Battery pack

Abstract

To provide a battery pack comprising an easily attachable and detachable auxiliary partition wall and capable of suppressing a swelling phenomenon that may occur in a battery module accommodated inside.SOLUTION: A battery pack comprises a pack case including a module area where a cell stack is placed. The pack case includes: a base plate that supports a lower portion of the cell stack; a main partition wall formed to extend across the base plate and perpendicularly coupled to a central portion of the base plate; a side wall perpendicularly coupled along a perimeter of the base plate; and an auxiliary partition wall of which opposite ends are coupled to the main partition wall and the side wall, respectively, and which includes a pair of reinforcement plates coupled to each other. The pair of reinforcement plates includes a plurality of reinforcement ribs formed to protrude and extending in a longitudinal direction of the auxiliary partition wall.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0059860 filed on May 16, 2022, and all the contents disclosed in the document of the Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

Background Art

[0003] Types of secondary batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, nickel zinc batteries, etc. The operating voltage of such a unit secondary battery cell, i.e., a unit battery cell, is about 2.5V to 4.2V. Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, a plurality of battery cells may be connected in series to form a battery pack. Also, depending on the charge and discharge capacity required for the battery pack, a large number of battery cells may be connected in parallel to form a battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack can be variously set according to the required output voltage or charge and discharge capacity.

[0004] For example, when a plurality of battery cells are connected in series and / or in parallel to form a battery pack, first, a battery module composed of a plurality of battery cells is formed.

[0005] FIG. 1 shows a generally used battery module 10 and a pack case 20 included in a battery pack that houses the battery module 10.

[0006] Figure 1(a) shows one form of the battery module 10. Conventional battery modules 10 have end plates 12 attached to the front and rear ends, as shown in the figure, and their sides are enclosed and protected by a module frame 11. In recent years, battery modules 10 in which the module frame 11 is eliminated and the internal cells are exposed have also been used.

[0007] Figure 1(b) shows a pack case 20 in a typical battery pack, which provides space for housing battery modules 10. Each battery module 10 is supported at the bottom by a base plate 21 in the pack case 20 shown in Figure 1(b), within a space partitioned by side walls 22 and partition walls 23, and is electrically connected to other battery modules 10 in series or parallel.

[0008] On the other hand, battery modules contained in a battery pack may experience abnormal phenomena during the charging and discharging process, one example of which is the swelling phenomenon. The swelling phenomenon is a phenomenon in which battery cells expand due to gases generated inside the battery cells. This swelling phenomenon can progress on an individual basis, affecting each battery cell housed in the battery module. In particular, the swelling phenomenon can progress through the central part of the battery module, that is, across the entire module frame. However, since the module frame portion is not a particularly fixed part in each battery module housed in a pack case, if the swelling phenomenon occurs severely, it can affect adjacent battery modules.

[0009] Therefore, a new solution is needed that can minimize deformation of the battery modules even if swelling occurs in each battery module housed in the above-mentioned pack case. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Korean Published Patent No. 10-2018-0113906 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0011] Therefore, the present invention was devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a structure that can reinforce the sides of a battery module housed in a pack case.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention aims to suppress the swelling phenomenon of battery modules housed in a pack case.

[0013] Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood from the following description and will be more clearly evident from the embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be achieved by the means and combinations thereof set forth in the claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The present invention provides a battery pack for housing a battery module including a cell stack in which a plurality of cells are stacked, comprising a pack case including a module area in which the battery module is placed, wherein the pack case comprises a base plate supporting the lower part of the battery module, a main partition extending across the base plate and perpendicularly connected to the center of the base plate, a side wall perpendicularly connected along the periphery of the base plate, and an auxiliary partition having both ends of the auxiliary partition connected to the main partition and the side wall, respectively, and comprising a pair of reinforcing plates connected to each other, wherein the reinforcing plates are a plurality of protruding reinforcing ribs, and include a plurality of reinforcing ribs extending along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing plates.

[0015] The reinforcing ribs described above may be formed at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing plate.

