Enhanced safety battery pack

Abstract

The present invention discloses a battery pack or the like whose structure is improved so that its safety is enhanced when a thermal event occurs. The battery pack according to one aspect of the present invention includes a pack housing that provides an internal space, a plurality of battery modules provided in the internal space, an upper frame that has a plurality of convex blocks protruding downward and is coupled to the upper part of the pack housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack and the like, and more particularly, to a battery pack and the like in which the safety during a thermal event is enhanced by a structural improvement of an upper frame of the battery pack.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0156193 filed on November 21, 2022, and all of the content disclosed in the specification and drawings of the application is incorporated into this application.

Background Art

[0003] The demand for portable electronic devices such as notebook PCs, video cameras, and mobile phones that use electricity as a power source has increased rapidly. As mobile robots, electric bicycles, electric carts, electric vehicles, etc. are commonly commercialized, research on high-performance secondary batteries capable of repeated charging and discharging 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 these, lithium secondary batteries have almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, can be freely charged and discharged, have a very low self-discharge rate and a high energy density. In addition, because they have a high energy density and a high operating voltage, they are more intensively studied than other types of secondary batteries and are being increasingly applied to actual products.

[0005] In recent years, it has been widely used not only in small devices such as portable electronic devices but also in medium and large devices such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS).

[0006] In this case, battery modules in which multiple electrically connected secondary batteries are housed together inside a module case are primarily used, and furthermore, when high power or large capacity is required, battery packs in which multiple battery modules are electrically connected are used.

[0007] While secondary batteries, possessing these advantages, are increasingly being used in a variety of forms, their behavioral characteristics can lead to problems such as swelling, inrush current application, overheating due to Joule heating, or thermal runaway due to electrolyte decomposition reactions.

[0008] Furthermore, in the event of events such as a short circuit between secondary batteries or an excessive temperature rise, a large amount of vent may be generated, which could lead to the leakage of not only flames but also high-temperature particles containing electrode active materials and aluminum particles. Therefore, ensuring the safety of the battery module is even more important.

[0009] Battery modules and battery packs are vulnerable to thermal events because multiple secondary batteries (battery cells) or multiple battery modules are densely packed together in a spatially concentrated manner. In particular, if thermal runaway occurs inside a battery module, high-temperature gases, flames, and heat are generated, and if these are not controlled quickly, thermal propagation can cause a chain reaction of fires and explosions not only in the battery module in question but also in adjacent battery modules.

[0010] In the case of medium to large battery packs used in vehicles such as electric vehicles, multiple battery cells and battery modules are more densely mounted to increase output and capacity. This can not only trigger large fires but also cause loss of life, so there is a great need to strongly suppress and control thermal events generated in battery modules and battery packs at an early stage.

[0011] However, conventional battery packs typically consist of multiple battery modules simply assembled together, making it easy for thermal events generated in one battery module to propagate to adjacent battery modules.

[0012] In particular, because thermal events such as vent gas and flames are extremely hot, they have the characteristic of rising and are strongly discharged while concentrating on the upper region of the battery pack. If the strong straightness and force of the vent gas are not properly controlled at this time, there is a risk of more serious safety problems such as battery pack fire or explosion. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0013] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a battery pack with enhanced safety by applying an improved structure to the upper space of the battery pack that can disrupt the straight-line trajectory of flames, vent gases, etc., and reduce their force.

[0014] However, the technical problems that this invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] A battery pack according to one aspect of the present invention for achieving the above objectives may be configured to include a pack housing that provides an internal space, a plurality of battery modules provided in the internal space, and an upper frame provided at the bottom of which a plurality of convex blocks having a shape that protrudes downward are provided and which is coupled to the upper part of the pack housing.

[0016] In this case, it is desirable that the convex block be configured to have a plurality of through holes.

[0017] Preferably, the upper frame of the present invention may be configured such that a concave block having an upwardly recessed shape is provided in the area where the convex block is not located.

[0018] Furthermore, the convex block of the present invention has a shape in which part or all of the lower part is open, and depending on the embodiment, it may have a shape that is wider at the bottom and narrower at the top.

[0019] Specifically, the convex block of the present invention may include a side plate having a fixing portion fixed to the upper frame and a spring portion extending from the fixing portion and elastically displaced by an external force.

[0020] Furthermore, the battery pack of the present invention further includes a partition wall that separates the internal space of the pack housing, in which case the upper frame of the present invention may be provided with a guide lane at the bottom to which the upper part of the partition wall is connected.

