JP2001229901A - Set battery, positioning method of battery, and electric vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To arrange a plurality of batteries constituting a set battery by accurately positioning. SOLUTION: Recessed part and projected part for positioning each battery area provided adjacent on a side of the battery. When the set battery is formed, each of the recessed part and the projected part provided on the side of each battery are engaged, composing the set battery by positioning each battery. By adjacently forming the recessed part and the projected part, a distance between the recessed part and the projected part can be small, so that positional error for each batteries caused by an effect of manufacturing tolerance of the batteries is not generated. If the positional error of the recessed part and the projected part is not present, the recessed part and the projected part can be engaged, without providing an wasteful play in an engaging part. If there is no play in the engaging part, each batteries can be positioned accurately by engaging the recessed part and the projected part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for forming a battery pack by arranging a plurality of batteries of the same shape while positioning them with respect to each other.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An assembled battery formed by arranging a plurality of batteries is widely used as a power source for various electric appliances. By using such an assembled battery, one type of battery can support various power supply specifications by changing the number of batteries and the connection between batteries.

In order to reduce the size of electric equipment, it is desirable to arrange the batteries while positioning them to make the assembled battery compact. Further, if the batteries are positioned in a predetermined relationship, each battery can be easily fixed.

[0004] As a method for positioning the batteries,
A method in which a convex portion and a concave portion for positioning are provided on the side surface of each battery has been widely adopted. For example, JP-A-9-12
In the battery pack described in No. 0809, a method is employed in which concave portions and convex portions are provided at equal intervals on the side surface of the battery, and the concave portions and convex portions are fitted to each other to position the batteries. By using such a method, the batteries can be easily positioned by fitting the protrusions and the recesses.

[0005]

However, such a method has a problem that it is difficult to accurately position the batteries. That is, since the distance between the convex portion and the concave portion slightly varies due to the manufacturing tolerance of the battery, it is necessary to provide a small gap in the fitting portion between the convex portion and the concave portion in order to absorb this effect. . Therefore, the batteries can move only by this gap, and accurate positioning cannot be performed. For this reason, when it is necessary to accurately position the batteries, it is necessary to perform a troublesome operation of arranging the batteries while positioning the batteries by another method.
In addition, a so-called electric vehicle that runs on electric power is equipped with an assembled battery in which a plurality of batteries are connected. Therefore, such a problem is conspicuous in an electric vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and has a technique capable of accurately positioning batteries by fitting a concave portion and a convex portion provided in the battery. The purpose is to provide.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems and Their Functions and Effects In order to solve at least a part of the problems described above, the assembled battery of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, in an assembled battery formed by arranging a plurality of batteries having the same shape by fitting a concave portion and a convex portion provided in each battery and positioning them with each other, the battery includes the concave portion and the convex portion. Or the recess or the recess is provided adjacently.

[0008] A method of positioning a battery according to the present invention corresponding to the above-mentioned assembled battery is a battery positioning method in which a plurality of batteries having the same shape are positioned with respect to each other by fitting a concave portion and a convex portion provided in each battery. In the method, the battery is provided with the concave portion and the convex portion, or any of the concave portion or the concave portion is provided adjacent to each other, and the concave portion and the convex portion are fitted to each other to form the battery. Positioning is performed.

In the battery pack and the battery positioning method, the positioning concave and convex portions are formed adjacent to each other, and the concave and convex portions are fitted to each other to position the batteries. Is configured.

The concave portion and the convex portion are formed adjacent to each other,
Since the distance between the concave portion and the convex portion is small, the change in the distance due to the influence of manufacturing tolerance is also small. Therefore, there is no need to provide a gap at the fitting portion between the concave portion and the convex portion, and the batteries can be accurately positioned only by fitting the concave portion and the convex portion.

In such an assembled battery, the concave portion or the convex portion may be provided substantially at the center of the outer surface of the battery.

By positioning the batteries by fitting the concave and convex portions substantially at the center of the outer surface of the battery, the positioning accuracy as a whole can be improved as compared with positioning near the end of the outer surface of the battery. It is preferable because it can be performed.

In such an assembled battery, a concave portion and a convex portion may be provided on each of both side surfaces of the battery, and the positional relationship between the concave portion and the convex portion may be as follows. That is, the positional relationship between the concave portion provided on one side surface and the convex portion provided on the other side surface,
The concave portion and the convex portion are formed so as to be plane-symmetric with respect to a plane located at the center of the both side surfaces. Further, the positional relationship between the concave portion and the convex portion on the same side surface is a plane passing through the center of rotation of the battery when the batteries are arranged while reversing the direction of the battery and orthogonal to a plane located at the center of both side surfaces of the battery. A concave portion and a convex portion are formed at positions which are symmetrical with respect to the plane.

If the concave portion on one side and the convex portion on the other side of the battery are provided in such a positional relationship as to be plane-symmetric with respect to a plane located at the center of the two side surfaces, When the batteries are arranged in the same direction, the concave portions and the convex portions can be fitted to each other to position the batteries. Also, the concave portion and the convex portion on the same side surface of the battery are formed on a plane that passes through the center of rotation of the battery when the batteries are arranged while reversing the direction of the battery and is orthogonal to a plane located at the center of both sides of the battery. If the batteries are arranged in a plane-symmetrical positional relationship, the batteries can be positioned by fitting the concave portions and the convex portions when arranging the batteries while reversing the direction of the batteries. Therefore,
If the concave portion and the convex portion are provided at positions satisfying these conditions, the battery can be fitted by fitting the concave portion and the convex portion on the side surface of the battery regardless of whether the batteries are arranged in the same direction or inverted. This is preferable because they can be accurately positioned.