[0016] The reinforcing plate may include curved reinforcing grooves between a pair of reinforcing ribs spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing plate.

[0017] The shape of the reinforcing groove may be the same as the shape of the reinforcing rib so that the reinforcing rib can interlock and be inserted.

[0018] The reinforcing ribs and grooves described above may be formed alternately along the longitudinal direction of the auxiliary partition wall.

[0019] The reinforcing ribs described above may have at least one of the following shapes: trapezoidal or parabolic.

[0020] The reinforcing ribs described above may be formed at predetermined intervals along the height direction of the reinforcing plate.

[0021] The auxiliary partition wall includes a first reinforcing plate with reinforcing ribs formed on one side, and a second reinforcing plate with reinforcing ribs formed on one side facing the first reinforcing plate, wherein the reinforcing ribs included in the first and second reinforcing plates may be formed at corresponding heights.

[0022] The reinforcing plate includes a curved reinforcing groove between a pair of reinforcing ribs spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing plate, and the first reinforcing plate can be coupled such that the reinforcing ribs and reinforcing groove interlock with the reinforcing groove and reinforcing ribs of the second reinforcing plate.

[0023] The first reinforcing plate is coupled to the second reinforcing plate such that each reinforcing rib is inserted into a reinforcing groove of the second reinforcing plate at a corresponding position, and the second reinforcing plate can be coupled to the first reinforcing plate such that each reinforcing rib is inserted into a reinforcing groove of the first reinforcing plate at a corresponding position.

[0024] The reinforcing plate may include through holes drilled so as to vertically penetrate the reinforcing ribs.

[0025] The pack case includes coupling grooves formed at the bottom of the module region corresponding to the positions of the through holes, and the auxiliary partition wall may be coupled to the pack case by bolts that penetrate the through holes and are inserted into the coupling grooves.

[0026] The reinforcing plate further includes reinforcing bars extending vertically through the reinforcing ribs, and the reinforcing bars may include reinforcing holes drilled so as to vertically penetrate.

[0027] The pack case includes coupling grooves formed at the bottom of the module region corresponding to the positions of the reinforcing holes, and the auxiliary partition wall may be coupled to the pack case by bolts that penetrate the reinforcing holes and are inserted into the coupling grooves.

[0028] The reinforcing plate includes auxiliary coupling holes drilled so as to horizontally penetrate both ends, and the side walls and the main partition wall each include auxiliary coupling grooves formed corresponding to the positions of the auxiliary coupling holes of the auxiliary partition wall. The auxiliary partition wall may be coupled to the pack case by bolts that penetrate the auxiliary coupling holes and are inserted into the auxiliary coupling grooves.

Advantages of the Invention

[0029] According to the present invention, the swelling phenomenon of the battery module accommodated in the pack case can be effectively suppressed.

[0030] Also, the present invention can partition the battery module accommodated in the pack case and improve the assembly efficiency of the pack case by using a structure that can be freely detached from the pack case.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031] [Figure 1] It shows a conventional battery module and a pack case. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of a pack case included in a battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows the battery module housed in the pack case. [Figure 4] This shows a pack case with the auxiliary bulkhead detached. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of an auxiliary partition wall included in a battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This shows a pair of separated reinforcing plates. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is a plan view of the pair of reinforcing plates shown. [Figure 8] This shows an auxiliary bulkhead to which the first and second reinforcing plates are joined. [Figure 9] This shows that bolts have been inserted into the through-hole and auxiliary connecting holes, respectively. [Figure 10] This figure shows a pack case included in a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and a battery module housed in the pack case. [Figure 11] This shows a pair of reinforcing plates that constitute an auxiliary bulkhead included in a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This shows an auxiliary bulkhead to which the first and second reinforcing plates are joined. [Figure 13] This shows that bolts have been inserted into the reinforcing holes and auxiliary connecting holes, respectively. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Before that, however, the terms and words used herein and in the claims should not be interpreted in a manner limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but rather in a manner consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention, based on the principle that an inventor may appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe his own invention.