[0021] Furthermore, the battery module of the present invention is provided in a partitioned space which is an internal space separated by the partition wall, and in this case, the convex block may be configured to be provided in multiples in the upper frame for each region corresponding to the partitioned space.

[0022] Furthermore, an automobile according to another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above objectives includes a battery pack according to the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present invention, by structurally improving the upper space of the battery pack according to the behavior characteristics of an ascending flame, vent gas, etc., it is possible not only to weaken the vent gas, etc., but also to disrupt its straightness, thus fundamentally solving various problems caused by the sudden discharge of the vent gas, etc.

[0024] In particular, according to one aspect of the present invention, by simply applying a simplified structure and implementing blocking, restraint or aggregation of the vent gas, etc., expansion of the contact area, vortex or vortex-induced movement, etc., the flow of the vent gas, etc. can be effectively weakened or reduced.

[0025] In addition, in the case of an embodiment of the present invention, by applying a structure that mutually combines the configuration for physically partitioning the accommodation space of the battery module and the physical configuration of the pack housing, the battery module can be supported more firmly and stably. Of course, the efficiency of the assembly process, etc. can also be improved. As a result, the durability of the pack housing itself can be structurally strengthened.

[0026] The present invention also exhibits various other effects, which will be described in each implementation configuration. For effects that can be easily inferred by an ordinary technician, such descriptions will be omitted.

[0027] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further understand the technical idea of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be construed as being limited only to the matters described in the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the battery pack shown in FIG. 1. <0This is a perspective view illustrating the structure of the upper frame according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view illustrating the structure of the upper frame according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a bottom perspective view illustrating the structure of the upper frame according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure illustrates a busbar and a partition according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure shows one embodiment of the convex and concave blocks according to the present invention, which are provided at the lower part of the upper frame. [Figure 8] This diagram illustrates the expanded contact area created by the upper frame, convex block, and concave block. [Figure 9] This figure shows a convex block according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This figure shows a convex block according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This figure shows one embodiment of a side plate for a convex block according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, terms and words used in this specification and in the claims should not be interpreted in a manner limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but rather in a manner and concept appropriate to the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor himself can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe the invention.

[0030] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments and configurations shown in the drawings described herein represent only one of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entirety of the technical concept of the present invention, and that there are various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted for them at the time of this application.

[0031] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of a battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the battery pack 10 shown in Figure 1.

[0032] As illustrated, the battery pack 10 of the present invention may be configured to include a pack housing 200, a battery module 100, an upper frame 300, and a partition wall portion 400 that forms an individual space or partition space DS in which the module is housed.

[0033] The pack housing 200 provides the basic skeletal structure of the battery pack 10, and one or more battery modules 100 are housed in its internal space. Specifically, the pack housing 200 is provided with one or more partition walls 400 having a shape that extends in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction) or the horizontal direction (X-axis direction), as shown in the figure, and in this case, one or more battery modules 100 may be provided in each partition space DS partitioned by the partition walls 400.

[0034] A pack housing 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a lower frame 220 and a side frame 210, and the upper frame 300 of the present invention may be configured to connect with the upper part (relative to the Z axis) of the lower frame 220 and the side frame 210.

[0035] At least one of the upper frame 300, lower frame 220, and side frame 210 may be made of a plate-like structure and may be configured in the form of a polyhedron (for example, a rectangular parallelepiped) having a certain thickness or more.

[0036] The upper frame 300 is located on top of the pack housing 200, and the lower frame 220 may be positioned below the upper frame 300 and separated from it by a predetermined distance. The side frames 210 may be positioned so that their upper and lower ends are connected between the upper frame 300 and the lower frame 220.

[0037] Depending on the embodiment, the lower frame 220 and the side frame 210 may be integrally constructed with each other, and adjacent frames may be joined not only by flange and bolt fastening, but also by laser welding, ultrasonic welding, or other methods.

[0038] One or more of the upper frame 300, lower frame 220, and side frame 210 may have an inner surface made of clad metal, or a flame-retardant material such as GFRP attached to its inner surface.

[0039] One or more of the frames 210, 220, and 300 that make up the pack housing 200 are made of high-strength metal materials such as SUS (stainless steel) or plastic materials such as ABS resin (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer) which have high heat resistance, temperature resistance, and impact resistance, and may be made of different materials depending on the embodiment.