The electric vehicle according to the present invention corresponding to the above-mentioned battery pack employs the following configuration. That is, in an electric vehicle mounted with an assembled battery in which a plurality of batteries having the same shape are fitted with concave and convex portions provided in each of the batteries and arranged while being positioned with respect to each other, the assembled battery is The battery is characterized in that the concave portions and the convex portions, or the concave portions or the convex portions are formed by arranging batteries provided adjacent to each other.

[0016] In such an electric vehicle, since the concave and convex portions provided on the battery are fitted together to form the battery pack while positioning the batteries, the battery pack can be manufactured efficiently. In particular, battery packs mounted on electric vehicles include:
Since it is necessary to arrange a large number of batteries, using such a method is preferable because an electric vehicle can be efficiently manufactured.

[0017]

Other Embodiments of the Invention The present invention can be understood from various viewpoints, and therefore includes the following other embodiments. That is, the assembled battery according to the first other aspect of the present invention is formed by arranging a plurality of batteries having the same shape by fitting the concave portions and the convex portions provided on the respective batteries and positioning them with each other. In the assembled battery, the battery is characterized in that the interval between the concave portions or the convex portions provided adjacent to each other is formed within a predetermined accuracy range.

In such an assembled battery, the intervals between the adjacent concave portions or convex portions are formed within a predetermined accuracy range. Therefore, by fitting the concave portions and the convex portions, the batteries can be connected to each other. Positioning can be performed accurately.

In the battery pack according to the first other aspect, the battery may be formed by arranging batteries in which the fitting tolerance between the concave portion and the convex portion is within a predetermined accuracy range. .

If the fitting tolerance between the concave portion and the convex portion fitted to each other is formed within a predetermined accuracy range, the batteries can be accurately positioned by fitting the concave portion and the convex portion. It is suitable.

In the battery pack according to the first other aspect, the battery is provided with the concave portion or the convex portion on each of both side surfaces thereof, and is provided on the one side surface and the other side surface. The battery may be symmetrical with respect to a plane positioned at the center of the both side surfaces in a positional relationship with the protrusion.

Such an assembled battery is preferable because the concave and convex portions provided on the side surface of the battery can be fitted together while the batteries are arranged in the same direction, and the batteries can be accurately positioned.

In the battery pack of the first other aspect, the concave and convex portions are provided on both side surfaces of the battery, and the positional relationship between the concave and convex portions provided on the same side surface is as follows. Alternatively, the battery pack may be a plane battery symmetrical with respect to a plane passing through the center of rotation of the batteries when the batteries are arranged while reversing the direction thereof and orthogonal to a plane positioned at the center of the both side surfaces.

Such a battery pack is preferable because the batteries can be accurately positioned by fitting the concave and convex portions provided on the side of the battery while arranging the batteries in a reversed direction. .

In a battery pack according to a second other aspect of the present invention, a plurality of batteries having the same shape are positioned with respect to each other by fitting a concave portion and a convex portion provided on each of the batteries, and In a battery pack formed by arranging a plurality of batteries at predetermined intervals while abutting projections provided on side surfaces, the concave and convex portions, or any of the concave portions or convex portions, may be formed using the battery By being provided adjacent to each other on the side surfaces, the variation in the distance between the concave portions or the convex portions is less than or equal to half the limit value at which the projections do not come into contact with each other.

In such an assembled battery, the unevenness of the distance between the concave portions or the convex portions is suppressed by providing the concave portions or the convex portions adjacent to each other. By positioning, the positions of the protrusions of each battery can be accurately matched. As a result, the batteries can be arranged at predetermined intervals, which is preferable.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an assembled battery, wherein a plurality of batteries having the same shape are fitted to a concave portion and a convex portion provided on each of the batteries, and positioned with respect to each other. In the assembled battery formed by fastening the batteries, the concave and convex portions of the battery are fitted in substantially the same direction as the fastening direction for positioning the batteries in a direction intersecting the fastening direction of the battery. A surface is provided.

In the battery pack of the third other aspect, the batteries are fastened to the assembly member while being positioned with respect to each other, and the concave and convex portions of each battery are provided in substantially the same direction as the battery fastening direction. Are formed. It is preferable to position the batteries on such a fitting surface, since each battery can be accurately positioned in a direction intersecting with the fastening direction of the batteries.

In the battery pack according to the third other aspect, the battery may be positioned only in a direction intersecting with the fastening direction of the battery by fitting the concave portion and the convex portion.

The batteries of the battery pack can move in the fastening direction even after the positioning. Therefore, for example, a manufacturing tolerance of the mounting member to which the battery is mounted, or an error in the fastening direction due to a positional error of a fastening member provided on the battery for fastening to the mounting member, is used to reduce the fastening of the battery. This is preferable because it can sometimes be absorbed by the movement of each battery.

In the battery pack of the third other aspect, the plurality of protrusions may be arranged in a direction intersecting with the fastening direction, and the recess may be formed between the protrusions.

If a concave portion is formed between the convex portions, the interval between the convex portion and the concave portion can be eliminated, so that there is almost no influence of manufacturing tolerance, and the gap between the fitting portion between the convex portion and the concave portion can be eliminated. Can be eliminated. Accordingly, it is preferable that the batteries can be accurately positioned by fitting the protrusions and the recesses.

