JP2004235110A - Battery - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery that can prevent the inside unit cell from being deformed or damaged even if other objects contact. <P>SOLUTION: The battery 5 comprises a plurality of single cells 50 that cover the generating element by a soft outer package so as to be pulled outside by a pair of lead terminals jointed to the generating element 50a, and formed in nearly flat shape, a housing box 51 that houses each single cell 50 in a state arranged in a row along the flat thickness direction with spacing at prescribed intervals, a pair of current collector members that are fixed to the housing box 51 and connect electrically each single cell 50 through each lead terminal and are provided with an electricity take-out terminal, and a plurality of partition members 53 of plate shape that are arranged between each single cells and separate individually each single cell. In this battery 5, at least one of the width dimension and the height dimension of each partition member 53 is larger than the width dimension in plane shape and the height dimension in plane shape of the outer package of the single cell 50. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to batteries.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There is a battery in which a plurality of cells are housed in the same housing box. FIG. 30 and FIG. 31 show a conventional battery 1. The battery 1 is housed in a housing box 11 in a state in which flat unit cells 10 are arranged along a flat thickness direction.
[0003]
The unit cell 10 includes a power generation element 10a, a soft exterior body 10b covering the power generation element 10a, and a pair of lead terminals 10c joined to the power generation element 10a. The terminals 10c of these cells 10 are connected to each other in the storage box 11 by a current collecting member (not shown). Further, a ventilation hole 14 is formed in the housing box 11.
[0004]
Then, as shown in FIG. 32, the plurality of batteries 1 are arranged in parallel and integrated. In this case, the fan 15 is attached to the side surface of the outer battery 1.
[0005]
By this fan 15, air is sent from the ventilation hole 14 of the battery 1 to the inside thereof, and each cell 10 is cooled.
[0006]
As described above, in the conventional battery 1, since the plurality of unit cells 10 are in close contact with each other in the storage box 11, heat may be trapped and various problems may occur.
[0007]
In order to solve such a problem, as shown in FIG. 33, a battery 17 having a spacer 16 interposed between the cells 10 has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0008]
Further, as shown in FIG. 34, a battery 19 in which a plurality of grooves 18 are provided at predetermined intervals on the inner surface of the housing box 11 and the cell 10 is inserted in these grooves 18 has been proposed (for example, See Patent Document 2.).
[0009]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-195480 A
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-256934 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the batteries 17 and 19 described in the conventional Patent Documents 1 and 2, since a plurality of ventilation holes 14 are formed on the side surface of the housing box 11, other objects can pass through the ventilation holes 14 and have an internal structure. There is a possibility that an excessive force may be applied by contacting the cell 10.
[0012]
Since the unit cell 10 is covered with a relatively soft outer member (not shown), the outer member is deformed when another object comes into contact with the unit cell 10 and an excessive force acts thereon, and in some cases, the outer member is damaged. Would.
[0013]
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a battery that can prevent an internal unit cell from being deformed or damaged even when another object comes in contact with the cell.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has a plurality of cells each having a pair of terminals, covering a power generation element with a soft exterior body and forming a substantially flat shape, and spacing the respective cells at a predetermined interval along a flat thickness direction. And a plurality of plate-shaped separating members that are arranged between the unit cells and individually separate the unit cells, wherein the separating box includes: At least one of the width dimension and the height dimension is larger than the planar shape width dimension and the planar shape height dimension of the exterior body.
[0015]
According to the present invention, even when another object comes into contact with an internal cell from the ventilation hole formed in the storage box and an excessive force is applied, the cell is protected by the separating member, and thus the cell is protected. Deformation and damage can be prevented.
[0016]
In addition, since the width or height of the isolation member is larger than the width or height of the outer package of the unit cell, the unit cell can be reliably protected.
[0017]
Here, a plurality of grooves for engaging and holding each of the isolation members at predetermined positions can be provided on the inner surface of the storage box. Thereby, even if the unit cell expands, the separating member does not move, so that the adjacent unit cell is protected by the separating member.