[0040] As illustrated, within the pack housing 200, partition spaces DS may be formed by partition walls 400, each individually housing a battery module 100. These partition spaces DS function as a kind of independent chamber or compartment, physically protecting the individual battery modules 100 and temporarily preventing thermal events generated in one battery module 100 from spreading or transferring to other adjacent battery modules 100.

[0041] As shown in the diagram, it is desirable that the partition space DS formed by the partition wall 400 be located at a position separated inward from one or more side frames 210, with respect to the side frames 210 that constitute the pack housing 200, so that a space P is formed between the side frames 210 and the partition space DS.

[0042] In this configuration, the space P can be used as a vent channel P through which vent gas generated in the battery module 100 is discharged. In this embodiment, as shown in the figure, the vent channel P can be formed in a kind of track shape surrounding the outer periphery of the multiple partitioned spaces DS, so that vent gas generated in each battery module 100 can be effectively guided to be discharged to the outside of the pack housing 200 through an outlet E formed in the side frame 210.

[0043] When a flame is discharged along with the vent gas, it is preferable that the vent channel P, etc., be configured to include a guide or venting rib, such as a bent shape, or a bent member for changing direction, although not shown in the diagram, in order to weaken the flame by disrupting the strong straight-line characteristic of the flame's behavior.

[0044] It is desirable that the partition wall section 400 forming the partitioned space DS be made of a material with high heat resistance and physical rigidity, similar to the frames that make up the pack housing 200.

[0045] As shown in the diagram, a vent hole 421 may be formed in a part of the partition wall 400, which communicates with a vent path (vent channel) P formed by the space between the side frame 210 of the pack housing 200 and the partition space DS.

[0046] When a vent hole 421 is formed in a part of the partition wall 400 in this manner, vent gas generated in the battery module 100 within the compartment space DS is discharged to the outside through the vent hole 421, the vent channel P, and the outlet E.

[0047] The drawing shows an example in which battery modules 100 forming a 2x3 matrix group based on the vertical direction (Y-axis) and horizontal direction (X-axis) are housed in the pack housing 200. However, depending on the spatial characteristics, electrical capacity, and power output of the device to which it is applied, battery modules 100 having various combinations of arrangements, such as 2x4, 2x2, and 4x3 matrix groups, can be provided in the pack housing 200 by partitioned spaces DS.

[0048] The battery module 100 housed in the partitioned space DS may include a module case 110 and a cell assembly (not shown) housed inside the module case 110. The cell assembly consists of n battery cells (where n is a natural number of 1 or more), and the leads of the n battery cells are joined together by a bonding method such as welding or by using conductive material components to form a module terminal, which is an electrical interface electrode for the battery module 100 unit.

[0049] The battery cells assembled by the battery module 100 may be rechargeable batteries, and such rechargeable batteries may be pouch-type cells, cylindrical cells, or prismatic cells.

[0050] Methods for constructing battery modules and the like using multiple battery cells are known technical configurations in this field, but since they are not the core technology of the present invention, a detailed explanation of them will be omitted.

[0051] Multiple battery modules 100 provided in the pack housing 200 are electrically interconnected in parallel, series, or a combination thereof, depending on the appropriate specifications and design requirements for the battery pack 10. The drawing shows an example in which module terminals of the same polarity provided on opposing battery modules 100 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) are interconnected by a busbar 500.

[0052] The illustrated electrical connections by the busbars 500 and the configuration of the battery modules 100 that are electrically connected to each other by the busbars 500 are shown in a somewhat simplified form in order to effectively explain the technical concept of the present invention, and depending on the embodiment, connector structures for connecting the busbars 500 to each other may be included.

[0053] The illustrated axes, the terms used to refer to those axes, and the terms used to describe directions such as top, bottom, front, back, and vertical, which are based on those axes, merely provide relative standards for describing embodiments of the present invention. They do not specify directions or positions based on absolute standards and can change relatively depending on the position of the object in question, the observer's position, the viewing direction, etc.

[0054] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described by defining the Z-axis as up and down or vertical, as described above, and by defining the Y-axis as forward or backward, and the X-axis as left or right, in a corresponding view. According to these defined criteria, the XY plane becomes the horizontal plane in embodiments of the present invention, and the Y-axis direction becomes the longitudinal direction (long axis reference) of the battery pack 10 or battery module 100.