[0033]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In order to more clearly explain the operation and effect of the present invention, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order. A. First embodiment: A-1. Device configuration: A-2. Positioning method of first embodiment: A-3. Modifications: B. Second embodiment: B-1. Positioning method of second embodiment: B-2. Modification: C.I. Example of application to electric vehicles:

A. First embodiment: A-1. Device Configuration: FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing the structure of the battery pack 10 of the first embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the battery pack 10 of this embodiment includes a lower case 20 and an upper case 30.
It is stored in a case consisting of Battery pack 10
Is stored in a case is referred to as a battery module assembly 90.

In the battery pack 10, 38 battery modules 50 each having a thin box shape are arranged while being positioned with respect to each other.
After the battery modules 50 are lightly restrained from both sides by the restraint plates 12, the output terminals of the battery modules 50 are connected in a predetermined relationship using a metal plate called a bus bar 15. Battery module 50
Will be described later in detail. The restraint plate 12 is formed by stamping a steel plate, and the battery module 50 is lightly restrained by using the restraint plate 12, the restraint bolts 14 and the nuts 16 made of steel.

The lower case 20 is formed by pressing a steel plate, and has an intake port 24 for taking in cooling air, a cooling air passage 22, and screw holes 21 for fixing the battery module 50 on both sides of the cooling air passage 22. Is provided. The upper case 30 has an exhaust port 3 for discharging cooling air.
6 and a positive output terminal 38 and a negative output terminal 39 for extracting the voltage of the battery pack 10.
The assembled battery 10 using the restraint plate 12 is placed on the cooling air passage 2 of the lower case 20, and each battery module 50 is fixed with a bolt 25 from the bottom side. afterwards,
Assembled battery 10 and output terminals 38, 3 on the positive and negative electrode sides
9 is connected, the upper case 30 is covered from above, and the lower case 20 and the upper case 30 are fixed with the bolts 32, whereby the battery module assembly 90 can be assembled.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the electrical connection of the battery module assembly 90. Battery module 5
0 is arranged so that the polarity directions are alternated, and therefore, the output terminals of each battery module have a positional relationship in which the positive terminal and the negative terminal are adjacent to each other, as shown in the figure. Therefore, from the battery module 50 at the end, the positive terminal is connected to the negative terminal of the adjacent battery module, and the positive terminal of the battery module is connected to the negative terminal of the next battery module, as shown in the figure. To
All the battery modules 50 can constitute a battery pack connected in series. The connection between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of each battery module is performed by assembling the bus bar 15. One end on the positive electrode side of the battery pack thus obtained is connected to a positive output terminal 38 of the upper case 30 and one end of the negative electrode side of the battery pack is connected to a negative output terminal 39 by an electric wire.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the external shape of the battery module 50. The battery module 50 has a shape in which two terminals, a positive electrode terminal 54 and a negative electrode terminal 55, protrude from a thin box-shaped closed container (hereinafter, referred to as a module container 52). Module container 52
Is formed using an insulating hard resin such as nylon. Screws are cut in the positive electrode terminal 54 and the negative electrode terminal 55, and metal nuts 53 for fixing the battery module 50 are embedded in the bottom surfaces of both ends of the module container 52. As shown, small projecting portions 5 are provided on both sides of the outer side of the module container 52.
7 are provided, and a large number of small protrusions 58 are provided in a portion sandwiched between the two protrusions 57. The role of the projection 57 and the projection 58 will be described later. Also,
At substantially the center of both sides of the module container 52, positioning portions 100 for positioning the battery module 50 are provided. As shown, the positioning unit 1
Reference numeral 00 denotes a projection 100a and a depression 100b. The positioning of each battery module 50 is performed by fitting the depression 100b and the projection 100a of the adjacent battery module 50 to each other. The positioning of the battery module 50 will be described later in detail.

The inside of the battery module 50 is divided into six small rooms called cells, and each cell stores one unit cell. In the battery module 50 of this embodiment, a so-called nickel-hydrogen secondary battery is used as a unit cell. That is, a plurality of sets of a positive electrode plate made of a nickel alloy and a negative electrode plate made of a hydrogen storage alloy are laminated with a nonwoven fabric made of resin (called a separator) interposed therebetween and stored in a cell together with a strongly alkaline electrolyte. Each cell is connected in series inside the battery module, and the source side (high voltage side) of the cell connected in series is connected to the positive terminal 54.
The sink side (low voltage side) is connected to the negative terminal 55. Each unit cell generates an electromotive force of about 1.2 V. Since six unit cells are connected in series in the battery module, a voltage of 7.2 V can be obtained with one battery module.

In this embodiment, the restraint plate 12 is used to restrain the battery modules 50 so as to be in contact with each other at the side, thereby simplifying the structure of the battery pack and reducing the size of the battery pack. On the other hand, since the battery module 50 generates Joule heat due to internal resistance at the time of discharging or charging, it is necessary to consider cooling of the battery module so that the battery temperature does not exceed a predetermined temperature.
The projecting portions 57 and the projections 58 provided on the side surfaces of the battery modules 50 cool the battery modules 50 constituting the assembled battery and also cool each battery module equally so that there is no temperature variation between the modules. Is provided. Hereinafter, the functions of the protrusion 57 and the protrusion 58 will be briefly described.

