Patent Description:
Secondary batteries that have high ease of application according to product groups and have electrical characteristics such as high energy density, etc. are universally applied to not only portable devices, but also electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid vehicles (HEVs) driven by an electric drive source. These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for improving eco-friendliness and energy efficiency in that not only the primary advantage of being able to dramatically reduce the use of fossil fuels but also the fact that no by-products are generated from the use of energy.

The types of secondary batteries that are currently widely used include a lithium ion battery, a lithium polymer battery, a nickel cadmium battery, a nickel hydrogen battery, a nickel zinc battery, etc. The operating voltage of such a unit secondary battery cell, that is, a unit battery cell, is about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V. Accordingly, when a higher output voltage is required, a plurality of battery cells are connected in series to configure a battery pack. In addition, a plurality of battery cells are connected in parallel to configure a battery pack according to the charge/discharge capacity required for the battery pack. Accordingly, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack may be set in various ways according to a required output voltage or charge/discharge capacity.

Meanwhile, when a battery pack is configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series/parallel, a method of configuring the battery pack by first configuring a battery module including at least one battery cell, and adding other components using the at least one battery module is common.

The conventional battery pack is configured to include a case tray supporting at least one battery module, and a case cover coupled to the case tray through at least one fastening member to package the at least one battery module.

Here, coupling through the at least one fastening member is made in edges of the case tray and the case cover. And, such a conventional battery pack is mounted on a structure such as a vehicle as a fuel source of a structure such as a vehicle, etc..

Meanwhile, in the case of the conventional battery pack, when the case tray and the case cover are coupled to each other through at least one fastening member, a sealing gasket disposed between the case tray and the case cover is assembled together with the case tray and the case cover, to realize a watertight structure.

However, in the conventional battery pack, upon such coupling of the case tray and the case cover, even if a position of the sealing gasket is misaligned, since it is difficult to check misalignment, there is a problem in a high risk of an erroneous assembly.

In addition, in the conventional battery pack, there is a problem in that the sealing performance of the entire battery pack deteriorates during the erroneous assembly of the sealing gasket.

Therefore, it is required to seek a solution to increase the assembly accuracy of the sealing gasket for realizing a solid watertight structure.

Further prior art is described in <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

The present disclosure is designed to solve the problems of the related art, and therefore the present disclosure is directed to providing a battery pack capable of increasing an assembly accuracy of a sealing gasket for realizing a solid watertight structure, and a vehicle including the battery pack.

The present disclosure is also directed to providing a battery pack capable of effectively preventing deterioration of sealing performance even if an erroneous assembly of the sealing gasket occurs and a vehicle including the battery pack.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a battery pack including at least one battery module including at least one battery cell; a case tray configured to support the at least one battery module; a case cover coupled to the case tray so that the at least one battery module is packaged; and a sealing gasket disposed between the case tray and the case cover to prevent penetration of moisture or foreign substances into the battery module, and including at least one position guider configured to guide positioning between the case tray and the case cover when the case tray and the case cover are coupled to each other, wherein the sealing gasket is disposed between an edge of the case tray and an edge of the case cover, wherein the sealing gasket includes a gasket band formed to correspond to shapes of the edge of the case tray and the edge of the case cover; a plurality of fastening portions formed on the gasket band and through which fastening members for the coupling of the case tray and the case cover pass; and the at least one position guider provided between the plurality of fastening portions and configured to protrude from the gasket band in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the gasket band by a predetermined length.

The sealing gasket may further include an elastic bead formed on an outer circumferential surface of the gasket band and elastically deformable when the case tray and the case cover are coupled to each other.

The elastic bead may include a band bead formed on the outer circumferential surface of the gasket band; and a fastening bead formed on outer circumferential surfaces of the plurality of fastening portions.

The at least one position guider may be spaced apart from the band bead so as not to interfere with the band bead.

The band bead may be formed in a longitudinal direction of the gasket band.

The at least one position guider may have a protrusion length that is at least same as protrusion lengths of the plurality of fastening portions so as not to exceed edge lines of the case tray and the case cover.

The position guider may be provided in plurality, and the plurality of position guiders may be provided as at least one or more position guiders between the plurality of fastening portions.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a vehicle including at least one battery pack according to the embodiments described above.

According to various embodiments as described above, a battery pack capable of increasing an assembly accuracy of a sealing gasket for realizing a solid watertight structure, and a vehicle including the battery pack, may be provided.

In addition, according to various embodiments as described above, a battery pack capable of effectively preventing deterioration of sealing performance even if an erroneous assembly of the sealing gasket occurs and a vehicle including the battery pack may be provided.

In addition, in order to help the understanding of the invention, the accompanying drawings are not shown in actual scale, but dimensions of some components may be exaggeratedly shown.