[0033] Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the configurations illustrated 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 present invention. It should be understood that there are various equivalents and modifications that can substitute for them at the time of filing.

[0034] Furthermore, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a specific description of a related known configuration or function would likely obscure the gist of the invention, such detailed description will be omitted.

[0035] Since embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the invention to an ordinary person, the shapes and sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or illustrated schematically for the sake of clarity. Accordingly, the sizes and proportions of each component do not fully reflect their actual sizes and proportions.

[0036] The present invention relates to a battery pack that houses a battery module including a cell stack in which multiple cells are stacked.

[0037] The battery module housed in the battery pack of the present invention may consist of a cell stack and end plates attached to the front and rear of the cell stack, respectively, or may further include a module frame surrounding the sides and top and bottom surfaces of the cell stack.

[0038] The battery pack of the present invention includes a pack case that includes a module area in which a battery module is placed.

[0039] Figures 2 to 9 relate to a battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figures 10 to 13 relate to a battery pack according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] The following describes each embodiment with reference to the drawings.

[0041] (First Embodiment) Figure 2 is a perspective view of a pack case 200 included in a battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 shows the state in which the battery module 100 is housed in the pack case 200 of Figure 2.

[0042] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the above-mentioned pack case 200 is composed of a base plate 210, a main partition wall 220, a side wall 230, and an auxiliary partition wall 240.

[0043] The auxiliary partition wall 240 of the present invention is detachably installed on the base plate 210 and side wall 230 of the pack case 200.

[0044] Figure 4 shows the pack case 200 with the auxiliary bulkhead 240 detached.

[0045] According to Figures 2 to 4, the base plate 210 corresponds to the bottom of the pack case 200 and serves to support the lower part of the battery module 100 which is fixed to the top.

[0046] A coupling groove 210h may be formed in the base plate 210 so that a bolt B can be inserted and screw-connected.

[0047] The main partition wall 220 is formed to extend across the base plate 210 and is perpendicularly connected to the center of the base plate 210.

[0048] The battery modules 100, which are fixed to both sides of the main bulkhead 220, are symmetrical with respect to the main bulkhead 220.

[0049] The main partition wall 220 serves to divide the internal space of the pack case 200 into two large areas, and also serves to protect the various wires used inside the pack case 200 by inserting them into it.

[0050] The side wall 230 is perpendicularly connected along the periphery of the base plate 210 and serves to surround and protect the outer surface of the battery module 100 located on the base plate 210.

[0051] Auxiliary connecting grooves 220h and 230h may be formed in the main bulkhead 220 and side wall 230 so that bolts B can be inserted and screw-connected.

[0052] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an auxiliary partition wall 240 included in a battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] As shown in Figure 2, the auxiliary bulkhead 240 is connected at both ends to the main bulkhead 220 and the side wall 230, respectively.

[0054] The auxiliary bulkheads 240 are installed on both sides of the main bulkhead 220 at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction d of the main bulkhead 220, and one of the auxiliary bulkheads 240 is adjacent to two module areas A on both sides.

[0055] The spacing between the auxiliary bulkheads 240 is preferably approximately the same as the width of the battery module 100 used. That is, it is preferable that the battery module 100 housed in the module area A is inserted so that both sides are in close contact with the auxiliary bulkheads 240. Therefore, the battery module 100 inserted into the module area A can be supported on both sides by the auxiliary bulkheads 240.

[0056] As shown in Figure 5, the auxiliary partition wall 240 is composed of a pair of reinforcing plates 241 connected to each other, and the pair of reinforcing plates 241 are shaped to interlock on one side facing each other.

[0057] Specifically, the reinforcing plate 241 is characterized by having a plurality of reinforcing ribs 2411 that protrude from one side and extend along the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241, and each of the reinforcing ribs 2411 interlocks with the reinforcing ribs 2411 of the opposing reinforcing plate 241, thereby joining a pair of reinforcing plates 241 to form an auxiliary partition wall 240.

[0058] Figure 6 shows a pair of separated reinforcing plates 241.