FIG. 4 is a top view showing a state in which the battery modules 50 are assembled on the lower case 20 by taking out only three battery modules 50. Since projecting portions 57 are provided on both sides of the battery module side surface (see FIG. 3), as shown in FIG. A cooling passage 60 having a rectangular cross section is formed between the modules. That is, when the battery module assembly 90 is assembled as shown in FIG. 1, the cooling passages 60 having the same flow passage cross-sectional area are formed between the 38 battery modules 50.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-sectional view of the battery module assembly 90 shown in FIG. 1 when cut at the position of the mating surface of the battery module 50. As shown in FIG. 5, a seal member 35 is provided on the inner surface of the upper case at a position in contact with the assembled battery. When cooling air is supplied to the cooling air passage 22 from the air outlet 24 provided in the lower case 20, the cooling air passes through the cooling passage 60 formed between the battery modules 50, and from the exhaust port 36 provided in the upper case 30. It is discharged outside. As described above, since the size of the cooling passages 60 is equal between any of the battery modules, the amount of air passing through each of the passages is substantially equal, and as a result, all the battery modules 50 can be cooled equally. .

When the battery modules are arranged, the protrusions 58 on the side of the battery module are formed with the protrusions 58 of the adjacent module.
They are provided at positions where they face each other. Also,
The height of the protrusion 58 is formed at the same height as the protrusion 57. Therefore, when the battery modules 50 are arranged, the projecting portions 57 of the adjacent modules facing each other function as pillars for maintaining the space between the cooling passages 60 formed between the modules. Therefore, the battery module 50
Even if the internal pressure of a certain battery module among the battery modules constituting the assembled battery 10 increases due to the charge / discharge conditions of the battery pack 10 and the module container expands, the cooling passage 60 between the expanded battery module and the adjacent battery module 60 Is not narrowed. That is, the battery module 5
As a result, the amount of cooling air flowing through the cooling passage 60 between zero is always kept equal, so that all the battery modules 50 are cooled equally.

In order to assemble the battery module assembly 90 having the above configuration, it is necessary to use
It is necessary to assemble the eight battery modules 50 while positioning them properly. In this embodiment, in order to perform the positioning operation efficiently, the battery module is positioned using a method described below.

A-2. Positioning method of the first embodiment: FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a positional relationship between a concave portion 100b and a convex portion 100a provided on both side surfaces of the battery module 50 of the first embodiment. The positional relationship between the module container 52 in the battery module 50, the concave portion 100b, and the convex portion 100a will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, in order to avoid complication of the illustration, the projections 57, the projections 58, the output terminals, and the like provided on the module container 52 are not shown.

In the battery module 50 of the first embodiment, one concave portion 100b and one convex portion 100a are provided on both side surfaces of the module container, respectively.
00b and the convex portion of the other surface are the surface X at the center of both side surfaces.
(Hereinafter referred to as a center plane X). In addition, the concave portion and the convex portion on the same side surface are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the illustrated vertical plane Y. Here, the vertical plane Y refers to a plane perpendicular to the center plane X through the rotation center Z for rotating the battery module when assembling the battery module while reversing the polarity direction.

FIG. 7 shows a battery module 50 of the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view conceptually showing a method of performing positioning of the image.
As in FIG. 6, the projection 57, the projection 58, the output terminal, and the like of the module container 52 are not shown for the sake of simplicity. In addition, each battery module is indicated by "+" on the positive electrode side and "-" on the negative electrode side so that the mounting direction of the battery module 50 can be understood at a glance.

In the following, for convenience of explanation, the battery modules shown in FIG. 7 are distinguished from each other by being assigned “A”, “B”, and “C” in order from the left. When assembling the battery module B to the battery module A, the orientation of the battery module B is reversed so that the polarity of the battery module A is reversed, and the concave portion 100b and the convex portion 100a of the two battery modules are fitted. And assemble it. Since the concave and convex portions of the battery module 50 are provided in the predetermined positional relationship described with reference to FIG. 6, when the battery module B is assembled while reversing the direction of the battery module B, the concave and convex portions of the two battery modules are Are in a positional relationship of just fitting. Note that the distance between the two battery modules is determined by the protrusion 57 and the protrusion 58 provided on the side surface of the battery module 50 as described above. After the battery module B is assembled in this way, the battery module C is assembled in the same manner. That is, the polarity of the battery module C is reversed with respect to the battery module B, and the battery module C is assembled so that the concave portion and the convex portion are fitted.

In the battery module 50 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the concave portion 100b and the convex portion 100a
Are provided at positions adjacent to each other. That is, the distance between the concave portion 100b and the convex portion 100a is small. For this reason, since the distance does not vary due to the manufacturing tolerance of the battery module, there is almost no need to provide a margin for fitting between the concave portion and the convex portion. as a result,
The battery module 50 can be accurately positioned only by fitting the concave portion 100b and the convex portion 100a to each other. In order to explain the reason more clearly, a case where the concave portion and the convex portion are formed apart from each other will be described as a reference.

FIG. 8A is an explanatory view showing a state in which a battery module 150 in which a concave portion and a convex portion for positioning are formed apart from each other is positioned using the same method as described above. It is. As shown in the drawing, if the distance between the concave portion 150b and the convex portion 150a for positioning is large, the influence of the manufacturing tolerance becomes large.
The error of the position with respect to 0a increases. Therefore, the recess 15
If the margin for fitting between Ob and the protrusion 150a is set to be small, the battery module 150 that cannot be positioned due to the manufacturing tolerance of the battery module 150 may occur.
In particular, when the module container is molded with resin, the influence of the variation in the amount of shrinkage when the resin cools and solidifies is also added. Therefore, as the distance between the concave portion and the convex portion increases, the positional error increases and the battery cannot be positioned. Modules can occur. In order to avoid such a situation, it is necessary to provide a large gap dT between the concave portion 150b and the convex portion 150a as shown in FIG. However, the recess 150
If there is a large gap between b and the protrusion 150a, the battery modules 150 can move relative to each other,
As a result, accurate positioning cannot be achieved.

