Battery packs and automobiles containing them

Abstract

Provided is a battery pack capable of ensuring bending rigidity, and a vehicle including the same. The battery pack according to the present invention includes a plurality of battery module assemblies, each including a cell array including a plurality of battery cells, and a cell array case that houses the cell array and has a protrusion extending from at least one side thereof; and a mounting part that is disposed between the plurality of battery module assemblies and has a protrusion insertion part into which the protrusion is inserted. According to the present invention, the rigidity of the battery pack during bending can be ensured, thereby ensuring safety and reliability of the battery pack. In addition, the height of the battery pack can be minimized while ensuring the rigidity of the battery pack. In addition, when the battery module assemblies are assembled to the mounting part, they are fixed to each other by being restrained, thereby ensuring ease and stability of assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack and an automobile including the same.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0177489 filed on December 16, 2022, and all the contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the application are incorporated into this application.

[0003] In addition, this application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0073839 filed on June 8, 2023, and all the contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the application are incorporated into this application.

Background Art

[0004] Secondary batteries, which are easily applicable to various products and have electrical characteristics such as high energy density, are widely applied not only to portable devices but also to electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) driven by an electric drive source. Such secondary batteries not only have the primary advantage of significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels but also have the advantage of producing no by-products associated with energy use, and thus are attracting attention as a new energy source for environmental friendliness and energy efficiency improvement.

[0005] Currently widely used types of rechargeable batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. The operating voltage of such a single rechargeable battery cell is approximately 2.5V to 4.5V. Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, multiple batteries are connected in series to form a battery pack. Depending on the required charge and discharge capacity of the battery pack, multiple battery cells may also be connected in parallel to form a battery pack. Therefore, the number of batteries included in the battery pack can be set in various ways depending on the required output voltage or charge and discharge capacity.

[0006] On the other hand, when configuring a battery pack by connecting multiple battery cells in series or parallel, the common method is to first configure a battery module containing at least one battery cell, and then use that at least one battery module to add other components and configure a battery pack or battery rack.

[0007] However, in conventional battery packs, multiple battery cells are housed in module cases to form individual battery modules, and these battery modules are then housed in a pack case to form the battery pack. Therefore, the addition of components such as module cases can be disadvantageous in terms of energy density, ease of assembly, and cooling. For this reason, in recent years, attempts have been made to develop battery packs with a cell-to-pack (CTP) structure.

[0008] In CTP (Computer-to-Plate) battery packs, module cases and other components are omitted, and multiple battery cells are housed within the pack case. In this case, the rigidity of the pack case is extremely important. For example, if the battery pack is bent while housing multiple battery cells, the connected battery cells may separate, potentially causing the battery cells to vent or explode, which is extremely dangerous. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure the bending rigidity of the pack case.

[0009] Conventional battery packs employ a method of installing beams, such as aluminum extruded plates, inside the pack case and fixing the battery cells to them with bolts. However, since bolt fastening is performed only at the upper end of the beam, the fixing between the beam and the battery cells is localized, resulting in insufficient bending rigidity. While it is possible to use separate pack reinforcement materials, increasing the volume and weight of the battery pack is undesirable from the standpoint of energy density, and it is difficult to arbitrarily add pack reinforcement materials within the specified specifications of the battery pack. In particular, it is impossible to add separate pack reinforcement materials in the vertical direction while minimizing the height of the battery pack. Therefore, there is a need for an improved battery pack that can ensure bending rigidity. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] Therefore, the problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a battery pack that can ensure bending rigidity and an automobile including the same.

[0011] However, the technical problems that this invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and other problems not mentioned should be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a battery pack comprising: a plurality of battery module assemblies, each including a cell array containing a plurality of battery cells and a cell array case housing the cell array and having a projection extending from at least one side; and a mounting part disposed between the plurality of battery module assemblies and having a projection insertion part into which the projection is inserted.

[0013] The cell array has length, width, and height, the plurality of battery module assemblies are arranged along the width direction of the cell array, and the mounting portion may extend along the longitudinal direction of the cell array between the plurality of battery module assemblies.

[0014] The projection may be provided protruding from at least one side of the cell array case in the width direction.

[0015] The projection may include a locking portion provided within the projection insertion portion to prevent movement in the longitudinal or widthwise direction.

[0016] The aforementioned projection may have a T-shaped cross-section perpendicular to the height direction of the cell array.

[0017] The projection insertion portion can be formed in a shape corresponding to the projection portion.