[0059] The reinforcing rib 2411 may preferably have a trapezoidal shape with inclined surfaces on both sides, or it may have a parabolic shape (not shown).

[0060] Referring to Figure 6, the reinforcing ribs 2411 are formed at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241.

[0061] The reinforcing plate 241 includes reinforcing grooves 2412 formed in a curved shape by the inclined surface of the reinforcing ribs 2411 between each reinforcing rib 2411 arranged adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction d. In this case, it is preferable that the reinforcing grooves 2412 have the same shape as the reinforcing ribs 2411 so that the reinforcing ribs 2411 can interlock and be inserted. For example, if the reinforcing ribs 2411 are trapezoidal in shape, then the reinforcing grooves 2412 will also be trapezoidal in shape.

[0062] The reinforcing ribs 2411 and reinforcing grooves 2412 are preferably formed alternately with respect to each other along the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241.

[0063] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the reinforcing ribs 2411 are formed at predetermined intervals along the height direction d2 of the reinforcing plate 241.

[0064] Figure 7 is a plan view of the pair of reinforcing plates 241 shown in Figure 6.

[0065] As shown in Figure 7, the auxiliary partition wall 240 of the present invention includes a first reinforcing plate 241a located on one side and a second reinforcing plate 241b located opposite the first reinforcing plate 241a.

[0066] The reinforcing ribs 2411 formed on the first reinforcing plate 241a and the second reinforcing plate 241b are formed at heights symmetrical to each other with respect to the height direction d2 of the reinforcing plate 241, but are formed at offset positions with respect to the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241. For example, the reinforcing rib 241a1 of the first reinforcing plate 241a and the reinforcing groove 2412 of the second reinforcing plate 241b are located opposite each other. Therefore, in the auxiliary partition wall 240 of the present invention formed by joining the first reinforcing plate 241a and the second reinforcing plate 241b, the reinforcing rib 241a1 and reinforcing groove 2412 of the first reinforcing plate 241a interlock with the reinforcing groove 2412 and reinforcing rib 241b1 of the second reinforcing plate 241b.

[0067] Figure 8 shows an auxiliary partition wall 240 to which a first reinforcing plate 241a and a second reinforcing plate 241b are joined. According to Figure 8, the first reinforcing plate 241a is joined to the second reinforcing plate 241b such that each reinforcing rib 241a1 is inserted into the reinforcing groove 2412 of the second reinforcing plate 241b at a corresponding position, and the second reinforcing plate 241b is joined to the first reinforcing plate 241a such that each reinforcing rib 241b1 is inserted into the reinforcing groove 2412 of the first reinforcing plate 241a at a corresponding position.

[0068] In this case, each reinforcing rib 2411, which is joined to each other with an offset from one another, forms a strip-like shape extending along the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241. That is, each reinforcing rib 2411, which interlocks in a symmetrical shape with respect to each other, is in contact with each other so that their inclined surfaces coincide and form a single strip-like shape. Therefore, a single auxiliary partition wall 240 can have multiple strips formed by the joining of reinforcing ribs 2411 along the height direction d2 of the reinforcing plate 241.

[0069] With the structure described above, each battery module 100 housed in the battery pack of the present invention, as shown in Figure 3, can be firmly supported on its sides by the single strip-shaped reinforcing rib 2411.

[0070] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the reinforcing plate 241 included in the battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes through holes 2411h that are drilled to penetrate vertically through the reinforcing ribs 2411.

[0071] The through-holes 2411h described above are formed at the same position in each reinforcing rib 2411. For example, each through-hole 2411h included in each reinforcing rib 2411 formed along the height direction d2 of the reinforcing plate 241 at the same position with respect to the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241 is formed at a corresponding position to one another.

[0072] A bolt B can be inserted into each through-hole 2411h formed at the same position with respect to the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241, and the reinforcing plate 241 can be screw-connected to the bolt B inserted into the through-hole 2411h.