<FIG> is a view for explaining a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a battery pack <NUM> is provided, as an energy source, in a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The battery pack <NUM> is mounted on a body of the vehicle, and is mounted on a lower portion of the body of the vehicle.

In addition, the battery pack <NUM> is possible to be mounted on a position of the conventional oil tank in place of an oil tank. For example, in the case of an electric (EV) truck or an EV bus, the battery pack <NUM> may be mounted on a position of an oil tank in a previous general truck or general bus in place of an oil tank.

Such a battery pack <NUM> is configured to include a battery module <NUM>, a case tray <NUM>, a case cover <NUM>, and a sealing gasket <NUM>.

The battery module <NUM> may be provided in at least one or in plurality. The battery module <NUM> may include a battery cell <NUM>.

The battery cell <NUM> is provided in at least one or more. Such a battery cell <NUM> is a secondary battery, and may be provided, as a pouch type secondary battery, a square type secondary battery, or a cylindrical type secondary battery. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the battery cell <NUM> will be described as being provided as a pouch type secondary battery.

The case tray <NUM> supports the battery module <NUM>, and may be mounted on machine or instrument that uses the battery pack <NUM> as an energy source. For example, the case tray <NUM> may be mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle.

A tray fastening hole <NUM> is provided in the case tray <NUM>.

A fastening member B that will be described below is fastened through the tray fastening hole <NUM>. The tray fastening hole <NUM> is provided in plurality. The plurality of tray fastening holes <NUM> are disposed along the edge of the case tray <NUM> and are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

The case cover <NUM> is coupled to the case tray <NUM> through the fastening member B (see <FIG>), etc. so that the battery module <NUM> is packaged. Such coupling of the case cover <NUM> and the case tray <NUM> through the fastening member B, etc. is performed in the edge of the case cover <NUM> and the edge of the case tray <NUM>. Meanwhile, in the case of the EV truck or the EV bus, when the battery pack <NUM> is mounted on a position of an oil tank in a previous general truck or general bus in place of the oil tank, the assembly accuracy between the case tray <NUM> and the case cover <NUM> is further required.

A case fastening hole <NUM> is provided in the case cover <NUM>.

The fastening member B passes through the case fastening hole <NUM>. Such a case fastening hole <NUM> is provided in plurality. The plurality of case fastening holes <NUM> are disposed along the edge of the case cover <NUM> and are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. The plurality of case fastening holes <NUM> are provided in positions corresponding to the plurality of tray fastening holes <NUM>.

The sealing gasket <NUM> is for sealing the battery pack <NUM> and is disposed between the case tray <NUM> and the case cover <NUM> to prevent penetration of moisture or foreign substances into the battery module <NUM>.

Such a sealing gasket <NUM> is disposed between the edge of the case tray <NUM> and the edge of the case cover <NUM>. Such a sealing gasket <NUM> is coupled together with the case tray <NUM> and the case cover <NUM> through the fastening members B.

At least one position guider <NUM> guiding positioning between the case tray <NUM> and the case cover <NUM> when the case tray <NUM> and the case cover <NUM> are coupled to each other may be provided in the sealing gasket <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the sealing gasket <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

<FIG> is a view for explaining a sealing gasket of the battery pack of <FIG>, and <FIG> is an enlarged view of a main part of the sealing gasket of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the sealing gasket <NUM> may include a gasket band <NUM>, a fastening portion <NUM>, an elastic bead <NUM>, and the at least one position guider <NUM>.

The gasket band <NUM> is formed to correspond to shapes of the edge of the case tray <NUM> and the edge of the case cover <NUM>. Such a gasket band <NUM> may have a predetermined length and may be made of a rubber material, etc..

The fastening portion <NUM> is provided in plurality. The plurality of fastening portions <NUM> are formed on the gasket band <NUM>, and the fastening members B for coupling of the case tray <NUM> and the case cover <NUM> may pass therethrough.

The elastic bead <NUM> is to further improve a sealing performance of the sealing gasket <NUM>, and may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the gasket band <NUM>. Such an elastic bead <NUM> is elastically deformable while being pressed by the case tray <NUM> and the case cover <NUM> when the case tray <NUM> and the case cover <NUM> are coupled to each other.

Such an elastic bead <NUM> includes a band bead <NUM> and a fastening bead <NUM>.

The band bead <NUM> is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the gasket band <NUM>. Such a band bead <NUM> is formed long in a longitudinal direction of the gasket band <NUM>.

The fastening beads <NUM> are provided in plurality. The plurality of fastening beads <NUM> are formed on outer circumferential surfaces of the plurality of fastening portions <NUM>. The plurality of fastening beads <NUM> have a shape corresponding to the shape of the plurality of fastening portions <NUM>.

The at least one position guider <NUM> is provided between the plurality of fastening portions <NUM>, and protrudes from the gasket band <NUM> by a predetermined length in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the gasket band <NUM>.