[0018] Multiple projections may be provided so as to be spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction.

[0019] The protrusion includes a first protrusion provided on any one of the plurality of battery module assemblies, and a second protrusion provided on another one of the plurality of battery module assemblies adjacent to the one battery module assembly. The first protrusion and the second protrusion may be alternately arranged along the longitudinal direction.

[0020] The first protrusion and the second protrusion may be provided so as to be separated from each other.

[0021] The first protrusion and the second protrusion may be configured to partially overlap in the width direction.

[0022] Each of the first protrusion and the second protrusion includes a leg portion extending in the width direction and having a certain width, and a head portion connected to the leg portion and extending longer than the width in the longitudinal direction. The head portion of the first protrusion and the head portion of the second protrusion may interfere with each other in the longitudinal direction or the width direction when the mounting portion is bent.

[0023] The head portion may extend from one side of the leg portion.

[0024] The head portion may extend from both sides of the leg portion.

[0025] The end portion of the head portion may be formed in a rounded shape.

[0026] The mounting portion may include a first protrusion insertion portion formed on one side for inserting the first protrusion, and a second protrusion insertion portion formed on the other side for inserting the second protrusion.

[0027] The protrusion may be inserted into the protrusion insertion portion in the height direction of the cell array.

[0028] The protrusion and the protrusion insertion portion may be extended in the height direction of the cell array so as to correspond to the height of the cell array case.

[0029] The protruding insertion part may include a locking step that supports the bottom surface of the protruding part while being spaced apart in the height direction of the mounting part.

[0030] The mounting part includes a solid or hollow wall part made of die casting, and at least a part of the outer surface of the wall part of the protruding insertion part may be recessed inward.

[0031] In addition, the present invention provides an automobile including the battery pack according to the present invention.

Advantages of the Invention

[0032] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery pack that can ensure rigidity when the battery pack is bent, and can guarantee the safety and reliability of the battery pack.

[0033] In addition, since the battery module assemblies are assembled to the mounting part and are constrained and fixed to each other, it is possible to ensure the ease and stability of assembly.

[0034] Furthermore, when the battery pack is bent, the load is transmitted, and the rigidity of the battery module assembly can be utilized as the rigidity of the battery pack.

[0035] In addition, it is possible to ensure the rigidity of the battery pack against bending while minimizing the height of the battery pack.

[0036] In addition to these, the present invention can have various other effects, and these will be described in the column of each implementation configuration, or the description will be omitted for effects that can be easily inferred by those skilled in the art.

[0037] 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 explanation of the drawing]

[0038] [Figure 1] This is an overall perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a top view of the main part of the battery pack. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the main part of the battery pack. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack along line A-A' in Figure 1. [Figure 6] This figure illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This figure illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This figure illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This figure illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This figure illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the automobile including the battery pack. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0039] 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 shall not be interpreted in their ordinary or dictionary sense, but rather in the sense and concept corresponding to the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor may appropriately define the concept of terms in order to best describe the invention.

[0040] Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the configurations shown in the drawings represent only one of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the invention. It should be understood that there are various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted for these at the time of filing this application.

[0041] In the figures, the size of each component or specific part of a component is sometimes exaggerated, omitted, or schematically represented for ease of explanation and clarity. Therefore, the size of each component does not fully reflect its actual size. Detailed descriptions of related known functions or configurations are omitted if it is deemed that such descriptions would unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention. For reference, in this specification, terms indicating direction are relative terms based on the components shown in the accompanying drawings and may change depending on the orientation and position of the actual components.

[0042] Figure 1 is an overall perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack of Figure 1.

[0043] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include: a plurality of battery module assemblies 100, each including a cell array 110 containing a plurality of battery cells 111 and a cell array case 120 housing the cell array 110; and a mounting section 300 disposed between the plurality of battery module assemblies 100.

[0044] The battery cell 111 can be any form of secondary battery, such as a rectangular, cylindrical, or pouch-type battery cell, and in this embodiment, the battery cell 111 is a cylindrical battery cell as an example. The plurality of battery cells 111 can be electrically connected to one another. The battery module assembly 100 may include a plurality of cell arrays 110 in which the plurality of battery cells 111 are arranged in columns and rows inside. A plurality of such battery module assemblies 100 may be provided in the battery pack 10.

