Battery pack

Abstract

The technical idea of the present invention provides a battery pack comprising: a battery assembly including a cell block including a plurality of battery cells, and a first cover plate covering a first surface of the cell block; and a pack housing which accommodates the battery assembly and includes a first housing plate facing the first cover plate of the battery assembly, wherein the first housing plate includes a first flat portion and a first protrusion protruding from the first flat portion in a direction away from the cell block, and the first cover plate includes a second flat portion vertically overlapping the first protrusion of the first housing plate, a second protrusion protruding from the second flat portion in a direction away from the cell block, and a cooling channel defined by the second protrusion.

Description

battery pack

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

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority from Republic of Korea Patent Application No. 10-2023-0126175, filed September 21, 2023, and all contents of the document in that Republic of Korea Patent Application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. They are widely used as a power source for various wireless devices, including handsets, laptops, and cordless vacuum cleaners. Recently, improved energy density and economies of scale have dramatically reduced the per-unit manufacturing cost of secondary batteries. Furthermore, as the range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has increased to match that of fuel-powered vehicles, the primary use of secondary batteries is shifting from mobile devices to mobility.

[0004] As secondary batteries become increasingly used in mobility, demand for their safety is increasing. Fires and other accidents involving secondary batteries used in mobility vehicles can endanger the lives of drivers, making research into technologies that enhance secondary battery safety essential.

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery pack with improved safety.

[0006] In order to solve the above-described problem, the technical idea of ​​the present invention provides a battery pack including a battery assembly including a cell block including a plurality of battery cells and a first cover plate covering a first surface of the cell block; and a pack housing accommodating the battery assembly, the pack housing including a first housing plate facing the first cover plate of the battery assembly; wherein the first housing plate includes a first flat portion and a first protrusion protruding from the first flat portion in a direction away from the cell block, and the first cover plate includes a second flat portion vertically overlapping the first protrusion of the first housing plate, a second protrusion protruding from the second flat portion in a direction away from the cell block, and a cooling channel defined by the second protrusion.

[0007] In exemplary embodiments, the distance between the first flat portion of the first housing plate and the first cover plate is characterized in that it is smaller than the distance between the first protrusion of the first housing plate and the first cover plate.

[0008] In exemplary embodiments, the first housing plate is characterized in that the first protrusion has a first buffer space formed by protruding from the first flat portion.

[0009] In exemplary embodiments, the first flat portion of the first housing plate is characterized in that it contacts the first protrusion of the first cover plate.

[0010] In exemplary embodiments, the battery assembly further includes a second cover plate disposed to face the second side of the cell block and including a venting hole, the pack housing further includes a second housing plate facing the second cover plate of the battery assembly, the second housing plate including a third flat portion and a third protrusion protruding from the third flat portion in a direction away from the cell block, and the venting hole of the second cover plate is characterized in that it vertically overlaps the third protrusion of the second housing plate.

[0011] In exemplary embodiments, the distance between the third flat portion of the second housing plate and the second cover plate is characterized in that it is smaller than the distance between the third protrusion of the second housing plate and the second cover plate.

[0012] In exemplary embodiments, the second housing plate is characterized in that the third protrusion has a second buffer space formed by protruding from the third flat portion, and the second buffer space is connected to the venting hole of the second cover plate.

[0013] In exemplary embodiments, a portion of the second buffer space is characterized in that it is in an area that does not overlap the second surface of the cell block.

[0014] In exemplary embodiments, the third flat portion of the second housing plate is characterized in that it is in contact with the second cover plate.

[0015] In exemplary embodiments, the first side and the second side of the cell block are characterized in that they are opposite to each other.

[0016] In exemplary embodiments, the battery assembly comprises a case that accommodates the cell block, the case comprising the first cover plate, the second cover plate, and a side cover plate covering a side surface of the cell block, the side cover plate comprising a fastening flange fastened to a support structure of the pack housing.

