JP2002157984A - Battery pack and battery module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery module excellent in cooling performance of battery cells, capable of surely fixing the battery cells, and capable of improving workability. SOLUTION: A nut is arranged in a nut-shaped recess 38 formed in a stage part 37, an inter-battery pack connecting bus bar 36 is arranged in an inter- recess groove 40, a battery pack output bus bar 7 is arranged in the inter-recess groove 40, respectively, and series connecting work of a battery pack 1 is completed by bolt fastening from above. A bypass passage 35 in which a cooling wind flows for cooling the respective battery cells 2, is formed of clearance formed in the battery pack 1 and a bottom surface part, and a cooling wind introducing port 33 and a cooling wind deriving port 34 are formed on one side surface of a lower cover case 39 and the opposed side surface with respective rows.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an assembled battery and a battery module, and more particularly to an assembled battery in which a plurality of pillar-shaped battery cells are fixed and electrically connected, and a plurality of assembled batteries in a pair of upper and lower outer cases. The present invention relates to a battery module in which a battery is fixed and electrically connected.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in the automotive industry, a battery module, which is an aggregate of battery cells (single cells), is used as a power source for a motor as a substitute for a gasoline engine vehicle or a diesel engine vehicle in order to cope with resource and environmental problems. Electric vehicles are attracting attention. In order to secure a practical traveling distance with a single charge, the size and weight of the battery module must be increased. In recent years, the battery module and the conventional engine are appropriately switched according to the traveling conditions. A hybrid car with reduced size and energy saving and cleanliness has come into practical use.

[0003] A battery module contains many high-performance battery cells mainly composed of lithium oxide or the like. Such a battery cell has a positive electrode and a negative electrode in the form of a strip in which an active material is applied to a metal foil, and has a wound structure in which a cross section is spirally wound with a separator interposed therebetween so that the positive and negative electrodes do not directly contact. Since it is adopted, the heat radiation characteristics are low, and the amount of heat generated from the battery cells when using the battery module is relatively large. In addition, the performance of the battery cell is greatly affected by a change in temperature, and the characteristics are deteriorated on the high temperature side.

[0004] As a cooling technique for a battery module, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-47892 discloses a technique in which a battery cell is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the battery cell is sandwiched between two plates made of a material having high thermal conductivity from above and below. There has been disclosed a technique in which a ventilation path is formed between upper and lower plates by fixing the cooling air to the vehicle body via the plate so that cooling air can flow through a ventilation path between the hollow portion of the battery cell and the plate. I have.

[0005] In a battery module, a battery cell and a control unit such as a cell controller, a battery controller, a relay unit, and a fuse often share the same space for compactness.
When the cooling air is introduced, it must be housed in an outer case (module case) that is kept airtight so that dust and moisture do not enter the control unit.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-182584 discloses a battery module airtight technology in which a battery module is mounted under the floor of a rear seat of a hybrid car, and an exterior case is made of polyurethane with a butt structure of a joint surface and a butt portion. There is disclosed a technique of joining with a resin adhesive or the like to secure airtightness.

[0007]

However, according to the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-47892, the ventilation passage is formed between the upper and lower two plates, so that the ventilation passage is narrow and heat is easily trapped. When the battery cells are arranged, there is a problem that cooling unevenness occurs in each battery cell. In addition, the battery cell is likely to be displaced in the axial direction between the upper and lower two plates, and if the battery cell is sandwiched between the upper and lower plates via a cushioning material, the ventilation path is further narrowed and the cooling performance is deteriorated. There is a problem that the assembly workability is reduced.

When the battery cell and the control unit share the same space, a circuit short circuit may occur due to rust or dew condensation in the substrate due to the moist cooling air. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the arrangement of the control unit so as not to directly hit the battery, which is one factor that hinders the compactness of the battery module.