The at least one position guider <NUM> has a protrusion length that is at least the same as a protrusion length of the plurality of fastening portions <NUM>. In addition, the at least one position guider <NUM> protrudes so as not to exceed edge lines of the case tray <NUM> and the case cover <NUM>.

The protrusion length of the at least one position guider <NUM> is a preset protrusion length for correct positioning of the sealing gasket <NUM>. The preset protrusion length is at least the same protrusion length as the protrusion length of the plurality of fastening portions <NUM> or is a protrusion length disposed near on the lines of the case tray <NUM> and the case cover <NUM> so as not to exceed the edge lines of the case tray <NUM> and the case cover <NUM>.

The at least one position guider <NUM> may be spaced apart from the band bead <NUM> so as not to interfere with the band bead <NUM>.

The position guider <NUM> may be provided in plurality.

The plurality of position guiders <NUM> are provided in at least one or more position guiders <NUM> between the plurality of fastening portions <NUM>. Such a plurality of position guiders <NUM> are disposed to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the gasket band <NUM>.

Through the plurality of position guiders <NUM>, when the sealing gasket <NUM> is disposed between the case tray <NUM> and the case cover <NUM>, a manufacturer, etc., may quickly determine whether the sealing gasket <NUM> is disposed in a correct position by easily checking positions of the plurality of position guiders <NUM> with the naked eye.

<FIG> is a view for explaining a sealing gasket according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

A sealing gasket <NUM> according to the present embodiment is similar to the sealing gasket <NUM> of the previous embodiment, and thus redundant descriptions of components substantially the same as or similar to those of the previous embodiment will be omitted, and hereinafter, differences between the present embodiment and the previous embodiment will be explained.

Referring to <FIG>, the sealing gasket <NUM> includes the gasket band <NUM>, the fastening portions <NUM>, the elastic bead <NUM>, the position guider <NUM>, and an additional guider <NUM>.

The gasket band <NUM> and the fastening portions <NUM> are substantially the same as or similar to those of the previous embodiment, and thus redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted below.

The elastic bead <NUM> includes a band bead <NUM> and a fastening bead <NUM>.

The band bead <NUM> and the fastening bead <NUM> are substantially the same as or similar to those of the previous embodiment, and thus redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted below.

The position guider <NUM> is substantially the same as or similar to that of the previous embodiment, and thus a redundant description thereof will be omitted below.

The additional guider <NUM> protrudes from the gasket band <NUM> by a predetermined length and may be disposed in a direction opposite to the position guider <NUM>. Such an additional guider <NUM> protrudes at least by the same length as that of the position guider <NUM>.

The additional guider <NUM> guides positioning of the sealing gasket <NUM> together with the position guider <NUM>. The manufacturer, etc. may more accurately determine a position of the sealing gasket <NUM> upon assembling of the sealing gasket <NUM> through the additional guider <NUM> together with the position guider <NUM>, thereby realizing more accurate positioning of the sealing gasket <NUM> during a manufacturing process of the battery pack <NUM>.

A sealing gasket <NUM> according to the present embodiment is similar to the sealing gasket <NUM> of the previous embodiment, and thus redundant descriptions of components substantially the same as or similar to those of the previous embodiment will be omitted, and hereinafter, differences between the present embodiment and the previous embodiment will be mainly explained.

Referring to <FIG>, the sealing gasket <NUM> includes the gasket band <NUM>, the fastening portions <NUM>, the elastic bead <NUM>, the position guider <NUM>, and a guide bead <NUM>.

The elastic bead <NUM> includes the band bead <NUM> and the fastening bead <NUM>.

The guide bead <NUM> is provided on the gasket band <NUM>, and is provided at a position close to the position guider <NUM>. Such a guide bead <NUM> is provided in an approximately circular shape.

The guide bead <NUM> further improves a sealing performance of the sealing gasket <NUM> together with the elastic bead <NUM>. The guide bead <NUM> is elastically deformable while being pressed by the case tray <NUM> and the case cover <NUM>, together with the elastic bead <NUM>, when the case tray <NUM> and the case cover <NUM> are coupled to each other.

Hereinafter, an assembly process of the sealing gasket <NUM> when the case tray and the case cover of the battery pack <NUM> according to the present embodiment are coupled to each other will be described in more detail.

<FIG> and <FIG> are views for explaining an assembly process of a sealing gasket when the case tray and the case cover of the battery pack of <FIG> are coupled to each other.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, during a manufacturing process of the battery pack <NUM>, the manufacturer, etc. makes the battery module <NUM> seated in the case tray <NUM> and then couple the case tray <NUM> and the case cover <NUM> to each other through the fastening members B.

The manufacturer, etc. may make the sealing gasket <NUM> seated on the edge of the case tray <NUM> and the edge of the case cover <NUM>, and integrate and fasten through the case cover <NUM>, the sealing gasket <NUM>, and the case tray <NUM> through the fastening members B, for sealing of the battery pack <NUM>.

