JP5326127B2 - Battery module - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery module to which a plurality of cells are connected.

  Conventionally proposed battery modules are generally used by connecting a plurality of cells. A plurality of cells are connected by an operator connecting a positive terminal and a negative terminal of adjacent cells using a screw member or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the conventional battery module, when connecting each cell, the worker uses a screw member or the like to connect, so that it takes a lot of time and labor to connect a plurality of cells. Currently. In addition, when the cells are arranged in a state where the positive terminals and the negative terminals are adjacent to each other, it is possible to connect even between the positive terminals and the negative terminals. . Furthermore, when a relative positional shift occurs in the cell arrangement, a cumulative error occurs in the positional shift in the process of connecting a plurality of cells, and there is a possibility that the connection of cells becomes insufficient.

JP 2008-91183 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and provides a battery module that can connect a plurality of cells by a simple operation and that does not cause a connection error between the positive and negative polarities. With the goal.

  In order to achieve the above object, the battery module of the present invention according to claim 1 is provided with a positive electrode side terminal member and a negative electrode side terminal member outside the battery exterior member of each cell, and the positive electrode side terminal member and The terminal member on the negative electrode side is formed with a terminal claw, and the terminal claw on the positive electrode side and the terminal claw on the negative electrode side are arranged in the plane of the terminal member so that their longitudinal directions are orthogonal to each other and adjacent to each other. The terminal member on the positive electrode side and the terminal member on the negative electrode side are connected by a connection bar between the cells, the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side connection members are formed on the connection bar, and the connection member is in the longitudinal direction. Are formed corresponding to the terminal claws, and by joining the terminal claws and the connection member, the terminal member on the positive electrode side and the terminal member on the negative electrode side between the adjacent cells are fixed by the connection bar. It is characterized by that.

  In the present invention according to claim 1, a plurality of cells are connected by joining the terminal claws of the terminal member and the connection member in association with each other. Further, the terminal claws of the positive electrode side terminal member and the negative electrode side terminal member are formed in the longitudinal direction in the direction orthogonal to each other in the plane, and the connecting members are formed in the longitudinal direction in the direction orthogonal to each other corresponding to the terminal claws. Therefore, only the connection between the positive electrode and the negative electrode is allowed, and a connection error between the polarities does not occur.

  The battery module of the present invention according to claim 2 is the battery module according to claim 1, wherein the connection member of the connection bar is a connection claw corresponding to the terminal claw, Provided at the edge of the long hole to be inserted into the terminal claw, a gap is formed between the end of the long hole and the connection claw, and between the cells when the terminal claw and the connection claw are made to correspond The relative position shift is absorbed by the gap.

  In the present invention according to claim 2, by inserting the elongated hole of the connection bar into the terminal claw of the terminal member, the terminal claw of the terminal member and the connection claw are made to correspond to each other, and the shift between cells, that is, the terminal claw and the connection claw The position shift is absorbed by the gap between the end of the long hole and the connecting claw.

  Moreover, the battery module of the present invention according to claim 3 is the battery module according to claim 2, wherein the connection claw is constituted by an insertion claw having an insertion portion into which the terminal claw is inserted. And According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the battery module according to the third aspect, wherein the insertion claw has a portion sandwiched between the connection claws facing the pair of connection claws. It is said that it is said.

  In this invention which concerns on Claim 3 and Claim 4, mounting | wearing of a connection bar can be performed easily by inserting an insertion part in a terminal nail | claw.

The battery module of the present invention according to claim 5, in the battery module according to any one of claims 2 to 4, said the connection claws and the terminal claw are joined by welding Features.

  In this invention which concerns on Claim 5, a connection nail | claw and a terminal nail | claw can be joined by welding and the connection between cells can be performed.

  The battery module of the present invention can be connected to a plurality of cells by a simple operation and can be a battery module that does not cause a connection error between the positive and negative polarities.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment examples, an example in which a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery is applied as a cell of a battery module is described. In addition, as a cell of a battery module, it is also possible to apply other cells, such as a nickel-hydrogen battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, or a lead battery.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the entire structure of a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery constituting a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially broken side view showing the structure inside the battery case, and FIG. 2 is a view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a disassembled state of the positive-side terminal parts, FIG. 5 is a detailed state of the positive terminal member, FIG. 6 is a detailed state of the negative terminal member, FIG. Is a plane showing a connection state of a plurality of cells, FIG. 8 is a plane showing a relationship between the connection bar and the terminal member, and FIG. 9 is a connection state of the connection bar.