Further, in the method of ensuring the airtightness of the battery module by using an adhesive as in the technique of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-182584, it is necessary to set the adhesive for a hardening time and to attach / detach a fixing jig. Therefore, work efficiency is reduced, and once the outer case is adhered, the outer case must be destroyed when replacing parts inside the battery module,
There were difficulties in ensuring recyclability and rebuildability.

[0010] In view of the above proposal, the first object of the present invention is to
An object of the present invention is to provide a battery module that is excellent in cooling performance of a battery cell, can securely fix the battery cell, and can improve workability. Further, a second object of the present invention is to provide a battery module which does not cause a concern about deterioration of the function and reliability of the control unit due to dust or moisture even when the control unit is stored in the same outer case. It is. Further, the third object of the present invention is to improve the workability while securing stable airtightness, and to improve the recyclability,
An object of the present invention is to provide a battery module having excellent rebuildability. A fourth object of the present invention is to provide an assembled battery accommodated in the battery module, which meets the first to third objects.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the lower lid case includes:
An inlet for introducing cooling air to one side surface and an outlet for discharging cooling air to the opposite side surface of the one side surface are formed. And the battery cells are housed horizontally so as to be perpendicular to the flow direction of the cooling air, so that the heat exchange area of the battery cells can be increased and the cooling efficiency can be increased. Further, since the packing can be stably arranged by forming a flange around the openings of the upper lid case and the lower lid case, airtightness can be secured, and the battery module can be secured by bolts and nuts. Workability such as replacement of internal parts can be improved, and recyclability can be ensured.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the upper cover case and the lower cover case are bolted by the packing suppressing protrusions.
When tightened with a nut, the packing can be prevented from moving inward and deforming, ensuring airtightness inside the outer case and ensuring that the compression rate of the packing is limited by the packing suppression protrusion. The packing can be prevented from being compressed more than necessary and damaged.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of flange portion reinforcing ribs for reinforcing the flange portion are formed between the flange portion of the lower cover case and the side surface of the lower cover case. Even when stress is applied from the upper lid case side, the stress can be dispersed to the side surface of the lower lid case, and the deformation of the flange portion of the lower lid case can be prevented, and the airtightness of the outer case can be maintained. Also, since a plurality of flange portion reinforcing ribs are formed at predetermined intervals larger than the width of the nut around the position of the bolt hole formed in the flange portion of the lower lid case, the nut is prevented from rotating and the assembly workability is improved. Can be improved.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the external output terminal of the battery pack is led out from the second holder case in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the battery cell, and the battery pack is disposed horizontally. Sometimes it protrudes from the end face of the battery pack,
A series connection operation of a plurality of assembled batteries can be performed without being hindered by the assembled batteries. Also, a bolt hole is formed in the external output terminal, and the battery pack is formed with a bolt hole and fastened with a bolt and a nut via a battery connection busbar connecting between the external output terminals, and is electrically connected to each other in series. Therefore, connection workability can be improved.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the lower lid case has a base protruding upward, and has a nut receiving holding recess for receiving and holding a nut on the upper surface thereof, and a lower portion of the battery connecting busbar. Since the battery pack connecting bush recess having a shape corresponding to the shape and the external output terminal recess having a shape corresponding to the shape of the external output terminal are formed, a nut, a battery connecting busbar, and an external output terminal are mounted on these recesses in advance. It is possible to connect a plurality of assembled batteries in series by placing them and fastening them with bolts, and since the base protrudes upward, the connection work can be performed without being disturbed by the assembled batteries. Can be improved. Further, when the battery pack is disposed in the lower lid case, the external output terminal recess is formed at a position where the external output terminal is to be disposed, so that the positioning of the battery pack becomes easy.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the lower cover case accommodating the battery pack and the upper cover case accommodating the control unit are provided, the cooling air is directly supplied to the control unit. , The battery pack housed in the lower lid case can be efficiently cooled. Further, since the control unit can be centrally arranged at one place in the battery module, the space defined by the upper lid case and the middle plate in which the control unit is accommodated can be made compact, and Wiring and mounting workability can be improved.

