Battery pack

Abstract

A battery pack (10) comprises: a battery module (100); a pack housing (300) that accommodates the battery module (100); and a support body (342) that at least partially partitions the battery module (100) from the pack housing (300).

Description

Battery pack

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

[0002] In recent years, various battery packs have been developed. A battery pack includes a battery module and a housing that houses the battery module.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a battery pack. The battery pack includes a battery assembly and a battery pack frame. The battery pack frame has side frames and a bottom guard. The side frames and the bottom guard form a housing area for housing the battery assembly.

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes a battery pack. The battery pack includes a battery module and an impact-resistant exhaust assembly. The impact-resistant exhaust assembly has a honeycomb buffer structure. The honeycomb buffer structure absorbs impacts to the battery pack.

[0005] Chinese Utility Model No. 219203327 Chinese Utility Model No. 219067061

[0006] The battery pack may be subjected to external forces, and therefore it is necessary to protect the battery module from the external forces applied to the battery pack.

[0007] One example of an object of the present invention is to protect a battery module from external forces applied to a battery pack. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is as follows: 1. A battery pack comprising: a battery module; a housing that houses the battery module; and a partition that at least partially separates the battery module from the housing. 2. The battery pack described in 1., in which a space exists between the housing and the partition. 3. The battery pack described in 2., in which the space on the side where the battery module is located and the space existing between the housing and the partition are in communication with each other. 4. The battery pack described in any one of 1. to 3., in which the battery module and the partition are attached to each other.

[0009] According to the above aspects of the present invention, the battery modules can be protected from external forces applied to the battery pack.

[0010] It is a schematic plan view of the battery pack according to the embodiment. It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments and modifications of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, like components are designated by like reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a battery pack 10 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 1. For ease of explanation, the upper plate 330 shown in Fig. 2 has been removed from Fig. 1.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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. 1, a 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 toward the front. In FIG. 2, a white circle with a black dot indicating the X direction indicates that the arrow pointing to the X direction extends from the back of the page toward the front. However, the relationship between the X direction, Y direction, and 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] Hereinafter, as needed, the side indicated by the arrow indicating the X direction will be referred to as the +X side, and the side opposite the side indicated by the arrow indicating the X direction will be referred to as the -X side. Hereinafter, as needed, the side indicated by the arrow indicating the Y direction will be referred to as the +Y side, and the side opposite the side indicated by the arrow indicating the Y direction will be referred to as the -Y side. Hereinafter, as needed, the side indicated by the arrow indicating the Z direction will be referred to as the +Z side, and the side opposite the side indicated by the arrow indicating the Z direction will be referred to as the -Z side.

[0017] A battery pack 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1 , the battery pack 10 includes a plurality of battery modules 100 , a junction box 200 , and a pack housing 300 .

[0019] In the example shown in Fig. 1, four battery modules 100 are arranged in two rows and two columns in the X direction and the Y direction, respectively. The number and arrangement of the battery modules 100 are not limited to the number and arrangement shown in Fig. 1. For example, the battery pack 10 may include only one battery module 100. Alternatively, the battery pack 10 may include, for example, five or more battery modules 100.

[0020] Each battery module 100 includes a plurality of battery cells (not shown) stacked in a direction perpendicular to the Z direction. The plurality of battery cells are electrically connected to one another in series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel. As shown in FIG. 1 , each battery module 100 further includes a module housing 110 that houses the battery cells (not shown). Each module housing 110 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in FIG. 1 , when viewed from the Z direction, each module housing 110 has a substantially rectangular shape with a pair of sides substantially parallel to the X direction and another pair of sides substantially parallel to the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 1 , protrusions 112 are provided on both sides of each module housing 110 in the Y direction. When viewed from the Z direction, each protrusion 112 extends in the X direction. However, the shape of the protrusions 112 is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 1 .

[0021] As shown in Fig. 1 , the junction box 200 is located on the +X side of the two battery modules 100 located on the +X side. The position at which the junction box 200 is disposed is not limited to the position shown in Fig. 1 . The multiple battery modules 100 and the junction box 200 are electrically connected by a bus bar (not shown).

[0022] 1 and 2, the pack housing 300 has a lower plate 310, side frames 320, an upper plate 330, and a support frame 340. The pack housing 300 houses a plurality of battery modules 100 and a junction box 200.

[0023] The lower plate 310 has a generally plate shape that is generally perpendicular to the Z direction. The battery modules 100 and the junction box 200 are located on the +Z side of the +Z side surface of the lower plate 310. As shown in Fig. 1 , the lower plate 310 has a generally rectangular shape with a pair of long sides that are generally parallel to the X direction and a pair of short sides that are generally parallel to the Y direction. The shape of the lower plate 310 is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 1 .

[0024] The side frame 320 extends toward the +Z side from the entire periphery in the Z direction of the +Z side surface of the lower plate 310. When viewed from the Z direction, the side frame 320 surrounds the area where the multiple battery modules 100 and the junction box 200 are located.

[0025] The upper plate 330 is located on the +Z side with respect to the multiple battery modules 100, the junction box 200, and the side frame 320. When viewed from the Z direction, the lower plate 310 and the upper plate 330 have substantially the same shape. The side frame 320 and the portion of the upper plate 330 that overlaps with the side frame 320 in the Z direction are fastened to each other with fasteners such as bolts (not shown). With the side frame 320 and the portion of the upper plate 330 that overlaps with the side frame 320 in the Z direction fastened to each other, the lower plate 310, the side frame 320, and the upper plate 330 form an accommodation space that accommodates the multiple battery modules 100 and the junction box 200.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1 , when viewed from the Z direction, the support frame 340 extends in a frame shape that at least partially surrounds each battery module 100. As shown in FIG. 1 , when viewed from the Z direction, the support frame 340 includes a support 342 located on the +Y side of the battery module 100 located on the +Y side, a support 342 located between the battery module 100 located on the +Y side and the battery module 100 located on the -Y side, and a support 342 located on the -Y side of the battery module 100 located on the -Y side. When viewed from the Z direction, each support 342 extends in the X direction. As shown in FIG. 2 , each protrusion 112 is located on the +Z side of the +Z side surface of each support 342. The protrusions 112 and each support 342 are fastened to each other by fasteners such as bolts (not shown). With the protrusions 112 and each support 342 fastened to each other, the battery modules 100 and the pack housing 300 are attached to each other.

