Patent Description:
As the demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, video cameras, and mobile terminals has recently rapidly increased and the development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, satellites, etc. has begun in earnest, research on high-performance secondary batteries capable of repeated charge/discharge has been actively conducted.

Currently commercialized secondary batteries include nickel cadmium batteries, nickel hydride batteries, nickel zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Among them, lithium secondary batteries are in the spotlight because they have almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, and thus have advantages of free charge/discharge, very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

A lithium secondary battery mainly uses a lithium-based oxide and a carbon material as a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material, respectively. Also, the lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate to which the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material are respectively applied are located with a separator therebetween, and a casing, that is, a battery case, for sealing and accommodating the electrode assembly along with an electrolytic solution.

According to a shape of a casing, lithium secondary batteries may be classified into can-type secondary batteries in which an electrode assembly is received in a metal can, and pouch-type secondary batteries in which an electrode assembly is received in a pouch of an aluminum laminate sheet.

In particular, the demand for large-capacity battery packs applied to electric vehicles and the like has recently increased. Such large-capacity battery packs have problems in that a plurality of battery modules are accommodated in a narrow inner space to improve energy density, and thus it is difficult to secure a space for fixing a battery energy management system (BEM).

<CIT> relates to a battery housing including a plurality of side walls oriented to define an interior, and at least one partition that subdivides the interior into at least a first battery compartment and a second battery compartment. The at least one partition defines a flame arrestor configured to provide fluid communication between the first battery compartment and the second battery compartment such that combustion gases are ventable therebetween.

The present disclosure is designed to solve the problems of the related art, and therefore the present disclosure is directed to providing a structure for installing a battery energy management system (BEM) without significant change in a conventional battery pack structure.

However, technical problems to be solved by the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described technical problems and one of ordinary skill in the art will understand other technical problems from the following description.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a battery pack according to claim <NUM>.

The plurality of battery modules may be respectively accommodated in a plurality of receiving spaces divided by the front frame, the rear frame, the pair of side covers, and the at least one module partition wall.

The BEM bracket is located over the battery module located in a receiving space formed between the rear frame and the module partition wall adjacent to the rear frame.

The rear frame may include a supporting rib extending from an inner wall of the rear frame toward the inside of the tray, wherein the other end portion of the BEM bracket is fastened to the supporting rib.

A plurality of partition wall grooves may be formed in a top surface of the module partition wall, wherein one end portion of the BEM bracket is fastened to bottom surfaces of the plurality of partition wall grooves.

The BEM bracket may include: a pair of first brackets spaced apart from each other in a width direction of the battery pack; and a second bracket including a pair of sub-brackets located between the pair of first brackets and a plurality of connecting brackets for connecting the pair of sub-brackets.

Both end portions of the BEM in a longitudinal direction may be respectively fastened to the pair of first brackets.

The BEM may be seated on a seating surface formed by the pair of sub-brackets and the plurality of connecting brackets.

Each of the plurality of battery modules may include a fixing portion formed on at least one side.

Each of the plurality of battery modules may be fixed to at least one of the pair of side covers through the fixing portion.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, there is also provided a vehicle including at least one battery pack.

According to the present disclosure, a structure for installing a battery energy management system (BEM) without significant change in a conventional battery pack structure may be provided. Also, according to the present disclosure, energy density may be improved by minimizing the size of a space required to install a BEM.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure and together with the foregoing disclosure, serve to provide further understanding of the technical features of the present disclosure, and thus, the present disclosure is not construed as being limited to the drawings.

Therefore, the description proposed herein is just a preferable example for the purpose of illustrations only, not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, so it should be understood that other equivalents and modifications could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a battery pack <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of battery modules <NUM>, a tray <NUM>, a pair of side covers <NUM> (330a and 330b), and at least one module partition wall <NUM>. The battery pack <NUM> may further include an upper cover <NUM>. The tray <NUM> and the pair of side covers <NUM> may constitute one pack housing. Alternatively, the tray <NUM>, the pair of side covers <NUM>, and the upper cover <NUM> may constitute one pack housing.