According to the present invention, since the control unit is fixed to the middle plate, it is possible to suppress the movement of the control unit due to vibration or impact.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the middle plate is fixed to the upper part of the lower lid case with a screw, the control unit is fixed to the middle plate in advance so that the connection / connection on the control unit side can be performed. The fixing work can be performed separately, and the work under high voltage energization can be reduced, so that the assembly workability can be improved.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the middle plate has a plurality of middle plate reinforcing ribs for reinforcing the strength of the middle plate on the upper surface, the control unit is fixed to the middle plate to apply a load. Even so, the stress applied to the middle plate can be dispersed, and deformation of the middle plate and damage accompanied by cracks can be prevented.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since the material of the middle plate is made of PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) resin, the strength of the middle plate can be improved and
For example, as compared with the case where other resins such as PP (polypropylene) are used, the warpage of the middle plate and the coefficient of thermal expansion are small,
This makes it possible to prevent difficulties in fixing the control unit to the middle plate, and prevent difficulties in fixing to the lower lid case.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the middle plate has on the upper surface a harness movement restraining projection for restraining the movement of the voltage detection harness, which is a bundle of voltage detection wires electrically connected to the voltage detection bus bar. The voltage detection harness is fixed to the middle plate by a binding body that binds the voltage detection harness, and the voltage detection harness is rubbed by vibration or the like. It is possible to prevent disconnection of the connector due to short circuit, disconnection, harness runaway, and the like.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, a gap is formed between the middle plate and the battery pack, and the cushion material is provided in the gap, so that the battery is accommodated in the lower lid case. Vibration and shock propagation occurring between the assembled battery and the middle plate can be reduced.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the cushion is provided on the lower lid case and the middle plate so as to abut the assembled battery, so that the middle plate is fixed to the lower lid case by screws. Is fixed by pressurization by compressing the cushion material, so that the assembling operation can be performed from above, and the workability of assembling the battery module can be improved.
Further, since the cushion material accommodating recess for accommodating the cushion material has a width larger than the width of the cushion material, it is possible to secure an allowance when the cushion material is compressed by pressing and fixing.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the cushioning material is made of EPDM rubber, so that the cushioning material has higher heat resistance and aging resistance than various rubbers such as NBR (acrylonitrile butadiene rubber) and IR (isoprene rubber). Excellent, with little deterioration even when used for a long time due to vibration,
The reliability of the battery module can be improved.

According to the fifteenth aspect, the gap is reliably formed by providing a step between the lower lid case and the assembled battery and between the middle plate and the assembled battery, so that the cooling air is formed. The heat exchange can be performed frequently by distributing a large amount of the heat. At this time, in the portion where the step is not provided, the gap corresponds to the thickness of the holder case.
To secure the gap, between the lower lid case and the battery pack,
Further, it is desirable to provide a step between both the middle plate and the assembled battery. Further, by forming a projection having a substantially mountain-shaped cross section between the assembled batteries housed horizontally in the lower lid case, the projection functions as a louver to rectify the cooling air or flow the cooling air. Can be adjusted, and the cooling efficiency can be improved. Further, since the projection having a substantially mountain-shaped cross section extends with a predetermined width in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell, it increases the structural strength of the lower lid case and also functions as a positioning and stopper for the assembled battery. Workability when storing the battery in the lower lid case is improved.

According to the present invention, after the battery pack is housed in the lower lid case and the connection operation is completed, the packing is arranged along the groove and the guide formed in the flange portion of the lower lid case. By fastening the upper and lower lid cases with bolts and nuts, airtightness can be ensured in the outer case, which eliminates the curing time of the adhesive and the attachment / detachment work of the fixing jig, thereby improving work efficiency. be able to. Further, when fastening the upper cover case and the lower cover case with bolts and nuts, the height of the packing is defined by the two guides projecting from the flanges of the upper cover case and the lower cover case, and both guides are at least the upper cover. Since the four corners of the case and the lower lid case and the bolt holes are formed at the positions where the bolts and nuts are formed, the four corners and the fastening part of the packing function as stoppers for preventing displacement from the groove when fastening the bolt and nut. . For this reason, the packing allowance and the position of the packing are defined, and stable airtightness can be provided to the outer case.

