Battery pack and removal method for battery module

Abstract

A battery pack (10) comprises an accommodation body (200) and a battery module (100) that is accommodated in the accommodation body (200). The battery module (100) has defined therein a left tapped hole (132) and a right tapped hole (134) that overlap at least a portion of the accommodation body (200).

Description

How to remove the battery pack and battery module

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack and a method for removing a battery module.

[0002] In recent years, various battery packs including multiple battery modules have been developed. For example, in a battery module described in Patent Document 1, the battery modules are fixed to a housing. In this battery module, a thermally conductive member is provided between the battery modules and the housing. The thermally conductive member is formed by coating.

[0003] International Publication No. 2017 / 47211

[0004] For example, in the battery pack described in Patent Document 1, the battery module may be removed from the housing. However, simply lifting the battery module from the housing may make it difficult to improve the workability of removing the battery module from the housing. For example, the battery module itself may be relatively heavy. In this case, it may be difficult to lift the battery module. Furthermore, if the battery module and the housing are joined via a thermally conductive member, it may be difficult to peel the battery module from the housing.

[0005] An example of an object of the present invention is to improve the workability of removing a battery module from a housing. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification.

[0006] An aspect of the present invention is as follows. [1] A battery pack comprising: a housing; and a battery module housed in the housing, wherein the battery module defines a tap hole overlapping at least a portion of the housing. [2] The battery pack according to [1], wherein the tap hole is located at least one of a substantially central portion of the battery module in a direction substantially parallel to a direction in which the tap hole penetrates the battery module, and a portion of the battery module offset from the substantially central portion toward a side where the tap hole is located from a side where the at least a portion of the housing is located toward a side where the tap hole is located. [3] The battery pack according to [1], wherein the tap hole is located substantially central portion of the battery module in a direction substantially parallel to a direction in which the tap hole penetrates the battery module. [4] The battery pack according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein at least two of the tap holes are provided in regions of the battery module on opposite sides of each other. [5] The battery pack according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the at least a portion of the housing includes at least a part of a frame surrounding at least a part of the battery module. [6] A method for removing a battery module, comprising: threading a penetrating member into a tapped hole of a battery module housed in a housing; and further threading the penetrating member into the tapped hole while at least a part of the penetrating member and at least a part of the housing overlapping the tapped hole are in contact with each other. [7] The method for removing a battery module according to [6], wherein the tapped hole is located at least one of a substantially central portion of the battery module in a direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the tapped hole penetrates the battery module and a portion of the battery module shifted from the substantially central portion of the battery module toward the side where the tapped hole is located from the side where the at least a portion of the housing is located. [8] The method for removing a battery module according to [6], wherein the tapped hole is located at a substantially central portion of the battery module in a direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the tapped hole penetrates the battery module. [9] The battery module removal method according to any one of [6] to [8], wherein at least two of the tap holes are provided in regions of the battery module opposite to each other.

[10] The method for removing a battery module according to any one of [6] to [9], wherein the at least one portion of the housing has at least a part of a frame surrounding at least a part of the battery module.

[11] The method for removing a battery module according to any one of [6] to

[10] , further comprising the step of pulling up the penetrating member while the penetrating member is threaded into the tapped hole.

[0007] According to the above aspect of the present invention, the workability of removing the battery module from the housing can be improved.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a plan view of a battery pack according to an embodiment with an upper case removed; FIG. 5 is a plan view of a battery module according to an embodiment; FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 3; FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for removing a battery module from a lower case; and FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for removing a battery module from a lower case.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, similar components are designated by similar reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack 10 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the battery pack 10 according to an embodiment with an upper case 220 removed.

[0011] In the embodiment, the battery pack 10 is mounted on an automobile. Specifically, the battery pack 10 is mounted between the front and rear wheels of the automobile. Unless otherwise specified, the following description will be given assuming that the battery pack 10 is mounted on an automobile. However, the battery pack 10 can also be used for purposes other than automobiles.

