Battery pack and vehicle including same

Abstract

Disclosed are a battery pack and a vehicle including same. A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a plurality of battery cells; a pack case for accommodating the plurality of battery cells; and a rigidity reinforcement member which is coupled to the pack case and reinforces the rigidity of the pack case.

Description

Battery pack and vehicle including same

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0067979, filed on May 24, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the said application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery pack and a vehicle including the same, and more particularly, to a battery pack capable of sufficiently protecting battery cells inside a pack case and a vehicle including the same.

[0003] Generally, secondary batteries refer to batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, such as lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. A battery cell, the most basic type of secondary battery, can provide an output voltage of approximately 2.5 V to 4.2 V.

[0004] Recently, as these battery cells are applied to devices that require high output voltage and large charging capacity, such as electric vehicles and Energy Storage Systems (ESS), battery modules composed of multiple battery cells connected in series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel, and battery packs composed of these battery modules connected again in series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel, are widely used.

[0005] Lithium secondary batteries are currently in the spotlight due to their advantages such as high operating voltage and significantly higher energy density. However, because they use organic electrolytes, there is a problem that lithium secondary batteries can cause overcurrent and overheating when overcharged, which in severe cases can cause fire due to explosion or ignition.

[0006] Various types of secondary batteries include battery modules in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked and inserted into a module case that is equipped with a module case that can protect the battery cells, and battery packs including a plurality of battery modules.

[0007] Figures 1(a) and 1(b) are drawings illustrating a process in which a battery cell is damaged when a battery pack of the prior art collides with an external structure, etc.

[0008] As shown in Fig. 1(a), when the pack case (2) of the battery pack (1) and the external structure (3) come close and collide for various reasons, as shown in Fig. 1(b), the external structure (3) presses the pack case (2), and as a result, the battery cell (4) placed inside the pack case (2) is damaged, and there is a problem that a short circuit or ignition occurs in the battery cell (4).

[0009] Accordingly, the technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a battery pack and a vehicle including the same that can protect battery cells inside a pack case and prevent short circuit or ignition of battery cells even when the battery pack collides with an external structure.

[0010] In addition, it is to provide a battery pack and a vehicle including the same that can be easily joined by bolts even when welding is difficult.

[0011] Additionally, it provides a battery pack that can maintain sufficient rigidity and a vehicle including the same.

[0012] However, the technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems described above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, a battery pack may be provided, including: a plurality of battery cells; a pack case for storing the plurality of battery cells; and a rigidity reinforcing member coupled to the pack case to reinforce the rigidity of the pack case.

[0014] In one embodiment, the pack case includes a bulkhead frame, and the rigid reinforcement member can be coupled to the bulkhead frame.

[0015] In one embodiment, the bulkhead frame may include a first bulkhead member positioned on one side; and a second bulkhead member coupled to the first bulkhead member.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first bulkhead member may include a first plate arranged vertically; and a first support member coupled to an upper side of the first plate.

[0017] In one embodiment, the second bulkhead member may include a second plate arranged vertically; and a second support member coupled to a middle portion of the second plate.

[0018] In one embodiment, the first plate and the second plate are arranged to face each other, and the first support can contact the second support on the upper side of the second support.

[0019] In one embodiment, the pack case includes a lower frame and a support member coupled to the lower frame, the support member being positioned between the first plate and the second plate and being capable of contacting the second support member.

[0020] In one embodiment, the reinforcing member may be coupled to at least one of the first support and the second support.

[0021] In one embodiment, the first bulkhead member and the second bulkhead member are made of aluminum and can be joined to the support member as a fastening member.

[0022] In one embodiment, the rigid reinforcement member may be connected to at least one of the first support member and the second support member as a fastening member.

[0023] In one embodiment, the rigid reinforcing member may include a main body portion having a fastening hole formed therein; a connecting portion extending and bending from the main body portion; and a pair of wing portions coupled to the connecting portion.

[0024] In one embodiment, the pair of wing portions may be joined to the connecting portion at an angle to form an inclined portion.

[0025] In one embodiment, the inclined portion may be formed such that the connecting portion becomes narrower from the bottom to the top.