According to the seventeenth aspect of the invention, the packing is originally a liquid resin, and is formed by applying and curing along the groove and the guide of the flange portion of the lower lid case. That is, after the packing is applied, it is tens of minutes after application, and is in a state of being bonded unless it is forcibly peeled off from the groove, and the surface of the flange portion of the lower lid case facing the joint surface with the flange portion of the upper lid case is: It is in a dry state with the finger touched. Thus, for example, considering that the curing time of the polyurethane-based adhesive is about 5 hours, the outer case can be hermetically sealed in a very short time including the bolt and nut fastening time, and the battery module can be assembled. Time is reduced. Also, when replacing the components in the battery module, the upper case can be easily removed by loosening the bolts and nuts, so that the recyclability of the outer case can be ensured.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, since the flange portion of the lower lid case is formed above the assembled battery, the liquid foaming resin is applied to the groove formed in the flange portion of the lower lid case. In this case, there is no obstruction around the flange portion, the application operation can be mechanized, and the assembling time can be reduced.

According to the nineteenth aspect, since the nut holding recess capable of holding the nut is formed immediately below the bolt hole formed in the flange portion of the lower lid case, the upper lid case and the lower lid case are formed. When fastening the nut and the nut, the nut can be pre-arranged in the nut holding recess, and the bolt can be inserted into the screw hole and tightened with a screwdriver. .

According to the twentieth aspect, the battery cell is vertically sandwiched between the vertically adjacent battery cells by the first and second holder cases, and the terminal is connected to one end of the high-current bus bar and the terminal thereof. The first and second holder cases are welded to the ends of the metal bus bars, and the first and second holder cases are fixed to each other by screw fastening at the central portion. Therefore, a required number of battery cells are inserted between the first and second holder cases. The battery cells can be arranged neatly and without play, and the support stability of the battery cells can be ensured well. Also,
A first metal busbar for connecting the battery cells in series to the first holder case; a second metal busbar for connecting the battery cells in series to the second holder case;
Since the high-voltage busbar serving as an external output terminal and the voltage detection busbar for detecting the voltage between each terminal of the battery cell are embedded by insert molding, it is necessary to attach a metal busbar, a high-voltage busbar, and a voltage detection busbar in a later process. Absent. Therefore, the battery cells are inserted so as to be turned upside down between the battery cells adjacent to the first holder case,
From above, the holder case is sandwiched by the second holder case, and the holder cases are fixed to each other with screws, and one end of the high-power bus bar and the end of the metal bus bar and the terminal of the battery cell are connected to each other through a welding opening formed for welding. Thus, the assembled battery can be manufactured only by welding, and the working direction is limited to the vertical direction, so that the mechanization is easy and the assembling workability can be improved. Furthermore, since the first holder case is formed with a contact-permissible projection at the end of the first metal bus bar around the welding opening, the contact-permitting projection allowing the contact of only one pole of the battery cell. And the other pole of the battery cell is not in contact with the end of the first metal busbar, and the ends of the battery cells are not aligned and the second pole is not aligned. Therefore, assembling work errors can be eliminated. In addition, the other end of the high-power bus bar is provided as an external output terminal, and two positive and negative terminals are led out from the second holder case in parallel in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the battery cell. It can be accommodated in a battery module.

According to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention, the holder made of an electrically insulating resin is erected from the center of one of the first and second holder cases to the center of the other. Since it is fixed to the tip of the inter-case member by a screw fastened from one of the other holder cases, the holder is compared with a case where the inter-case member is a separate part and fixed to the first and second holder cases, respectively. The workability of fixing the cases can be improved.