In detail, the battery module <NUM> may include a plurality of secondary batteries <NUM>. Each of the secondary batteries <NUM> may be a pouch-type secondary battery including an electrode assembly (not shown), an electrolytic solution (not shown), and a pouch case <NUM> in which the electrode assembly and the electrolytic solution are accommodated. For example, as shown in <FIG>, when viewed in an F direction (see <FIG>), inside one battery module <NUM>, <NUM> pouch-type secondary batteries <NUM> that are stacked in a longitudinal direction (direction parallel to an X-axis) of the battery pack <NUM> may be accommodated in a module housing <NUM>. However, this is merely an example, and the number of the secondary batteries <NUM> may vary according to required capacity and voltage.

Also, as shown in <FIG>, a positive electrode lead <NUM> and a negative electrode lead <NUM> may be drawn out in opposite directions in a width direction (direction parallel to a Y-axis) of the battery pack <NUM>. That is, the positive electrode lead <NUM> may be provided at an end portion with respect to the center of the secondary battery <NUM>. Also, the negative electrode lead <NUM> may be provided at the other end portion with respect to the center of the secondary battery <NUM>.

The secondary battery <NUM> may be provided so that a body is erected perpendicular to a horizontal surface (X-Y plane). The body of the secondary battery <NUM> may longitudinally extend in the width direction (direction parallel to the Y-axis) of the battery pack <NUM>. Also, the plurality of secondary batteries <NUM> may be configured to, when abnormality such as fire or thermal runaway occurs, discharge gas to one side and/or the other side in the width direction of the battery pack <NUM>. For example, when the secondary battery <NUM> is a pouch-type battery cell, a portion B1 of a sealing portion on a side or the other side in a longitudinal direction of the pouch case <NUM> may have a weak sealing force. Alternatively, the portion of the sealing portion on the side or the other side in the longitudinal direction of the pouch may have a sealing area less than that of the other portion.

Accordingly, when abnormality occurs, the plurality of secondary batteries <NUM> may discharge gas to one side and/or the other side in the longitudinal direction, and thus may discharge the gas in the battery module <NUM> in a desired direction (direction toward a discharge port described below). Accordingly, gas may be smoothly discharged to the outside without being stagnant inside the battery module <NUM>, and thus a secondary explosion or a larger fire inside the battery module <NUM> may be effectively prevented.

However, only the pouch-type battery cell <NUM> may not be applied to the battery pack <NUM> according to the present disclosure, and various types of battery cells known at the time of filing the present application may be employed.

The battery pack <NUM> may include at least one bus bar (not shown) configured to electrically connect the plurality of secondary batteries <NUM> to one another. In detail, the bus bar may include a conductive metal, for example, copper, aluminum, or nickel.

Furthermore, the battery pack <NUM> may include a wire-type bus bar (not shown) for electrically connecting the plurality of battery modules <NUM> to one another.

Each of the plurality of battery modules <NUM> may include a discharge port <NUM>. The discharge port <NUM> may have an opening through which gas generated inside the battery module <NUM> is discharged to the outside. It is preferable that the discharge port <NUM> is formed only on an end portion of the battery module <NUM>. It is preferable that the discharge port <NUM> is formed only on an end portion close to an outer surface of the battery pack <NUM> from among both end portions in a longitudinal direction (direction parallel to the Y-axis) of the battery module <NUM>. This is to prevent a phenomenon where temperature rise is accelerated when a pair of battery modules <NUM> facing each other discharge gas toward each other.

That is, in the battery pack <NUM> according to the present disclosure, a pair of battery modules <NUM> are located on the tray <NUM> to face each other in the width direction (direction parallel to the Y-axis) of the battery pack <NUM>, and two or more battery modules <NUM> are continuously arranged in the longitudinal direction (direction parallel to the X-axis) of the battery pack <NUM>. When the battery pack <NUM> has a structure in which the battery modules <NUM> facing each other discharge gas toward each other, a temperature inside the battery pack <NUM> may rise. Accordingly, a position of the discharge port <NUM> is limited to a position at which high-temperature gas may be discharged to the outside of the battery pack <NUM>.

The discharge port <NUM> may have a tubular shape protruding toward the side cover <NUM>. A tubular end portion of the discharge port <NUM> may be connected to an inlet E1 to communicate with the inside of the side cover <NUM>.