[0045] The cell array 110 may have a length, width, and height. For example, in Figure 1, the longitudinal direction of the cell array 110 may be defined as the Y direction, the width direction of the cell array 110 as the X direction, and the height direction of the cell array 110 as the Z direction. The cell array 110 and the plurality of battery module assemblies 100, which include a plurality of cell arrays 110, may be arranged along the width direction of the cell array 110.

[0046] On the other hand, referring to Figure 2, in order to maintain the multiple cell arrays 110 together as a single unit, that is, as a single battery module assembly 100, the battery module assembly 100 may include a cell array case 120. The cell array case 120 is made of a plastic resin material and can function as a pack case that supports the battery cells 111, ensures the rigidity of the battery cells 111, and forms the outer side of the battery pack 10, thereby forming the appearance of the battery pack 10.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 1, the cell array case 120 may include an end plate 121 provided on the outside of the battery module assembly 100 along the longitudinal direction, and a main plate 122 provided between the end plates 121, connecting the end plates 121 to each other and partitioning the plurality of cell arrays 110. The main plate 122 may also be provided in a plurality along the width direction of the cell array 110 to form a wall in the width direction of the cell array case 120.

[0048] The cell array case 120 may further include, in addition to the end plate 121 and the main plate 122, a cell housing 123 that supports the lower part of the battery cell 111. This allows the end plate 121 or the main plate 122 to support both sides of the battery cell 111, and the cell housing 123 to support the lower surface of the battery cell 111, thereby preventing the battery cell 111 from detaching from the cell array case 120.

[0049] Alternatively, the cell array case 120 may be provided in a box shape composed of four walls. The cell array case 120 may further include a module frame (not shown) provided above or below the plurality of battery cells 111 to fix the battery cells 111. The module frame may include a module top frame (not shown) that maintains a distance from the battery cells 111 above the plurality of battery cells 111, and a module bottom frame (not shown) on which the plurality of battery cells 111 are placed. Holes may be formed in the module frame into which the plurality of battery cells 111 are inserted.

[0050] Alternatively, the cell array case 120 can be configured to form a single unit by filling the spaces between the multiple cell arrays 110 with an adhesive substance such as resin, and to have a wall on at least one side.

[0051] Thus, the cell array case 120 shown in the drawing is just one example, and the configuration of the cell array case 120 can vary. The cell array case 120 may be similar to a conventional module case, or it may differ from a conventional module case in that the battery pack 10 can be realized as a CTP structure battery pack.

[0052] On the other hand, the battery pack 10 may include a pack bottom plate 200 provided at the bottom of a plurality of battery module assemblies 100 on which the mounting portion 300 is placed. The pack bottom plate 200 may constitute part of the pack case. For example, in this embodiment, the pack bottom plate 200 may be a rectangular plate-shaped bottom surface. Although not shown in the drawings, a vent channel may be formed between the pack bottom plate 200 and the battery module assembly 100 through which high-temperature gas or flame generated when the battery cell 111 is vented flows.

[0053] Furthermore, the battery module assembly 100 may include a cooling member 500 provided between the cell arrays 110 to cool the battery cells 111 when they generate heat. Figures 1 and 2 show that two cell arrays 110 are provided between two main plates 122, and the cooling member 500 is provided between the two cell arrays 110.

[0054] On the other hand, a battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a mounting portion 300 that is positioned between the plurality of battery module assemblies 100 and configured to connect the battery module assemblies 100 to one another.

[0055] The mounting portion 300 may extend along the longitudinal direction of the cell array 110 between the plurality of battery module assemblies 100. This allows the mounting portion 300 to more firmly secure the battery module assemblies 100 that extend in the longitudinal direction inside the battery pack 10. When a plurality of battery module assemblies 100 are arranged, the mounting portion 300 is provided between two adjacent battery module assemblies 100 to complement the rigidity of the pack case and to secure the battery module assemblies 100 inside the battery pack 10.

[0056] Furthermore, in order to reinforce the rigidity of the battery pack 10, the cell array case 120 included in the battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention may be provided with a projection 400 extending from at least one side, and the mounting portion 300 may be provided with a projection insertion portion 320 into which the projection 400 is inserted.

[0057] In this case, the mounting portion 300 is not made by extruding an aluminum plate material as in the conventional battery pack 10, but includes a die-cast solid or hollow wall portion 310, and the projection insertion portion 320 can be recessed inward by at least a part of the outer surface of the wall portion 310. The mounting portion 300 may be made of aluminum material. Aluminum material is preferred because it is lightweight, has good thermal conductivity, and is easy to die-cast.