[0073] The battery module 100 housed in module region A of the battery pack of the present invention may be primarily supported on its sides by a reinforcing plate 241 included in the auxiliary bulkhead 240, and may be triple-supported on its sides by reinforcing ribs 2411 formed on the reinforcing plate 241 and bolts B inserted into the through holes 2411h of the reinforcing ribs 2411.

[0074] As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the reinforcing plate 241 includes protruding portions 243 at both ends thereof, and includes auxiliary connecting holes 243h drilled so as to penetrate horizontally through the protruding portions 243.

[0075] A bolt B can be inserted into the auxiliary connecting hole 243h, and the reinforcing plate 241 can be screw-connected to the bolt B inserted into the auxiliary connecting hole 243h.

[0076] Figure 9 shows that bolts B have been inserted into the through-hole 2411h and auxiliary connecting hole 243h of one of the reinforcing plates 241. (However, for convenience, the specific structure of bolts B, such as the threads, has been omitted from the illustration.)

[0077] Referring to Figure 9, a single bolt B is inserted into and connected to the through-hole 2411h of each reinforcing rib 2411, which is formed at the same position in the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241.

[0078] Furthermore, bolts B are inserted and connected horizontally into auxiliary connecting holes 243h formed at the end of the reinforcing plate 241.

[0079] The battery module 100 of the present invention can be fixed to the pack case 200 included in the battery pack by bolts B that are inserted into and connected to the through-holes 2411h and auxiliary coupling holes 243h.

[0080] Specifically, the auxiliary bulkhead 240 can be fixedly connected to the base plate 210 by bolts B that penetrate vertically through the through holes 2411h and are inserted into the connecting grooves 210h of the base plate 210. The bolts B can be inserted into and connected to each of the multiple through holes 2411h formed at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241.

[0081] The bolts B inserted into the through-holes 2411h ensure that the pair of reinforcing plates 241 constituting the auxiliary bulkhead 240 are fixed to the base plate 210. Therefore, even if gas is generated inside the battery module 100 housed in module region A between the auxiliary bulkheads 240, the bolts B positioned perpendicularly along the side of the battery module 100 and the auxiliary bulkheads 240 connected to the base plate 210 by the bolts B can suppress the swelling phenomenon in which the battery module 100 expands.

[0082] The auxiliary bulkhead 240 can be installed such that the auxiliary coupling holes 243h of each reinforcing plate 241 correspond to the auxiliary coupling grooves 220h, 230h of the side wall 230 and the main bulkhead 220. In this case, the auxiliary bulkhead 240 can be fixedly coupled to the side wall 230 and the main bulkhead 220 by bolts B that pass horizontally through the auxiliary coupling holes 243h and are inserted into the auxiliary coupling grooves 220h, 230h. Therefore, the auxiliary bulkhead 240 installed inside the pack case 200 can be fixedly coupled not only to the base plate 210 but also to the side wall 230 and the main bulkhead 220 to support the battery module 100.

[0083] The battery pack of the present invention may further include an upper cover (not shown) that is coupled to the pack case 200 so as to cover the upper part of each battery module 100 housed in the module area A of the pack case 200.

[0084] Since the above-mentioned upper cover falls under publicly known technology, a more detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0085] (Second Embodiment) Figure 10 shows a pack case 200 included in a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and a battery module 100 housed in the pack case 200.

[0086] The battery pack according to the second embodiment of the present invention differs from the battery pack according to the first embodiment in the structure of the auxiliary bulkhead 240. Therefore, the configuration of the base plate 210, the main bulkhead 220, and the side wall 230 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0087] Figure 11 shows a pair of reinforcing plates 241 that constitute an auxiliary partition wall 240 included in a battery pack according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0088] The auxiliary partition wall 240 has a structure in which the pair of reinforcing plates 241 arranged above are joined together.

[0089] The auxiliary bulkhead 240 described above is connected at both ends to the main bulkhead 220 and the side wall 230, respectively, similar to the auxiliary bulkhead 240 of the battery pack according to the first embodiment.

[0090] As shown in Figure 11, the auxiliary partition wall 240 is composed of a pair of reinforcing plates 241, and the pair of reinforcing plates 241 are shaped to interlock on one side of each other.