According to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention, since the pattern end is welded to the voltage detection bus bar and the pattern circuit having the connector for outputting the voltage between the terminals to the outside is provided, the battery cell has Wiring for outputting the inter-terminal voltage to the outside can be performed only by welding the end of the pattern to the voltage detection bus bar and inserting the connector, so that the workability of the wiring connection can be improved. In addition, since the number of battery cells is unitized as four, even if a failure occurs in the battery cell, the connector can be removed and replaced in units of assembled batteries, so that high rebuildability can be ensured. it can.

[0033]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) A first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a battery module for mounting a hybrid car will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Structure> As shown in FIG. 1, the battery module 100 of the present embodiment has a box-shaped upper lid case 43 made of an electrically insulating resin and constituting an upper outer case of the battery module 100. And the battery module 10
And a lower cover case 39 made of a resin having electrical insulation and formed into a box shape. In the lower lid case 39, a plurality of assembled batteries 1 are connected in series and housed in a horizontal state as described later (see also FIG. 8).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the battery pack 1
Four (four) high-performance battery cells 2 covered with a casing having high thermal conductivity, and a resin-made electrically insulating resin disposed below the battery cells 2 and having a substantially square outer shape. A formed holder case A3 as a first holder case, and a second holder case disposed on the upper side of the battery cell 2 and made of an electrically insulating resin and formed in a substantially square outer shape. Case B4,
have. The assembled battery 1 is configured so that the four battery cells 2 are sandwiched between the adjacent battery cells 2 in the upside-down direction by the holder case A3 and the holder case B4, and these four battery cells 2 are assembled. The battery 1 is electrically connected in series.

As shown in FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B), the battery cell 2 has a positive electrode made mainly of lithium manganate or the like and a carbon material in a cylindrical battery can 10 on the negative electrode side. A wound group formed by winding a negative electrode made of a material through a separator is inserted, and has a columnar outer shape. The open end of the battery can 10 and the battery lid 12 in which a safety valve or the like is provided and the positive electrode terminal 11 protrudes in the center are caulked at a caulking portion 10a via an insulating member. The open end of the battery can 10 is
The flat portion 16 is formed by being bent to the side. Also,
Due to the interposition of the insulating member, a step is formed between the flat part 16 and the battery lid 12, and an annular groove defined by the step, the flat part 16 and the positive terminal 11 is formed on the positive electrode side of the battery cell 2. Is formed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the holder case B4 includes a metal bus bar 6 serving as a second metal bus bar for connecting the battery cells 2 in series, and a high-power bus bar serving as positive and negative external output terminals. Battery output bus bar 7,
A voltage detection bus bar 9 for detecting a voltage between terminals of each battery cell 2 is embedded and fixed in the case by insert molding.

In the holder case B4, a welding through hole 14 is formed as a spot welding opening at the center where the battery cell 2 is inserted. In the position where the welding through hole 14 is formed, the inter-cell connection metal bus bar 6 is provided.
The end, which is the welded portion, is exposed. Further, at the center of the inter-cell connection metal bus bar 6, a voltage detecting metal piece 15 led out from the inter-cell connection metal bus bar 6 to detect the voltage of the battery cell 2 is exposed on the surface of the holder case B 4. are doing.