[0055] Figures 3 to 5 illustrate the structure of the upper frame 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 6 illustrates the bus bar 500 and partition wall 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] The upper frame 300 of the present invention, which is joined to the upper part (Z-axis reference) of the pack housing 200, includes a convex block 310 provided at its lower part, which protrudes downward (Z-axis reference) as shown in the figure.

[0057] The convex block 310 is provided on the upper frame 300 by a method in which an independent structure is attached (by joining, welding, fastening by means of fastening means, etc.) to the lower surface of the upper frame 300, as shown in Figure 3, and can be realized by press working or the like so that a predetermined area of ​​the upper frame 300 protrudes downward, as shown in Figure 4. When the convex block 310 is formed by press working or the like, a case (not shown) may be further attached to the upper part of the upper frame 300 in order to enhance physical durability and improve airtightness.

[0058] Depending on the embodiment, a guide lane 330 may be formed at the lower part of the upper frame 300, to which the upper part of the aforementioned partition wall 400 is connected.

[0059] The guide lane 330 may have a groove that extends longitudinally so as to fit with the upper part of the bulkhead 400. When configured in this way, the ease of assembly with the bulkhead 400 is improved, and the structural rigidity of the battery pack 10 itself can be strengthened by physically connecting the structure that vertically supports the inside of the battery pack 10 with the upper frame 300.

[0060] Furthermore, the physical coupling between the guide lane 330 and the partition wall 400 prevents vent gas generated in individual battery modules 100 from being transferred to other adjacent battery modules 100.

[0061] Although not shown in the diagram, it is desirable that the guide lane 330 in the area where the bus bar 500 is located be configured such that a space corresponding to the shape and structure of the bus bar 500 is formed.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, it is desirable that mounting grooves 411 having a depth greater than or equal to the thickness of the busbar 500 be formed in the partition wall portion 400 so that the busbar 500 does not protrude upward.

[0063] The busbar 500 may consist of a first branch 510 and a second branch 520 and a bridge 530 that are electrically connected to the terminals of the battery module 100. Depending on the embodiment, the busbar 500 may be covered by a housing made of a non-conductive material for insulation or the like.

[0064] It is desirable that the bridge 530 of the busbar 500, which is mounted in the mounting groove 411 of the partition wall 400, be configured to connect the first branch 510 and the second branch 520 to each other and to be positioned higher (relative to the Z-axis) than the first branch 510 and the second branch 520, so that a structure corresponding to the mounting groove 411 of the partition wall 400 is realized.

[0065] According to this embodiment of the present invention, when the pack housing 200 is connected to the upper frame 300, steps or gaps can be avoided, and the airtightness of the partition space DS formed by the partition wall 400 can be further improved.

[0066] As described above, when the upper frame 300 is provided with guide lanes 330 that are physically connected to the partition wall 400, it is desirable that multiple convex blocks 310 of the present invention be provided at each position corresponding to the partition space DS formed by the partition wall 400, i.e., the battery module 100.

[0067] When multiple convex blocks 310 with a downward-projecting shape are provided on the upper frame 300 in this manner, these convex blocks 310 function as physical obstructions that block, separate, or disperse the movement of vent gas or flames generated in the battery module 100 and discharged to the outside through the upper space of the battery pack 10. In this process, the force of the vent gas or flames can be considerably reduced or weakened.

[0068] Furthermore, the convex block 310 of the present invention causes vent gases and the like to move in any direction, which can induce collisions or cancellations between the vent gases and the like. Since vortices or eddies are naturally induced in the space between the convex blocks 310, strong flows of vent gases and the like can be delayed or weakened.

[0069] The convex block 310 and other components of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings and other materials.

[0070] Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the convex block 310 and concave block 320 according to the present invention, which are provided at the lower part of the upper frame 300, and Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the expanded contact area by the upper frame 300, the convex block 310 and the concave block 320.

[0071] Depending on the embodiment, in the area of ​​the upper frame 300 where the convex block 310 is not located, a concave block 320 with an upward recessed shape may be provided, as shown in Figure 7.

[0072] When the upper frame 300 is equipped with a concave block 320 in this manner, a portion of the vent gas is confined to the trap space provided by the concave block 320, thereby inducing a disruption in the straight-line movement of the vent gas and a weakening of its momentum.

[0073] Furthermore, when both the convex block 310 and the concave block 320 are provided at the bottom of the upper frame 300, as shown in Figure 8, the height of the upper frame 300 itself, the height h2 of the concave block 320, and the height h1 of the convex block 310 are made equal to each other. This allows for a further expansion of the surface area in contact with the rising vent gas, and thus the temperature reduction due to the increased contact area can be realized more effectively.