[0058] The projection 400 may be provided projecting from at least one side of the cell array case 120 toward the width direction of the cell array 110. The projection 400 may be made of a plastic resin material and be integrally manufactured with the cell array case 120 by plastic injection molding. As another example, the projection 400 may also be made of an aluminum material, similar to the mounting portion 300. It is desirable that the mounting portion 300 and the projection 400 be made of similar or identical materials so that assembly tolerances do not change even if thermal or mechanical deformation occurs during use, and so that stress due to deformation does not concentrate in a particular part.

[0059] Multiple projections 400 may be provided along the longitudinal direction of the cell array 110 so as to be spaced apart from each other. The projections 400 may be provided on an end plate 121 facing a mounting portion 300 provided between two battery module assemblies 100, and the mounting portion 300 may be provided between two end plates 121 facing each other in the two battery module assemblies 100.

[0060] Figure 1 shows that there are two battery module assemblies 100, and the projection 400 is provided only on the end plate 121 located between the two battery module assemblies 100. However, the battery module assemblies 100 may be arranged in multiple ways in the width direction or longitudinal direction, and in this case, the projection 400 may also be provided on both sides of the end plate 121 or the main plate 122. This allows the assembly rigidity to be reinforced by the projection 400 and projection insertion portion 320, regardless of the number or direction of extension of the battery module assemblies 100.

[0061] The projection 400 may include a locking portion H provided to prevent the cell array 110 from moving longitudinally or in the widthwise direction within the projection insertion portion 320. This allows the projection 400 to be inserted into and fastened to the projection insertion portion 320 to restrain and fix them together, and the battery module assembly 100 can be connected to the mounting portion 300 and linked to each other simply by inserting the projection 400 into the projection insertion portion 320, thus ensuring ease of assembly. Furthermore, the operation of inserting the projection 400 into the projection insertion portion 320 can be performed simply mechanically, and no special alignment process is required to connect the battery module assembly 100 to the mounting portion 300. The projection insertion portion 320 can function as a guide for inserting the projection 400, thereby further ensuring ease of assembly. Once the projection 400 is inserted into the projection insertion portion 320, the assembly position constraint between the battery module assembly 100 and the mounting portion 300 is maintained, thus ensuring stability.

[0062] Therefore, even if the mounting portion 300 moves in the height direction when the battery pack 10 is bent and the battery module assembly 100 is about to be separated, the locking portion H of the projection 400 prevents the cell array 110 from moving in the longitudinal or width direction, so that the battery module assembly 100 can remain connected.

[0063] For example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the projection 400 may have a T-shaped cross-section perpendicular to the height direction of the cell array 110. In this case, the lateral portion of the T-shape becomes a locking portion H, which can prevent the cell array 110 from moving in the longitudinal or width direction. The projection insertion portion 320 may be formed in a shape corresponding to the projection 400. A detailed explanation of the shape of the projection 400 will be given later.

[0064] Conventional battery packs employ a method in which beams, such as aluminum extruded plates, are installed inside the pack case, and the battery cells are fixed to these beams with bolts. However, because the bolting is performed only at the upper end of the beams, the fixing between the beams and the battery cells is localized, resulting in insufficient bending rigidity. Furthermore, with such conventional battery packs, it is difficult to increase bending rigidity because it is not possible to add additional pack reinforcement in the vertical direction while minimizing the height of the battery pack. However, according to this embodiment, by inserting the projection 400 into the projection insertion part 320 and fastening it, the height of the battery pack 10 can be minimized, the battery module assembly 100 can be fixed as a whole, and bending rigidity can be ensured, thereby ensuring the safety and reliability of the battery pack 10.

[0065] Figure 3 is a top view of the main part of the battery pack in Figure 1, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the main part of the battery pack in Figure 1, and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack in Figure 1 along line A-A'.

[0066] The structure of the projection 400 will be described in detail with further reference to Figures 3 to 5, along with Figures 1 and 2.

[0067] The projection 400 includes a first projection 400a provided on any one of the plurality of battery module assemblies 100, and a second projection 400b provided on another battery module assembly 100 adjacent to any one of the plurality of battery module assemblies 100, wherein the first projection 400a and the second projection 400b may be arranged alternately along the longitudinal direction. That is, since the projections 400 are provided on two adjacent battery module assemblies 100, the connection between the battery module assemblies 100 can be strengthened when the battery pack 10 is bent, further preventing separation.

[0068] In this case, the first projection 400a and the second projection 400b may be arranged alternately along the longitudinal direction and spaced apart from each other. Specifically, the first projection 400a and the second projection 400b may be arranged spaced apart from each other along the width direction or the longitudinal direction.