[0017] In order to solve the above-described problem, the technical idea of ​​the present invention provides a battery pack including: a battery assembly including a cell block including a plurality of battery cells and a cover plate covering one surface of the cell block; and a pack housing accommodating the battery assembly, the pack housing including a housing plate facing the cover plate of the battery assembly; wherein the housing plate includes a flat portion and a protrusion protruding from the flat portion in a direction away from the cell block, and the cover plate includes at least one venting hole vertically overlapping the protrusion of the housing plate.

[0018] In exemplary embodiments, the housing plate includes a buffer space formed by the protrusion protruding from the flat portion, and the venting hole of the cover plate is characterized in that it communicates with the buffer space of the housing plate.

[0019] In exemplary embodiments, the cover plate includes a plurality of venting holes, and the buffer space is characterized in that it communicates with the plurality of venting holes.

[0020] In exemplary embodiments, the battery assembly further comprises a cooling plate having a cooling channel facing the other side of the cell block opposite the one side of the cell block; and a side cover plate covering the side of the cell block and including a fastening flange fastened to a support structure of the pack housing.

[0021] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the pack housing provides a buffer space for preventing or suppressing damage to cell blocks due to external impact in an area overlapping a first cover plate of a battery assembly having a cooling channel and / or an area overlapping a second cover plate of a battery assembly having a venting hole, thereby improving the safety of the battery pack.

[0022] Furthermore, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the pack housing provides a buffer space that functions as a venting channel by communicating with the venting hole in an area overlapping the second cover plate of the battery assembly provided with the venting hole, so that high-temperature gas can be discharged in a predetermined direction in a thermal event situation, thereby improving the safety of the battery pack.

[0023] The effects that can be obtained from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly derived and understood by those skilled in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure pertain from the following description. In other words, unintended effects resulting from practicing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can also be derived by those skilled in the art from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery pack according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 is an enlarged view showing the area indicated as “EX1” in Figure 1.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a battery assembly included in the battery pack of FIG. 1.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery pack according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5 is a plan view schematically showing the second cover plate and the second housing plate illustrated in Figure 4.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery pack according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with a battery pack according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0031] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, it should be noted that the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings. Based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms to best explain his or her invention, they should be interpreted in a way that aligns with the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0032] Accordingly, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace them at the time of filing this application.

[0033] In addition, when describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description is omitted.

[0034] Since the embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, the shapes and sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for clearer explanation. Accordingly, the sizes and proportions of each component do not fully reflect the actual sizes or proportions.

[0035]

[0036] (Example 1)

[0037] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a battery pack (500) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view illustrating an area indicated by "EX1" in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a battery assembly (100) included in the battery pack (500) of FIG. 1.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a battery pack (500) may include a pack housing (501) and a battery assembly (100) mounted within the pack housing (501). The battery pack (500) may include one or more battery assemblies (100) mounted in the pack housing (501). In exemplary embodiments, the battery pack (500) may include two or more battery assemblies (100) arranged in one direction (e.g., X-direction).

[0039] The pack housing (501) may provide a receiving space in which a battery assembly (100) is received. The pack housing (501) may include a first housing plate (510), a second housing plate (520), and a side wall (530). The first housing plate (510) and the second housing plate (520) may be spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction (e.g., in the Z direction) with the receiving space therebetween. The side wall (530) may extend in a vertical direction (e.g., in the Z direction) from the first housing plate (510) to the second housing plate (520).

[0040] The pack housing (501) may include a plurality of support structures (550) for supporting the battery assemblies (100). An individual battery assembly (100) may be supported and fastened to the pack housing (501) by one or more support structures (550). The pack housing (501) may include support structures (550) extending from a first housing plate (510) and / or support structures (550) extending from a second housing plate (520). In the drawings, the pack housing (501) is illustrated as including support structures (550) extending from the first housing plate (510) and support structures (550) extending from the second housing plate (520), but is not limited thereto. The pack housing (501) may include only support structures (550) extending from the first housing plate (510) or may include only support structures (550) extending from the second housing plate (520).