[0074] In this embodiment of the present invention, the overall flow of vent gas and other materials moving through the upper space of the battery pack 10 can be subdivided or dispersed into smaller-scale flows. Furthermore, the flow of vent gas and flames can be changed into more hydrodynamically complex forms and characteristics, such as changes in direction, collisions, and vortex induction. By causing these interactions to occur, a reduction in the velocity and weakening of the vent gas and other materials can be more effectively induced.

[0075] Although the drawings show the convex block 310 and concave block 320 in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, depending on the embodiment, it is possible to apply various modifications and combinations of shapes, as well as variations in size, height, depth, number, and distribution.

[0076] Figures 9 and 10 show a convex block 310 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] As shown in the diagram, the convex block 310 of the present invention may have a plurality of through holes 313 formed therein. When through holes 313 are formed in the convex block 310 in this way, it is possible to realize functions such as guiding the main stream of vent gas, etc., to be subdivided or dispersed by the convex block 310, as described above, and also to induce a weakening of the force as part of the vent gas or flame flows into the interior of the convex block 310 and then flows out through the through holes 313.

[0078] Furthermore, if the convex block 310 is provided with through holes 313, the flow flowing in from the through holes 313 and the flow flowing into the interior of the convex block 310 and then flowing out from the through holes 313 can interfere with each other, thereby allowing these flows to cancel each other out. This reduces the discharge velocity of vent gas and the like, and in the process, it is possible to further weaken the force of the vent gas and the like.

[0079] The convex block 310 of the present invention may include a side plate 311 forming the side surface and a lower plate 312 forming the bottom surface, as shown in Figure 9. Depending on the embodiment, the lower plate 312 may be connected only to a portion of the side plate 311 so that a portion of the lower part (relative to the Z axis) of the convex block 310 is open.

[0080] Because vent gases or flames have a strong upward tendency, configuring the shape of the convex block (310) in this way can more effectively restrain a portion of the vent gases or flames. A configuration in which the entire lower part of the convex block 310 is open produces a similar effect.

[0081] When the convex block 310 is realized in a form in which a through hole 313 is formed, or in a form in which part or all of the lower part is open, it functions as a physical obstacle that suppresses the movement of the main flow, and at the same time, it can increase the contact area with vent gas, etc., thereby reducing the temperature of vent gas, etc.

[0082] Furthermore, the convex block 310 according to another embodiment of the present invention may be configured to have a shape that is relatively wider at the bottom (relative to the Z axis) and relatively narrower at the top, as shown in Figure 10.

[0083] According to this embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to more effectively contain and restrain vent gases and the like in accordance with their upward behavior characteristics.

[0084] Furthermore, with this configuration, an additional space is naturally formed between the outer side of the convex block 310 in the diagonal direction and the lower surface of the upper frame 300. Since this additional space has a shape that is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom than the convex block 310, it is difficult for incoming vent gas to flow out, and the space between the convex blocks 310 can also function as a space that restrains vent gas.

[0085] Figure 11 shows an embodiment of the side plate 311 of the convex block 310 according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the side plate 311 of the convex block 310 may be configured to include a fixing portion 311A ​​that is fixed to an upper frame 300 or the like, and a spring portion 311B that is connected to the fixing portion 311A ​​and is elastically displaced when an external force is applied.

[0086] After the vent gas moves upward, it moves almost horizontally (in the XY plane) along the upper frame 300. When the side plates 311 of the convex block 310 are configured to be elastically supported in this manner, a portion of the horizontal component of the moving force is dissipated as a force that elastically displaces the side plates 311, thus weakening the momentum of the vent gas.

[0087] Since the elastic restoring force acts continuously within a range that does not exceed the displacement critical value, the side plate 311 made of metal material continuously applies a force in the opposite direction to the direction in which the vent gas moves, as long as it does not exceed its elastic limit, such as by breaking or fracturing. This reduces the physical forces of the vent gas and other materials.

[0088] Even if a flow occurs in the opposite direction to the illustrated direction, that is, from the inside to the outside of the convex block 310, the elastic restoring force of the spring portion 311B will act, making it possible to weaken the physical force of that flow.

