JP2000357502A - Battery connecting structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the connecting structure between batteries capable of being simply, inexpensively assembled increasing connecting strength, and surely insulating. SOLUTION: The connecting structure of batteries is such that plural batteries in which a positive plate A2 is positioned on the top surface and a positive electrode terminal 21 is projected in the center are connected in series through a connecting body 20, and wherein the connecting body 20 is comprised of a conductive member 20A having two step structure, comprising a first cylinder part 20A1 for housing a can bottom part B1 of the battery and a second cylinder part 20A2 positioned below the first cylinder part 20A1, and having a through- hole 20a having almost the same dimension as the positive electrode terminal 21, installed in the center; and a resin cylinder part 20B formed in one body outside the conductive member 20A, and having a projecting part 20B1 arranged in a gap formed between the lower surface of the a differential step part 20c of the conductive member 20A and the upper surface of a battery A formed inside the conductive member 20A.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a battery connection structure, and more particularly, to a method for connecting a plurality of batteries easily and at low cost. The present invention relates to a battery connection structure in which is well secured and the insulation state between connected batteries is also well secured.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, nickel-nickel is used as a driving source for various electric tools, electric assist bicycles, and electric vehicles.
Use of a hydrogen secondary battery or the like is being studied. In that case,
For example, since an electric vehicle requires an output voltage of 200 to 300 V, a plurality of cells are connected in series and assembled into a battery module having a required output voltage.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-106533 discloses the following connection structure in which batteries are connected in series. The connection structure will be described below. As shown in FIG. 8, this connection structure has a structure in which cylindrical batteries A and B are connected in series by a connector 1 having the shape shown in FIG. The connection body 1 includes a cylindrical portion 4 fitted to a metal exterior (can bottom portion) 11 of the battery B and a flat portion 5 in contact with a metal electrode (upper surface of the battery A) 10 of the battery A 2.
It has a step structure. Projection projections 3, 3,... Projecting in the direction of the metal exterior 11 of the battery B are formed on the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 4, and projections projecting in the direction of the metal electrode 10 of the battery A are formed outside the flat portion 5. Are formed, and these projections 2 and 3 are respectively located on the same radius.

A slit 6 is formed in the cylindrical portion 4 so that when the cylindrical portion 4 is fitted to the metal exterior 11 of the battery B, elasticity for pressing in the direction of the metal exterior 11 can be imparted to the cylindrical portion 4. And a notch 7 is formed in the plane portion 4 so that the reactive current can be reduced when the projections 2, 2,... Are projection-welded.

When forming this connection structure, first,
The flat portion 5 of the connection body 1 is placed and positioned on the metal electrode 10 of the battery A, and the projection 2
Projection welding is performed between the metal electrodes 10 to weld the connection body 1. Next, the metal exterior 11 of the battery B is fitted into the cylindrical portion 4 of the connection body, and projection welding is performed between the projections 3, 3,... And the metal exterior 11 of the battery B to fix them.

In this way, a connection structure in which the battery A and the battery B are connected in series via the connector 1 is obtained.

[0007]

By the way, the above-mentioned prior art connection structure has the following problems when implementing it. First, the first problem is that it is necessary to form a plurality of projections on the cylindrical portion 4 and the flat portion 5 of the connecting body 1 to be used, and furthermore, in a state where the projections are aligned on the same radius. Since it is necessary to form, the manufacturing process of the connection body 1 becomes complicated, the manufacturing cost increases, and the overall assembling cost increases.

[0008] The second problem is as follows. FIG.
As is clear from the figure, the hole formed at the center of the connection body 1 is considerably larger than the positive electrode terminal projecting at the center of the metal electrode 10 of the battery A. Therefore, battery A
When the connector 1 is mounted on the metal electrode 10 and subjected to projection welding, it is necessary to position the connector 1 so that the connector 1 does not shift in the radial direction of the battery A. If such measures are not taken, the assembled battery module will not be straight. Therefore, a jig for positioning the connection body 1 and the battery A is required.