[0041] The battery assembly (100) may include a cell block (110) and a case (201).

[0042] A cell block (110) may include a plurality of battery cells (111). Each battery cell (111) is a basic unit of a lithium ion battery, i.e., a secondary battery. Each battery cell (111) may include an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a cell case. The electrode assembly built into the cell case may include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The electrode assembly may be either a jelly-roll type or a stack type depending on the assembly form. A jelly-roll type electrode assembly may include a winding structure of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed therebetween. A stack type electrode assembly may include a plurality of sequentially stacked positive electrodes, a plurality of negative electrodes, and a plurality of separators interposed therebetween. The positive electrode may include a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material. The negative electrode may include a negative electrode current collector and an negative electrode active material.

[0043] A plurality of battery cells (111) may be connected in series and / or in parallel. For example, a plurality of battery cells (111) may be connected in series with each other. For example, a plurality of battery cells (111) may also be connected in parallel with each other. For example, when a set of two or more battery cells (111) connected in parallel with each other is defined as a bank, one bank composed of two or more battery cells (111) connected in parallel with each other and another bank composed of two or more battery cells (111) connected in parallel with each other may be connected in series.

[0044] Each battery cell (111) may correspond to a pouch-type battery cell, a cylindrical battery cell, or a square battery cell. The electrode assembly of the pouch-type battery cell is housed in a pouch case including an aluminum laminate sheet. The electrode assembly of the cylindrical battery cell is housed in a cylindrical metal can. The electrode assembly of the square battery cell is housed in a square metal can.

[0045] In exemplary embodiments, each battery cell (111) corresponds to a pouch-type battery cell, and a plurality of battery cells (111) within one battery assembly (100) may be stacked one upon another in a first direction (e.g., X-direction). In exemplary embodiments, in each battery assembly (100), the plurality of battery cells (111) correspond to pouch-type battery cells, each having a length along the first direction (e.g., X-direction) that is smaller than a length along the second direction (e.g., Y-direction), and the plurality of battery cells (111) may be stacked in the first direction (e.g., X-direction).

[0046] When viewed from a plan view, the cell block (110) may have a rectangular shape in which a length along a first direction (e.g., X direction) is smaller than a length along a second direction (e.g., Y direction). In this case, the cell block (110) may have two sides (i.e., a first side and a second side) that are opposite to each other in the first direction (e.g., X direction), a front side and a back side that are opposite to each other in the second direction (e.g., Y direction), and a first side (e.g., an upper side) and a second side (e.g., a lower side) that are opposite to each other in the vertical direction (e.g., Z direction).

[0047] A busbar frame on which a busbar is mounted may be arranged on each of the front and rear sides of the cell block (110). A plurality of busbars may be mounted on the busbar frame on the front side of the cell block (110), and a plurality of busbars may be mounted on the busbar frame on the rear side of the cell block (110). The battery assembly (100) may further include an end plate (255) covering the busbar frame on the front side of the cell block (110), and an end plate (255) covering the busbar frame on the rear side of the cell block (110).

[0048] The busbar may be connected to the electrode leads of the battery cells (111). For example, the busbar may be connected to the electrode leads of the battery cells (111) by welding. For example, the individual busbars may be inter-busbars that are connected to electrode leads of different battery cells (111) belonging to a cell block (110) to electrically connect different battery cells (111). For example, the individual busbars may be terminal-busbars that electrically connect a cell block (110) to another cell block or another battery device.

[0049] In exemplary embodiments, the battery assembly (100) may include a single cell block (110). In exemplary embodiments, the battery assembly (100) may include a cell block array composed of a plurality of cell blocks (110) spaced apart in a second direction (e.g., in the Y direction). For example, the battery assembly (100) may include two cell blocks (110) arranged in the second direction (e.g., in the Y direction). As an example, the battery assembly (100) may include a first cell block and a second cell block that are arranged in the second direction (e.g., in the Y direction) and electrically connected to each other.