[0091] Specifically, the reinforcing plate 241 is characterized by having a plurality of reinforcing ribs 2411 that protrude from one side and extend along the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241, and each of the reinforcing ribs 2411 interlocks with the reinforcing ribs 2411 of the opposing reinforcing plate 241, thereby joining a pair of reinforcing plates 241 to form an auxiliary partition wall 240.

[0092] The reinforcing rib 2411 may preferably have a trapezoidal shape with inclined surfaces on both sides, or it may have a parabolic shape (not shown).

[0093] Referring to Figure 11, the reinforcing ribs 2411 are formed at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241.

[0094] The reinforcing plate 241 includes reinforcing grooves 2412 formed in a curved shape by the inclined surface of the reinforcing ribs 2411 between each reinforcing rib 2411 arranged adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction d. In this case, it is preferable that the reinforcing grooves 2412 have the same shape as the reinforcing ribs 2411 so that the reinforcing ribs 2411 can interlock and be inserted. For example, if the reinforcing ribs 2411 are trapezoidal in shape, then the reinforcing grooves 2412 will also be trapezoidal in shape.

[0095] The reinforcing ribs 2411 and reinforcing grooves 2412 are preferably formed alternately with respect to each other along the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241.

[0096] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, the reinforcing ribs 2411 are formed at predetermined intervals along the height direction d2 of the reinforcing plate 241.

[0097] The reinforcing plate 241 constituting the auxiliary partition wall 240 includes a first reinforcing plate 241a located on one side and a second reinforcing plate 241b facing the first reinforcing plate 241a and connected to the first reinforcing plate 241a.

[0098] The reinforcing ribs 2411 formed on the first reinforcing plate 241a and the second reinforcing plate 241b are formed at heights symmetrical to each other with respect to the height direction d2 of the reinforcing plate 241, but are formed at offset positions with respect to the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241. For example, the reinforcing rib 241a1 of the first reinforcing plate 241a and the reinforcing groove 2412 of the second reinforcing plate 241b are in positions symmetrical to each other.

[0099] The auxiliary bulkhead 240 included in the battery pack according to the second embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it further includes a reinforcing bar 242 that extends perpendicularly through the reinforcing rib 2411, as shown in Figure 11.

[0100] The reinforcing bar 242 is formed on the reinforcing plate 241 at a predetermined distance from the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241. Preferably, the reinforcing bar 242 is formed at the same position as the reinforcing rib 2411.

[0101] The reinforcing bar 242 includes vertically drilled reinforcing holes 242h.

[0102] A bolt B may be inserted into the reinforcing hole 242h of the reinforcing bar 242, and the reinforcing plate 241 may be screw-connected to the bolt B inserted into the reinforcing hole 242h. Thus, each battery module 100 housed in the battery pack of the present invention may be primarily supported by the reinforcing plate 241 and quadruple-supported by the reinforcing rib 2411 formed on the reinforcing plate 241, the vertically extending reinforcing bar 242, and the bolt B inserted into the reinforcing hole 242h of the reinforcing bar 242.

[0103] Figure 12 shows an auxiliary bulkhead 240 to which a first reinforcing plate 241a and a second reinforcing plate 241b are joined. According to Figure 12, the first reinforcing plate 241a is joined to the second reinforcing plate 241b such that each reinforcing rib 241a1 is inserted into the reinforcing groove 2412 of the second reinforcing plate 241b at the corresponding position, and the second reinforcing plate 241b is joined to the first reinforcing plate 241a such that each reinforcing rib 241b1 is inserted into the reinforcing groove 2412 of the second reinforcing plate 241b at the corresponding position.

[0104] In this case, each reinforcing rib 2411, which is joined to each other with an offset from one another, forms a strip-like shape extending along the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241. That is, each reinforcing rib 2411, which interlocks in a symmetrical shape with respect to each other, is in contact with each other so that their inclined surfaces coincide and form a single strip-like shape. Therefore, a single auxiliary partition wall 240 can have multiple strips formed by the joining of reinforcing ribs 2411 along the height direction d2 of the reinforcing plate 241.