[0018]
In addition, a ventilation portion that can ventilate along the surface direction of each of the isolation members can be provided in each of the isolation members. In this case, the unit cell adjacent to the isolation member can be cooled by the air passing through the ventilation portion formed in the isolation member, so that the heat radiation effect on the battery can be enhanced.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of a battery according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
(1st Embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view (FIG. 1 (a)) and a partial perspective view (FIG. 1 (b)) of a battery 5 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, taken along a horizontal plane and viewed from above. . The battery 5 includes a plurality of unit cells 50 formed in a substantially flat shape, a storage box 51 that stores the unit cells 50, and a pair of current collectors fixed to the storage box 51 to connect the unit cells 50. It includes a member 52 (see FIG. 3) and a plurality of separating members 53 arranged between the unit cells 50.
[0021]
Next, each of the above components will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the unit cell 50 covers the power generating element 50a, a pair of lead terminals 50b joined to the power generating element 50a, and the power generating element 50a such that the lead terminals 50b are drawn out. And a soft exterior body 50c.
[0022]
The storage box 51 is formed so as to be able to store the unit cells 50 in a state where they are aligned at predetermined intervals along the flat thickness direction. A ventilation hole 51a is formed on a side surface of the storage box 51.
[0023]
These ventilation holes 51a are opened to the vicinity of the inner surface of the side plate 51b as shown in FIG. The uppermost ventilation hole 51a is formed near the base of the lead terminal 50b, as shown in FIG.
[0024]
Since heat is most likely to be generated at the base of the lead terminal 50b, heat radiation is improved by providing the ventilation holes 51a near the base.
[0025]
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the unit cell 50 is sandwiched on both sides by separating members 53. That is, the number of the isolation members 53 is one more than the number of the single cells 50.
[0026]
Further, the separating members 53 arranged at both ends are in contact with the side plates 51b of the storage box 51. With these configurations, the heat radiation effect of the unit cell 50 is further enhanced,
Also for the unit cells 50 arranged at both ends, the heat radiation effect can be enhanced similarly to the other unit cells 50.
As shown in FIG. 3, the current collecting member 52 is configured to electrically connect the unit cells 50 via the lead terminals 50b of the unit cell 50. These current collecting members 52 are provided with electricity extraction terminals 52c.
[0027]
Here, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the current collecting member 52 includes a plurality of contact portions 52a that contact the lead terminals 50b of the unit cells 50 in a bent state, and the contact portions 52a. And a connecting member 52b for connecting.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 5, the separating member 53 includes a pair of plate members 53a and 53b having a flat inner surface, and a corrugated member 53c disposed between the plate members 53a and 53b. I have.
[0029]
A ventilation hole 54 defined by the corrugated member 53c is formed in a gap between the plate-shaped members 53a and 53b.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 6, the isolation member 53 can be easily obtained by integrally forming plate members 53a and 53b and a corrugated member 53c. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, a plate-like member 53a, 53b having a large number of holes 53d can be used.
[0031]
As a material of the isolation member 53, a material having excellent thermal conductivity and / or insulation is preferable. Materials having excellent thermal conductivity include metals such as aluminum and copper.
[0032]
Examples of the material having excellent insulating properties include ceramics (oxides) such as aluminum oxide and silicon oxide and polymer materials. Further, it is desirable to use resin-coated magnesium oxide having both thermal conductivity and insulating properties, and a metal-resin composite represented by an aluminum laminated film.
[0033]
As described above, according to the battery 5 of the present invention, since the unit cell 50 is protected by the separating member 53, even if another object enters the storage box 51 through the ventilation hole 51 a, the unit cell is protected by the unit cell 50. Therefore, the cell 50 can be prevented from being deformed or damaged.
[0034]
Further, since the plurality of unit cells 50 are isolated by the separating member 53, even if the unit cell 50 expands, it is possible to prevent the influence from affecting other unit cells 50.