  The whole structure of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery as a cell is demonstrated based on FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery (lithium ion secondary battery) 1 is configured such that an electrode group 3 is accommodated inside a battery case 2. A lid member (battery exterior member) 4 of the battery case 2 is connected to the upper surface portion of the electrode group 3, and the positive electrode terminal member 5 and the negative electrode terminal member 6 are exposed on the upper surface of the lid member 4. The positive electrode portion 3a of the electrode group 3 is fixed to a current collector 7 as a positive current collector, and the negative electrode portion 3b of the electrode group 3 is fixed to a current collector 8 as a negative current collector. The current collector 7 is electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal member 5 with the lid member 4 interposed therebetween, and the current collector 8 is electrically connected to the negative electrode terminal member 6 with the lid member 4 interposed therebetween.

  Although details will be described later, the positive electrode portion 3a of the electrode group 3 is an aluminum foil aggregate (bundle), and the current collector 7 is made of aluminum. The negative electrode portion 3b of the electrode group 3 is a copper foil aggregate (bundle), and the current collector 8 is made of copper.

  The state of connection between the lid member 4 and the current collector 7 and current collector 8 (structure of the electrode terminal portion) will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the lid member 4 has a rectangular plate shape, and a current collector 7 and a current collector 8 are disposed at the end in the longitudinal direction on the inner side (lower side in FIG. 2) of the lid member 4. It is connected. A positive electrode terminal member 5 and a negative electrode terminal member 6 that are conductively connected to the current collector 7 and the current collector 8 are provided on the end side in the longitudinal direction on the outer side (upper side in FIG. 2) of the lid member 4. .

  Since the current collector 7 and the current collector 8 are different in material and have the same structure, the following description will be given by taking the current collector 7 on the positive electrode side as an example, and a detailed description of the current collector 8 on the negative electrode side will be given below. It is omitted.

  The current collector 7 includes an upper surface plate 11 that is in contact with the inner surface of the lid member 4 and a long joining plate 12 that extends downward from the end of the upper surface plate 11. The current collector 7 is formed in an inverted L shape in a side view by an upper surface plate 11 and a long joining plate 12, and is extended outward in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) at both edges of the long joining plate 12. A connecting plate piece 13 is formed, and the long joining plate 12 has a U-shaped cross section. Two rows of positive electrode portions 3a of the electrode group 3 are joined to the connection plate piece 13 of the long joining plate 12, respectively.

  As shown in detail in FIG. 4, a cylindrical penetrating terminal member 15 is provided on the upper surface plate 11 of the current collector 7, and an upper portion of the penetrating terminal member 15 is arranged to penetrate the lid member 4. The base end of the through terminal member 15 is attached to the current collector 7 by being caulked and fixed to the current collector 7, and the front end of the through terminal member 15 is caulking and fixed to the positive electrode terminal member 5. 5 is attached. The penetrating terminal member 15 can be formed integrally with the current collector 7 or the positive electrode terminal member 5 and can be attached by a fixing means such as welding other than caulking.

  On the other hand, a lower packing 17 is interposed between the upper surface plate 11 of the current collector 7 and the lid member 4, and an upper packing 18 is interposed between the positive electrode terminal member 5 and the lid member 4. The lower packing 17 and the upper packing 18 are in close contact with the lid member 4 and have resistance to the electrolyte. For example, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) resin is used.

  The positive electrode terminal member 5 and the negative electrode terminal member 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6. Although FIG. 4 shows the positive electrode terminal member 5 side, the structure of the negative electrode terminal member 6 side is also the same, and therefore the negative electrode terminal member 6 will be described using the members shown in FIG. It is.

  The positive electrode terminal member 5 will be described.

  FIG. 5A shows a plan view of the positive electrode terminal member 5, and FIG. 5B shows a side view of the positive electrode terminal member 5.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the positive electrode terminal member 5 has a contact plate portion 21 that is in close contact with the upper packing 18 on the upper surface of the lid member 4, and the contact plate portion 21 has a penetrating terminal member 15. A through hole 16 is formed through which. A connection plate portion 22 is formed continuously with the contact plate portion 21, and the connection plate portion 22 is disposed between the upper packing 18 and a gap. A pair of terminal claws 23 a and 23 b are formed on the connection plate portion 22, and the pair of terminal claws 23 a and 23 b are arranged side by side in a direction (vertical direction in FIG. 5) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the lid member 4. .

  The negative electrode terminal member 6 will be described.