[0105] With the structure described above, each battery module 100 housed in the battery pack of the present invention can be firmly supported by the reinforcing bars 242 formed perpendicularly to the multiple strip-shaped reinforcing ribs 2411 along the longitudinal direction d of each strip-shaped reinforcing rib 2411 and the reinforcing plate 241, intersecting the strip-shaped reinforcing ribs 2411.

[0106] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the reinforcing plate 241 includes projections 243 that protrude upward at both ends, and includes auxiliary connecting holes 243h that are drilled so as to penetrate horizontally through the projections 243.

[0107] A bolt B can be inserted into the auxiliary connecting hole 243h, and the reinforcing plate 241 can be screw-connected to the bolt B inserted into the auxiliary connecting hole 243h.

[0108] Figure 13 shows that bolt B has been inserted into the reinforcing hole 242h and the auxiliary connecting hole 243h of one of the reinforcing plates 241. (However, for convenience, the specific structure of bolt B, such as the threads, has been omitted from the illustration.)

[0109] Referring to Figure 13, one bolt B is inserted into and connected to the reinforcing hole 242h of each reinforcing bar 242, which is formed at the same position in the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241.

[0110] Furthermore, bolts B are inserted and connected horizontally into auxiliary connecting holes 243h formed at the end of the reinforcing plate 241.

[0111] The battery module 100 of the present invention can be fixed to the pack case 200 included in the battery pack by bolts B that are inserted into and connected to the reinforcing holes 242h and auxiliary coupling holes 243h.

[0112] Specifically, the auxiliary partition wall 240 can be fixedly connected to the base plate 210 by bolts B that penetrate vertically through the reinforcing holes 242h and are inserted into the connecting grooves 210h of the base plate 210. The bolts B can be inserted into and connected to each of the multiple reinforcing holes 242h that are formed at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction d of the reinforcing plate 241.

[0113] The bolts B inserted into the reinforcing holes 242h ensure that the pair of reinforcing plates 241 constituting the auxiliary bulkhead 240 are fixed to the base plate 210. Therefore, even if gas is generated inside the battery module 100 housed in module region A between the auxiliary bulkheads 240, the swelling phenomenon of the battery module 100 can be suppressed by the bolts B positioned vertically along the side of the battery module 100 and the auxiliary bulkheads 240 connected to the base plate 210 by the bolts B.

[0114] The auxiliary bulkhead 240 can be installed such that the auxiliary coupling holes 243h of each reinforcing plate 241 correspond to the auxiliary coupling grooves 220h, 230h of the side wall 230 and the main bulkhead 220. In this case, the auxiliary bulkhead 240 can be fixedly coupled to the side wall 230 and the main bulkhead 220 by bolts B that pass horizontally through the auxiliary coupling holes 243h and are inserted into the auxiliary coupling grooves 220h, 230h. Therefore, the auxiliary bulkhead 240 installed inside the pack case 200 can be fixedly coupled not only to the base plate 210 but also to the side wall 230 and the main bulkhead 220 to support the battery module 100.

[0115] The battery pack of the present invention may further include an upper cover (not shown) that is coupled to the pack case 200 so as to cover the upper part of each battery module 100 housed in the module area A of the pack case 200.

[0116] Since the above-mentioned upper cover falls under publicly known technology, a more detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0117] The present invention has been described in more detail above with reference to the drawings and embodiments. However, the configurations described in the drawings or embodiments described herein are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the present invention. It should be understood that there are various equivalents and modifications that can substitute for them at the time of filing this application. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0118] 10: (Conventional Technology) Battery Module 11: (Conventional Technology) Module Frame 12: (Conventional Technology) End Plate 20: (Conventional technology) Pack case 21: (Conventional Technology) Base Plate 22: (Conventional technology) Side wall 23: (Conventional technology) Partition wall 100: Battery Module 200: Pack Case 210: Base plate 210h: Binding groove 220: Main bulkhead 230: Side wall 220h, 230h: Auxiliary coupling groove 240: Auxiliary bulkhead 241: Reinforcement plate 241a: 1st reinforcement plate 241a1: Reinforcement ribs of the first reinforcement plate 241b: 2nd reinforcement plate 241b1: Reinforcement ribs of the second reinforcement plate 2411: Reinforcement Rib 2411h: Through hole 2412: Reinforcement groove 242: Reinforcement bar 242h: Reinforcement Hole 243:Protrusion 243h: Auxiliary bonding hole A: Module area B: Bolt d: Longitudinal direction of the reinforcing plate d2: Height direction of the reinforcing plate