[0050] A case (201) can surround a cell block (110). The case (201) can include a first cover plate (210), a second cover plate (220), and side cover plates (230). The case (201) can cover a first side, a second side, a first side, and a second side of the cell block (110).

[0051] The first cover plate (210) can cover a first surface of the cell block (110). The first cover plate (210) can be attached to the first surface of the cell block (110) and thermally coupled to the cell block (110). For example, the first cover plate (210) can be attached to the first surface of the cell block (110) via a thermally conductive adhesive layer (130) interposed between the first cover plate (210) and an upper surface of the cell block (110). For example, the thermally conductive adhesive layer (130) can include a thermal interface material (TIM).

[0052] The first cover plate (210) may have a cooling channel (215) configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow, and may be configured to cool the cell block (110). The first cover plate (210) may be referred to as a cooling plate. The first cover plate (210) may be thermally coupled to the cell block (110) via a thermally conductive adhesive layer (130), and may be configured to cool the cell block (110). The first cover plate (210) may be supplied with a cooling fluid or discharged to the outside through pipes (251) connected to a portion protruding from the front surface of the cell block (110) on one side. Cooling fluid supplied from the outside of the battery assembly (100) may be introduced into the cooling channel (215) through a pipe (251) connected to the inlet of the cooling channel (215), flow along the cooling channel (215), and the cooling fluid discharged through the outlet of the cooling channel (215) may be discharged to the outside through another pipe (251). For example, the cooling channel (215) may provide a single path extending from its inlet to its outlet. Cooling of the battery assembly (100) may be performed while the cooling fluid flows along the cooling channel (215). For example, the first cover plate (210) may be manufactured by bonding two plates, and the cooling channel (215) may include a space defined between the two plates.

[0053] The first cover plate (210) may include a flat portion (211) and a protrusion (213) protruding from the flat portion (211). The flat portion (211) may face the first housing plate (510) and provide a flat outer surface. The protrusion (213) may protrude from the flat portion (211) in a direction away from the cell block (110) or in a direction from the cell block (110) toward the first housing plate (510). When viewed in cross section, in the first cover plate (210), the protrusion (213) may be between two flat portions (211). The first cover plate (210) may have a recessed structure in which the flat portion (211) and the protrusion (213) are repeatedly arranged.

[0054] In the first cover plate (210), the cooling channel (215) may be defined by the protrusion (213) of the first cover plate (210). In the first cover plate (210), the cooling channel (215) may include a space below the protrusion (213) and covered by the protrusion (213). In addition, since the first cover plate (210) has a concave-convex structure, the first cover plate (210) may have a space (217) defined by the outer surface of the flat portion (211) and the surface of the protrusion (213) around the flat portion (211).

[0055] The first housing plate (510) of the pack housing (501) may include a flat portion (511) and a protrusion (513) protruding from the flat portion (511). The flat portion (511) may provide a surface that faces the first cover plate (210) and extends flatly. The flat portion (511) of the first housing plate (510) may be in direct contact with the protrusion (513) of the first cover plate (210), or may be spaced apart from it by a predetermined distance. In the first housing plate (510), the protrusion (513) may protrude from the flat portion (511) in a direction away from the cell block (110) or from the cell block (110) toward the first housing plate (510). The protrusion (513) of the first housing plate (510) may be spaced apart from the first cover plate (210). When viewed in cross section, in the first housing plate (510), the protrusion (513) may be between two flat portions (511). The first housing plate (510) may have a recessed structure in which the flat portions (511) and the protrusions (513) are repeatedly arranged.