  6A shows a plan view of the negative electrode terminal member 6, and FIG. 6B shows a side view of the negative electrode terminal member 6.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the negative electrode terminal member 6 has a contact plate portion 27 that is in close contact with the upper packing 18 on the upper surface of the lid member 4, and the contact plate portion 27 includes the penetrating terminal member 15. A through hole 26 is formed through which. A connection plate portion 28 is formed continuously with the close contact plate portion 27, and the connection plate portion 28 is disposed between the upper packing 18 and a gap. A pair of terminal claws 29 a and 29 b are formed on the connection plate portion 28, and the pair of terminal claws 29 a and 29 b are juxtaposed in the direction along the longitudinal direction of the lid member 4 (left and right direction in FIG. 6).

  In other words, the parallel arrangement direction (longitudinal direction) of the pair of terminal claws 23 a and 23 b of the connection plate portion 22 and the parallel arrangement direction (longitudinal direction) of the pair of terminal claws 29 a and 29 b of the connection plate portion 28 are the lid member 4. In the plane (in the plane of the terminal member).

  A state in which a plurality of nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries 1 shown in FIG. 1 are arranged and connected, that is, a state of a battery module in which a plurality of cells are arranged and connected, will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the adjacent nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries 1 are alternately arranged so that the positive electrode terminal members 5 and the negative electrode terminal members 6 are adjacent to each other. The adjacent positive electrode terminal member 5 and negative electrode terminal member 6 are connected by a connection bar 31 to form a battery unit in which a plurality of nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries 1 are connected in series. For this reason, the connection bar 31 is a member having a length in a direction orthogonal to the length direction of the lid member 4 of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery 1.

  The connection bar 31 will be described.

  One end of the connection bar 31 is provided with a positive electrode connection portion 32 connected to the positive electrode terminal member 5, and the other end of the connection bar 31 is provided with a negative electrode connection portion 33 connected to the negative electrode terminal member 6.

  In the positive electrode connection portion 32, a long hole 34 extending in the longitudinal direction of the connection bar 31, that is, a long hole 34 extending in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the lid member 4 is formed. A pair of connecting claws 35a and 35b are provided along the longitudinal direction at the long side edge of the long hole 34, and a gap s is formed between the end of the long hole 34 and the pair of connecting claws 35a and 35b. Yes. The connecting claws 35 a and 35 b are formed so that the longitudinal direction (parallel direction) corresponds to the terminal claws 23 a and 23 b of the positive electrode terminal member 5.

  The negative electrode connecting portion 33 is formed with a long hole 36 extending in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the connection bar 31, that is, a long hole 36 extending in the longitudinal direction of the lid member 4. A pair of connecting claws 37a and 37b are provided along the longitudinal direction at the edge of the long hole 36, and a gap s is formed between the end of the long hole 36 and the pair of connecting claws 37a and 37b. The connecting claws 37 a and 37 b are formed so that the longitudinal direction (parallel arrangement direction) corresponds to the terminal claws 29 a and 29 b of the negative electrode terminal member 6.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the long hole 34 of the positive electrode connection portion 32 of the connection bar 31 is fitted into the terminal claws 23 a and 23 b of the positive electrode terminal member 5, and the long hole 36 of the negative electrode connection portion 33 is the terminal of the negative electrode terminal member 6. The claws 29a and 29b are fitted. The longitudinal direction (parallel direction) of the terminal claws 23a, 23b of the positive electrode terminal member 5 and the terminal claws 29a, 29b of the negative electrode terminal member 6 intersect each other in a direction perpendicular to each other, and the long holes 34 and 36 of the connection bar 31 Since the longitudinal direction is along the longitudinal direction of the terminal claws 23a, 23b and the terminal claws 29a, 29b, the connection bar 31 is allowed to connect only between the positive terminal member 5 and the negative terminal member 6.

  That is, the connection bar 31 only allows connection between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and even when the positive electrodes and the negative electrodes of the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery 1 are arranged, the connection bar 31 has a connection bar between adjacent terminal members. Since 31 cannot be attached, the polarity of the positive electrode and the negative electrode is not wrongly connected. For this reason, the use of the connection bar 31 can eliminate problems such as work mistakes and short circuits.

  The positive electrode connection portion 32 and the negative electrode connection portion 33 of the connection bar 31 are fitted into the positive electrode terminal member 5 and the negative electrode terminal member 6, the connection claws 35a and 35b and the terminal claws 23a and 23b are abutted, and the connection claws 37a and 37b and the terminal claws 29a and 29b are brought together. As shown in FIG. 9B, the connection claws 35a and 35b and the upper portions of the terminal claws 23a and 23b, and the connection claws 37a and 37b and the upper portions of the terminal claws 29a and 29b are joined by welding (TIG, laser welding, etc.), respectively. A weld 50 is formed. Thereby, the positive electrode terminal member 5 and the negative electrode terminal member 6 are connected and fixed.