[0012] For the purpose of explanation, the X, Y, and Z directions are shown in each figure. The X direction indicates the front-to-rear direction of the battery pack 10. The Y direction is perpendicular to the X direction. The Y direction indicates the left-to-right direction of the battery pack 10. The Z direction is perpendicular to both the X and Y directions. The Z direction indicates the up-to-down direction of the battery pack 10. The arrows pointing to the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction indicate the front, left, and up directions of the battery pack 10, respectively. In FIG. 2, the white circle with a black dot indicating the Z direction indicates that the arrow pointing to the Z direction extends from the back of the page to the front. However, the relationship between the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction and the front-to-rear direction, left-to-right direction, and up-to-down direction of the battery pack 10 is not limited to this example.

[0013] In the embodiment, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the battery pack 10 are determined by the vehicle in which the battery pack 10 is mounted. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction respectively indicate the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the vehicle. The arrow pointing to the X direction, the arrow pointing to the Y direction, and the arrow pointing to the Z direction respectively indicate the front, left, and up directions of the vehicle. However, the relationship between the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the battery pack 10 and the front-rear direction, left-right, and up-down directions of the vehicle is not limited to this example.

[0014] Hereinafter, the direction perpendicular to the Z direction will be referred to as the horizontal direction, as necessary.

[0015] The battery pack 10 includes four battery modules 100 and a housing 200. The four battery modules 100 include a pair of battery modules 100 on the left side aligned in the X direction and a pair of battery modules 100 on the right side aligned in the X direction. The housing 200 includes a lower case 210 and an upper case 220. The lower case 210 may generally be referred to as, for example, a tray or a main body. The lower case 210 includes a lower plate 212 and a side frame 214. The upper case 220 may generally be referred to as, for example, a cover or a lid. As will be described later, each battery module 100 includes a plurality of battery cells 102.

[0016] A pair of terminals 104 is provided in front of the side frame 214. The pair of terminals 104 is arranged substantially parallel to each other in the Y direction. The front end of each terminal 104 protrudes forward from the front surface of the side frame 214. In the electrical path, the four battery modules 100 are connected in series between the pair of terminals 104.

[0017] The lower case 210 and the upper case 220 are attached to each other via a sealant 230. The lower case 210, the upper case 220, and the sealant 230 form an accommodation space 250. The accommodation space 250 accommodates four battery modules 100.

[0018] The lower plate 212 defines the bottom of the accommodation space 250. The side frames 214 define the sides of the accommodation space 250. Specifically, when viewed from the Z direction, the side frames 214 are provided along the outermost periphery of the lower plate 212. The upper case 220 defines the top of the accommodation space 250.

[0019] The sealing material 230 is an elastic material such as rubber. When viewed from the Z direction, the sealing material 230 is provided around the entire periphery of the side frame 214. As a result, when viewed from the Z direction, the sealing material 230 surrounds the storage space 250. Therefore, the sealing material 230 can seal the storage space 250 from the space outside the housing 200.

[0020] The number and arrangement of the battery modules 100 are not limited to the examples according to the embodiments. For example, the number of battery modules 100 may be only two, only three, or five or more.

[0021] Fig. 3 is a plan view of the battery module 100 according to the embodiment. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Fig. 3. In Fig. 4, the white circle with an X indicating the X direction indicates that the arrow pointing to the X direction extends from the front to the back of the page.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4 , the battery module 100 includes a cell stack 102G and a housing case 110 .

[0023] The cell stack 102G includes a plurality of battery cells 102. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the plurality of battery cells 102 are stacked substantially parallel to one another in the Y direction. For example, in the cell stack 102G, a plurality of battery cell groups, each including a plurality of battery cells 102 connected in parallel, are connected in series. Alternatively, a plurality of single battery cells 102 may be connected in series.