[0026] In one embodiment, the pack case includes a side frame, and the rigid reinforcement member can be in contact with the side frame.

[0027] Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle including at least one battery pack as described above can be provided.

[0028] Embodiments of the present invention have the effect of protecting battery cells inside a pack case and preventing short circuits or ignition of battery cells even when the battery pack collides with an external structure.

[0029] Additionally, it has the effect of allowing easy joining by bolts even in cases where welding is difficult.

[0030] Additionally, it has the effect of maintaining sufficient rigidity.

[0031] However, the effects that can be obtained through the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other technical effects that are not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0032] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention described below, serve to further understand the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to matters described in such drawings.

[0033] Figures 1(a) and 1(b) are drawings illustrating a process in which a battery cell is damaged when a battery pack of the prior art collides with an external structure, etc.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, with the upper frame separated.

[0035] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of Figure 2.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention with the battery cells removed, and a bulkhead frame is illustrated.

[0037] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of part B of Figure 4, in which the reinforcing member is separated from the bulkhead frame.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bulkhead frame provided in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 7 is a drawing viewed along the direction of arrow C in Figure 6.

[0040] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a bulkhead frame provided in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a reinforcing member in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 10 is a view taken along arrow D in Figure 9.

[0043] FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating a case where an external structure collides with a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 12 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including a battery pack according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted with meanings and concepts that conform to the technical idea of ​​the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term to best explain his or her own invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and various equivalents and modifications may exist as of the time of this application.

[0046] In the drawings, the sizes of each component or specific parts of that component are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for convenience and clarity of explanation. Therefore, the size of each component does not entirely reflect its actual size. If a detailed description of a related known function or configuration is deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, such description will be omitted.

[0047] The term 'joint' or 'connection' as used herein includes not only cases where one member is directly joined or directly connected to another member, but also cases where one member is indirectly joined or indirectly connected to another member through a connecting member.

[0048] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the entire battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, with the upper frame separated, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a rigid reinforcement member is coupled to a bulkhead frame, FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of part B of FIG. 4, in which the rigid reinforcement member is separated from the bulkhead frame, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bulkhead frame provided in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a view taken along the arrow C of FIG. 6, FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a bulkhead frame provided in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a rigid reinforcement member in a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a view taken along arrow D in FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a case in which an external structure collides with a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 1, a battery pack (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a plurality of battery cells (100), a pack case (200), and a rigid reinforcement member (300).

[0050] A plurality of battery cells (100) can be stacked on top of each other. The battery cells (100) can have various structures, and furthermore, the plurality of battery cells (100) can be stacked in various ways.

[0051] The battery cell (100) may have a structure in which a plurality of unit cells arranged in the order of positive plate-separator-negative plate or bi-cells arranged in the order of positive plate-separator-negative plate-separator-positive plate-separator-negative plate are stacked according to the battery capacity.

[0052] The battery cell (100) may be equipped with an electrode lead. The electrode lead is a type of terminal that is exposed to the outside and connected to an external device, and may be made of a conductive material. The electrode lead may include a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead.

[0053] The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead may be positioned in opposite directions with respect to the longitudinal direction of the battery cell (100), or the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead may be positioned in the same direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the battery cell (100).

[0054] For example, the battery cell (100) may be accommodated in a module case (not shown), and the module case containing the battery cell (100) may be accommodated in a pack case (200) to form a battery pack (10). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the module case may be removed to reduce the weight and volume of the module case, in which case the battery cell (100) may be directly accommodated in the pack case (200) of the battery pack (10).

[0055] According to this method, more battery cells (100) can be stored in the space previously occupied by the module case of the battery module within the battery pack (10), thereby increasing space efficiency and improving battery capacity.

[0056] For convenience of explanation, the following description focuses on a case where a battery cell (100) is directly housed in a pack case (200) without a module case. However, an embodiment using a module case is not completely excluded, and, if necessary, a pouch-type battery cell (100) of each embodiment of the present invention may be configured to be housed in a module case provided in a battery module.