  By using the connection bar 31, it is possible to connect between the polarities of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery 1 without using fastening members such as bolts and nuts and in a state where the polarity is not mistaken, Joining is simple and reliable, the number of parts for connection and the number of work steps can be reduced, and the connection space can be reduced.

  A gap s is formed between the end of the long hole 34 of the connection bar 31 and the pair of connection claws 35a and 35b, and a gap s is formed between the end of the long hole 36 and the pair of connection claws 37a and 37b. Therefore, even if the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery 1 is shifted and disposed, it is absorbed within the gap s. Since the gaps s are provided at the ends of the elongated hole 34 and the elongated hole 36 that are orthogonal to each other, the relative displacement in an arbitrary direction within the horizontal plane of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery 1 can be absorbed. it can.

  A connection bar according to another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

  FIG. 10 illustrates the relationship between the connection bar, the positive terminal member, and the negative terminal member, and FIG. 11 illustrates the connection state of the cells.

  Based on FIG. 10, the structure of a connection part is demonstrated. 10A is a plan view, FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view on the positive electrode side, FIG. 10C is a side view on the negative electrode side, and FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, one end (left side in the figure) of the connection bar 71 is provided with a positive electrode connection part 72 connected to the positive electrode terminal member 5, and the other end (right side in the figure) of the connection bar 71 is connected to the negative electrode terminal. A negative electrode connection portion 73 connected to the member 6 is provided.

  The positive electrode connecting portion 72 is formed with a long hole 74 along the longitudinal direction of the connection bar 71, that is, a long hole 74 extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lid member 4 (see FIG. 11). A pair of insertion claws 76a, 76b and insertion claws 77a, 77b are respectively provided along the longitudinal direction at the opposing long side edge portions of the long hole 74, and an end of the long hole 74 and a pair of insertion claws 76a, 76b, A gap s is formed between the insertion claws 77a and 77b. The parallel arrangement direction of the space 78 where the insertion claws 76 a and 76 b and the insertion claws 77 a and 77 b face is formed corresponding to the terminal claws 23 a and 23 b of the positive electrode terminal member 5, and the terminal claws 23 a and 23 b are inserted into the space 78. Thus, the terminal claws 23 a and 23 b are held in the space 78.

  The negative electrode connecting portion 73 is formed with a long hole 81 extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the connection bar 71, that is, a long hole 81 extending in the longitudinal direction of the lid member 4 (see FIG. 11). A pair of insertion claws 82a and 82b and insertion claws 83a and 83b are respectively provided along the longitudinal direction at the opposite edges of the long hole 81. The ends of the long hole 81 and the pair of insertion claws 82a and 82b and the insertion claws A gap s is formed between 83a and 83b. The parallel arrangement direction of the space 84 in which the fitting claws 82 a and 82 b and the fitting claws 83 a and 83 b face is formed corresponding to the terminal claws 29 a and 29 b of the negative electrode terminal member 6, and the terminal claws 29 a and 29 b are inserted into the space 84. As a result, the terminal claws 29 a and 29 b are held in the space 84.

  A state in which a plurality of cells are connected will be described with reference to FIG. 11 (a) is a plan view, FIG. 11 (b) is a cross-sectional view on the positive electrode side, FIG. 11 (c) is a side view on the negative electrode side, and FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the space 78 of the positive electrode connection portion 72 of the connection bar 71 is fitted into the terminal claws 23 a and 23 b, and the space 84 of the negative electrode connection portion 73 is fitted into the terminal claws 29 a and 29 b of the negative electrode terminal member 6. . The longitudinal direction (parallel direction) of the terminal claws 23a, 23b of the positive electrode terminal member 5 and the terminal claws 29a, 29b of the negative electrode terminal member 6 intersect each other in a direction perpendicular to each other, and the parallel direction and space of the space 78 of the connection bar 71 84 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the terminal claws 23a, 23b and the terminal claws 29a, 29b, so that the connection bar 71 is only allowed to connect between the positive terminal member 5 and the negative terminal member 6. The

  That is, the connection bar 71 only allows connection between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and even when the positive electrodes and the negative electrodes of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery 1 are arranged, the connection bar 71 is not connected between adjacent terminal members. Since 71 cannot be attached, the polarity of the positive electrode and the negative electrode is not wrongly connected. For this reason, the use of the connection bar 71 can eliminate problems such as work mistakes and short circuits.