The plurality of battery modules <NUM> are mounted on the tray <NUM>. The tray <NUM> may include a mount plate <NUM> extending in a horizontal direction (direction parallel to an X-Y plane) and allowing the battery module <NUM> to be seated thereon. Also, the tray <NUM> may include a base plate <NUM> coupled to a lower portion of the mount plate <NUM>. The tray <NUM> may include a front frame <NUM> and a rear frame <NUM> each having a plate shape erected in an up-down direction (direction parallel to a Z-axis). The front frame <NUM> may be provided on an end portion in a longitudinal direction (direction parallel to the X-axis) of the mount plate <NUM>. The rear frame <NUM> may be provided on the other end portion in the longitudinal direction (direction parallel to the X-axis) of the mount plate <NUM>.

The tray <NUM> may include an outlet E2 through which gas is discharged to the outside. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the outlet E2 may be formed on both end portions in a longitudinal direction (direction parallel to the Y-axis) of the front frame <NUM>. The outlet E2 may be open so that the inside and the outside of the battery pack <NUM> communicate with each other.

The upper cover <NUM> may be coupled to the top of the tray <NUM>. The upper cover <NUM> has a size large enough to cover all of the plurality of battery modules <NUM> mounted on the tray <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> together with <FIG>, the side cover <NUM> may longitudinally extend in one direction (Y-axis direction). The side cover <NUM> may be formed by using extrusion molding. An end portion in a longitudinal direction (direction parallel to the X-axis) of the side cover <NUM> may be coupled to the front frame <NUM>. The other end portion in the longitudinal direction of the side cover <NUM> may be coupled to the rear frame <NUM>.

Furthermore, the side covers <NUM> may be located on an end portion and the other end portion in a width direction (direction parallel to the Y-axis) of the mount plate <NUM> of the tray <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, two side covers <NUM> may include main body portions <NUM> respectively located on an end portion and the other end portion in the width direction of the mount plate <NUM>. Accordingly, the main body portions <NUM> may function as a left wall and a right wall of the battery pack <NUM>. The main body portions <NUM> may have a shape extending in a front-rear direction (direction parallel to the X-axis). For example, the main body portions <NUM> may have a plate shape extending in the front-rear direction through extrusion molding. The main body portions <NUM> may be erected in the up-down direction (direction parallel to the Z-axis). The main body portions <NUM> may have a hollow structure with an empty inside.

Also, the side cover <NUM> may include the inlet E1 formed by opening a portion. For example, the inlet E1 may be formed by opening a portion of a gas discharge portion <NUM> described below. The inside and the outside of the side cover <NUM> communicate with each other through the inlet E1. Each of a plurality of inlets E1 may be connected to the discharge port <NUM>. That is, the inlet E1 faces the opening of the discharge port <NUM>, and thus a gas passage formed in the gas discharge portion <NUM> and the discharge port <NUM> communicate with each other.

Furthermore, the gas discharge portion <NUM> may have a shape extending in one direction to transfer gas introduced from the inlet E1 to the outlet E2. The gas discharge portion <NUM> may be formed on a side of the main body portion <NUM>. The gas discharge portion <NUM> may have a shape extending from a side of the main body portion <NUM> to the battery module <NUM>. The gas discharge portion <NUM> may have a tubular shape extending in the front-rear direction and having an empty inside through an extrusion method. For example, as shown in <FIG>, each of two side covers <NUM> may include the gas discharge portion <NUM>, and the gas discharge portion <NUM> may extend in the front-rear direction. A front end portion of the gas discharge portion <NUM>, that is, an end portion in the longitudinal direction (direction parallel to the X-axis), may be connected to the outlet E2 provided in the front frame <NUM>.

The gas discharge portion <NUM> may be located over a pipe receiver <NUM> described below. Accordingly, the gas discharge portion <NUM> may be provided in an empty space of the battery pack <NUM> in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction), and thus the energy density of the battery pack <NUM> may be improved.