FIG. 9 shows the battery module 15 shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing, in an enlarged manner, a state in which the position of the protrusion 58 is shifted by moving the battery module 150 by the gap provided between the concave portion 150b and the convex portion 150a at 0. As described above, the battery module may expand due to an increase in internal pressure depending on charge / discharge conditions. If the position of the projection 58 is shifted as shown in FIG. 9, the surface pressure increases and the projection 58 is plastically deformed. As a result, the width of the cooling passage 60 between the battery modules cannot be maintained. As a result, the cooling between the battery modules becomes uneven.

In the battery module 50 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.
Since the protrusion 100b and the protrusion 100a are provided adjacent to each other, it is not necessary to provide a large margin for fitting the recess 100b and the protrusion 100a. Therefore, the battery module 50 can be accurately positioned only by fitting the concave portion 100b and the convex portion 100a.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, adjacent concave portions 100b and convex portions 100a,
That is, the positioning portion 100 is provided substantially at the center of the side of the battery module. Thus, the positioning unit 10
If 0 is provided at the center of the side of the module,
The distance between the projection 58 farthest from 00 and the positioning portion 100 can be shortened. Positioning unit 100
When the distance between the battery module and the protrusion 58 is reduced, even if the amount of shrinkage when the resin cools between the battery modules varies, the variation in the position of the protrusion 58 can be further reduced.

A-3. Modification Example: In the battery module 50 of the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 6, the concave portions and the convex portions on different surfaces are located at plane-symmetric positions with respect to the center plane X on the side of the battery module. The concave and convex portions on the same plane are provided in a positional relationship symmetrical with respect to a plane (vertical plane Y) passing through the rotation center Z of the battery module 50 and perpendicular to the center plane X. However, the positional relationship between the concave portion and the convex portion is not limited to such an arrangement, and there are various modifications.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the positional relationship between the concave portion 100b and the convex portion 100a in the first modified example. In the first modified example, the concave portion and the convex portion on the same surface are in a positional relationship symmetrical with respect to the vertical plane Y of the battery module 50, but the concave portion and the convex portion on different surfaces are located on the center plane. It is not in a plane-symmetric positional relationship with respect to X. Even if the concave portion and the convex portion on different surfaces are not plane-symmetric with respect to the center plane X, the concave portion and the convex portion on the same surface have a plane-symmetric positional relationship with respect to the vertical plane Y. For example, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 0, while the polarity of the battery module is reversed, the concave portion and the convex portion are fitted to each other.
50 can be positioned. The battery module 250 shown in FIG. 10 also has a concave portion and a convex portion adjacent to each other similarly to the battery module 50 shown in FIG.
By fitting them together, the battery modules 250 can be accurately positioned.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view conceptually showing the positional relationship between the concave portion 100b and the convex portion 100a in the second modification of the first embodiment. In the second modified example, the concave portion and the convex portion on different surfaces are formed on the center plane X on both side surfaces of the battery module.
The concave portion and the convex portion on the same surface have a positional relationship symmetric with respect to a plane (vertical plane Y) passing through the center of rotation Z and perpendicular to the center plane X. Not. Even if the concave part and the convex part on the same plane are not plane-symmetric with respect to the vertical plane Y, the concave part and the convex part on the different plane are in a plane-symmetric positional relation with respect to the center plane X. For example, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the battery module 350 can be positioned by fitting the concave portion and the convex portion while keeping the polarities of the battery modules in the same direction. The battery module 350 shown in FIG.
Since the concave portion and the convex portion are provided adjacent to each other as in the case of 0, the battery modules 350 can be accurately positioned by fitting them together.

In the battery module 50 shown in FIG. 7, the concave portion and the convex portion on the same side
, And at the same time, the concave portions and the convex portions on different surfaces are provided in a symmetrical positional relationship with respect to the center plane X. Therefore, as described above, it is possible to position the battery module by fitting the concave portion and the convex portion, even if the battery module is assembled with the polarity direction of the battery module reversed, or the battery module is assembled with the polarity direction aligned. It is.

In the above-described embodiment, the concave portion and the convex portion need only be substantially adjacent. That is, even when another member such as the projection 58 is provided between the concave portion and the convex portion, the concave portion and the convex portion are so arranged that the distance between the concave portion and the convex portion does not vary greatly. May be formed substantially adjacent to each other.

B. Second Embodiment FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the shape of a battery module 550 according to a second embodiment. Second
The battery module 550 of the embodiment differs from the battery module 50 of the first embodiment only in the shape of the positioning part 500. As shown in the figure, the positioning section 500 of the second embodiment has a configuration in which two semicircular disks 502 project from the side surface of the module container 552. The interval between the two disks 502 is equal to the thickness of the disks 502, and the direction of the groove formed between the disks 502 is the same as the direction in which the battery module 550 is fastened to the lower case 20 with the bolt 25. Match. The battery module 550 of the second embodiment has a positioning portion 5 having such a shape.
00 are provided on both sides of the battery module. Hereinafter, the direction in which the battery module 550 is fastened is referred to as the up-down direction, the longitudinal direction of the battery module is referred to as the front-back direction, and the short direction is referred to as the left-right direction.

In the battery module 550 of the second embodiment, a recess is formed between two disks 502 provided side by side on the same surface, and a semicircular disk 502 of another battery module 550 is formed in the recess. Are fitted to perform positioning. That is,
The battery module 550 is positioned in the front-rear direction by fitting any one of the two disks 502 to the concave portion and the convex portion. The battery module 5 of the second embodiment
Reference numeral 00 denotes a structure in which the positioning section 500 does not perform positioning in the left-right direction and the up-down direction. Among these, the positioning mechanism in the left-right direction is performed by the protruding portion 57 provided on the battery module 550, but the positioning in the vertical direction does not perform positioning until the battery module 550 is assembled on the lower case 20. The reason will be described later.