[0035]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the width dimension W2 and the height dimension H2 of the separating member 53 are larger than the width dimension W1 and the height dimension H1 of the exterior body 50c of the unit cell 50, so that the unit cell 50 is reliably protected. it can.
[0036]
Further, since the separating member 53 has a honeycomb structure, and the plate members 53a and 53b on both sides are in line contact with the corrugated member 53c, the temperature distribution becomes uniform. Therefore, since the heat radiation of the separating member 53 becomes uniform, a favorable result is obtained.
[0037]
In the above-described embodiment, both the width W2 and the height H2 of each isolation member 53 are larger than the plane width W1 and the plane height H1 of the exterior body 50c of the unit cell 50. One of the width dimension W2 or the height dimension H2 of each isolation member 53 may be formed to be larger than the planar shape width dimension W1 or the planar shape height dimension H1 of the exterior body 50c of the unit cell 50.
[0038]
(2nd Embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the storage box 56 of the second embodiment cut along a horizontal plane and viewed from above. A plurality of grooves 56b for engaging and holding the respective isolation members 53 at predetermined positions are provided on the inner side surface 56a of the storage box 56.
[0039]
Even if the cell 50 expands, the storage box 56 does not move the isolation member 53 engaged and held in the groove 56b, so that the cell 50 adjacent to the isolation member 53 is pressed against the isolation member 53. Can be protected by
[0040]
(Third embodiment)
In the third embodiment described below, the shape of the isolation member is devised in order to enhance the heat radiation effect of the unit cell used in the battery of the present invention.
Instead of the wavy member 53c (see FIG. 5), a honeycomb structure 60 can be used as shown in FIG. The honeycomb structure 60 is configured by arranging a large number of cylindrical bodies 61 each having a substantially hexagonal cross section.
[0041]
Here, as shown in FIG. 10, the honeycomb structure 60 can be disposed so that its hole is orthogonal to the plate members 53a and 53b.
[0042]
Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the honeycomb structure 60 may be arranged so that the holes thereof are parallel to the plate members 53a and 53b. Note that the honeycomb structure 60 can be used alone as an isolation member.
[0043]
Further, instead of the plate members 53a and 53b, a perforated plate member 62 having a large number of holes 62a and 62b can be used as shown in FIGS. The diameters of the holes 62a and 62b are arbitrary, and a plurality of types of holes 62a and 62b having different diameters may be mixed.
[0044]
Further, a mesh member 63 can be used as shown in FIG. 13 instead of the plate members 53a and 53b.
[0045]
The mesh member 63 can be formed by knitting a wire into a net shape. Further, the mesh member 63 can also be formed by screen printing. In this screen printing, as is well known, a resist solution is applied except for a mesh portion to be formed on a thin metal plate, and by exposing the resist solution, a portion where the resist solution is applied is extracted, and only the mesh portion is left. It is formed in a shape.
[0046]
Further, the mesh member 63 can be formed by an expanding method. In the expanding method, a metal plate is provided with a large number of slits, and the metal plate is pulled in a direction perpendicular to the slits to open the slits and form a mesh.
[0047]
Since the mesh member 63 formed by the expanding method easily contacts the unit cell 50 (see FIG. 1) not as a surface but as a line, heat dissipation is improved.
[0048]
Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the above-mentioned honeycomb structure 60 (see FIG. 9) and the perforated plate-like member 62 (see FIG. 12) can be combined to form the isolation member 66.
[0049]
Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the separating member 67 can be configured by combining the honeycomb structure 60 and the mesh member 63 (see FIG. 13).
[0050]
(Fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment described below, the shape of the unit cell is devised in order to enhance the heat radiation effect of the unit cell used in the battery of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 16, a slit 65 can be formed halfway in the lead terminal 50b (see FIG. 2). The heat dissipation of the lead terminal 50b is improved.
[0051]
Further, as shown in FIG. 17, a slit 65 can be formed up to the tip of the lead terminal 50b.