[0056] Since the first housing plate (510) has a protruding structure, the first housing plate (510) can provide a first buffer space (515) provided below the protrusion (513). The first buffer space (515) can be a space formed by the protrusion (513) protruding from the flat portion (511). When viewed in cross section, one protrusion (513) of the first housing plate (510) can partially overlap each of the two protrusions (213) of the first cover plate (210) located on both sides of one flat portion (211) of the first cover plate (210), and the first buffer space (515) can be above each of the two protrusions (213) of the first cover plate (210) located on both sides of one flat portion (211) of the first cover plate (210).

[0057] The distance between the flat portion (511) of the first housing plate (510) and the first cover plate (210) may be smaller than the distance between the protrusion (513) of the first housing plate (510) and the first cover plate (210). In embodiments, the flat portion (211) of the first cover plate (210) may overlap the protrusion (513) of the first housing plate (510) in a vertical direction (e.g., in the Z direction). In this case, the first buffer space (515) provided by the first housing plate (510) may communicate with the space (217) defined by the outer surface of the first cover plate (210). In a situation where an external impact is applied to the pack housing (501), the first buffer space (515) provided by the first housing plate (510) may act as a buffer space for the external impact to prevent or suppress damage to the cell block (110) due to the external impact.

[0058] The second cover plate (220) can cover the second side of the cell block (110). The second cover plate (220) can be spaced apart from the first cover plate (210) in a vertical direction (e.g., in the Z direction) with the cell block (110) interposed therebetween.

[0059] The side cover plates (230) can be spaced apart from each other in a first direction (e.g., X direction) with the cell block (110) therebetween. One of the side cover plates (230) can cover a first side of the cell block (110), and the other of the two side cover plates (230) can cover a second side of the cell block (110).

[0060] The individual side cover plates (230) can be joined to the first cover plate (210) and the second cover plate (220). For example, the upper portion or upper edge of the individual side cover plate (230) can be joined to one side portion or one edge of the first cover plate (210) by welding, and the lower portion or lower edge of the individual side cover plate (230) can be joined to one side portion or one edge of the second cover plate (220) by welding.

[0061] Each side cover plate (230) may include a plurality of fastening flanges (231) that are fastened and supported to a support structure (550) of the pack housing (501). Each support structure (550) provided on the pack housing (501) may extend in a second direction (e.g., Y direction) along the battery assembly (100), and each support structure (550) may be fastened to each of the fastening flanges (231) of the side cover plate (230) by a fastening member such as a bolt. By fastening and supporting the fastening flanges (231) of the side cover plate (230) to the corresponding support structure (550), the battery assembly (100) may be mounted on the pack housing (501) in a side-mounting manner.

[0062] In exemplary embodiments, the battery pack (500) may be mounted on a vehicle frame of a vehicle, and a first housing plate (510) of the pack housing (501) may correspond to a top plate or pack lid of the pack housing (501) that is connected to an upper portion of the vehicle frame that provides a cabin room for passengers to board, and a second housing plate (520) of the pack housing (501) may correspond to a bottom plate of the pack housing (501) that is connected to a lower portion of the vehicle frame adjacent to the ground.

[0063] In some exemplary embodiments, the second cover plate (220) of the battery assembly (100) may contact the second housing plate (520) corresponding to the bottom plate of the pack housing (501). In some exemplary embodiments, the second cover plate (220) of the battery assembly (100) may be spaced apart from the second housing plate (520) of the pack housing (501) in a vertical direction (e.g., in the Z direction), and a free volume may be provided between the second cover plate (220) of the battery assembly (100) and the second housing plate (520) of the pack housing (501). The free volume may include a space provided between the case (201) of the battery assembly (100) and the pack housing (501). The support structures (550) of the pack housing (501) may support the battery assembly (100) such that the case (201) is spaced apart from the second housing plate (520).

