rate, and having a high energy density.

[0005] This type of lithium secondary battery mainly uses a lithium-based oxide and a carbon material as the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material, respectively. A lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate coated with such positive electrode active material and negative electrode active material are arranged with a separator interposed therebetween, and an exterior material that encloses the electrode assembly together with an electrolytic solution, for example, a battery case.

[0006] Generally, lithium secondary batteries can be broadly classified into a can-type secondary battery in which an electrode assembly is built into a metal can, and a pouch-type secondary battery in which an electrode assembly is built into a pouch of an aluminum laminate sheet, according to the shape of the exterior material.

[0007] Battery packs may be exposed to the external environment depending on the installation environment. Exposed battery packs are susceptible to damage from various foreign objects or moisture. For example, fastening components that form the exterior of the battery pack may be oxidized or corroded by moisture, weakening their fastening strength. Therefore, a structure is needed that prevents damage to fastening components even when exposed to moisture. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems and other problems.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack that includes a structure that allows moisture to be easily discharged or evaporated, even if exposed to moisture.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack with improved sealing performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To achieve the above objectives, a battery pack according to one aspect of the present invention includes a case that forms an internal space and has a top plate and side plates, a plurality of battery cells located inside the case, and a fastening member that penetrates the top plate and is fitted into the side plate, wherein the side plate may have a drainage hole that exposes the fastening member to the outside.

[0012] Furthermore, the drainage holes may be formed on the outer surface of the side plate.

[0013] Furthermore, the drainage holes may be formed at an angle downwards.

[0014] Furthermore, the battery pack may further include a gasket that is fixed between the top plate and the side plate.

[0015] Furthermore, the fastening member may be located outside the gasket.

[0016] Furthermore, the side plate includes a vertical portion having fastening holes into which the fastening member is fitted, and a horizontal portion extending inward from the vertical portion, and the gasket may be located between the horizontal portion and the top plate.

[0017] Furthermore, the drainage hole may expose the lower end surface of the fastening member.

[0018] Furthermore, the drainage hole may expose the side surface of the fastening member.

[0019] In addition to these, the battery pack may further include a filter that covers the drainage holes and is breathable.

[0020] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, an automobile according to one aspect of the present invention includes a battery pack according to the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to at least one aspect of the present invention, a battery pack can be provided that includes a structure that allows moisture to be easily discharged or evaporated, even if exposed to moisture.

[0022] According to at least one aspect of the present invention, a battery pack with improved sealing performance can be provided.

[0023] The drawings accompanying this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and are intended to further illustrate the technical idea of ​​the invention along with the content of the invention; therefore, the present invention shall not be construed as being limited only to what is shown in the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing a disassembled view of some components of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing a disassembled view of a top plate and a gasket according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is a diagram of part A in FIG. 1 viewed from the side. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing a disassembled view of a part of the configuration of a partial cross-section of part A in FIG. 1. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing a part of the configuration of a partial cross-section of part A in FIG. 1. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an embodiment of a modification of the configuration of a partial cross-section of part A in FIG. 1. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing an embodiment of a modification of part A in FIG. 1. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing a part of the configuration of a partial cross-section of an embodiment of a modification of part A in FIG. 9.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in this specification and the claims are not to be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings. The inventor interprets them in accordance with the meaning and concept corresponding to the technical idea of the present invention in accordance with the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms in order to explain the invention in the best way. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. At the time of this application, there can be various equivalents and modified embodiments that can replace them.

[0026] Figure 1 shows a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 shows some of the components of the battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention in an exploded view.

[0027] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a case 20, a plurality of battery cells 10, and fastening members 800.

[0028] Case 20 may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Case 20 may form the exterior of the battery pack. Case 20 may be composed of multiple parts. Case 20 may include a top plate 100, a pair of side plates 200, a base plate, a front plate 300, and a rear plate 400. Case 20 may be formed by fastening, joining, or fixing multiple plates together. Case 20 may have an internal space.

[0029] The top plate 100 may have the shape of a square plate. The side plates 200 may have the shape of a square plate. The side plates 200 may consist of a pair. Each side plate 200 may extend downward or in the -Z axis direction from the top plate 100. The pair of side plates 200 may be arranged along the left-right direction or the Y axis direction.

[0030] Multiple battery cells 10 may be located inside the case 20. The battery cells 10 may refer to secondary batteries. In this case, the battery cells 10 may have the shape of a square pouch. Multiple battery cells 10 may be arranged or stacked along the vertical direction or the Z-axis direction.