[0057] Here, a cell cover (not shown) may be provided to support the battery cell (100) so that the battery cell (100) can be directly stored in the pack case (200). The cell cover may have various shapes, and for example, may be configured in an 'n' shape, a 'u' shape, or a 'ㄷ' shape surrounding three sides of at least one battery cell (100). However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0058] In addition, the battery pack (10) according to the present embodiment may include, for example, a control module configured to control charging and discharging of pouch-type battery cells (100). This control module may include, for example, a battery management system (BMS) and a battery disconnect unit, and may be housed inside a pack case (200) together with the battery cells (100) and cell covers.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 2, a plurality of battery cells (100) are stored in a pack case (200).

[0060] The pack case (200) may be configured to include, for example, an upper frame (210), a lower frame (220), a side frame (230), and a bulkhead frame (240).

[0061] The upper frame (210) can be coupled to the side frame (230). Here, the upper frame (210) can be formed integrally with the side frame (230), but is not limited thereto.

[0062] The lower frame (220) is configured to accommodate multiple battery modules. The lower frame (220) may be formed in a square plate shape, but is not limited thereto. The lower frame (220) forms the bottom of the pack case (200).

[0063] The side frame (230) may be coupled to the upper frame (210), or in another embodiment may be configured to extend upward from an edge of the lower frame (220). The side frame (230) defines the height of the pack case (200) and forms a preset space between it and the lower frame (220).

[0064] And, a plurality of battery cells (100) are installed in the space between the side frame (230) and the lower frame (220). The side frames (230) may be provided in plurality, and referring to FIG. 2, the plurality of side frames (230) may include long side frames having relatively long lengths and short side frames having relatively short lengths. Alternatively, the lengths of the side frames (230) may all be the same.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 2, a bulkhead frame (240) is coupled to a lower frame (220). In addition, a plurality of bulkhead frames (240) may be provided, and a plurality of battery cells (100) may be arranged between the plurality of bulkhead frames (240). That is, the bulkhead frame (240) is interposed between the plurality of battery cells (100).

[0066] Here, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a rigid reinforcement member (300) can be combined with the bulkhead frame (240).

[0067] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, the bulkhead frame (240) may be configured to include a first bulkhead member (241) and a second bulkhead member (246).

[0068] The first bulkhead member (241) is located on one side. In FIG. 7, the first bulkhead member (241) is located on the left side (left side based on the Y direction of FIG. 7) based on FIG. 7, but the first bulkhead member (241) may also be located on the right side based on FIG. 7. In other words, the side where the first bulkhead member (241) is located may correspond to both the left and right sides.

[0069] The first bulkhead member (241) may include a first plate (242) and a first support member (243). The first plate (242) may be arranged in a vertical direction (Z direction of FIG. 7) based on FIG. 7. In addition, the first support member (243) may be coupled to the upper side of the first plate (242) (see FIG. 8).

[0070] The second bulkhead member (246) is connected to the first bulkhead member (241). The second bulkhead member (246) is located on the other side of the first bulkhead member (241). In FIG. 7, the second bulkhead member (246) is located on the right side (right side based on the Y direction of FIG. 7) based on FIG. 7, but the second bulkhead member (246) may also be located on the left side based on FIG. 7. In other words, the other side where the second bulkhead member (246) is located may correspond to both the right and left sides.

[0071] The second bulkhead member (246) may include a second plate (247) and a second support member (248). The second plate (247) may be arranged in a vertical direction (Z direction of FIG. 7) based on FIG. 7. In addition, the second support member (248) may be coupled to the middle portion of the second plate (247) (see FIG. 8).

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the first plate (242) and the second plate (247) may be arranged to face each other. In addition, when the first plate (242) and the second plate (247) are arranged to face each other, the first support (243) may be configured to contact the second support (248) on the upper side of the second support (248).

[0073] Here, the first bulkhead member (241) and the second bulkhead member (246) can be joined by a bolt (400, see FIG. 2).

[0074] And, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the bulkhead frame (240) can be coupled to the support member (221). Here, the support member (221) can be coupled to the lower frame (220) of the pack case (200), and referring to FIG. 4, the bulkhead frame (240) can be coupled to and supported by the support member (221). Here, the lower frame (220) can be formed of, for example, multiple layers of plates, or a heat sink (not shown) can be coupled to the lower frame (220).