[0069] Each of the first projection 400a and the second projection 400b may include a leg portion 420 extending in the width direction and having a certain width w, and a head portion 410 connected to the leg portion 420 and extending longer than the width w in the longitudinal direction. That is, by providing the head portion with a length d longer than the width w of the leg portion 420, a locking portion H of the projection 400 is formed, and when the battery pack 10 is bent, the locking portion H is restrained by the projection insertion portion 320, thereby preventing the projection 400 from detaching from the projection insertion portion 320. For example, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, the head portion 410 extends from both sides of the leg portion 420, and the cross-section cut in a direction perpendicular to the height direction may have a T-shape.

[0070] Alternatively, the end of the head portion 410 may be provided so as to bend in the width direction, and the cross-section cut perpendicular to the height direction may have a mountain-like shape. This increases the number of locking portions H, thereby better preventing the battery module assembly 100 from separating when the battery pack 10 is bent.

[0071] In this case, the head 410 of the first projection 400a and the head 410 of the second projection 400b can interfere with each other in the longitudinal or widthwise direction when the mounting portion 300 is bent. That is, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, in one embodiment, the first projection 400a and the second projection 400b are provided so as to partially overlap in the widthwise direction, and the head 410 of the first projection 400a and the head 410 of the second projection 400b can be provided so as to interfere with each other in the widthwise direction. When the battery pack 10 is bent up and down or left and right, the first projection 400a and the second projection 400b can receive a rotational force relative to each other due to such bending force. When the first projection 400a and the second projection 400b are provided so as to interfere with each other, such rotational force can be dispersed and absorbed, so that stress does not concentrate in a part and cause fracture, and as a result, bending rigidity can be ensured.

[0072] On the other hand, the mounting portion 300 may include a first projection insertion portion 320a formed on one side into which the first projection 400a is inserted, and a second projection insertion portion 320b formed on the other side into which the second projection 400b is inserted. The first projection insertion portion 320a and the second projection insertion portion 320b may be formed in a shape corresponding to the first projection 400a and the second projection 400b at the positions where the first projection 400a and the second projection 400b are provided.

[0073] The first projection 400a and the second projection 400b can be formed in various shapes so as to form the locking portion H that can be restrained by the projection insertion portion 320 when the battery pack 10 is bent. Hereinafter, embodiments of the projection 400 and the projection insertion portion 320 in various shapes will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5 and Figures 6 to 8.

[0074] Figures 6 to 10 illustrate other embodiments of the present invention. Figures 6, 8, and 10 are top views of the main parts of battery packs according to various embodiments, respectively, while Figures 7, 9, and 11 are cross-sectional perspective views of the main parts of Figures 6, 8, and 10, respectively.

[0075] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, unlike the projections 400 in Figures 3 to 5, the first projection 400a and the second projection 400b are provided so as to partially overlap only in the longitudinal direction, and the head 410 of the first projection 400a and the head 410 of the second projection 400b may be provided so as to interfere with each other only in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the first projection 400a and the second projection 400b are arranged in a straight line and the projections 400 are symmetrical in the vertical and horizontal directions, making it easier to manufacture the projections 400 and the projection insertion portion 320.

[0076] Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the first projection 401a and the second projection 401b may have an L-shaped cross-section when cut in a direction perpendicular to the height direction. That is, unlike the projection 400 in Figures 3 to 5, where the head 410 extends from both sides of the leg portion 420, the head 410 may extend from one side of the leg portion 420.

[0077] Furthermore, referring to Figures 10 and 11, unlike the projection 400 in Figures 3 to 5 in which the head portion 410 is formed in an angular shape, the first projection 402a and the second projection 402b may have a rounded end to the head portion 410. Thus, as long as the diameter D of the head portion 410 is greater than the width w of the leg portion 420, the projection 400 may have any shape on which the locking portion H can be formed.

[0078] In the embodiments shown in Figures 8 to 11, the spacing between the protrusions 400 is closer than when the protrusions 400 are formed in a T-shape, so more protrusions 400 can be provided on the cell array case 120, thereby further reinforcing the rigidity of the pack case.

[0079] Referring again to Figures 3 to 5, the structure in which the projection 400 is inserted into the projection insertion portion 320 will be described. The projection 400 can be inserted into the projection insertion portion 320 in the height direction of the cell array 110.