As such, the battery pack <NUM> according to the present disclosure includes the main body portions <NUM> longitudinally extending in one direction and respectively located on a side and the other side of the tray <NUM>, the plurality of inlets E1 formed by opening portions and each connected to the discharge port <NUM>, and the pair of side covers 330a, 330b each including the gas discharge portion <NUM> configured to transfer gas introduced from the inlet E1 to the outlet E2. Accordingly, the battery pack <NUM> according to the present disclosure may discharge high-temperature gas generated due to abnormality such as fire or thermal runaway in any one of the plurality of battery modules <NUM> to the outside through the gas discharge portion <NUM> without increasing a temperature of an adjacent battery module <NUM>, thereby improving safety in the use of the battery pack <NUM>.

The module partition wall <NUM> is parallel to the front frame <NUM> and the rear frame <NUM>, and is located between adjacent battery modules <NUM>. The module partition wall <NUM> divides an inner receiving space of the tray <NUM> along with the front frame <NUM>, the rear frame <NUM>, and the pair of side covers <NUM>. The plurality of battery modules <NUM> may be respectively accommodated in a plurality of receiving spaces divided by the front frame <NUM>, the rear frame <NUM>, and the pair of side covers <NUM>. The module partition wall <NUM> blocks heat transfer between adjacent battery modules <NUM> in the longitudinal direction (direction parallel to the X-axis) of the battery pack <NUM>, and prevents movement of the battery module <NUM> in the longitudinal direction of the battery pack <NUM>.

As described above, according to the present disclosure, because high-temperature gas generated from the battery module <NUM> may be transferred to the side cover <NUM> located opposite to an adjacent battery module <NUM>, temperature rise of the adjacent battery module <NUM> due to the high-temperature gas may be minimized. Accordingly, when fire or thermal runaway occurs in one battery module <NUM>, propagation of the thermal runaway or fire to adjacent battery modules <NUM> may be effectively prevented.

Furthermore, because the side covers <NUM> are located on a side and the other side in the width direction of the tray <NUM>, the plurality of battery modules <NUM> may be protected from impact in the front-rear direction and a left-right direction. Accordingly, the stability of the battery pack <NUM> may be increased.

<FIG> is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an appearance of a gas discharge portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> together with <FIG> and <FIG>, a gas discharge portion 335A applied to the present disclosure may be formed so that a cross-sectional area of an inner tube increases toward the outlet E2 of the tray <NUM>. That is, in the gas discharge portion 335A, an inner diameter D1 of the inner tube located far from the outlet E2 of the tray <NUM> may be less than an inner diameter D2 of the inner tube located close to the outlet E2.

Accordingly, the internal pressure of a portion of the gas discharge portion 335A close to the outlet E2 may be less that of a portion far from the outlet E2. Accordingly, gas introduced into the gas discharge portion 335A may be guided to move to the outlet E2 of the gas discharge portion 335A where relatively low pressure is created.

According to this configuration of the present disclosure, gas may be smoothly discharged, thereby improving safety in the use of the battery pack <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG> together with <FIG>, an inner space surrounded by an outer wall may be formed in the main body portion <NUM> of the side cover <NUM>. A reinforcing rib R1 extending from an inner surface to the other inner surface may be provided in the inner space. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the inner space surrounded by the outer wall may be formed inside the main body portion <NUM> of the side cover <NUM>. At least one reinforcing rib R1 may be provided in the inner space to extend from an inner surface to the other inner surface.

The reinforcing rib R1 may longitudinally extend from an end portion to the other end portion in a longitudinal direction (direction parallel to the X-axis) of the main body portion <NUM>. The reinforcing rib R1 may be provided on the gas discharge portion <NUM>, a mount portion <NUM> described below, and the pipe receiver <NUM> as well as the main body portion <NUM> of the side cover <NUM>. That is, the gas discharge portion <NUM>, the mount portion <NUM>, and the pipe receiver <NUM> which are elements of the side cover <NUM>, may protect the battery module <NUM> and other elements by securing additional rigidity through the reinforcing rib R1 when external impact of the battery pack <NUM> occurs.

As such, according to the present disclosure, because the reinforcing rib R1 is formed in the inner space of the side cover <NUM>, the mechanical rigidity of the side cover <NUM> may be effectively increased. Accordingly, the battery pack <NUM> may safely protect the plurality of battery modules <NUM> and other elements from external impact in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction.

