Storage device for battery modules

Abstract

A storage device for battery modules is provided, which comprises a plurality of retaining members that are fastened to one another in a stack; receiving portions that form spaces divided by interfaces between the retaining members and arranged in plurality of lines along the interfaces; and shock-absorbing members that are mounted on the receiving portions to surround the battery modules.

1 . A storage device for battery modules comprising:
 a plurality of retaining members that are fastened to one another in a stack;   receiving portions that form spaces divided by interfaces between the retaining members and arranged in plurality of lines along the interfaces; and   shock-absorbing members that are mounted on the receiving portions to surround the battery modules.   
     
     
         2 . The storage device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the retaining member includes (a) upper and lower separate bodies each having integrally formed walls of a first horizontal wall formed in the arrangement direction of the battery modules, first outer walls formed across the arrangement direction of the battery modules at the left and right ends of the first horizontal wall, and first inner walls formed apart from each other between the first outer walls, and (b) intermediate separate bodies each having integrally formed walls of a second horizontal wall formed in the arrangement direction of the battery module, second outer walls formed at the left and right ends of the second horizontal wall, corresponding to the first outer walls of the upper and lower separate bodies, and second inner walls formed corresponding to the first inner walls of the upper and lower separate bodies between the second outer walls; and   fastening holes are formed in the upper and lower separate bodies and the intermediate separate bodies to fasten the upper and lower and intermediate separate bodies in a stack with bolts and nuts.   
     
     
         3 . The storage device as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the receiving portions are through-holes formed in a plurality of rows on the interfaces between the upper and lower separate bodies and the intermediate separate bodies, and the interfaces between the intermediate separate bodies. 
     
     
         4 . The storage device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the retaining member includes a plurality of separate bodies that are disposed at predetermined intervals across the arrangement direction of the battery module and fastened to one another in a stack; and   fastening holes are formed in each of the separate bodies to fasten the bodies in a stack with bolts and nuts.   
     
     
         5 . The storage device as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the receiving portions are through-holes formed in a plurality of rows on the interfaces between the separate bodies that are stacked. 
     
     
         6 . The storage device as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein:
 grooves connecting adjacent receiving portions are formed on the interfaces between receiving portions at the left and right outermost sides of the retaining members; and   busbar plates are mounted on the grooves to electrically connect the battery modules placed in the adjacent receiving portions.   
     
     
         7 . The storage device as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein:
 the uppermost and lowermost retaining members in the stacked retaining members are longer than the intermediate retaining members; and   both ends of the lowermost retaining members are bent to cover both ends of the intermediate retaining members and connected to the bottom of the uppermost retaining members at both ends thereof.   
     
     
         8 . The storage device as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein:
 the uppermost, lowermost, and middle retaining members are longer than the intermediate retaining members between the uppermost retaining members and middle retaining members, and the lowermost retaining members and the middle retaining members; and   both ends of the middle retaining members are bent to cover both ends of the intermediate retaining members and connected to the bottoms of the uppermost and lowermost retaining members at both end portions thereof.   
     
     
         9 . The storage device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein grooves and protrusions for fitting are correspondingly formed on the interfaces between the retaining members. 
     
     
         10 . The storage device as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the shock-absorbing member includes:
 a first shock-absorbing portion with a plurality of smooth recesses each of which has the same shape as the receiving portion to cover the interface; and   a second shock-absorbing portion that is integrally bent at both sides of the first shock-absorbing portion to cover at least one side portion of the retaining member.   
     
     
         11 . The storage device as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the shock-absorbing member includes:
 a third shock-absorbing portion that is recessed so as to individually cover the receiving portion; and   a fourth shock-absorbing portion that is integrally bent at both sides of the third shock-absorbing portion to cover at least one side portion of the retaining member.   
     
     
         12 . The storage device as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the shock-absorbing member includes:
 a fifth shock-absorbing portion that is recessed so as to individually cover the receiving portion; and   a first fitting pin that integrally protrudes from the bottom of the fifth shock-absorbing portion and is fitted in a first insertion hole formed in the receiving portion.   
     
     
         13 . The storage device as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the shock-absorbing member includes:
 a sixth shock-absorbing portion that has a smooth recess having the same shape as the receiving portion and covers the interface near the receiving portion; and   second fitting pins that integrally protrude from the bottom of the sixth shock-absorbing portion at both sides thereof and are fitted in second insertion holes formed in the retaining member.   
     
     
         14 . The storage device as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the shock-absorbing member is an O-ring that is provided around the battery module and fitted in a first groove formed in the receiving portion in a longitudinal direction thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The storage device as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the shock-absorbing member includes:
 a band-shaped member with a curved portion, which member is fitted in a second groove recessed in and near the the receiving portion; and   third fitting pins that integrally protrude from the bottom of the band-shaped member at both sides thereof and are fitted in third insertion grooves formed in the second groove.   
     
     
         16 . The storage device as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein:
 grooves connecting adjacent receiving portions are formed on the interfaces between receiving portions at the left and right outermost sides of the retaining members; and   busbar plates are mounted on the grooves to electrically connect the battery modules placed in the adjacent receiving portions.   
     
     
         17 . The storage device as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein:
 the uppermost and lowermost retaining members in the stacked retaining members are longer than the intermediate retaining members; and   both ends of the lowermost retaining members are bent to cover both ends of the intermediate retaining members and connected to the bottom of the uppermost retaining members at both ends thereof.   
     
     
         18 . The storage device as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein:
 the uppermost, lowermost, and middle retaining members are longer than the intermediate retaining members between the uppermost retaining members and middle retaining members, and the lowermost retaining members and the middle retaining members; and   both ends of the middle retaining members are bent to cover both ends of the intermediate retaining members and connected to the bottoms of the uppermost and lowermost retaining members at both end portions thereof.