Battery pack

Abstract

A battery pack includes a plurality of battery modules, each battery module having a plurality of stacked battery cells and a casing member surrounding the plurality of battery cells, and a connection member connecting the plurality of battery modules to each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A battery module comprising:
 a plurality of stacked battery cells; and   a casing member surrounding the plurality of battery cells, the casing member comprising:
 an upper casing covering an upper portion of the plurality of battery cells; 
 a pair of first side casings located at opposite sides of the plurality of battery cells, each of the first side casings having an angle iron shape; and 
 a pair of second side casings located at opposite sides of the plurality of battery cells different from the opposite sides where the pair of first side casings are located, each of the second side casings having a constant overall width, and at least one opening extending in a longitudinal direction from an end of the of the second side casing, the opening being a blind hole. 
   
     
     
         2 . The battery module according to  claim 1 , wherein opposite ends of the pair of first side casings are aligned with opposite ends of the pair of side casings to be flush with each other. 
     
     
         3 . The battery module according to  claim 1 , wherein opposite ends of the pair of first sides casings are offset with respect to opposite ends of the pair of second side casings to define stepped portions between adjacent first side casings and second side casings. 
     
     
         4 . A battery pack comprising:
 a plurality of battery modules, each battery module comprising:
 a plurality of stacked battery cells; and 
 a casing member surrounding the plurality of battery cells, the casing member comprising: 
 an upper casing covering an upper portion of the plurality of battery cells; 
 a pair of first side casings located at opposite sides of the plurality of battery cells, each of the first side casings having an angle iron shape; and 
 a pair of second side casings located at opposite sides of the plurality of battery cells different from the opposite sides where the pair of first side casings are located, each of the second side casings having a constant overall width, and at least one opening extending in a longitudinal direction from an end of the of the second side casing, the opening being a blind hole; 
   a connection member connecting adjacent battery modules to each other, the connection member being inserted into the openings of two adjacent battery modules of the plurality of battery modules such that the upper casings of the plurality of battery modules are coplanar.   
     
     
         5 . The battery pack according to  claim 4 , wherein, for each battery module, opposite ends of the pair of first side casings are aligned with opposite ends of the pair of side casings to be flush with each other. 
     
     
         6 . The battery pack according to  claim 5 , wherein the connection member is substantially entirely enclosed by the openings of the two adjacent battery modules such that opposites ends of the connector are not exposed to an exterior of the battery pack. 
     
     
         7 . The battery pack according to  claim 6 , wherein the connection member includes a stopper, the stopper being larger than the openings of the two adjacent battery modules such that the stopper is located outside the openings of the two adjacent battery modules. 
     
     
         8 . The battery pack according to  claim 7 , wherein the connection member includes:
 a first insert inserted into the opening of the second side casing of one of the two adjacent battery modules; and   a second insert inserted into the opening of the second side casing of another to the two adjacent battery modules.   
     
     
         9 . The battery pack according to  claim 8 , wherein the stopper is formed between the first insert and the second insert to prevent the first insert and the second insert from being inserted in excess of a predetermined range. 
     
     
         10 . The battery pack according to  claim 9 , wherein the stopper extends from a portion between the first insert and the second insert toward a direction intersecting the direction in which the first insert and the second insert are formed. 
     
     
         11 . The battery pack according to  claim 4 , wherein, for each battery module, opposite ends of the pair of first sides casings are offset with respect to opposite ends of the pair of second side casings to define stepped portions between adjacent first side casings and second side casings. 
     
     
         12 . The battery pack according to  claim 11 , wherein the connection member is substantially entirely enclosed by the openings of the two adjacent battery modules such that opposites ends of the connector are not exposed to an exterior of the battery pack. 
     
     
         13 . The battery pack according to  claim 12 , wherein the connection member includes a stopper, the stopper being larger than the openings of the two adjacent battery modules such that the stopper is located outside the openings of the two adjacent battery modules, the stopper being seated in adjacent stepped portions of the two adjacent battery modules. 
     
     
         14 . The battery pack according to  claim 13 , wherein the connection member includes:
 a first insert inserted into the opening of the second side casing of one of the two adjacent battery modules; and   a second insert inserted into the opening of the second side casing of another to the two adjacent battery modules.   
     
     
         15 . The battery pack according to  claim 14 , wherein the stopper is formed between the first insert and the second insert to prevent the first insert and the second insert from being inserted in excess of a predetermined range. 
     
     
         16 . The battery pack according to  claim 15 , wherein the stopper extends from a portion between the first insert and the second insert toward a direction intersecting the direction in which the first insert and the second insert are formed. 
     
     
         17 . The battery pack according to  claim 4 , wherein the connection member is fixed to the side casings by means of a screw or bolt distinct from the connection member.