[0024] The storage case 110 stores the cell stack 102G. The storage case 110 includes a left cover 112, a right cover 114, a lower cover 116, an upper cover 118, a front cover (not shown), and a rear cover (not shown). The left cover 112 covers the left side of the cell stack 102G. The right cover 114 covers the right side of the cell stack 102G. The lower cover 116 covers the bottom surface of the cell stack 102G via thermally conductive adhesive 116a. The upper cover 118 covers the top surface of the cell stack 102G. The front cover (not shown) covers the front surface of the cell stack 102G. The rear cover (not shown) covers the rear surface of the cell stack 102G.

[0025] The lower plate 212 includes an upper cooling plate 212a and a lower cooling plate 212b. The upper cooling plate 212a and the lower cooling plate 212b overlap in the Z direction. A coolant 212c flows in the region between the lower surface of the upper cooling plate 212a and the upper surface of the lower cooling plate 212b. The coolant 212c is a liquid such as water.

[0026] The lower case 210 includes a support frame 216. When viewed from the Z direction, the support frame 216 is an enclosure that surrounds at least a portion of the cell stack 102G. The support frame 216 is provided on the upper surface of the upper cooling plate 212a. Hereinafter, as needed, the portion of the support frame 216 located on the left side of the cell stack 102G will be referred to as a left support portion 216a. Hereinafter, as needed, the portion of the support frame 216 located on the right side of the cell stack 102G will be referred to as a right support portion 216b.

[0027] A left protrusion 122 is provided on the left outer surface of the left cover 112. The left protrusion 122 protrudes toward the left of the left cover 112. The left protrusion 122 is disposed on the upper surface of the left support portion 216a. The left protrusion 122 and the left support portion 216a are fastened to each other by a plurality of left bolts 162. As shown in FIG. 3 , the plurality of left bolts 162 are aligned substantially parallel to each other in the X direction. However, the number and arrangement of the left bolts 162 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 3 . For example, the left protrusion 122 and the left support portion 216a may be fastened to each other by only a single left bolt 162.

[0028] A light protrusion 124 is provided on the right outer surface of the light cover 114. The light protrusion 124 protrudes toward the right of the light cover 114. The light protrusion 124 is disposed on the upper surface of the light support portion 216b. The light protrusion 124 and the light support portion 216b are fastened to each other by a plurality of light bolts 164. As shown in FIG. 3 , the plurality of light bolts 164 are aligned substantially parallel to each other in the X direction. However, the number and arrangement of the light bolts 164 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 3 . For example, the light protrusion 124 and the light support portion 216b may be fastened to each other by only a single light bolt 164.

[0029] The battery module 100 is mounted on the lower plate 212 via a filler 150. The filler 150 is disposed between the lower surface of the lower cover 116 and the upper surface of the upper cooling plate 212a. The filler 150 is compressed in the Z direction by the lower surface of the lower cover 116 and the upper surface of the upper cooling plate 212a.

[0030] In the embodiment, the filler 150 is a thermally conductive adhesive. Therefore, the lower surface of the lower cover 116 and the upper surface of the upper cooling plate 212a are physically bonded via the filler 150. This makes it less likely for the lower cover 116 and the upper cooling plate 212a to shift relative to each other than when the filler 150 is not provided. Furthermore, the lower surface of the lower cover 116 and the upper surface of the upper cooling plate 212a are thermally bonded via the filler 150. This makes it more likely for heat generated in the battery module 100 to escape to the lower case 210 via the thermally conductive adhesive 116a, the lower cover 116, and the filler 150 than when the filler 150 is not provided.