In the battery module 550 according to the second embodiment, the two discs 502 are placed in the following positional relationship in order to perform positioning in the front-rear direction by fitting the concave portion and the convex portion. Provided. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the positional relationship between the discs 502 protruding from both sides of the battery module 550 of the second embodiment. FIG. 6 in the first embodiment
Similarly, the positional relationship between the module container 552 of the battery module 550 and the disk 502 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 13 as well, the projection 57, the projection 58, the output terminal, and the like provided on the module container 552 are not shown in order to avoid complication of the drawing.

As shown in FIG. 13, a concave portion 500b formed between two circular plates 502 and a semicircular circular plate (a convex portion 500a) on a surface different from the concave portion 500b are connected to a battery. Two disks 502 are provided at the same position with the center plane X on both sides of the module 550 interposed therebetween.
Further, two discs 502 are provided such that the boundary between the concave portion 500b and one convex portion 500a constituting the concave portion 500b is on the vertical plane Y of the battery module 550. As described above, the vertical plane Y refers to a plane that is perpendicular to the center plane X through the rotation center Z that rotates the battery module when assembling the battery module while reversing the polarity direction.

FIG. 14 shows the battery module 5 of the second embodiment.
It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the method of performing positioning of 50. As in FIG. 13, the protrusion 57, the protrusion 58, the output terminal, and the like of the module container 552 are not shown in order to avoid complication of the drawing. In addition, each battery module is indicated by "+" on the positive electrode side and "-" on the negative electrode side so that the mounting direction of the battery module 50 can be understood at a glance.

B-1. Positioning method of the second embodiment: FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the battery module 550 is assembled while the polarity direction of the battery module 550 is reversed. The two disks 502 of the battery module 550 correspond to FIG.
3, the battery module 550 is assembled while the orientation of the battery module 550 is reversed, so that the disk 502 of the battery module just fits into the recess 500 b of another battery module 550. Thus, the battery modules can be positioned in the front-rear direction. The positioning in the left-right direction is performed by the protrusion 5 provided on the side surface of the battery module 50 as described above.
7 and the projection 58. In this way, all the battery modules can be assembled while being positioned while reversing the polarity direction.

In the battery module 550 of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, a concave portion 500b is formed between two circular plates 502, and a circular plate 50 corresponding to a convex portion.
2 and the recess are formed adjacent to each other. Therefore, the first
For the same reason as the battery module 50 of the embodiment, it is possible to accurately position each battery module even by such a simple method. That is, since the positional error between the concave portion and the convex portion due to the manufacturing tolerance of the module container 552 is small, there is no need to provide a margin for fitting the concave portion and the convex portion, and as a result, the battery modules can be accurately connected to each other. Positioning becomes possible.

The positioning section 500 of the second embodiment is
It is provided substantially at the center of the side of the battery module. For this reason, for the same reason as in the first embodiment, the positions of the protrusions 58 of the adjacent battery modules 50 can be more accurately matched.

As described above, the positioning structure 500 of the second embodiment does not have a structure for positioning the battery module 550 in the vertical direction (see FIG. 12). Less than,
The reason will be described.

The module container 552 of the second embodiment is
After injection of a high-temperature resin into a female mold, the resin is cured to obtain a desired shape, which is a method called injection molding. In addition, the battery module 5
Metal nut 53 for fixing 50 is embedded in module container 552 using the following method. A method is used in which a nut 53 is set at a predetermined position of a female mold before resin injection, and the module container 552 is molded and the nut 53 is embedded at the same time. In this case, since the nut 53 is embedded at the same time as the molding of the module container 552, the module container 552 can be easily manufactured. Of course, the nut 53 may be embedded in the module container 552 that has been molded in advance by a method such as press fitting or bonding.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the vicinity of the bottom surface of the battery module 550. As shown, nut 53
Are slightly protruded from the bottom surface of the battery module 550. Even if the nut 53 is embedded by any of the methods described above, a certain amount of error occurs in the amount of protrusion of the nut end face.

As described above, the positioning section 500 of the second embodiment has a structure that does not position vertically. Therefore, even if there is a battery module with a small amount of protrusion of the nut end face, the battery module 550 is not
When the battery module is fastened to 0 by the bolt 21, the battery module can move up and down to absorb variations in the amount of protrusion. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing such a state.
This shows a state where the positioned battery module 550 is viewed from the side surface on the output terminal side. The projecting amounts of two battery modules, the battery module 550 corresponding to “D” at the left end in the drawing and the third battery module 550 corresponding to “E” from the left, are smaller than the projecting amounts of the other battery modules 550. Has become. Corresponding to this, when the battery module 550 is fastened to the lower case 20, the positions of the battery modules D and E move as shown in the figure, and all the battery modules 550 are firmly fastened to the lower case 20. become.

That is, the positioning section 500 of the second embodiment
Is not positioned in the vertical direction, so that even if there is a battery module with a small amount of protrusion on the nut end face, the battery module can move up and down to absorb variations in the amount of protrusion, which is preferable. .