One end of the battery pack output bus bar 7 constituting a part of the external output terminal is exposed in the remaining welding through hole 14 formed in the holder case B4. The other end of the battery pack output busbar 7 serving as an external output terminal is a holder case B4.
Are exposed in parallel in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the battery cell 2 from the side surface of the battery cell 2, and a round hole 17 is formed in the center of the other end of the battery output bus bar 7 to enable bolt and nut fastening. Have been. Also, in the holder case B4,
The voltage detection bus bar 9 is buried only at a position corresponding to the flat portion 16 of the battery cell 2, and like the inter-cell connection metal bus bar 6, the voltage detection metal piece 15 derived from the voltage detection bus bar 9 is held in the holder case. It is exposed on the surface of B4.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, on the holder case B4, a wiring sheet 5 as a pattern circuit for collecting the detected voltage between terminals of each battery cell 2 is arranged. This wiring sheet 5 is a resin sheet excluding a sheet end portion 36 serving as a pattern end portion, except that a patterned metal sheet formed so as to avoid a hole-shaped screwing portion 18 formed at the center of the holder case B4. Is a flexible substrate covered and insulated by the above, and each voltage detecting metal piece 15 whose sheet end 36 is exposed on the surface of the holder case B4.
And a voltage detection connector 19 is connected to the other end of the metal sheet.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
3, similarly to the holder case B <b> 4, a welding through hole 14 is formed as a spot welding opening at a center portion where the battery cell 2 is inserted, and at a position where the welding through hole 14 is formed. The two inter-cell connection metal bus bars 6 as the first metal bus bars are buried and fixed in the case in parallel by insert molding so as to expose the welded end portions.

Although the basic shape of the holder case A3 is not much different from the above-described holder case B4, a major difference is that the support column 21 as a member between the holder cases for fixing the holder case A3 and the holder case B4 is provided. From the center of the holder case B4 toward the center of the holder case B4. A through hole 22 for a tapping screw is formed at the vertex (end) of the support 21, and a key rib 23 having a key shape for preventing rotation and preventing erroneous insertion is formed on the left and right of the support 21. . The holder case B4 has a key groove (not shown) that fits into the key rib 23. Furthermore, the support 21
Are formed with reinforcing ribs 24 extending diagonally in four directions. The reinforcing ribs 24 not only reinforce the columns 21 but also have a function of rectifying cooling air.

As shown in FIG. 3, four battery cells 2
Are disposed in the holder cases A3 and B4 so that their polarities alternate in the vertical direction, and are fixed so that the diagonal battery cells 2 have the same polarity. As shown in FIG. 5, a circular rib 13 as a contact-permissible projection is formed around the welding through hole 14 in the holder case A3 where the positive electrode terminal 11 of the battery cell 2 is inserted.
It protrudes from the side. The tip of the circular rib 13 is inserted into the above-described annular groove on the positive electrode side of the battery cell 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, in order to manufacture the battery pack 1, the holder case B4 is placed on the holder case A3 in which four battery cells 2 are inserted alternately in the vertical direction, and After inserting a tapping screw into the through hole 22 formed at the apex of the column 21 and fixing the screw, the metal bus bar 6, the assembled battery output bus bar 7, the voltage detection bus bar 9, and the battery cell 2 are spot-welded. Mechanically and electrically. Next, the wiring sheet 5 is attached to the holder case B4.
The metal piece 15 for voltage detection and the sheet end 3
6 is spot-welded and mechanically and electrically connected. As a result, the inter-terminal detection voltage of each battery cell 2 is collected at one location of the voltage detection connector 19.

As shown in FIG. 6, four battery cells 2 in the assembled battery 1 electrically and mechanically connected by spot welding are connected in series by three inter-cell connection metal bus bars 6. The highest potential side and the lowest potential side are connected to the battery pack output bus bar 7, respectively. The voltage between terminals of each battery cell 2 is collected by the voltage detecting metal piece 15 to the voltage detecting connector 19 via the wiring sheet 5. The wiring members of the battery pack 1 are all buried in the holder case B4 except for the two inter-cell connection metal bus bars 6 buried in the holder case A3.

As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG.
Reference numeral 9 denotes a substantially W-shaped cross section. The housing portion of the battery pack 1 is divided into two, and the battery output bus bars 7 of the battery pack 1 housed in the housing portion are connected in series. A base 37 protruding upward in a substantially U-shaped cross-section for connection.
And