This requires caution in the welding operation of the connection body 1 to the battery A, and also requires a separate positioning jig, which also increases the assembly cost. Further, in the case of this connection structure, between the cylindrical portion 4 and the metal exterior 11 of the battery B, and between the flat portion 5 and the metal electrode 10
Although projection welding is performed between
The strength is not so high. For example, when a large bending stress is applied between the battery A and the battery B in a state where the whole is horizontally arranged, the connection structure may be broken.

Further, as is apparent from FIG. 8, in the case of this connection structure, no insulation treatment is applied between the metal sheath 11 of the battery A and the connection body 1. When a bending stress is applied between the batteries and, for example, the battery B is inclined, the connection body 1 and the metal sheath 11 of the battery A come into contact with each other, which may cause insulation failure. The present invention solves the above-described problems in the connection structure of the prior art, uses a connection body that can be manufactured at a lower cost than the connection body of the prior art, and does not require a positioning jig in the connection work. Since the connection body itself has a positioning function, the connection work can be easily performed, and a connection structure between batteries that has sufficient connection strength and does not cause insulation failure at the same time is provided. Aim.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the present invention, a plurality of batteries having a positive electrode plate on the upper surface and a positive electrode terminal protruding at the center thereof are connected to each other through a connecting body. In the battery connection structure formed by serially connecting the battery in series, the connection body is located below the first cylindrical body that accommodates the bottom of the battery can, and the first cylindrical body, and the center is A conductive member having a two-stage structure including a second cylindrical body portion having a through-hole having substantially the same size as the positive electrode terminal; and a integrally formed outside of the conductive member and having a stepped portion of the conductive member inside. There is provided a connection structure for a battery, comprising a resin-made cylindrical portion provided with a protruding portion located in a gap formed by a lower surface and an upper surface of the battery.

In particular, at least two fins extending in the longitudinal direction of the resin cylinder are formed outside the resin cylinder, and an upper end and a lower end of the fin are formed. A battery connection structure in which a pair of protrusions and recesses that engage with each other are formed in the portion, and the connection body is disposed outside the battery by sequentially engaging the protrusions and the recesses. Is provided.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The connection structure of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings, taking as an example a case where a battery to be connected is a cylindrical battery. As shown in FIG. 1, the connection structure of the present invention has a structure in which a battery A and a battery B are connected in series via a connecting body 20 described later.

This connecting body 20 is shown in FIG. 2 and III-III in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3 which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line, a conductive member 20A having a two-stage structure in the shape of a dish and a cylindrical portion 20B made of an insulating resin having a desired length are integrally formed outside the conductive member 20A. I have. Here, the conductive member 20A includes a first cylindrical portion 20A ₁ of the same diameter as the can bottom B ₁ of the battery B, through hole of substantially the same diameter as the positive terminal 21 of the located thereunder, in the center cell A 20a is being formed, the than the first cylindrical portion 20A ₁ second cylindrical portion 20A ₂ of the small diameter is in the two-stage structure formed integrally. Then, the resin tubular body portion 20B which is integrally formed on the outside of the conductive member 2A has an inner diameter and have the same diameter as the first cylindrical portion 20A ₁ of the inner diameter, the inside, below overhang 20B ₁ is turned circumferentially shape.

Therefore, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 3, when the upper part of the battery A is inserted from the lower part of the connecting body 20, that is, along the inside of the lower part of the resin cylinder 20B, the connecting body is the overhang 20B ₁ is supported by the upper rim a ₁ of the battery a, at the same time, the conductive member 20A is
Is supported in contact with the second bottom surface 20b of the cylindrical body portion 20A _2,
At this time, the positive terminal 21 of the battery A is connected to the second cylindrical body 20A ₂
To support the can bottom B ₁ of the battery B. At this time, the through hole 20a and the positive electrode terminal 21 have substantially the same diameter.