[0031] 5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining an example of a method for removing the battery module 100 from the lower case 210. Hereinafter, the method for removing the battery module 100 from the lower case 210 will be referred to as a method for removing the battery module 100 as necessary. An example of the method for removing the battery module 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 3.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5 , the left protrusion 122 defines a left tap hole 132. The left tap hole 132 penetrates the left protrusion 122 substantially parallel to the Z direction. The left tap hole 132 overlaps with the left support portion 216a in the Z direction. The left protrusion 122 and the left tap hole 132 are located approximately in the center of the battery module 100 in a direction substantially parallel to the Z direction. The right protrusion 124 defines a right tap hole 134. The right tap hole 134 penetrates the right protrusion 124 substantially parallel to the Z direction. The right tap hole 134 overlaps with the right support portion 216b in the Z direction. The left tap hole 132 and the right tap hole 134 are located approximately in the center of the battery module 100 in a direction substantially parallel to the Z direction.

[0033] The approximate center portion of the battery module 100 in a direction approximately parallel to the Z direction refers to a portion of the battery module 100 located at approximately equal distances from the lower surface of the lower cover 116 and the upper surface of the upper cover 118 in the direction approximately parallel to the Z direction. The approximate center portion of the battery module 100 in a direction approximately parallel to the Z direction includes not only the exact center portion of the battery module 100 in the direction approximately parallel to the Z direction, but also a portion that is shifted a predetermined distance in the Z direction from the exact center portion of the battery module 100 in the direction approximately parallel to the Z direction. This predetermined distance is within the range that a person skilled in the art would understand to be able to achieve the intended purpose by the center portion of the battery module 100 in the direction approximately parallel to the Z direction. For example, the approximate center portion of the battery module 100 in the direction approximately parallel to the Z direction may be shifted in the Z direction from the exact center portion of the battery module 100 in the direction approximately parallel to the Z direction by a distance of 10% or less, 7.5% or less, or 5.0% or less of the dimension of the battery module 100 in the Z direction.

[0034] The left eyebolt 172 can be inserted into the left tap hole 132. Specifically, the left eyebolt 172 can be screwed into the left tap hole 132. As described above, the left protrusion 122 and the left tap hole 132 are located approximately in the center of the battery module 100 in a direction approximately parallel to the Z direction. Therefore, compared to a case where the left protrusion 122 and the left tap hole 132 are offset downward from approximately the center of the battery module 100 in a direction approximately parallel to the Z direction, accessibility of the left eyebolt 172 to the left tap hole 132 from above the left protrusion 122 can be improved, and the workability of removing the battery module 100 can be improved. In addition, compared to when the left protrusion 122 and the left tap hole 132 are shifted upward from approximately the center of the battery module 100 in a direction approximately parallel to the Z direction, it is easier to ensure space for routing wiring such as a bus bar and a harness above the left protrusion 122. Therefore, when the left protrusion 122 and the left tap hole 132 are located approximately in the center of the battery module 100 in a direction approximately parallel to the Z direction, it is possible to easily achieve both ease of removal of the battery module 100 and ease of ensuring space for routing wiring.

[0035] A light eyebolt 174 can be inserted into the light tap hole 134. Specifically, the light eyebolt 174 can be screwed into the light tap hole 134. As described above, the light protrusion 124 and the light tap hole 134 are located approximately in the center of the battery module 100 in a direction approximately parallel to the Z direction. Therefore, compared to when the light protrusion 124 and the light tap hole 134 are located below the approximately center of the battery module 100 in a direction approximately parallel to the Z direction, access to the light tap hole 134 of the light eyebolt 174 from above the light protrusion 124 can be improved, thereby improving the workability of removing the battery module 100. In addition, compared to when the light protrusion 124 and the light tap hole 134 are shifted upward from the approximately center of the battery module 100 in a direction approximately parallel to the Z direction, space for routing wiring such as bus bars and harnesses can be more easily secured above the light protrusion 124. Therefore, when the light protrusion 124 and the light tap hole 134 are located approximately in the center of the battery module 100 in a direction approximately parallel to the Z direction, it is possible to easily achieve both the ease of removing the battery module 100 and the ease of securing space for wiring arrangement.