[0052]
Further, as shown in FIG. 18, a plurality of lead terminals 50b of one pole may be provided. Also in this case, heat dissipation is improved.
[0053]
Further, as shown in FIG. 19, the positive lead terminal 50b and the negative lead terminal 50b can be taken out from the opposing sides of the power generating element 50a.
[0054]
In this case, as shown in FIG. 20A, the take-out positions of the positive lead terminal 50b and the negative lead terminal 50b can be provided on opposite sides of the power generating element 50a.
[0055]
Further, as shown in FIG. 20B, the positive lead terminal 50b and the negative lead terminal 50b can be taken out from the same side of the power generating element 50a.
[0056]
As shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, the positive lead terminal 50b and the negative lead terminal 50b can be provided on substantially diagonal lines in the cross section of the power generation element 50a.
[0057]
By arranging the positive and negative electrode lead terminals 50b where heat is likely to be generated so as to be separated from each other, the heat radiation of the unit cell 50 is improved.
[0058]
(Fifth embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 22, the storage box 51 (see FIG. 1) can have its upper opening 51c closed by a lid 70 having a plurality of long holes 70a. In this example, the long hole 70a is formed in parallel with the long side of the lid 70.
[0059]
By using the lid 70, the heat radiation from the current collecting members 52, 52 is improved.
The long hole 70a of the lid 70 may be formed in parallel with the short side of the lid 70 as shown in FIG.
[0060]
Further, as shown in FIG. 24, the width B of the current collecting member 52 may be formed smaller on the side farther from the extraction terminal 52c and larger on the side closer thereto. This is because current from a large number of cells 10 concentrates in a portion near the terminal 52c, but only a small amount of current flows from a small number of cells 10 in a portion far from the terminal 52c. This is because the large cross-sectional area 52 is not required.
This is superior to the case where the width B of the current collecting member 52 is the same (see FIG. 3) in terms of the weight energy density of the battery and the material cost.
[0061]
(Sixth embodiment)
FIGS. 25 to 29 show isolation members 80 to 85 of the sixth embodiment. These isolation members 80 to 85 have ventilation holes 80a to 85a as described below. The unit cell 50 is cooled by the air passing through the ventilation holes 80a to 85a.
[0062]
That is, the isolation member 80 of FIG. 25 is formed of a single plate-like member, and has a plurality of ventilation holes 80a arranged in parallel therein.
[0063]
The separating member 81 shown in FIG. 26 includes a plate-like member 81b having a flat inner surface and a plate-like member 81d having a protrusion 81c on the inner surface, and a gap between the plate-like members 81b and 81d is defined by a plurality of protrusions 81c. The formed ventilation holes 81a are formed.
[0064]
27 is constituted by a pair of plate-like members 83b having a plurality of protrusions 83c formed on the inner surface, and a ventilation hole 83a defined by the protrusions 83c is formed in a gap between these plate-like members 83b. Have been.
[0065]
The isolation member 84 in FIG. 28 has a plurality of grooves 84b extending horizontally on both surfaces. Then, a ventilation hole 84a is formed between the groove 84b of the isolation member 84 and the unit cell 50.
[0066]
29 is composed of a plate-like member 85c having a circular projection 85b formed on the inner surface, and a plate-like member 85d having a flat inner surface. A gap corresponding to the height of the projection 85b is formed between the plate members 85c and 85d, and the gap functions as the ventilation hole 85a.
[0067]
In addition, as the soft outer package constituting the unit cell exemplified in each of the above-described embodiments, it is desirable to use a metal resin composite represented by an aluminum laminated film or the like, in addition to the polymer material.
Further, the unit cell in the present invention includes a lithium ion battery, a lithium polymer battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a lead battery, and the like, and the type of the unit cell does not matter.