[0027] The battery pack 10 according to the embodiment will be further described with reference to FIG. 2 . Hereinafter, the portion of the side frame 320 located in the cross section shown in FIG. 2 will be referred to as a side wall 322, as necessary. Hereinafter, the battery module 100 described with reference to FIG. 2 refers to the battery module 100 located on the +X side and the +Y side in FIG. 1 . The matters described with reference to FIG. 2 are similarly applicable to a battery module 100 other than the battery module 100 located on the +X side and the +Y side in FIG. 1 . Hereinafter, the support 342 described with reference to FIG. 2 refers to the support 342 located on the +Y side relative to the battery module 100 located on the +Y side in FIG. 1 . The matters described with reference to FIG. 2 are similarly applicable to the support 342 located on the −Y side relative to the battery module 100 located on the −Y side in FIG. 1 .

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2 , a space exists between the +Y side portion of the module housing 110 and the −Y side portion of the side wall 322. The support 342 is located in the space between the +Y side portion of the module housing 110 and the −Y side portion of the side wall 322. In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the support 342 serves as a partition that at least partially separates the +Y side portion of the module housing 110 from the −Y side portion of the side wall 322. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 2 , even if an external force is applied to the battery pack 10 from the +Y side of the side wall 322, the support 342 can protect the battery module 100. Furthermore, compared to providing a buffer material between the +Y side portion of the module housing 110 and the side wall 322 instead of the support 342, the battery module 100 can be more easily protected from external forces. To protect the battery module 100 from external forces, it is preferable that the support 342 have relatively high rigidity. The support 342 is made of a metal such as aluminum.

[0029] 2 , a first space S1 exists between the inner surface on the −Y side of the side wall 322 and the side surface on the +Y side of the support 342. Therefore, even if an external force is applied to the battery pack 10 from the +Y side relative to the side wall 322 and the side wall 322 moves toward the −Y side due to deformation of the side wall 322, the external force is not transmitted to the battery module 100 via the support 342 until the inner surface on the −Y side of the side wall 322 and the side surface on the +Y side of the support 342 come into contact with each other. Furthermore, even if an external force is applied to the battery pack 10 from the +Y side relative to the side wall 322 and the inner surface on the −Y side of the side wall 322 and the side surface on the +Y side of the support 342 come into contact with each other, the first space S1 can function as a buffer region that absorbs the external force. Therefore, compared to a case where the inner surface on the -Y side of the side wall 322 and the side surface on the +Y side of the support body 342 are in contact with each other beforehand when the first space S1 does not exist, it is possible to more easily protect the battery module 100 from external forces applied to the battery pack 10. However, the inner surface on the -Y side of the side wall 322 and the side surface on the +Y side of the support body 342 may be in contact with each other beforehand when the first space S1 does not exist.

[0030] In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the height of the support 342 in the Z direction is less than the height of the module housing 110 in the Z direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2 , a second space S2 exists between the +Z side surface of the support 342 and the −Z side surface of the upper plate 330. Therefore, the space on the side where the battery module 100 is located and the first space S1 communicate with each other via the second space S2. Therefore, when no external force is applied to the battery pack 10 from the +Y side of the side wall 322, the first space S1 can also function as a flow path for the flow of relatively high-temperature gas generated from the battery module 100. This gas may be generated, for example, due to an abnormality in a battery cell of the battery module 100.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a modification of FIG.

[0032] In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the protrusion 112 and the support 342 are also fastened to each other. As shown in FIG. 3 , a protruding wall 344 is provided on the +Z side surface of the support 342. In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the support 342 is located on the +Y side of the protrusion 112. However, the position at which the support 342 is provided is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 3 . The support 342 and the protruding wall 344 serve as a partition that at least partially separates the +Y side portion of the module housing 110 and the -Y side portion of the side wall 322. Therefore, as in the embodiment, even if an external force is applied to the battery pack 10 from the +Y side of the side wall 322, the battery module 100 can be protected by the support 342 and the protruding wall 344.

[0033] The space on the side where the battery module 100 is located and the first space S1 may be in communication with each other via a through-hole that penetrates at least one of the support body 342 and the protruding wall 344 in the Y direction. The provision of the through-hole makes it easier for relatively high-temperature gas generated from the battery module 100 to flow toward the first space S1. As in the embodiment, the first space S1 can function as a buffer region that absorbs external forces and also as a flow path for the relatively high-temperature gas generated from the battery module 100.

[0034] Although the embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various configurations other than those described above can also be adopted.

[0035] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-005412, filed January 17, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

[0036] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 battery pack, 100 battery module, 110 module housing, 112 protrusion, 200 junction box, 300 pack housing, 310 lower plate, 320 side frame, 322 side wall, 330 upper plate, 340 support frame, 342 support body, 344 protrusion wall, S1 first space, S2 second space

Claims

1. A battery pack comprising a battery module, a housing for housing the battery module, and a partition body for at least partially partitioning the battery module and the housing.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein a space exists between the housing and the partition body.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the space on the side where the battery module is located communicates with the space existing between the housing and the partition body.

4. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the battery module and the partition body are attached to each other.

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