[0031] The fastening member 800 may penetrate the top plate 100 and be fitted into the side plate 200. For example, the fastening member 800 may be a bolt and may be coupled to threads formed in the side plate 200. Multiple fastening members 800 may be provided. Multiple fastening members 800 may fasten, connect, or secure the top plate 100 and the side plate 200. The fastening member 800 may be made of a metallic material.

[0032] The side plate 200 may be provided with drainage holes 202. The drainage holes 202 may expose at least a portion of the fastening member 800 to the outside. Multiple drainage holes 202 may be provided.

[0033] If the battery pack is exposed to the outdoors or external environment, the fastening member 800 may be exposed to moisture. If the moisture is not properly drained or dried, the fastening member 800 may oxidize or corrode. Corroded fastening member 800 may have reduced fastening strength. This may cause the connection between the top plate 100 and the side plate 200 to break. Consequently, the internal components of the battery pack may be exposed to foreign matter and moisture, raising concerns about a decrease in the safety of the battery pack.

[0034] According to this configuration of one embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the fastening member 800 forming the battery pack case 20 can be exposed to the outside. This allows moisture to be easily discharged or evaporated from the fastening member 800, even if moisture accumulates on it. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fastening member 800 from oxidizing or corroding, and to maintain the bonding strength of the fastening member 800.

[0035] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the top plate 100 and gasket 700 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 3, the battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a gasket 700. The gasket 700 may extend around the top plate 100. The gasket 700 may have a square annular shape. The top plate 100 may have a seal groove 102 formed on its inner surface, and the gasket 700 may be fitted into or housed in the seal groove 102. The gasket 700 may be formed from a highly flexible metal material. The gasket 700 may be positioned or fixed between the top plate 100 and the side plate 200. The gasket 700 may be compressed and deformed between the top plate 100 and the side plate 200.

[0036] According to this configuration of one embodiment of the present invention, the gasket 700 can seal the space between the top plate 100 and the side plate 200. This makes the battery pack waterproof and dustproof.

[0037] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of portion A in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a side view of portion A in Figure 1. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the drain hole 202 of the battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention may be formed on the outer surface of the side plate 200. The drain hole 202 may communicate with fastening holes 103 and 201 into which the fastening member 800 is fitted.

[0038] According to this configuration of one embodiment of the present invention, moisture accumulated in the fastening member 800 can be discharged to the outside or evaporated through the drainage hole 202.

[0039] Figure 6 is an exploded view showing a portion of the partial cross-sectional configuration of part A in Figure 1. Figure 7 is a view showing a portion of the partial cross-sectional configuration of part A in Figure 1. Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the fastening member 800 of the battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a head 810 and a body 820. The head 810 may be located in the groove 101. The body 820 may extend downward or in the -Z axis direction from the head 810. The body 820 may include threads formed along its longitudinal direction.

[0040] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the drainage hole 202 of the battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention may expose the bottom surface 822 or lower end surface 822 of the fastening member 800. A gap or space may be formed between the lower end surface 822 of the fastening member 800 and the side plate 200.

[0041] According to this configuration of one embodiment of the present invention, moisture accumulated on the lower end surface 822 of the fastening member 800 can be discharged to the outside or evaporated through the drainage hole 202.

[0042] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the drain hole 202 of the battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention can expose at least a portion of the side surface 821 of the fastening member 800.

[0043] According to this configuration of one embodiment of the present invention, moisture accumulated on the side surface 821 of the fastening member 800 can be discharged to the outside or evaporated through the drainage hole 202.

[0044] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, in one embodiment of the present invention, the fastening member 800 of the battery pack may be located outside the gasket 700. The gasket 700 may be compressed and deformed by the fastening force of the fastening member 800. The fastening member 800 can provide a fastening force so that the top plate 100 and the side plate 200 are joined, but it may not be able to block the penetration of moisture or foreign matter.

[0045] According to this configuration of one embodiment of the present invention, the gasket 700 is located inside the fastening member 800, thereby preventing or blocking moisture and foreign matter from penetrating into the battery pack.

[0046] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the side plate 200 of the battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a vertical portion 204 having fastening holes 201 into which fastening members 800 are fitted, and a first horizontal portion 203 extending inward from the vertical portion 204. The gasket 700 may be located between the horizontal portion and the top plate 100.