[0068]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, even if another object enters from the ventilation hole formed in the storage box, the unit cell is protected by the separating member, so that the unit cell can be prevented from being deformed or damaged. In addition, since the width or height of the isolation member is larger than the width or height of the outer package of the unit cell, the unit cell can be reliably protected (claim 1).
[0069]
Further, since a plurality of grooves are provided on the inner surface of the storage box for engaging and holding each separating member at a predetermined position, even if the unit cell expands, the other unit cells are protected by the separating member (claim 2). .
[0070]
In addition, since the ventilation part which can ventilate along the surface direction of each isolation member is provided in each isolation member, the unit cell adjacent to this isolation member can be cooled by the air passing through the ventilation part formed in the isolation member ( Claim 3).
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan sectional view showing a first embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the first embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a current collecting member and a unit cell according to the present invention.
FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view showing a current collecting member according to the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing a winding state of a lead terminal.
FIG. 5 is a view showing a separating member according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an isolation member according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another separating member of the first embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a view showing a storage box according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a honeycomb structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a separating member according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another separating member of the third embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a perforated plate member according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a mesh member of a third embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing another separating member of the third embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing another separating member of the third embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a lead terminal according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing another lead terminal according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a unit cell according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing another unit cell of the fourth embodiment according to the present invention.
20 (a) is a view as viewed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 19, and FIG. 20 (b) is a view showing a case where a lead terminal take-out position is changed.
FIG. 21 (a) is a perspective view showing another unit cell of the fourth embodiment according to the present invention, and FIG. 21 (b) is a view taken in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 21 (a).
FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a storage box and a lid according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing another lid according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a current collecting member of a fifth embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 25 is a view showing a separating member according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 26 is a view showing another separating member of the sixth embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 27 is a view showing another separating member of the sixth embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing another separating member of the sixth embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing another separating member of the sixth embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional battery.
FIG. 31 is a plan view showing a conventional battery.
FIG. 32 is a schematic plan view showing a conventional example.
FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a main part showing a conventional example.
FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a main part showing a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 battery 5 battery 10 single cell 10 a power generation element 10 b exterior body 10 c lead terminal 11 housing box 14 ventilation hole 15 fan 16 spacer 17 battery 18 groove 19 battery 50 single cell 50 a power generation element 50 b lead terminal 50 c exterior body 51 housing box 51 a ventilation hole 51b Side plate 51c Upper opening 52 Current collecting member 52a Contact portion 52b Connecting member 52c Extraction terminal 53 Isolating member 53a Plate-shaped member 53b Plate-shaped member 53c Wave-shaped member 53d Hole 54 Ventilation hole 56 Storage box 56a Inner side surface 56b Groove 60 Honeycomb structure 61 Cylindrical member 62 plate member 62a hole 62b hole 63 mesh member 65 slit 66 separating member 67 separating member 70 cover 70a long hole 80 separating member 80a ventilation hole 81 separating member 81a ventilation hole 81b plate member 81c protrusion 81d plate member 83 Isolating member 83a Ventilation hole 83b Plate portion Material 83c Projection 84 Isolation member 84a Ventilation hole 84b Groove 85 Isolation member 85a Ventilation hole 85b Projection 85c Plate member 85c Plate member 85d Plate member

Claims (3)

A plurality of cells each having a pair of terminals and covering the power generation element with a soft exterior body and formed in a substantially flat shape,
A storage box that stores the cells in a state where they are aligned at predetermined intervals along the flat thickness direction,
A battery comprising: a plurality of plate-shaped separators arranged between the cells to individually separate the cells;
A battery, wherein at least one of a width dimension and a height dimension of each of the isolation members is larger than a planar shape width dimension and a planar shape height dimension of the exterior body. 2. The battery according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of grooves are provided on an inner surface of the storage box for engaging and holding the respective isolation members at predetermined positions. 3. 2. The battery according to claim 1, wherein a ventilation portion that can ventilate along a surface direction of each of the isolation members is provided on each of the isolation members. 3.

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