[0075] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7 together, the support member (221) may be placed between the first plate (242) and the second plate (247) and may be in contact with the second support member (248), and the second support member (248) and the support member (221) may be fastened and connected by a bolt (400).

[0076] In particular, even when the lower frame (220) or the bulkhead frame (240) is made of a material that is difficult to weld, the first bulkhead member (241) and the second bulkhead member (246) are fastened by bolts (400), and the second support member (248) and the support member (221) are also fastened by bolts (400), so that they can be easily joined.

[0077] In this regard, in a battery pack (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the pack case (200), for example, the lower frame (220), may be made of steel for reasons such as reinforcing rigidity.

[0078] And, when the bulkhead frame (240) is formed with a structure in which the first bulkhead member (241) and the second bulkhead member (246) are formed in an overlapping manner as described above, since it is not easy to manufacture steel in an overlapping manner, the first bulkhead member (241) and the second bulkhead member (246) can be manufactured from aluminum. That is, the bulkhead frame (240) can be manufactured from aluminum.

[0079] However, if the first bulkhead member (241) and the second bulkhead member (246) are made of aluminum, it becomes difficult to weld them with the lower frame (220) made of steel. Even in cases where welding is difficult due to material properties, the first bulkhead member (241) and the second bulkhead member (246) can be easily joined by a fastening member such as a bolt (400), and can also be joined to the support member (221) by a fastening member such as a bolt (400). However, the fastening member is not limited to the bolt (400).

[0080] That is, as described above, the first bulkhead member (241) includes a first plate (242) and a first support member (243), the second bulkhead member (246) includes a second plate (247) and a second support member (248), and the first support member (243) is in contact with the second support member (248) on the upper side of the second support member (248) and is fastened with a bolt (400), and the support member (221) is in contact with the second support member (248) and the second support member (248) and the support member (221) are fastened with a bolt (400), which provides an effect that allows for joining to each other even when welding is difficult.

[0081] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, a rigid reinforcement member (300) is coupled to a pack case (200) to reinforce the rigidity of the pack case (200). The rigid reinforcement member (300) can be coupled to various parts of the pack case (200), and for example, can be coupled to a bulkhead frame (240).

[0082] The stiffening member (300) may be coupled to at least one of the first support (243) and the second support (248). In FIG. 4, the stiffening member (300) is coupled to both the first support (243) and the second support (248) (see FIG. 5), but this is not limited thereto. For example, the stiffening member (300) may be coupled only to the first support (243) or only to the second support (248).

[0083] Here, the rigid reinforcement member (300) can be connected to at least one of the first support member (243) and the second support member (248) by various types of fastening members. For example, the fastening member may include a connecting pin, a screw, a bolt, etc., but the following description will focus on the case where the fastening member is a bolt (350, see FIG. 5).

[0084] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the rigid reinforcement member (300) may include a main body (310), a connecting portion (320), and a pair of wing portions (330).

[0085] A fastening hole (311) is formed in the main body (310). As shown in Fig. 5, the bolt (350) can fasten the rigid reinforcement member (300) and the first support member (243) or the second support member (248) through the fastening hole (311) of the main body (310).

[0086] And, the connecting portion (320) is bent and extended from the main body (310). The connecting portion (320) can be bent from the main body (310) at various angles, for example, can be bent at a right angle, but is not limited thereto.

[0087] And, a pair of wing parts (330) are connected to a connecting part (320). The connecting part (320) and the pair of wing parts (330) can be configured to prevent the rigid reinforcement member (300) from rotating after being connected to the first support (243) or the second support (248).

[0088] For example, if two fastening holes (311) are formed on the upper and lower sides of the main body (310), and the main body (310) is fastened to both the first support (243) and the second support (248) with bolts (350), the rigid reinforcement member (300) will not rotate.

[0089] However, if one fastening hole (311) is formed in the main body (310), and the main body (310) is fastened only to the first support (243) with a bolt (350), or if the main body (310) is fastened only to the second support (248) with a bolt (350), the rigid reinforcement member (300) can rotate with the bolt (350) as the rotation axis.