B-2. Modification Example: In the battery module 550 of the second embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 13, a concave portion 500b is formed between two semicircular disks 502, and the other battery module 550 is formed. The disk 502 is connected to the protrusion 5
As 00a, the battery module 550 is positioned by being fitted into the concave portion 500b. Two disks 502 are provided so that such positioning is possible.
As described above, the position of the concave portion formed between the disks and the circular plate 502 on the surface different from the concave portion correspond to each other with the center plane X on both sides of the battery module 550 interposed therebetween. It is provided so that it becomes. Also, the concave portion 500
Two discs 502 are provided such that a boundary between the first protrusion b and one of the protrusions 500 a constituting the recess 500 b is on the vertical plane Y of the battery module 550. However,
As in the first embodiment, various modifications exist in the positional relationship between the concave portions and the convex portions, and in the second embodiment, there also exist various modifications in the positional relationship between the disks 502.

For example, as shown in FIG.
The disk 502 may be provided so that the positional relationship between the concave portion 500b formed between them and the disk 502 on the same surface as the concave portion is plane-symmetric with respect to the vertical plane Y. . Such a battery module 650 has different concave portions 50.
0b and the disk 502 are not in a plane-symmetric positional relationship with respect to the center plane X, but since the concave portion 500b and the disk 502 on the same plane are plane-symmetric with respect to the vertical plane Y. ,
As shown in FIG. 17, each battery module can be positioned while reversing the polarity of the battery module 650.

As shown in FIG. 18, a concave portion 500b formed between the disks 502 is different from a concave portion 500b formed on a different surface.
The disk 502 may be provided so that the positional relationship with the center plane X is plane-symmetric with respect to the center plane X. In such a battery module 750, the polarity of the battery module 750 can be aligned as shown in FIG. 18, and each battery module can be positioned.

In the battery module of the second embodiment described above, at most two discs 502 are provided per side of the module. However, as shown in FIG. 19, a larger number of discs 502 are provided. A concave portion may be formed between the disks.

Further, in the above-described battery module of the second embodiment, the concave portion is formed between the circular plates 502. As described above, if a concave portion is formed between the disks 502, a built-up portion having a partially built-up portion is provided on the side surface of the module container, and a concave portion is formed by providing a concave portion in the built-up portion. In comparison, the concave portion can be easily formed. Further, unlike the case where the concave portion is formed by directly providing a recess in the module container, a protruding portion is not formed inside the module container, which is preferable.
However, the concave portion is not limited to the case where the concave portion is formed between the disks, and the concave portion may be provided in the module container.

C. Example of application to electric vehicle: As described above, in order to manufacture an assembled battery mounted on an electric vehicle,
Since a large number of battery modules need to be assembled, the production efficiency of the assembled battery can be improved by employing the positioning method of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, an application example in which an assembled battery to which the battery module positioning method of the present embodiment is applied is mounted on an electric vehicle will be described.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a hybrid vehicle equipped with the assembled battery of this embodiment. A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses an engine and an electric motor as power sources. As shown, the hybrid vehicle includes an engine 810, a motor 820, a torque converter 830, a drive circuit 840, and a battery unit 8
50, a control unit 880, a transmission 890, and the like. Hereinafter, each element constituting the hybrid vehicle will be briefly described.

Engine 810 is a normal gasoline engine. The output of engine 810 is input to torque converter 830 via motor 820. The motor 820 can be driven by the drive circuit 840 using the battery unit 850 as a power source, and the output of the motor 820 can be input to the torque converter 830. Torque converter 8
Reference numeral 30 denotes a well-known power transmission mechanism using a liquid. The output input to the torque converter 830 is transmitted to an axle 817 via a well-known transmission 890 and a differential gear 816 to drive the vehicle. When the motor 820 is rotated by the inertia of the engine 810 or the vehicle, the motor 820 can function as a generator, and the electric power can be stored in the battery unit 850. Drive circuit 840 is an inverter configured using a semiconductor element. The drive circuit 840 controls the battery unit 850 under the control of the control unit 880.
Is converted into an AC current having an appropriate current value and frequency and supplied to the motor 820. Also, the motor 820
Is operating as a generator, the control unit 8
Under the control of 80, the drive circuit 840 can convert the generated alternating current into a direct current and store it in the battery unit 850. The battery unit 850 will be described later. The control unit 880 includes a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM.
It is a well-known one-chip microcomputer provided with such components as controls the engine 810, the drive circuit 840, the torque converter 830, the transmission 890, and the like.

The hybrid vehicle having the above configuration has the following features.
The driving force output from engine 810 or motor 820 is transmitted to transmission 890 via torque converter 830.
To the axle 8 after increasing or decreasing the speed by the transmission 890.
17 to drive the vehicle. By selectively using two power sources, the engine 810 and the motor 820, according to the driving conditions of the vehicle, the energy efficiency of the entire vehicle can be improved.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the structure of the battery unit 850. As shown, the battery unit 850 has a structure in which four battery module assemblies 90 shown in FIG. 1 are connected in parallel. Of course, a larger number of battery module assemblies 90 may be connected in parallel or in series depending on the required current amount or voltage.

Each of the positive output terminals 38 of the four battery module assemblies 90 is connected to the positive output terminal 838 of the battery unit 850. Similarly, each of the negative output terminals 39 of the battery module assembly 90 is connected to the battery The negative electrode side output terminal 839 of the unit 850 is connected. By combining a plurality of battery modules and connecting them in series or in parallel as described above,
A battery unit 850 that can supply a desired amount of current at a desired voltage value can be configured.