[0080] The projection 400 and the projection insertion portion 320 may extend in the height direction of the cell array 110 to correspond to the height of the cell array case 120. In this case, as shown in Figure 2, the projection insertion portion 320 may include a locking step 321 that supports the bottom surface of the projection 400 at a distance from the mounting portion 300 in the height direction. As a result, when the projection 400 is inserted into the projection insertion portion 320, it rests on the locking step 321, so the projection 400 may be provided to protrude more than the projection insertion portion 320 in the height direction.

[0081] By extending the projection 400 and projection insertion portion 320 in the height direction, the load can be transmitted to the cell array case 120 and mounting portion 300 when the battery pack 10 is bent. As a result, the rigidity of the battery module assembly 100 can be used as the rigidity of the battery pack 10. Therefore, the rigidity of the battery pack 10 can be ensured while minimizing the height of the battery pack 10, that is, without adding separate pack reinforcement material in the height direction. In particular, rigidity against bending can be ensured.

[0082] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the automobile including the battery pack shown in Figure 1.

[0083] On the other hand, one embodiment of the present invention provides an automobile 20 characterized by including the battery pack 10 according to the above-described embodiment. That is, the battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is applicable to automobiles such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. For example, the battery pack 10 can be installed in the vehicle body frame under the seats or in the trunk space of the vehicle.

[0084] Through the various embodiments described above, it is possible to provide a battery pack 10 and an automobile 20 including it that can guarantee safety and reliability by ensuring the rigidity of the battery pack 10 when bent.

[0085] For reference, the battery pack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention can of course be applied not only to automobiles but also to energy storage systems (ESS) and various electrical devices. Thus, devices, mechanisms, and equipment equipped with the battery pack 10, such as the automobile 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention, include the aforementioned battery pack 10 and can be realized while having all the advantages of the aforementioned battery pack 10.

[0086] On the other hand, when terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back are used in this specification, these terms are merely for convenience of explanation and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that they can change depending on the position of the object in question, the observer's position, etc.

[0087] 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 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]

[0088] 10 Battery Packs 100 Battery Module Assemblies 110 Cell Array 111 battery cells 120 Cell Array Case 300 Mounting Section 400 Protrusion

Claims

1. A plurality of battery module assemblies, each including a cell array containing a plurality of battery cells, and a cell array case housing the cell array and having a projection extending from at least one side, A mounting portion is provided between the plurality of battery module assemblies and has a projection insertion portion into which the projection is inserted, Includes, The cell array has length, width, and height, The plurality of battery module assemblies are arranged along the width direction of the cell array, The mounting portion extends along the longitudinal direction of the cell array between the plurality of battery module assemblies, The aforementioned protrusion is A first projection is provided on one of the battery module assemblies among the multiple battery module assemblies, A second projection is provided on one of the battery module assemblies among the multiple battery module assemblies, which is adjacent to any one of the battery module assemblies. Includes, The first projection and the second projection are, A leg portion extending in the width direction and having a certain width, A head is connected to the aforementioned leg portion and extends longer than the aforementioned width in the longitudinal direction, Includes, The head is a battery pack extending from one side of the leg portion.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the projection is provided protruding from at least one side surface of the cell array case toward the width direction.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the projection includes a locking portion provided within the projection insertion portion to prevent movement in the longitudinal or widthwise direction.

4. The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein the projection insertion portion is formed in a shape corresponding to the projection portion.

5. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the protrusions are provided so as to be spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein the first projection and the second projection are arranged alternately along the longitudinal direction.

7. The battery pack according to claim 6, wherein the first projection and the second projection are provided to be spaced apart from each other.

8. The battery pack according to claim 7, wherein the first projection and the second projection are provided so as to partially overlap in the width direction.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8, wherein the head of the first projection and the head of the second projection interfere with each other in the longitudinal direction or the width direction when the mounting portion is bent.

10. The aforementioned mounting portion is A first projection insertion portion formed on one side into which the first projection is inserted, A second projection insertion portion formed on the other side into which the second projection is inserted, The battery pack according to claim 6, including the following:

11. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the projection is inserted into the projection insertion portion in the height direction of the cell array.

12. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the projection and projection insertion portion extend in the height direction of the cell array so as to correspond to the height of the cell array case.

13. The battery pack according to claim 12, wherein the projection insertion portion includes a locking step that is spaced apart in the height direction of the mounting portion and supports the bottom surface of the projection.

14. The mounting portion includes a solid or hollow wall made of die-cast material. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the wall portion is recessed inward.

15. An automobile comprising a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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