[0090] In this case, as a modified embodiment, in the case of the battery pack (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention, the connecting portion (320) bent from the main body (310) may be configured to contact the inner side of the first plate (242) and the inner side of the second plate (247), respectively, and a pair of wing portions (330) may be configured to contact the outer side of the first plate (242) and the outer side of the second plate (247), respectively, to prevent rotation of the rigid reinforcement member (300).

[0091] Referring to Fig. 10, a pair of wing parts (330) may be slantedly connected to a connecting part (320) to form an inclined part (340). Here, the inclined part (340) may be formed such that the connecting part (320) becomes narrower from the bottom to the top with reference to Fig. 10. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 11, the rigid reinforcement member (300) can be in contact with the side frame (230) of the pack case (200). In addition, even if the external structure (500) collides with the pack case (200) as shown in FIG. 11 and pressure is applied to the pack case (200), the rigid reinforcement member (300) supports the pack case (200) to prevent deformation of the pack case (200), thereby preventing damage to the battery cell (100) inside the pack case (200), thereby preventing the battery cell (100) from being short-circuited or the battery cell (100) from igniting.

[0093] FIG. 12 is a drawing for explaining an automobile including a battery pack (10) according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 12, a vehicle (20) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery packs (10) according to each of the embodiments described above. Here, the vehicle (20) includes various types of vehicles that are designed to use electricity, such as electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles.

[0095] In this specification, when terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, and right are used, these terms are only for convenience of explanation, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms may vary depending on the location of the target object or the location of the observer.

[0096] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various modifications and variations within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims to be described below. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed above should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. In other words, the true scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is set forth in the claims, and all differences within the scope of equivalents thereof should be construed as being included in the present invention.

[0097] The present invention relates to a battery pack and an automobile including the same, and is particularly applicable to industries related to secondary batteries.

Claims

1. Multiple battery cells; A pack case storing the plurality of battery cells; and A battery pack including a rigid reinforcement member that is coupled to the pack case and reinforces the rigidity of the pack case.

2. In paragraph 1, The above pack case includes a bulkhead frame, A battery pack characterized in that the above-mentioned rigid reinforcing member is coupled to the above-mentioned bulkhead frame.

3. In paragraph 3, The above bulkhead frame, A first bulkhead member located on one side; and A battery pack characterized by including a second bulkhead member coupled to the first bulkhead member.

4. In paragraph 3, The above first bulkhead member, a first plate arranged vertically; and A battery pack characterized by including a first support member coupled to the upper side of the first plate.

5. In paragraph 4, The above second bulkhead member, a second plate arranged vertically; and A battery pack characterized by including a second support member coupled to the middle portion of the second plate.

6. In paragraph 5, The first plate and the second plate are arranged to face each other, A battery pack characterized in that the first support is in contact with the second support on the upper side of the second support.

7. In paragraph 6, The above pack case includes a lower frame, It includes a support member that is connected to the above lower frame, A battery pack, characterized in that the support member is disposed between the first plate and the second plate and is in contact with the second support member.

8. In paragraph 5, A battery pack, characterized in that the above-mentioned reinforcing member is coupled to at least one of the first support and the second support.

9. In paragraph 8, A battery pack characterized in that the first bulkhead member and the second bulkhead member are made of aluminum and are connected to the support member by a fastening member.

10. In paragraph 8, A battery pack characterized in that the above-mentioned reinforcing member is connected as a fastening member to at least one of the first support member and the second support member.

11. In paragraph 1, The above-mentioned reinforcing member is, Main body part with a fastening hole formed; A connecting portion that is bent and extended from the main body; and A battery pack characterized by comprising a pair of wing portions coupled to the above connecting portion.

12. In paragraph 11, A battery pack characterized in that the pair of wing parts are joined to the connecting part at an angle to form an inclined part.

13. In paragraph 12, A battery pack characterized in that the above-mentioned inclined portion is formed such that the connecting portion becomes narrower from the bottom to the top.

14. In paragraph 1, The above pack case includes a side frame, A battery pack characterized in that the above-mentioned rigid reinforcing member is in contact with the side frame.

15. A vehicle comprising at least one battery pack according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 14.

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