  The space 78 of the positive electrode connection portion 72 and the space 84 of the negative electrode connection portion 73 of the connection bar 71 are fitted into the positive electrode terminal member 5 and the negative electrode terminal member 6, respectively, and the space 78 and the terminal claws 23a and 23b are fitted. The terminal claws 29a and 29b are fitted. The terminal claws 23a, 23b, the insertion claws 76a, 76b and the upper portions of the insertion claws 77a, 77b, and the terminal claws 29a, 29b, the insertion claws 82a, 82b, and the upper portions of the insertion claws 83a, 83b are welded (TIG, laser welding, etc.), respectively. The welded portion 85 is formed by joining. Thereby, the positive electrode terminal member 5 and the negative electrode terminal member 6 are connected and fixed.

  By using the connection bar 71, the polarity of the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery 1 can be reduced by fitting the connection bar 71 without using a fastening member such as a bolt or a nut and without causing a mistake in polarity. The connection can be made easily and reliably, the number of parts for connection and the number of work steps can be reduced, and the connection space can be reduced.

  Further, a gap s is formed between the end of the long hole 74 of the connection bar 71 and the insertion claws 76a and 76b and the insertion claws 77a and 77b, and the end of the long hole 81 and the insertion claws 82a and 82b and the insertion claws 83a. , 83b, a gap s is formed. Therefore, even if the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery 1 is arranged out of alignment, the gap s is absorbed. Since the gaps s are provided at the ends of the elongated hole 34 and the elongated hole 36 that are orthogonal to each other, the relative displacement in an arbitrary direction within the horizontal plane of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery 1 can be absorbed. it can.

  The battery module to which the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery 1 described above is connected is a battery module that can connect a plurality of cells by a simple operation and that does not cause a connection error between the positive and negative polarities. can do.

  The battery module according to the present invention can be used in industrial fields where a relatively large size and a large output are required, such as power storage, electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and trains.

It is an exploded perspective view showing the whole structure of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery which constitutes the battery module concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a partially broken side view showing the structure inside a battery case. It is the III-III arrow directional view in FIG. It is an exploded side view of the terminal component on the positive electrode side. It is detail drawing of a positive electrode terminal member. It is detail drawing of a negative electrode terminal member. It is a top view showing the connection condition of a cell. It is a top view showing the relationship between a connection bar and a terminal member. It is joining state explanatory drawing of a connection bar. It is explanatory drawing showing the relationship between a connection bar, a positive electrode terminal member, and a negative electrode terminal member. It is explanatory drawing showing the state which connected the cell.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery 2 Battery case 3 Electrode group 4 Lid member 5 Positive electrode terminal member 6 Negative electrode terminal member 7 Current collector (positive electrode side)
8 Current collector (negative electrode side)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Top plate 12 Long joining board 13 Connection board piece 15 Through-terminal member 16, 26 Through-hole 17 Lower packing 18 Upper packing 21, 27 Contact board part 22, 28 Connection board part 23, 29 Terminal claw 31, 71 Connection bar 32 , 72 Positive connection part 33, 73 Negative connection part 34, 36, 74, 81 Long hole 35, 37 Connection claw 50, 85 Welding part 76, 77, 82, 83 Insertion claw 78, 84 Space

Claims (5)

A terminal member on the positive electrode side and a terminal member on the negative electrode side are provided outside the battery exterior member of each cell,
A terminal claw is formed on the terminal member on the positive electrode side and the terminal member on the negative electrode side, and the terminal claw on the positive electrode side and the terminal claw on the negative electrode side are orthogonal to each other in the plane of the terminal member. Arranged,
The terminal member on the positive electrode side and the terminal member on the negative electrode side between the adjacent cells are connected by a connection bar,
In the connection bar,
A connecting member on the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side is formed, and the connecting member is formed with the longitudinal direction corresponding to the terminal claw,
The battery module, wherein the terminal claw and the connection member are joined to each other so that the positive electrode side terminal member and the negative electrode side terminal member between the adjacent cells are fixed by the connection bar. The battery module according to claim 1,
The connection member of the connection bar is a connection claw corresponding to the terminal claw,
The connection claw is provided at an edge of a long hole inserted into the terminal claw,
A gap is formed between the end of the elongated hole and the connection claw, and the gap between the cells when the terminal claw and the connection claw are made to correspond to each other is absorbed by the gap. Battery module. The battery module according to claim 2,
The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the connection claw includes an insertion claw having an insertion portion into which the terminal claw is inserted. The battery module according to claim 3, wherein
The battery module is characterized in that the insertion nail includes a portion sandwiched between the connection claws with the pair of connection claws facing each other. In the battery module according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The battery module, wherein the connection claw and the terminal claw are joined by welding.

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