[0064] In some exemplary embodiments, the first housing plate (510) of the pack housing (501) may correspond to a bottom plate of the pack housing (501) that is connected to a lower portion of the vehicle frame adjacent to the ground, and the second housing plate (520) of the pack housing (501) may correspond to a top plate or pack lid of the pack housing (501) that is connected to an upper portion of the vehicle frame that provides a cabin room for passengers to board.

[0065] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the pack housing (501) provides a buffer space to prevent or suppress damage to the cell block (110) due to external impact in an area overlapping the first cover plate (210) of the battery assembly (100) having the cooling channel (215), so that the safety of the battery pack (500) can be improved.

[0066]

[0067] (Example 2)

[0068] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a battery pack (500A) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a plan view schematically illustrating the second cover plate and the second housing plate illustrated in Fig. 4. Hereinafter, the battery pack (500A) illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 will be described, focusing on differences from the battery pack (500) described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3.

[0069] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the second cover plate (220) may include a plurality of venting holes (221) for exhausting high-temperature gas originating from the cell block (110) to a space outside the case (201). The plurality of venting holes (221) of the second cover plate (220) may be arranged to overlap the cell block (110) in a vertical direction (e.g., in the Z direction). In exemplary embodiments, each venting hole (221) may be an elliptical hole or a slot hole having a major axis in the second direction (e.g., in the Y direction). The length of the venting hole (221) along the first direction (e.g., in the X direction) may be smaller than the length of the venting hole (221) along the second direction (e.g., in the Y direction).

[0070] The second housing plate (520) of the pack housing (501) may include a flat portion (521) and a protrusion (523) protruding from the flat portion (521). The flat portion (521) may provide a flat surface facing the second cover plate (220). The flat portion (521) of the second housing plate (520) may be in direct contact with the second cover plate (220), or may be spaced apart from the second cover plate (220) by a predetermined distance. In the second housing plate (520), the protrusion (523) may protrude from the flat portion (521) in a direction away from the cell block (110) or from the cell block (110) toward the second housing plate (520). The protrusion (523) of the second housing plate (520) may be spaced apart from the second cover plate (220). When viewed in cross section, in the second housing plate (520), the protrusion (523) may be between two flat portions (521). The second housing plate (520) may have a recessed structure in which the flat portions (521) and the protrusions (523) are repeatedly arranged.

[0071] The distance between the flat portion (521) of the second housing plate (520) and the second cover plate (220) may be smaller than the distance between the protrusion (523) of the second housing plate (520) and the second cover plate (220).

[0072] Since the second housing plate (520) has a rough structure, the second housing plate (520) can provide a second buffer space (525) defined by the protrusion (523). The second buffer space (525) can be a space formed by the protrusion (523) protruding from the flat portion (521). In a situation where an external impact is applied to the pack housing (501), the second buffer space (525) provided by the second housing plate (520) can act as a buffer space against the external impact, thereby preventing or suppressing damage to the cell block (110) due to the external impact.

[0073] In embodiments, the venting hole (221) of the second cover plate (220) may overlap the protrusion (523) of the second housing plate (520) in a vertical direction (e.g., in the Z direction). In this case, the second buffer space (525) provided by the second housing plate (520) may be in communication with the venting hole (221) of the second cover plate (220), and the second buffer space (525) of the second housing plate (520) may, together with the venting hole (221) of the second cover plate (220), form a venting channel through which high-temperature gas flows. For example, the high-temperature gas discharged from the cell block (110) may flow into the second buffer space (525) of the second housing plate (520) through the venting hole (221) of the second cover plate (220) and may flow along the extension direction of the second buffer space (525).

[0074] The second buffer space (525) may overlap and communicate with a plurality of venting holes (221) in a vertical direction (e.g., in the Z direction). In exemplary embodiments, the second buffer space (525) may extend in the second direction (e.g., in the Y direction) and may overlap and communicate with a plurality of venting holes (221) arranged in the second direction (e.g., in the Y direction) in a vertical direction (e.g., in the Z direction).