[0089] The drawing shows an embodiment in which a side plate 311 having a fixed portion 311A ​​and a spring portion 311B is provided on only one side of the convex block 310. However, to suppress multidirectional flow such as vent gas, multiple or all sides of the convex block 310 can be embodied as side plates 311 having a fixed portion 311A ​​and a spring portion 311B.

[0090] Furthermore, if the elastic displacement of the spring portion 311B can be induced, the position, size, shape, and number of the fixing portion 311A ​​and the spring portion 311B can be varied in many ways, and the fixing portion 311A ​​and the spring portion 311B can even be integrated as a single metal component.

[0091] The battery pack 10 according to the present invention may further include a battery management system (not shown). The Battery Management System (BMS) is installed in the internal space of the pack housing 200 and may be configured to comprehensively control the charging and discharging operations and data transmission and reception operations of the battery cells or battery module 100.

[0092] Furthermore, the battery pack 10 according to the present invention may further include a battery disconnect unit. The battery disconnect unit (BDU) may be configured to control the electrical connections of the battery cells in order to manage the power capacity and function of the battery pack 10. For this purpose, the battery disconnect unit may include a power relay, a current sensor, a fuse, and the like. The battery disconnect unit may also be provided on a pack-by-pack basis rather than on a module basis, and various disconnect units known at the time of filing of the present invention may be employed.

[0093] In addition, the battery pack 10 according to the present invention may further include various battery pack components known at the time of filing of the present invention. For example, it may further include an MSD (Manual Service Disconnector) that allows an operator to manually disconnect the service plug and shut off the power supply.

[0094] An automobile (not shown) according to the present invention may include the battery pack 10 according to the present invention as described above. Here, the automobile (not shown) according to the present invention may be a predetermined automobile (not shown) that uses electricity as a power source, such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. In addition to the battery pack 10 according to the present invention, the automobile according to the present invention may further include various other components included in the automobile, such as a vehicle body and a motor.

[0095] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited thereto, and that various modifications and variations can be made by persons with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains, within the equivalent scope of the technical concept and claims of the present invention.

[0096] The accompanying drawings and other illustrations for the purpose of describing the present invention and illustrating its embodiments may be shown in a somewhat exaggerated form to emphasize or highlight the technical content of the present invention. However, considering the content described above and the illustrated matters, it is understood that a wide variety of modified application forms can be adopted by someone at the level of an ordinary engineer in this art.

[0097] Furthermore, in describing the present invention, it is self-evident that terms and phrases such as first, second, upper, lower, or top and bottom are merely instrumental conceptual terms and phrases used to relatively distinguish each component from one another, and are not terms or phrases used to indicate a specific order, priority, or anything like that, nor are they terms or phrases used to physically distinguish each component according to an absolute standard. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0098] 10 Battery Packs 100 Battery Modules 110 Module Case 200 Pack Housing 210 Side Frame 220 Lower frame 300 Upper Frame 310 Convex Block 311 Side Plate 311A Fixed part 311B Spring section 312 Lower plate 313 Through hole 320 Concave Blocks 330 guide lanes 400 Bulkhead 411 Mounting groove 421 Benthole 500 Bus Bar 510 1st branch 520 2nd branch 530 Bridge DS partition space E outlet

Claims

1. Pack housing that provides interior space, Multiple battery modules provided in the aforementioned internal space, Multiple convex blocks having a shape that protrudes downward are provided at the bottom, and an upper frame is connected to the top of the pack housing, Includes, The battery pack is characterized in that the upper frame is configured such that in the area where the convex block is not located, a concave block with an upward recessed shape is provided.

2. A pack housing that provides an internal space, Multiple battery modules provided in the aforementioned internal space, Multiple convex blocks having a shape that protrudes downward are provided at the bottom, and an upper frame is connected to the top of the pack housing, Includes, The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that the convex block has a plurality of through holes.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that the convex block has a shape in which part or all of the lower part is open.

4. The battery pack according to claim 3, characterized in that the convex block has a shape that is wider at the bottom and narrower at the top.

5. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that the convex block includes a side plate having a fixing portion fixed to the upper frame and a spring portion extending from the fixing portion and elastically displaced by an external force.

6. The pack housing further includes a partition wall that separates the internal space of the pack housing, The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper frame is provided with a guide lane at its lower end to which the upper part of the partition wall is connected.

7. The battery module is provided in a partitioned space, which is an internal space separated by the partition wall. The battery pack according to claim 6, characterized in that the convex blocks are provided in multiples in the upper frame for each region corresponding to the partitioned space.

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

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