Claims

1. A battery pack housing a battery module, Includes a pack case that includes a module area in which the battery module is placed, The aforementioned pack case is A base plate supporting the aforementioned battery module, A main partition wall is formed extending across the base plate and is perpendicularly connected to the center of the base plate, A side wall is perpendicularly connected along the periphery of the base plate, An auxiliary bulkhead having both ends connected to the main bulkhead and side wall, and including a pair of reinforcing plates connected to each other, A battery pack comprising a plurality of reinforcing ribs, the reinforcing plate having a plurality of protruding reinforcing ribs, the plurality of reinforcing ribs extending along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing plate.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing ribs are formed at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing plate.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the reinforcing plate includes a curved reinforcing groove between a pair of reinforcing ribs spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing plate.

4. The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein the shape of the reinforcing groove is the same as the shape of the reinforcing rib so that the reinforcing rib can interlock and be inserted.

5. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the reinforcing ribs and reinforcing grooves are formed alternately with respect to each other along the longitudinal direction of the auxiliary partition wall.

6. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing rib has at least one shape from a trapezoidal shape and a parabolic shape.

7. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the reinforcing ribs are formed at predetermined intervals along the height direction of the reinforcing plate.

8. The auxiliary partition wall comprises a first reinforcing plate having reinforcing ribs formed on one side, A second reinforcing plate having reinforcing ribs formed on one side facing the first reinforcing plate, Includes, The battery pack according to claim 7, wherein each reinforcing rib included in the first reinforcing plate and the second reinforcing plate is formed to a height corresponding to one another.

9. The reinforcing plate includes a curved reinforcing groove between a pair of reinforcing ribs spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing plate, The battery pack according to claim 8, wherein the first reinforcing plate is coupled such that the reinforcing ribs and grooves of the first reinforcing plate interlock with the reinforcing grooves and ribs of the second reinforcing plate.

10. The first reinforcing plate is coupled to the second reinforcing plate such that each reinforcing rib is inserted into a reinforcing groove of the second reinforcing plate at a corresponding position. The battery pack according to claim 8, wherein the second reinforcing plate is coupled to the first reinforcing plate such that each reinforcing rib is inserted into a reinforcing groove of the first reinforcing plate at a corresponding position.

11. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing plate includes through holes drilled so as to penetrate perpendicularly through the reinforcing ribs.

12. The pack case includes a coupling groove formed at the bottom of the module region corresponding to the position of the through hole, The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein the auxiliary bulkhead is connected to the pack case by bolts that pass through the through-holes and are inserted into the coupling grooves.

13. The reinforcing plate further includes reinforcing bars that are formed to extend perpendicularly through the reinforcing ribs, The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing bar includes reinforcing holes drilled to penetrate vertically.

14. The pack case includes coupling grooves formed at the bottom of the module region corresponding to the positions of the reinforcing holes, The battery pack according to claim 13, wherein the auxiliary bulkhead is connected to the pack case by bolts that pass through the reinforcing holes and are inserted into the coupling grooves.

15. The reinforcing plate includes auxiliary connecting holes drilled horizontally through both ends thereof, The side wall and the main partition wall each include an auxiliary coupling groove formed to correspond to the position of the auxiliary coupling hole of the auxiliary partition wall, The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary bulkhead is connected to the pack case by a bolt inserted into the auxiliary coupling groove through the auxiliary coupling hole.

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