<FIG> is a bottom view illustrating a battery module of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring back to <FIG> and <FIG>, the battery module <NUM> of the present disclosure may include the module housing <NUM>. The module housing <NUM> may have an inner space in which the plurality of secondary batteries <NUM> are accommodated. The module housing <NUM> may include a fixing portion <NUM> to be coupled to the side cover <NUM>. The fixing portion <NUM> may be provided, for example, on a side and the other side in a longitudinal direction (direction parallel to the Y-axis) of the module housing <NUM>. Each of the plurality of battery modules <NUM> may be fixed to at least one of the pair of side covers <NUM> through the fixing portion <NUM>.

A coupling hole may be formed in the fixing portion <NUM>. A fastening hole may be formed in the side cover <NUM> at a position corresponding to the coupling hole. In detail, the fastening hole may be formed in the gas discharge portion <NUM> of the side cover <NUM>. That is, a plurality of fastening holes and the inlets E1 may be formed in a top surface of the gas discharge portion <NUM> to be spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction (direction parallel to the X-axis) of the gas discharge portion <NUM>.

A pair of outer fixing portions <NUM> provided on a pair of battery modules <NUM> facing each other may be coupled to the gas discharge portion <NUM> by using a fastening bolt (not shown) inserted into the fastening hole and the coupling hole.

As such, in the present disclosure, the battery module <NUM> and the tray <NUM> may be fastened to each other by using a method of indirectly fastening the battery module <NUM> by using a separate structure provided on the mount plate <NUM>, instead of a method of directly fastening the battery module <NUM> to a bottom surface(floor surface) of the tray <NUM>, that is, the mount plate <NUM>. Accordingly, concentration of stress on the bottom surface of the tray <NUM> due to the fastening between the battery module <NUM> and the tray <NUM> may be prevented, and thus the loss of a coolant flowing through a cooling fluid passage formed in the bottom surface of the tray <NUM> due to external impact which causes cooling performance degradation may be prevented. Also, when the coolant flowing through the cooling fluid passage is cooling water, the risk of a short-circuit due to leakage of the cooling water may also be eliminated.

That is, the battery pack <NUM> according to the present disclosure may include a coolant hole 323b formed in the mount plate <NUM> constituting the bottom surface of the tray <NUM>, and the bottom surface of the battery module <NUM> may be connected to the coolant hole 323b to receive and discharge the coolant. That is, the coolant hole 323b may communicate with a coolant passage (not shown) formed in the mount plate <NUM> constituting the bottom surface of the tray <NUM>, and the coolant passage communicates with a cooling pipe <NUM> described below.

Referring back to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the battery pack <NUM> may further include the cooling pipe <NUM> inside which a coolant flows. The coolant may be, for example, cooling water.

Also, the side cover <NUM> includes the pipe receiver <NUM> inside which the cooling pipe <NUM> is accommodated. The pipe receiver <NUM> may have an outer wall formed to surround the cooling pipe <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the outer wall of the pipe receiver <NUM> may include a horizontal plate 339a extending inward from an inner wall of the main body portion <NUM> and a vertical plate 339b extending downward from an end portion of the horizontal plate 339a. The horizontal plate 339a and the vertical plate 339b may be individually provided and fastened to each other by using welding or the like, or may be integrally formed with each other.

As such, according to the present disclosure, because the side cover <NUM> includes the pipe receiver <NUM> inside which the cooling pipe <NUM> is accommodated, damage to the cooling pipe <NUM> due to external impact may be prevented.

Referring back to <FIG>, the tray <NUM> may include a temporary storage S. In detail, when the temporary storage S may be configured so that when a coolant leaks out from the cooling pipe <NUM>, the leaking coolant flows into the temporary storage S. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the temporary storage S may be formed in a space between the mount plate <NUM> and the base plate <NUM>.

An end portion 323a in the longitudinal direction of the mount plate <NUM> may be spaced apart from the main body portion <NUM> of the side cover <NUM>, to provide a passage through which leaking cooling water may flow into the temporary storage S. That is, when a coolant leaks out of the cooling pipe <NUM>, the leaking coolant may flow into the temporary storage S through a gap between the end portion 323a of the mount plate <NUM> and the side cover <NUM>.