Therefore, the connection body 20 is inserted in a straight state in the longitudinal direction by inserting the battery A along the inside of the resin cylindrical body 20B, and the through hole 20a and the positive electrode terminal 21 are substantially connected. Positioning is automatic because they have the same diameter. Then, as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 3, when the can bottom B ₁ of the battery B is inserted from above the connecting body 20, that is, along the inside of the upper part of the resin cylindrical body 20 </ b> B, the battery B becomes the first cylindrical portion 20A ₁ and the first cylindrical portion 20A in a state where the second cylindrical portion 20A ₂ is placed on the step portion 20c which forms ₁
Is housed inside. In this case, the diameter of the can bottom B ₁ of the first inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 20A ₁ and the battery B is substantially the same.

Therefore, in the same manner as when the battery A is inserted, the battery B is inserted along the cylindrical resin portion 20B and inserted until it is mounted on the step portion 20c. A and battery B are automatically and accurately positioned in a straight state. Between the step portion 20c of the upper rim A ₁ and the conductive member 20A of the battery A, which is also the negative terminal,
Since the overhanging portion 20B ₁ made of an insulating resin is interposed, the insulating state between the battery A and the conductive member 20A is reliably achieved.

In the resin cylindrical portion 20B, conductive
First cylindrical portion 20A of the member₁Side 20d is molded and integrated
Where there are multiple small holes 20B_TwoIs formed
I have. This small hole 20B_TwoIs the bottom B of the battery B₁The conductive part
First cylindrical body 20A of material 20A ₁After being housed in
Diameter 20B_TwoFirst cylindrical body portion 20A exposed from the₁On the surface of
Welding is performed by placing welding electrodes for performing
The conductive member 20A, that is, the connecting body 20 is a can of the battery B.
Bottom B₁It is provided for fixing to.

The connecting body 20 is made of, for example, Ni having a predetermined thickness.
The conductive member 20A having a predetermined size and shape is manufactured by pressing a plated steel sheet, and then the conductive member is set in a mold having a predetermined shape, and then molded by molding an insulating resin. When forming the connection structure of the present invention, first, the connection body 20 is arranged on the upper surface of the battery A. The connecting body 20 is automatically positioned, and the second cylindrical body 2
Bottom 20b of 0A ₂ is in contact with the positive electrode plate A ₂ of the battery A.

[0020] Then, to fix the conductive member 20A performs the series resistance welded between the bottom surface 20b and the positive electrode plate A _2, i.e. a connection member 20 to the battery A. At this time, if a plurality of small holes 20e are formed in the bottom surface 20b, the ineffective shunt of the welding current is prevented, and the nugget formation proceeds effectively at the welding location, and a high welding strength is realized. is there.

Next, the can bottom B ₁ of the battery B is connected to the connection body 20.
After accommodating the performed series resistance welding between the can bottom B ₁ of the resin cylindrical body portion 20B first cylindrical portion 20A ₁ of the side 20d and the battery B in the conductive member 20A through a small hole 20B ₂ of , Conductive member 20A, that is, connecting body 20 and battery B
Is fixed. By repeating this operation, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, a battery module in which six batteries are connected in series can be assembled. Then, the entire positive electrode terminal 22 and the entire negative electrode terminal (not shown) are spot-welded to both ends of the battery module, for example, and then used for actual use.

The above embodiment is for series resistance welding, but the welding method is not limited to this.
For example, the same effect can be obtained by direct welding. It should be noted that, in the connection structure of FIG.
Groove 20B ₃ which are arranged in the same row direction on the outside of 0B is a groove for attaching the battery surface over the temperature sensor tape for monitoring the battery temperature (not shown) the entire length of the connecting structure, the same time, It is also a mark for performing positioning in the circumferential direction of each connection body 20B.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another connection structure of the present invention. This connection structure is similar to the connection body 20 ′ shown in FIG.
Assembled using. In this connection member 20 ', as the inner structure is already in the structure described, the pair of fin-shaped member 20B ₄ outside the resin tubular body portion 20B is made of same insulating resin is integrally molded It is. The length of the fin-like member 20B _4, when connecting the battery in this connection member is designed to a length such as the end faces of the fin-like member 20B ₄ of the connecting member are in contact with each other.