In the storage portion of the lower lid case 39, five battery packs 1 are arranged in one row, a total of two rows, ten battery packs 1 (40 battery cells 2) are placed horizontally, The battery pack output bus bar 7 is accommodated in 37 so as to face each other. In the upper part of the base 37, nut-shaped recesses 38 are formed at respective locations corresponding to the position of the battery pack output bus bar 7 as nut receiving and holding recesses for receiving and holding square nuts. Further, on the upper part of the base portion 37, the arrangement position of the assembled battery output bus bar 7 and the assembled battery connection bus bar 36 for connecting the assembled battery output bus bar 7 in series is also provided between the assembled battery output bus bar 7 and the assembled battery. Recesses 40 are formed between the nut-like depressions 38 in a shape corresponding to the shape of the connection bus bar 36. In this example, a square nut is used as the nut housed and held in the nut-shaped recess 38.
Ordinary hexagonal nuts may be used. In this case, the shape of the nut-shaped depression may be changed according to the shape of the nut.

As a connection operation procedure, a nut is arranged in a nut-shaped recess 38 formed in the base portion 37 and the groove 4 between the recesses is formed.
After arranging the connecting bus bar 36 between the battery packs 0, the battery connecting bus bar 7 may be disposed so as to enter the groove 40 between the recesses, and may be fastened with bolts from above. Due to the series connection of the assembled batteries 1, the inter-assembled battery connection bus bars 36 are arranged in parallel in two rows so as to face each other, and the two rows are connected by the inter-assembled battery connection bus bars 36 to form a U-shaped connection as a whole. . Therefore, both the high-current terminals are formed in a U-shape on both sides of the upper surface of the base portion 37 and are integrated on one side.

On the other hand, on both sides of the flat bottom portion 31 of the housing portion of the lower lid case 39, the holder case A of the battery cell 2 is provided.
3, a rail-shaped projection 30 supporting the side surface of B4 is formed, and a gap 32 is reliably formed between the bottom surface portion 31 and the assembled battery 1. Therefore, between the lower lid case 39 and the battery pack 1, the battery pack 1 and the bottom 3
1 forms a bypass passage 35 through which cooling air for cooling each battery cell 2 flows. In order to efficiently cool the battery packs 1 arranged in two rows in the storage portion of the lower lid case 39, a cooling air inlet 33 serving as a cooling air introduction side and a cooling air guide serving as a cooling air discharge side are provided. An outlet 34 is formed on one side surface of the lower lid case 39 and one side surface thereof, one for each row.

As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG.
9, a positioning projection 41 extending in the lateral direction of the lower lid case 39 with a predetermined width between the assembled batteries 1 accommodated therein.
Is projected upward. The positioning projection 41 has a shape corresponding to the curved surface of the battery cell 2 of the battery pack 1, and also has a function as a louver for rectifying the cooling air or adjusting the flow rate. For this reason, the positioning projection 41
Are divided into four types. The louver A41a located closest to the cooling air inlet 33 has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape along the curved surface of the battery pack 1, but the louver B
41b, the height of the rib protruding upward at the center of the trapezoidal cross-sectional shape increases as the distance from the louver C41c and the cooling air introduction side 33 increases. The louver D41d closest to the cooling air discharge port 34 has a larger rib height, and has a cross-sectional shape closer to a mountain shape than a trapezoidal shape.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the upper lid case 43 and the lower lid case 39 are separated by a middle plate 42 made of PBT resin (polybutylene terephthalate) fixed to the lower lid case 39 with a tapping screw 28. Have been. For this reason, it is divided into a control unit room defined by the middle plate 42 and the upper lid case 43, and a battery room defined by the middle plate 42 and the lower lid case 39, and the cooling air flowing through the battery room side is The structure does not flow into the control unit room. Further, as described later, a control unit 46
Are fixed, so that a plurality of middle plate reinforcing ribs 57 for reinforcing the middle plate 42 are formed.