[0047] The fastening hole 201 may be formed in the vertical or Z-axis direction. The vertical portion 204 may include threads formed around the fastening hole 201. The fastening member 800 may be fastened to the threads of the vertical portion 204. The drain hole 202 may communicate with the fastening hole 201. The drain hole 202 may extend horizontally from the fastening hole 201.

[0048] The first horizontal portion 203 may extend inward or in the -Y-axis direction from the upper end or upper side of the vertical portion 204. The first horizontal portion 203 may support the lower or inner surface of the top plate 100. The first horizontal portion 203 may include a seal groove 102. The top plate 100 may have a seal groove 102 formed on its inner surface, and the gasket 700 may be fitted into or housed in the seal groove 102. The gasket 700 may be formed from a highly flexible metal material. The gasket 700 may be positioned or fixed between the top plate 100 and the first horizontal portion 203 of the side plate 200. The gasket 700 may be compressed and deformed between the top plate 100 and the first horizontal portion 203 of the side plate 200.

[0049] The first horizontal section 205 may form a drain hole 202. The first horizontal section 205 may extend horizontally from the lower end of the vertical section 204 or the lower end of the fastening hole 201.

[0050] According to this configuration of one embodiment of the present invention, the side plate 200, by having a first horizontal portion 203, has improved coupling with the top plate 100 and can improve the waterproof and dustproof capabilities of the battery pack.

[0051] Figure 8 shows a modified embodiment of the partial cross-sectional configuration of part A in Figure 1. Referring to Figure 8, the drainage hole 202 of the battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention may be formed to face diagonally downward.

[0052] The inclined portion 206 may form a drain hole 202. The inclined portion 206 may extend diagonally downward from the lower end of the vertical portion 204 or the lower end of the fastening hole 201.

[0053] According to this configuration of one embodiment of the present invention, any water or foreign matter accumulated in the drain hole 202 can be easily discharged to the outside of the battery pack along the inclined portion 206.

[0054] Figure 9 shows a modified embodiment of part A of Figure 1. Figure 10 shows a part of the partial cross-sectional configuration of the modified embodiment of part A of Figure 9. Referring to Figures 9 and 10, the battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a filter 600 that covers the drain hole 202 and is permeable.

[0055] The filter 600 can be attached to or fastened to the side plate 200 so as to cover the drain hole 202. The filter 600 can allow moisture accumulated in the drain hole 202 to pass through. Conversely, the filter 600 can prevent external foreign matter from penetrating the drain hole 202.

[0056] According to this configuration of one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to easily discharge the water accumulated in the drain hole 202 while preventing or blocking foreign matter from penetrating the drain hole 202.

[0057] An automobile according to one embodiment of the present invention may include the battery pack according to the present embodiment described above. The battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention is applicable to automobiles such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. Furthermore, an automobile according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include various other components included in the automobile in addition to such a battery pack. For example, an automobile according to the present invention may further include, in addition to the battery pack according to the present invention, a vehicle body, a motor, an electronic control unit (ECU), and other control devices.

[0058] On the other hand, while directional terms such as up, down, left, right, front, and back have been used in this specification, these terms are used merely for ease of explanation, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that they may vary depending on the position of the object in question, the observer's position, etc.

[0059] As described above, the present invention has been explained with limited embodiments and drawings, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and variations are possible within the equivalent scope of the technical concept and claims of the present invention by persons with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] 10 battery cells 20 cases 100 Top Plate 200 Side Plates 202 Drain hole 800 Fastening member

Claims

1. A case that forms an internal space and includes a top plate and side plates, Multiple battery cells located inside the aforementioned case, A fastening member that penetrates the top plate and is fitted into the side plate, Includes, The side plate is provided with drainage holes that expose the fastening member to the outside. The drainage holes are formed on the outer surface of the side plate. The aforementioned drainage holes are formed at an angle downwards in the battery pack.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, further comprising a gasket fixed between the top plate and the side plate.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the fastening member is located outside the gasket.

4. The aforementioned side plate is A vertical portion having fastening holes into which the fastening member is fitted, A horizontal section extending inward from the aforementioned vertical section, Includes, The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the gasket is located between the horizontal portion and the top plate.

5. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the drainage hole exposes the lower end surface of the fastening member.

6. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the drainage hole exposes the side surface of the fastening member.

7. The battery pack according to claim 1, further comprising a filter that covers the drainage holes and is breathable.

8. An automobile comprising a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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