A concave portion 20B ₅ is formed on one end surface of the fin-like body 20B _{4 and} a convex portion 20B ₆ is formed on the other end surface thereof. When the battery module is assembled as shown in FIG. to, by recess 20B ₅ and the convex portion 20B ₆ of the fin-like member 20B ₄ is engaged, connecting member 20 adjacent 'is adapted to be connected to each other. Therefore, the connection structure shown in FIG. 5, since the connecting member 20 'is engaged with a pair of recesses 20B ₅ and the convex portion 20B ₆ mutually, its structure than in the connection structure shown in FIG. 4 Be strong. In the case of this connection structure, turbulence this plural when attempting to cool the battery by sending air through and disposed in the battery storage box, the air flow fin body 20B ₄ blown This is advantageous in that the cooling effect can be enhanced.

[0025]

The connection structure of the present invention has the following effects. (1) Since the connecting body to be used does not need to form projection projections as in the case of the prior art, the manufacturing is simple and therefore can be manufactured at low cost.

(2) The connecting body has a resin cylindrical body 20B integrally formed outside the conductive member 20A, and a through hole 20a having substantially the same diameter as the positive electrode terminal 21 is formed therein. When the connection body is placed on the upper surface of the battery, the mutual positional relationship between the two is automatically adjusted, and the process can immediately proceed to the next step of welding work, and the assembling work becomes very simple. Therefore, coupled with the fact that the connection body can be manufactured at low cost, it is possible to realize a reduction in cost of the obtained connection structure.

[0027] (3) Further, the extending portion 20B ₁ are integrally molded on the inside of the resin tubular body portion is located between the upper peripheral edge of the conductive member and the battery constituting the connecting body (negative terminal) Therefore, insulation failure in the connection structure is prevented. (4) Since a certain length of the connected battery is supported by the resin-made cylindrical body constituting the connection body, the connection structure is more resistant to bending and bending than the case of only connection by welding. Excellent resistance. In particular, in the case of a connection structure composed of a connection body having a fin-like body as shown in FIG. 5, the strength is further improved and the cooling effect is improved. It is useful in fields where vibration is applied, such as a drive power supply.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a connection structure of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an example of a connector used in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a battery module having the connection structure of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a battery module having another connection structure of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a connector used for assembling the battery module of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the connection body of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a connection structure according to the prior art.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a connector used in the prior art.

[Explanation of symbols]

20, 20 'bottom surface of the connecting member 20A conductive member 20B plastic cylindrical body portion 20A ₁ conductive member first cylindrical portion 20A of 20A ₂ conductive member second cylindrical portion 20a through hole 20b second cylindrical portion 20A of 20A ₂ 20c Stepped portion of conductive member 20A 20d Side portion of first cylindrical body portion 20A ₁ 20e Small hole 20B ₁ Overhanging portion 20B ₂ Small hole of cylindrical body portion 20B 20B ₃ Groove 20B ₄ Fin body 20B ₅ Fin body 20B ₄ recess formed 20B ₆ protrusions 21 and 22 formed in a fin-like member 20B ₄ positive terminal a, the positive electrode plate B ₁ can bottom portion of the upper rim a ₂ cells a and B battery a ₁ battery a

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5H020 AA01 AS05 DD02 DD08 DD12 EE06 5H022 AA04 AA19 BB03 CC02 CC09 EE06

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A battery connection structure in which a plurality of batteries having a positive electrode plate located on an upper surface and a positive electrode terminal protruding at the center thereof are sequentially connected in series via a connector, wherein the connector is A first cylindrical body for accommodating the bottom of the battery can, and a second cylindrical body which is located below the first cylindrical body and has a through hole formed at the center and having substantially the same size as the positive electrode terminal. A conductive member having a two-stage structure, and an overhang portion formed integrally with the outside of the conductive member and located inside a gap formed by the lower surface of the step portion of the conductive member and the upper surface of the battery. A battery connection structure comprising a resin tubular body provided. 2. The battery connection structure according to claim 1, wherein at least two fins extending in a longitudinal direction of the resin cylinder are formed outside the resin cylinder. 3. An upper end and a lower end of the fin body,
3. The battery according to claim 1, wherein a pair of protrusions and recesses that engage with each other are formed, and the connection body is disposed outside the battery by sequentially engaging the protrusions and the recesses. Connection structure.