As such, because the tray <NUM> includes the temporary storage S configured to allow a coolant leaking out of the cooling pipe <NUM> to flow into the temporary storage S, the leaking coolant may be prevented from being stagnant in a receiving space of the battery module <NUM> or from being introduced into the battery module <NUM>, thereby preventing a short-circuit of the battery module <NUM> due to the coolant.

Referring back to <FIG>, the side cover <NUM> may further include the mount portion <NUM>. The mount portion <NUM> may be provided outside the main body portion <NUM> to be coupled to an external device. A fastening structure may be formed so that the mount portion <NUM> is coupled to an external device. For example, the mount portion <NUM> may be coupled to a body of a vehicle. A bolting hole for inserting a bolt may be formed in the mount portion <NUM>.

As such, according to the present disclosure, because the mount portion <NUM> is further included, the battery pack <NUM> may be stably fixed to an external device such as a body of a vehicle.

Also, the mount portion <NUM> may be configured to protect the plurality of battery modules <NUM> located thereinside from external impact. To this end, the mount portion <NUM> may protrude outward from the main body portion <NUM>. The mount portion <NUM> may have a hollow structure with an empty inside. That is, the mount portion <NUM> may protrude outward to, when impact is applied from a side of the battery pack <NUM>, absorb or respond to the impact.

Referring to <FIG> together with <FIG> and <FIG>, in a battery module 200B applied to a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a stopper <NUM> is provided on the discharge port <NUM>. The stopper <NUM> may seal an outlet of the discharge port <NUM> below a certain temperature. The stopper <NUM> may be configured to be melted and lost at the certain temperature or higher. For example, the stopper <NUM> may include a material whose melting point is equal to or higher than <NUM>. For example, the stopper <NUM> may include a paraffin material. The stopper <NUM> may be melted and lost, for example, at <NUM>, to open the discharge port <NUM>.

As such, because the battery module 200B of the present disclosure includes the stopper <NUM> configured to seal the discharge port <NUM> below a certain temperature and open the discharge port <NUM> by being melted and lost at the certain temperature or higher, high-temperature gas of the battery module 200B in which fire or thermal runaway occurs may cause the stopper <NUM> to be melted and lost, and thus the discharge port <NUM> may be opened to discharge the high-temperature gas. Because the discharge port <NUM> may be sealed in a normal use state in which an internal temperature is maintained at the certain temperature or higher, an external material (particularly, a conductive material) may be prevented from being introduced into the battery module 200B.

Furthermore, because the battery module 200B of the present disclosure uses the stopper <NUM>, when high-temperature gas is discharged from the battery module 200B in which fire or thermal runaway occurs, the gas moving to the gas discharge portion <NUM> may be prevented from being introduced into the battery module 200B through the discharge portion <NUM> of another adjacent battery module 200B.

Referring to <FIG> together with <FIG>, a BEM assembly <NUM> includes a BEM bracket <NUM> and a BEM <NUM>.

For example, an end portion of the BEM bracket <NUM> may be fastened to the module partition wall <NUM> and the other end portion of the BEM bracket <NUM> may be fastened to the rear frame <NUM>. In detail, a plurality of partition wall grooves <NUM> may be formed in a top surface of the module partition wall <NUM>, and an end portion of the BEM bracket <NUM> may be fastened to bottom surfaces(floor surfaces) of the partition wall grooves <NUM>. Also, the rear frame <NUM> may include a supporting rib <NUM> extending inward from an inner wall of the rear frame <NUM>, and the other end portion of the BEM bracket <NUM> may be fastened to the supporting rib <NUM>.

The BEM bracket <NUM> may include a pair of first brackets <NUM>, and a second bracket <NUM> located between the pair of first brackets <NUM>. In this case, the pair of first brackets <NUM> are spaced apart from each other in the width direction (direction parallel to the Y-axis) of the battery pack <NUM>. Also, the second bracket <NUM> may include a pair of sub-brackets 412a located between the pair of first brackets <NUM> and a plurality of connecting brackets 412b for connecting the pair of sub-brackets 412a.

