EP-4738581-A1 - ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE COMPRISING BATTERY MODULES

EP4738581A1EP 4738581 A1EP4738581 A1EP 4738581A1EP-4738581-A1

Abstract

An energy storage device may include a plurality of battery modules including a plurality of battery cells, a case configured to accommodate the plurality of battery modules, a support frame configured to support the plurality of battery modules in the case, and a module fixing member configured to fix two adjacent battery modules of the plurality of battery modules.

Inventors

OH, SUNGHOON

Assignees

LG Energy Solution, Ltd.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260506
Application Date: 20250227

Claims (20)

An energy storage device comprising: a plurality of battery modules including a plurality of battery cells; a case configured to accommodate the plurality of battery modules; a support frame configured to support the plurality of battery modules in the case; and a module fixing member configured to fix two adjacent battery modules of the plurality of battery modules.
The energy storage device of claim 1, wherein the module fixing member comprises: a coupling plate; and a partition member disposed between the two adjacent battery modules fixed to the coupling plate.
The energy storage device of claim 2, wherein the coupling plate is coupled to the support frame.
The energy storage device of claim 2, wherein the module fixing member further comprises pads disposed on the coupling plate to support one surface of respective battery modules of the plurality of battery modules.
The energy storage device of claim 4, wherein the pads are disposed on opposite sides of the coupling plate to support the one surface of the respective battery modules of the plurality of battery modules.
The energy storage device of claim 2, wherein a protruding plate protruding backward is integrally formed with opposite outer sides of the coupling plate, and the protruding plate is coupled to the support frame.
The energy storage device of claim 6, wherein the support frame comprises a plurality of vertical support members, and the protruding plate is coupled to the plurality of vertical support members.
The energy storage device of claim 2, wherein bent plates are integrally formed with opposite ends of the coupling plate, respectively, to support one surface of respective battery modules of the plurality of battery modules.
The energy storage device of claim 8, wherein a tab is integrally formed with an end portion of each bent plate and is bent outwards.
The energy storage device of claim 2, wherein the partition member is inserted into an insertion hole of the coupling plate.
The energy storage device of claim 2, wherein the partition member comprises: a first contact surface portion configured to support one side surface one of a first of the two adjacent battery modules; and a second contact surface portion configured to support one side surface of a second of the two adjacent battery modules.
The energy storage device of claim 11, wherein the partition member further comprises: a first coupling portion bent from the first contact surface portion and coupled to the coupling plate; and a second coupling portion bent from the second contact surface portion and coupled to the coupling plate.
The energy storage device of claim 11, wherein each of the first and second contact surface portions has a U-shaped bent portion at one end.
The energy storage device of claim 11, wherein each of the first and second contact surface portions comprises: a plurality of arm portions; and a connecting portion configured to connect the plurality of arm portions.
The energy storage device of claim 11, wherein the partition member further comprises an elastic member disposed between the first contact surface portion and the second contact surface portion.
The energy storage device of claim 15, wherein the first contact surface portion comprises two support tabs configured to support opposite side surfaces of the elastic member.
The energy storage device of claim 16, wherein the second contact surface portion comprises two support tabs configured to support opposite side surfaces of the elastic member.
The energy storage device of claim 1, wherein the support frame comprises a plurality of vertical support members, and the module fixing member is coupled to two vertical support members of the plurality of vertical support members.
The energy storage device of claim 1, wherein the support frame comprises: a lower support portion on which at least one battery module of the plurality of battery modules is supported; and an upper support portion disposed above the lower support portion and on which at least one battery module of the plurality of battery modules is supported.
The energy storage device of claim 19, wherein the module fixing members is provided in plural and are disposed at upper and lower portions of the support frame, respectively, and the module fixing members disposed at the upper and lower portions fix two battery modules of the plurality of battery modules respectively supported on the upper and lower support portions, respectively.

Description

[TECHNICAL FIELD] The present disclosure relates to an energy storage device including a battery module, and more specifically, to an energy storage device having a reduced installation area and securing structural rigidity. [BACKGROUND ART] Unlike primary batteries that cannot be recharged, secondary batteries refer to batteries that may be charged and discharged, and are applied not only to portable devices but also to electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that are driven by an electric drive source. Currently, the types of secondary batteries widely used include lithium ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel hydrogen batteries, nickel zinc batteries, and the like. The operating voltage of these unit secondary battery cells, i.e., unit battery cells, is approximately 2.5 volts (V) to 4.6 V. Accordingly, when a higher output voltage is required, a battery pack is configured by connecting multiple battery cells in series. In addition, a battery pack is configured by connecting multiple battery cells in parallel depending on the charge and discharge capacity required for the battery pack. Accordingly, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack may be set in various ways depending on the required output voltage or charge/discharge capacity. When configuring a battery pack by connecting multiple battery cells in series/parallel, generally, at least one battery cell, a battery module composed of multiple battery cells may be configured first, and then at least one of these battery modules and an additional component may be used to configure the battery pack. Here, the battery module refers to a component in which multiple battery cells are connected in series or parallel, and the battery pack may refer to a component in which multiple battery modules are connected in series or parallel to increase capacity, output, and the like. Recently, energy storage devices are being used to store generated power, and energy storage devices may be configured to include multiple battery modules. A battery module may be configured to include multiple battery cells, and if the battery module is installed horizontally (with a wide bottom surface facing downward), a thickness of an outer case may increase and the installation area may increase. In addition, if the battery module is not completely fixed within the battery pack or energy storage device, there is a risk of damage due to movement or vibration caused by external impact. [DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION] [TECHNICAL OBJECTIVES] The present disclosure aims to provide an energy storage device that may secure structural rigidity while having a reduced installation area and a thin thickness. In addition, the present disclosure aims to provide an energy storage device that may prevent damage to a battery module due to movement or vibration caused by external impact. [TECHNICAL MEANS] An energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality of battery modules including a plurality of battery cells, a case configured to accommodate the plurality of battery modules, a support frame configured to support the plurality of battery modules in the case, and a module fixing member configured to fix two adjacent battery modules of the plurality of battery modules. Furthermore, the module fixing member may include a coupling plate, and a partition member disposed between the two adjacent battery modules fixed to the coupling plate. Furthermore, the coupling plate may be coupled to the support frame. Furthermore, the module fixing member may further include pads disposed on the coupling plate to support one surface of respective battery modules of the plurality of battery modules. Furthermore, the pads may be disposed on opposite sides of the coupling plate to support the one surface of the respective battery modules of the plurality of battery modules. Furthermore, a protruding plate protruding backward may be integrally formed with opposite outer sides of the coupling plate, and the protruding plate may be coupled to the support frame. Furthermore, the support frame may include a plurality of vertical support members, and the protruding plate may be coupled to the plurality of vertical support members. Furthermore, bent plates may be integrally formed with opposite ends of the coupling plate, respectively, to support one surface of respective battery modules of the plurality of battery modules. Furthermore, a tab may be integrally formed with an end portion of each bent plate and may be bent outwards. Furthermore, the partition member may be inserted into an insertion hole of the coupling plate. Furthermore, the partition member may include a first contact surface portion configured to support one side surface one of a first of the two adjacent battery modules, and a second contact surface portion configured to support one side surface of a second of the two adjacent batt