A large current is required to drive the hybrid vehicle, and the amount of heat generated by the battery module assembly 90 is large. Along with this, it is desirable that the cooling of each battery module 50 is also efficient, and each battery module is assembled while being positioned. However, in response to the need for a large current to drive the hybrid vehicle, the number of battery modules incorporated in the battery unit 850 also increases. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, as many as 152 battery modules are used per hybrid vehicle. As described above, since it is necessary to assemble a large number of battery modules in the production of a hybrid vehicle, by assembling while efficiently positioning each battery module,
The manufacturing efficiency of the battery unit 850 is greatly improved,
As a result, the production efficiency of the hybrid vehicle can be improved.

When the battery modules are assembled using the positioning methods of the various embodiments described above, the battery modules can be assembled while being positioned efficiently, so that the manufacturing efficiency of the battery unit 850 can be greatly improved. It is suitable.

Further, if the battery modules are assembled while being accurately positioned, each battery module can be firmly fixed as a result. That is,
Since each battery module is integrally formed while exerting a force on each other by the protrusions 58 provided on the side surfaces, accurate positioning of the battery modules results in firm fixing of each module. . In particular, vibration accompanying the running of the vehicle is applied to the battery module assembly 90 mounted on the vehicle, and furthermore, the environmental temperature greatly fluctuates, so that the battery module assembly 90 is strongly affected by thermal expansion. These effects may loosen the fastening of the battery module,
When the positioning method of this embodiment is used, the battery modules are firmly fixed to each other, so that there is no possibility that the fastening of the battery modules is loosened, which is preferable.

Although various embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to all the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing the structure of a battery module assembly configured using the assembled battery of the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an electrical connection relationship of the battery module assembly according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an external shape of a battery module constituting the battery pack of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the battery module assembled to the lower case is viewed from above while the positioning portions are fitted and positioned with respect to each other.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the battery module assembly of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a positional relationship between a concave portion and a convex portion provided in the battery module of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a state where the battery modules of the first embodiment are assembled while being positioned with respect to each other.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the reason why the battery module can be accurately positioned by the positioning method of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a case where positioning accuracy of a battery module is poor.
It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the position of the protrusion provided in the module side surface shifts.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a first modification of the battery module of the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing a second modification of the battery module of the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an external shape of a battery module constituting the battery pack of the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a positional relationship between a concave portion and a convex portion provided in the battery module of the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which the battery modules of the second embodiment are assembled while being positioned with respect to each other.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged side view of the battery module showing a positional relationship between a bottom surface of the battery module and an end face of a nut embedded in the module container.

FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the reason why the positioning structure of the second embodiment does not perform positioning in the vertical direction.

FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram showing a first modification of the battery module of the second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram showing a second modification of the battery module of the second embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram showing another modification of the battery module of the second embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a functional block diagram of a hybrid vehicle equipped with the assembled battery of the embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view conceptually showing the structure of a battery unit configured using the assembled battery of the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Battery pack 12 ... Restriction plate 14 ... Restriction bolt 15 ... Bus bar 16 ... Nut 20 ... Lower case 21 ... Screw hole 22 ... Cooling air passage 24 ... Intake port 24 ... Ventilation port 25 ... Bolt 30 ... Upper case 32 ... Bolt 35 ... Sealing member 36 ... Exhaust port 38, 39 ... Output terminal 38 ... Output terminal 38 ... Positive side output terminal 39 ... Output terminal 39 ... Negative side output terminal 50 ... Battery module 52 ... Module container 53 ... Nut 54 ... Positive terminal 55 ... Negative electrode Terminal 57: Projection 58: Projection 60: Cooling passage 90: Battery module assembly 100: Part 100a: Convex part 100b: Concave part 150: Battery module 150a: Convex part 150b: Concave part 250: Battery module 350: Battery module 500: Structure 500 ... Battery module 500 ... Part 500a ... Protrusion 50 b ... recess 502 ... disk 550 ... battery module 552 ... module container 650 ... battery module 750 ... battery module 810 ... engine 812 ... output shaft 813 ... input shaft 814 ... output shaft 815 ... output shaft 816 ... differential gear 817 ... axle 820 ... Motor 822 ... Rotor 824 ... Stator 830 ... Torque converter 838 ... Positive output terminal 839 ... Negative output terminal 840 ... Drive circuit 850 ... Battery unit 880 ... Control unit 890 ... Transmission

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An assembled battery formed by arranging a plurality of batteries having the same shape by fitting a concave portion and a convex portion provided in each of the batteries and positioning them with each other, wherein the battery has the concave portion. And a convex part, or either the concave part or the convex part is provided adjacent to each other. 2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the position of the concave portion or the convex portion in the battery is substantially at the center of the outer surface of the battery. 3. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the battery includes the concave portion and the convex portion on each of both side surfaces of the battery, and the concave portion provided on one side surface and the other portion. The positional relationship between the convex portion provided on the side surface is plane-symmetric with respect to a plane located at the center of the both side surfaces, and the positional relationship between the concave portion and the convex portion provided on the same side surface is as follows.
An assembled battery that is plane-symmetric with respect to a plane that passes through the center of rotation of the batteries when the batteries are arranged in a reversed orientation and that is orthogonal to a plane located at the center of the two side surfaces. 4. A method of positioning a plurality of batteries having the same shape by mutually fitting a concave portion and a convex portion provided in each battery, and positioning the batteries with each other. Or one of the recesses or the recesses is provided adjacent to each other, and the recesses and the protrusions are fitted to each other to perform positioning of the batteries. 5. An electric vehicle equipped with an assembled battery in which a plurality of batteries having the same shape are fitted with concave and convex portions provided on each of the batteries and are arranged while being positioned with respect to each other. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the concave portion and the convex portion, or one of the concave portion and the convex portion, is configured by arranging batteries provided adjacent to each other.