[0036] 5, with the left bolt 162 previously detached from the left protrusion 122 and the left support portion 216a, the left eyebolt 172 is threaded into the left tapped hole 132 from above the left protrusion 122, so that the lower end of the left eyebolt 172 passes through the left tapped hole 132 and comes into contact with the upper surface of the left support portion 216a. Similarly, with the right bolt 164 previously detached from the right protrusion 124 and the right support portion 216b, the right eyebolt 174 is threaded into the right tapped hole 134 from above the right protrusion 124, so that the lower end of the right eyebolt 174 passes through the right tapped hole 134 and comes into contact with the upper surface of the right support portion 216b.

[0037] Next, in the example shown in FIG. 5 , with the lower end of the left eyebolt 172 in contact with the upper surface of the left support portion 216a, the left eyebolt 172 is further screwed into the left tapped hole 132. By further tightening (i.e., screwing) the left eyebolt 172 with the lower end of the left eyebolt 172 in contact with the upper surface of the left support portion 216a, the left protrusion 122 is raised upward relative to the left support portion 216a. In other words, the left tapped hole 132 and the left eyebolt 172 form at least a part of a screw jack that raises the left protrusion 122 upward relative to the left support portion 216a. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 5 , with the lower end of the right eyebolt 174 in contact with the upper surface of the right support portion 216b, the right eyebolt 174 is further screwed into the right tapped hole 134. When the lower end of the light eyebolt 174 is in contact with the upper surface of the light support portion 216b, the light eyebolt 174 is further tightened (i.e., screwed in), causing the light protrusion 124 to lift upward relative to the light support portion 216b. In other words, the light tap hole 134 and the light eyebolt 174 form at least a part of a screw jack that lifts the light protrusion 124 upward relative to the light support portion 216b. This allows the lower surface of the lower cover 116 to be peeled upward from the filler 150.

[0038] In the embodiment, the workability of removing the battery module 100 from the lower case 210 can be improved compared to when the battery module 100 is simply lifted from the lower case 210. Specifically, in the embodiment, the left eye bolt 172 and the right eye bolt 174 can be used to lift the battery module 100 from the lower case 210. Therefore, compared to when the battery module 100 is simply lifted from the lower case 210, the battery module 100 can be more easily lifted from the lower case 210. In particular, in the embodiment, even when the battery module 100 itself is relatively heavy, the battery module 100 can be more easily lifted from the lower case 210 compared to when the battery module 100 is simply lifted from the lower case 210. Furthermore, in the embodiment, even if the lower surface of the lower cover 116 and the upper surface of the upper cooling plate 212a are joined to each other via the filler 150, the left eye bolt 172 and the right eye bolt 174 make it easy to peel the lower surface of the lower cover 116 upward from the filler 150.

[0039] In the embodiment, the left eye bolt 172 and the right eye bolt 174 penetrate the left protrusion 122 and the right protrusion 124 in the Z direction, respectively, via the left tap hole 132 and the right tap hole 134. Therefore, by improving the rigidity of each of the left protrusion 122 and the right protrusion 124, it is possible to reduce the load on the battery cells 102 and the accommodating case 110 when the battery module 100 is lifted by the left eye bolt 172 and the right eye bolt 174 and the battery module 100 is peeled off from the filler 150. Therefore, in the embodiment, it is possible to eliminate the need for reinforcement to reduce the load on the battery cells 102 and the accommodating case 110 when the battery module 100 is lifted by the left eye bolt 172 and the right eye bolt 174 and the battery module 100 is peeled off from the filler 150.