[0075] In some exemplary embodiments, a portion of the second buffer space (525) may vertically overlap the cell block (110) and another portion of the second buffer space (525) may not vertically overlap the cell block (110). In this case, gas generated in the cell block (110) may be discharged to the space outside the battery assembly (100) along the second buffer space (525).

[0076] In some exemplary embodiments, the first housing plate (510) of the pack housing (501) may correspond to a top plate or pack lid of the pack housing (501) that is connected to an upper portion of a vehicle frame that provides a cabin room for passengers to board, and the second housing plate (520) of the pack housing (501) may correspond to a bottom plate of the pack housing (501) that is connected to a lower portion of the vehicle frame adjacent to the ground. In some exemplary embodiments, the first housing plate (510) of the pack housing (501) may correspond to a bottom plate, and the second housing plate (520) of the pack housing (501) may correspond to a top plate or pack lid of the pack housing (501).

[0077] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the pack housing (501) provides a buffer space that prevents damage to the cell block (110) due to external impact in an area overlapping the second cover plate (220) of the battery assembly (100) provided with the venting hole (221) and functions as a venting channel by communicating with the venting hole (221), so that the safety of the battery pack (500A) can be improved.

[0078]

[0079] (Example 3)

[0080] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a battery pack (500B) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Below, the battery pack (500B) illustrated in FIG. 6 will be described, focusing on differences from the battery packs (500, 500A) described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 .

[0081] Referring to FIG. 6, in the pack housing (501) of the battery pack (500B), the first housing plate (510) may have a protruding structure including a flat portion (511) and a protruding portion (513), and the second housing plate (520) may have a protruding structure including a flat portion (521) and a protruding portion (523). The first housing plate (510) may provide a first buffer space (515) for buffering an external impact in an area overlapping with the first cover plate (210) having a cooling channel (215). The second housing plate (520) may provide a second buffer space (525) for buffering an external impact and acting as a venting channel in an area overlapping with the second cover plate (220).

[0082] In some exemplary embodiments, the first housing plate (510) of the pack housing (501) may correspond to a top plate or pack lid of the pack housing (501) that is connected to an upper portion of a vehicle frame that provides a cabin room for passengers to board, and the second housing plate (520) of the pack housing (501) may correspond to a bottom plate of the pack housing (501) that is connected to a lower portion of the vehicle frame adjacent to the ground. In some exemplary embodiments, the first housing plate (510) of the pack housing (501) may correspond to a bottom plate, and the second housing plate (520) of the pack housing (501) may correspond to a top plate or pack lid of the pack housing (501).

[0083] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the pack housing (501) provides a buffer space for preventing or suppressing damage to the cell block (110) due to external impact in an area overlapping with the first cover plate (210) of the battery assembly (100) having a cooling channel (215) and / or an area overlapping with the second cover plate (220) of the battery assembly (100) provided with a venting hole (221), thereby improving the safety of the battery pack (500B).

[0084] Furthermore, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the pack housing (501) provides a buffer space that functions as a venting channel by communicating with the venting hole (221) in an area overlapping the second cover plate (220) of the battery assembly (100) provided with the venting hole (221), so that high-temperature gas can be discharged in a predetermined direction in a thermal event situation, thereby improving the safety of the battery pack (500B).

[0085]

[0086] (Example 4)

[0087] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle (1000) equipped with a battery pack (1100) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0088] In Fig. 7, for simplicity, only a portion of the body frame (1200) forming the lower skeleton of the vehicle and the battery pack (1100) and tires coupled to the body frame (1200) are shown. For example, the battery pack (1100) may include any one of the battery packs (500, 500A, 500B) described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6.

[0089] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, when an external impact is applied to the battery pack (1100), the first buffer space and / or the second buffer space provided by the pack housing (501) can act as a buffer space against the external impact, thereby preventing damage to the cell block due to the external impact. Accordingly, the battery pack (1100) and the electric vehicle (1000) equipped therewith can enhance passenger safety. In addition, the battery assembly (100), which is a core component, can be protected, and the safety and durability of the battery pack (1100) and the electric vehicle (1000) can be improved.