An end portion in a longitudinal direction (direction parallel to the X-axis) of each of the first bracket <NUM> and the sub-bracket 412a may be bolted to the module partition wall <NUM> by using a partition wall hole 341a formed in a bottom surface of a partition wall groove <NUM>. Also, the other end portion in the longitudinal direction (direction parallel to the X-axis) of each of the first bracket <NUM> and the sub-bracket 412a may be bolted to the supporting rib <NUM> by using a rib hole 327a formed in the supporting rib <NUM>.

The BEM bracket <NUM> is located over the battery module <NUM> located in a receiving space formed between the rear frame <NUM> and the module partition wall <NUM> adjacent to the rear frame <NUM>. The BEM bracket <NUM> may be formed to have, for example, a substantially arcuate shape that is curved upward.

In detail, each of the first bracket <NUM> and the sub-bracket 412a may be formed to have, for example, a substantially arcuate shape that is curved upward. The first bracket <NUM> and the sub-bracket 412a may be located over the battery module <NUM>, and thus the BEM <NUM> may be upwardly spaced apart from the battery module <NUM>.

The BEM <NUM> may be electrically connected to the plurality of battery modules <NUM>, and may also be electrically connected to a sensor (not shown) located inside the tray <NUM>. The BEM <NUM> controls charging/discharging of the battery pack <NUM> by referring to a driving condition of a vehicle to which the battery pack <NUM> is applied, a state of charge of the battery module <NUM>, a temperature inside the battery pack <NUM>, etc..

Although not shown, both end portions of the BEM <NUM> in a longitudinal direction may be respectively fastened to the pair of first brackets <NUM>. Also, the BEM <NUM> may be seated on a seating surface formed by the pair of sub-brackets 412a and the plurality of connecting brackets 412b. That is, the second bracket <NUM> may function to form the seating surface on which the BEM <NUM> is seated, and the first bracket <NUM> may function to tightly fix the BEM <NUM> by being fastened to the both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the seated BEM <NUM>. The second bracket <NUM> may not be coupled to the BEM <NUM> and may function only as a support for supporting the BEM <NUM>.

As such, the battery pack <NUM> according to the present disclosure has a structure in which the BEM <NUM> may be fastened by using the module partition wall <NUM> and the rear frame <NUM> provided in an inner space of the pack housing. That is, the battery pack <NUM> according to the present disclosure does not cause a loss of energy density due to the introduction of a separate structure for installing the BEM <NUM>.

In particular, the BEM bracket <NUM> of the present disclosure may be provided over the battery module <NUM> by using a structure provided in the tray <NUM>, and thus a receiving space inside the tray <NUM> may be fully used as a space for accommodating the battery module <NUM>. Accordingly, the battery pack <NUM> according to the present disclosure may maximize the effect of improving energy density.

A vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, and includes at least one battery pack <NUM> according to the present disclosure as described above. That is, the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may mount the battery pack <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a body of the vehicle. In this case, the side cover <NUM> may be coupled to the body of the vehicle.

It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that when terms indicating directions such as upper, lower, left, right, front, and rear are used, these terms are only for convenience of explanation and may vary according to a position of an target object, a position of an observer, etc..

Claim 1:
A battery pack (<NUM>) comprising:
a plurality of battery modules (<NUM>);
a tray (<NUM>) comprising a mount plate (<NUM>) on which the plurality of battery modules (<NUM>) are seated, a front frame (<NUM>) provided at an end portion in a longitudinal direction of the mount plate (<NUM>) , and a rear frame (<NUM>) provided at the other end portion in the longitudinal direction of the mount plate (<NUM>);
a pair of side covers (<NUM>) covering both end portions in a width direction of the tray (<NUM>);
at least one module partition wall (<NUM>) parallel to the front frame (<NUM>) and the rear frame (<NUM>), and located between adjacent battery modules (<NUM>); and
a battery energy management system, BEM, assembly (<NUM>) comprising a BEM bracket (<NUM>) having one end portion fastened to the module partition wall (<NUM>) and the other end portion fastened to the rear frame (<NUM>), and a BEM (<NUM>) mounted on the BEM bracket (<NUM>);
wherein the BEM bracket (<NUM>) is located over the battery module (<NUM>), and thus the BEM (<NUM>) is upwardly spaced apart from the battery module (<NUM>).