[0040] In the embodiment, when the battery module 100 is lifted using the left eye bolt 172 and the right eye bolt 174, the lower ends of the left eye bolt 172 and the right eye bolt 174 contact the upper surfaces of the left support portion 216a and the right support portion 216b, respectively. If the left support portion 216a and the right support portion 216b are not provided on the lower plate 212 and the lower ends of the left eye bolt 172 and the right eye bolt 174 contact the upper surface of the lower plate 212 to lift the battery module 100, if the thickness of the lower plate 212 in the Z direction is relatively thin, the lower plate 212 may be deformed by the force received from the lower ends of the left eye bolt 172 and the right eye bolt 174. Alternatively, providing a reinforcing member such as a rib on the portion of the upper surface of the lower plate 212 that contacts the lower end of the left eye bolt 172 and the lower end of the right eye bolt 174 in order to prevent deformation of the lower plate 212 may increase the cost of the lower plate 212. In contrast, in the embodiment, even if the thickness of the lower plate 212 in the Z direction is relatively thin, deformation of the lower plate 212 can be suppressed by the force received from the lower end of the left eye bolt 172 and the lower end of the right eye bolt 174 when the battery module 100 is lifted, thereby eliminating the need to provide the above-mentioned reinforcing member on the upper surface of the lower plate 212.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3 , the left protrusion 122 is provided with two left tap holes 132. The right protrusion 124 is provided with two right tap holes 134. That is, the two left tap holes 132 and the two right tap holes 134 are provided in regions of the battery module 100 that are opposite each other in the Y direction. Additionally, the left tap holes 132 and the right tap holes 134 are located at approximately the same height in the Z direction. This configuration makes it easier to remove the battery module 100 from the lower case 210 compared to a configuration in which tap holes are provided in only one region of the battery module 100 in the Y direction or when the left tap holes 132 and the right tap holes 134 are located at different heights in the Z direction. However, the tap holes may be provided in only one region of the battery module 100 in the Y direction. Furthermore, the left tap holes 132 and the right tap holes 134 may be located at different heights in the Z direction.

[0042] The two left tap holes 132 are disposed on opposite sides of the X-direction with respect to the center of the left protrusion 122 in the X-direction. Therefore, compared to when only one left tap hole 132 is provided in the left tap hole 132, it is easier to lift the left protrusion 122 from the left support portion 216a. Similarly, the two right tap holes 134 are disposed on opposite sides of the X-direction with respect to the center of the right protrusion 124 in the X-direction. Therefore, compared to when only one right tap hole 134 is provided in the right tap hole 134, it is easier to lift the right protrusion 124 from the right support portion 216b. However, the left protrusion 122 may be provided with only one left tap hole 132. Similarly, the right protrusion 124 may be provided with only one right tap hole 134.

[0043] In the embodiment, the left eyebolt 172 and the right eyebolt 174 are used as penetrating members that are threaded into the left tap hole 132 and the right tap hole 134 to lift the battery module 100 from the lower case 210. Therefore, compared to when a normal bolt is used, as shown in FIG. 6 , it is easier to hook a lifting member 180 such as a wire onto the rings on the heads of the left eyebolt 172 and the right eyebolt 174. As shown in FIG. 6 , with the left eyebolt 172 and the right eyebolt 174 threaded into the left tap hole 132 and the right tap hole 134, respectively, the battery module 100 can be lifted by pulling up the left eyebolt 172 and the right eyebolt 174 with the lifting member 180. Furthermore, in the embodiment, as described above, the left protrusion 122, the right protrusion 124, the left tap hole 132, and the right tap hole 134 are located approximately in the center of the battery module 100 in a direction that is approximately parallel to the Z direction. Therefore, compared to when the left protrusion 122, the right protrusion 124, the left tap hole 132, and the right tap hole 134 are offset in the Z direction from the approximate center of the battery module 100 in a direction approximately parallel to the Z direction, the lifting member 180 can be hooked on or near the center of gravity of the battery module 100 in the Z direction, allowing the battery module 100 to be stably lifted by the lifting member 180. However, the penetrating members that are threaded into the left tap hole 132 and the right tap hole 134 to lift the battery module 100 from the lower case 210 are not limited to eyebolts and may be, for example, ordinary bolts. Furthermore, the method of attaching the lifting member 180 to the left eyebolt 172 and the right eyebolt 174 is not limited to hooking. Furthermore, the method of lifting the left eyebolt 172 and the right eyebolt 174 is not limited to using the lifting member 180. For example, the left eyebolt 172 and the right eyebolt 174 may be lifted by an operator's hands.