At this time, in order to prevent deterioration of the sealing performance due to an erroneous assembly or a distortion of the sealing gasket <NUM> due to the erroneous assembly, it is important that the sealing gasket <NUM> is disposed in the correct position on the edge of the case tray <NUM> and the edge of the case cover <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, through the plurality of position guiders <NUM>, when the sealing gasket <NUM> is seated on the case tray <NUM>, the manufacturer, etc., may easily check whether the sealing gasket <NUM> is seated in the correct position by simply checking positions of the plurality of position guiders <NUM> of the sealing gasket <NUM> with the naked eye.

Accordingly, the manufacturer, etc., may make the sealing gasket <NUM> disposed in the correct position through the position guider <NUM>, and then, integrate and fasten through the case cover <NUM>, the sealing gasket <NUM>, and the case tray <NUM> through the fastening members B.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the battery pack <NUM> is manufactured, the erroneous assembly of the sealing gasket <NUM> is prevented more simply and quickly through the position guider <NUM>.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the erroneous assembly of the sealing gasket <NUM> or damage due to the erroneous assembly through the position guider <NUM>.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, it is possible to effectively guide the correct position assembly of the sealing gasket <NUM> through the position guider <NUM>, thereby more fundamentally preventing deterioration of the sealing performance due to the erroneous assembly of the sealing gasket <NUM>.

In addition, in the present embodiment, even if the sealing gasket <NUM> is erroneously assembled due to a mistake of the manufacturer, etc., in checking positions with naked eye, as the position guider <NUM> is spaced apart from the elastic bead <NUM>, there is no interference problem with the elastic bead <NUM> that is compressed upon fastening through the fastening member B or the interference problem is minimized, and thus it is possible to effectively prevent the deterioration of the sealing performance due to the distortion of the sealing gasket <NUM>.

Also, in <FIG> and <FIG>, it has been described only with respect to the sealing gasket <NUM>, but the sealing gaskets <NUM> and <NUM> of the previous embodiments may also prevent the erroneous assembly and realizing the correct positioning effect like the sealing gasket <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view for explaining a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the battery pack <NUM> is provided in a vehicle V, as a fuel source of the vehicle. As an example, the battery pack <NUM> is provided in an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, and the vehicle V in other methods of using the other battery pack <NUM> as a fuel source.

In addition, the battery pack <NUM> may be provided in other devices such as an energy storage system that uses a secondary battery, instruments, and facilities, in addition to the vehicle V.

As such, the vehicle V according to the present embodiment and devices such as the vehicle V, instruments, and facilities including the battery pack <NUM> include the battery module <NUM> described above, and thus the battery pack <NUM> having all the advantages owing to the battery module <NUM> described above and devices such as the vehicle V, instruments, and facilities including such a battery pack <NUM> may be implemented.

According to various embodiments as described above, the battery pack <NUM> capable of increasing an assembly accuracy of the sealing gaskets <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> for realizing a solid watertight structure and the vehicle V including such a battery pack <NUM> may be provided.

In addition, according to various embodiments as described above, even if an erroneous assembly of the sealing gaskets <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> occurs, the battery pack <NUM> capable of effectively preventing deterioration of sealing performance and the vehicle V including such a battery pack <NUM> is provided.

Claim 1:
A battery pack(<NUM>) comprising:
at least one battery module (<NUM>) comprising at least one battery cell (<NUM>);
a case tray (<NUM>) configured to support the at least one battery module (<NUM>);
a case cover (<NUM>) coupled to the case tray (<NUM>) such that the at least one battery module (<NUM>) is packaged; and
a sealing gasket (<NUM>) disposed between the case tray (<NUM>) and the case cover (<NUM>) to prevent penetration of moisture or foreign substances into the battery module (<NUM>), and comprising at least one position guider (<NUM>) configured to guide positioning between the case tray (<NUM>) and the case cover (<NUM>) when the case tray (<NUM>) and the case cover (<NUM>) are coupled to each other,
wherein the sealing gasket (<NUM>) is disposed between an edge of the case tray (<NUM>) and an edge of the case cover (<NUM>),
wherein the sealing gasket (<NUM>) comprises:
a gasket band (<NUM>) formed to correspond to shapes of the edge of the case tray (<NUM>) and the edge of the case cover (<NUM>);
a plurality of fastening portions (<NUM>) formed on the gasket band (<NUM>) and through which fastening members (B) for the coupling of the case tray (<NUM>) and the case cover (<NUM>) pass;
characterized in that the at least one position guider (<NUM>) provided between the plurality of fastening portions (<NUM>) and configured to protrude from the gasket band (<NUM>) in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the gasket band (<NUM>) by a predetermined length.