[0090] The present invention has been described in more detail through drawings and examples. However, the configurations described in the drawings or examples described in this specification are merely embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modified examples may exist as of the time of this application.

Claims

1. A battery assembly including a cell block including a plurality of battery cells and a first cover plate covering a first surface of the cell block; and A pack housing that accommodates the battery assembly, the pack housing including a first housing plate facing the first cover plate of the battery assembly; Including, The first housing plate includes a first flat portion and a first protrusion protruding from the first flat portion in a direction away from the cell block, A battery pack, wherein the first cover plate includes a second flat portion vertically overlapping the first protrusion of the first housing plate, a second protrusion protruding from the second flat portion in a direction away from the cell block, and a cooling channel defined by the second protrusion.

2. In paragraph 1, A battery pack, characterized in that the distance between the first flat portion of the first housing plate and the first cover plate is smaller than the distance between the first protrusion of the first housing plate and the first cover plate.

3. In paragraph 1, A battery pack characterized in that the first housing plate has a first buffer space formed by the first protrusion protruding from the first flat portion.

4. In paragraph 1, A battery pack, characterized in that the first flat portion of the first housing plate is in contact with the first protrusion of the first cover plate.

5. In paragraph 1, The battery assembly further includes a second cover plate disposed to face the second side of the cell block and including a venting hole, The above pack housing further includes a second housing plate facing the second cover plate of the battery assembly, The second housing plate includes a third flat portion and a third protrusion protruding from the third flat portion in a direction away from the cell block, A battery pack, characterized in that the venting hole of the second cover plate is vertically overlapped with the third protrusion of the second housing plate.

6. In paragraph 5, A battery pack, characterized in that the distance between the third flat portion of the second housing plate and the second cover plate is smaller than the distance between the third protrusion of the second housing plate and the second cover plate.

7. In paragraph 5, The second housing plate has a second buffer space formed by the third protrusion protruding from the third flat portion, A battery pack characterized in that the second buffer space is connected to the venting hole of the second cover plate.

8. In paragraph 7, A battery pack, characterized in that a portion of the second buffer space is in an area that does not overlap the second surface of the cell block.

9. In paragraph 5, A battery pack, characterized in that the third flat portion of the second housing plate is in contact with the second cover plate.

10. In paragraph 5, A battery pack, characterized in that the first side and the second side of the cell block are opposite to each other.

11. In paragraph 5, The battery assembly includes a case that accommodates the cell block, The case includes the first cover plate, the second cover plate, and a side cover plate covering the side of the cell block, A battery pack characterized in that the side cover plate includes a fastening flange fastened to a support structure of the pack housing.

12. A battery assembly including a cell block including a plurality of battery cells and a cover plate covering one side of the cell block; and A pack housing that accommodates the battery assembly, the pack housing including a housing plate facing the cover plate of the battery assembly; Including, The housing plate includes a flat portion and a protrusion protruding from the flat portion in a direction away from the cell block, A battery pack, wherein the cover plate includes at least one venting hole vertically overlapping the protrusion of the housing plate.

13. In paragraph 12, The housing plate includes a buffer space formed by the protrusion protruding from the flat portion, A battery pack characterized in that the venting hole of the cover plate is connected to the buffer space of the housing plate.

14. In paragraph 13, A battery pack, characterized in that the cover plate includes a plurality of venting holes, and the buffer space is connected to the plurality of venting holes.

15. In paragraph 14, The above battery assembly, A cooling plate having a cooling channel facing the other side of the cell block opposite to the one side of the cell block; and A side cover plate covering the side of the cell block and including a fastening flange fastened to the support structure of the pack housing; A battery pack characterized by further including:

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