[0044] The left protrusion 122, the right protrusion 124, the left tap hole 132, and the right tap hole 134 may be located not in approximately the center of the battery module 100 in a direction approximately parallel to the Z direction, but in a portion shifted upward from approximately the center of the battery module 100. When the left protrusion 122 and the left tap hole 132 are located in a portion shifted upward from approximately the center of the battery module 100, access to the left tap hole 132 of the left eyebolt 172 from above the left protrusion 122 can be improved, compared to when the left protrusion 122 and the left tap hole 132 are located in a portion shifted downward from approximately the center of the battery module 100, thereby improving the workability of removing the battery module 100. When the light protrusion 124 and the light tap hole 134 are located in a position shifted upward from approximately the center of the battery module 100, access to the light tap hole 134 of the light eye bolt 174 from above the light protrusion 124 can be improved, compared to when the light protrusion 124 and the light tap hole 134 are located in a position shifted downward from approximately the center of the battery module 100, thereby improving the ease of removing the battery module 100.

[0045] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various other configurations can also be adopted.

[0046] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-178020, filed November 7, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0047] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 battery pack, 100 battery module, 102 battery cell, 102G cell stack, 104 terminal, 110 housing case, 112 left cover, 114 right cover, 116 lower cover, 116a thermally conductive adhesive, 118 upper cover, 122 left protrusion, 124 right protrusion, 132 left tap hole, 134 right tap hole, 150 filler, 162 left bolt, 164 right bolt, 172 left eye bolt, 174 right eye bolt, 180 lifting member, 200 housing, 210 lower case, 212 lower plate, 212a upper cooling plate, 212b lower cooling plate, 212c refrigerant, 214 side frame, 216 support frame, 216a left support portion, 216b right support portion, 220 Upper case, 230 Sealing material, 250 Storage space

Claims

1. A battery pack comprising: a housing; and a battery module housed in the housing, the battery module defining a tapped hole that overlaps at least a portion of the housing.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the tap hole is located at least in one of the approximate center of the battery module in a direction approximately parallel to the direction in which the tap hole penetrates the battery module, and in a portion of the battery module offset from the approximate center of the battery module from the side where the at least a portion of the housing is located toward the side where the tap hole is located.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the tap hole is located in the approximate center of the battery module in a direction approximately parallel to the direction in which the tap hole penetrates the battery module.

4. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least two of the tap holes are provided in regions of the battery module opposite each other.

5. A battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said at least a portion of said housing comprises at least a portion of a frame surrounding at least a portion of said battery module.

6. A method for removing a battery module, comprising: a step of screwing a penetrating member into a tapped hole of a battery module housed in a housing; and a step of further screwing the penetrating member into the tapped hole while at least a portion of the penetrating member and at least a portion of the housing that overlaps the tapped hole are in contact with each other.

7. A method for removing a battery module as described in claim 6, wherein the tap hole is located at least in either an approximate center portion of the battery module in a direction approximately parallel to the direction in which the tap hole penetrates the battery module, or in a portion of the battery module that is offset from the approximate center portion toward the side where the tap hole is located, from the side where the at least one portion of the housing is located.

8. The method for removing a battery module according to claim 6, wherein the tap hole is located approximately in the center of the battery module in a direction approximately parallel to the direction in which the tap hole penetrates the battery module.

9. The battery module removal method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein at least two of the tap holes are provided in areas of the battery module opposite each other.

10. The method for removing a battery module according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the at least a portion of the housing comprises at least a portion of a frame surrounding at least a portion of the battery module.

11. The battery module removal method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising the step of pulling up the penetrating member while the penetrating member is threaded into the tapped hole, thereby pulling up the battery module.