As shown in FIG. 10, a voltage detection harness 50 which bundles voltage detection lines for transmitting a detection voltage between terminals of each battery cell 2 housed in the battery pack 1 to the control unit 46 is provided on the middle plate 42. Binding band 5 as a binding body
8, a linear voltage detection harness fixing rib protruding upward from the middle plate 42 on both sides of the voltage detection harness 50 and restraining the movement of the voltage detection harness 50. 51 are formed. In addition, the middle plate 42 is connected in series in a U-shape to ten locations corresponding to the central portion of the battery pack 1 in which the voltage detection connectors 19 attached to the wiring sheet 5 are arranged, and by a battery connection bus bar 36 between the battery packs. Rectangular holes 49 are formed in two places corresponding to the positions of both ends. Voltage detection line branched from voltage detection harness 50 and voltage detection connector 1
At the tip of the voltage detection line, a connector structure that can be inserted and connected to the voltage detection connector 19 derived from the battery pack 1 is adopted so that the terminals 9 and 9 can be connected collectively.

As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG.
Are fixed bosses 5 for screwing electronic components such as the control unit 46 and the control relay unit 47.
2 are provided. Therefore, as the wiring work, the middle plate 42 is fixed to the lower lid case 39, one of the voltage detection lines is connected to each voltage detection connector 19, and the control unit 46 is fixed on the fixing boss 52 with screws. The other end of the detection line is connected to the control unit 46, the relay unit 47 is fixed by screws, the cable 55 is fastened, and the U-shaped ends and the cable 55 which are connected by the assembled battery connection busbar and finally take out electricity are connected to each other. It may be connected to the high potential side via a fuse 56 by screwing.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the position of the rail-shaped projection 30 where the holder cases A3 and B4 of the battery pack 1 come into contact with the lower lid case 39 is set at the position of the EPD as a cushion material.
An anti-vibration rubber arrangement groove 53 for accommodating the anti-vibration rubber 27 made of M rubber is formed. The width of the anti-vibration rubber arrangement groove 53 is wider than the width of the anti-vibration rubber 27, so that an allowance for compression is ensured. On the other hand, an anti-vibration rubber arrangement groove for accommodating the anti-vibration rubber 27 is also formed in the middle plate 42 at a position where the anti-vibration rubber 27 is accommodated. The escape allowance is secured. For this reason, when fixing the middle plate 42 to the lower lid case 39 with the tapping screw 28,
Pressure is applied so that each battery pack 1 is pressed by the middle plate 42. The battery pack 1 is pressurized and fixed in the vertical direction by the repulsive force of the compression of the vibration isolating rubber 27 by the lower lid case 39 and the middle plate 42, and in the horizontal direction.
A positioning projection 41 formed on the lower lid case 39 corresponding to the curved surface of the battery cell 2 accommodated in the lower lid case 3;
9 are fixed by stopper ribs 48 which function as stoppers formed in the longitudinal direction (flow direction of cooling air). In addition, the gap between the assembled battery 1 and the middle plate 42 is filled by the crushing (compression) of the vibration isolation rubber 27.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 and FIG. 11, the lower lid case 39 has bolts around the opening that opens upward.
A lower lid flange portion 39a having a nut fastening hole is formed. Further, the upper lid case 43 is formed with an upper lid flange portion 43a having a bolt / nut fastening hole around the opening opened in the lower direction. In the battery module 100, a pressurizing method in which EPDM rubber packing is interposed between the upper lid flange 43a and the lower lid flange 39a, and the upper lid flange 43a and the lower lid flange 39a are fastened by bolts and nuts. , And the airtightness other than the cooling air inlet 33 and the cooling air outlet 34 is maintained (see also FIG. 1).

The packing 45 is attached to the lower lid flange 39a.
And a packing stopper 54 for limiting the compressibility of the packing 45 are formed at the four corners of the lower lid flange 39a and at the bolt and nut fastening holes. Also, the lower lid flange portion 39a
Since stress is concentrated due to the fastening of bolts and nuts, deformation preventing ribs 25 serving as flange reinforcing ribs for preventing deformation of the lower lid flange 39a are formed at the bolt and nut fastening holes so as to support the flanges. Has been
By setting the distance between the ribs of the deformation preventing rib 25 to be slightly larger than the width of the nut, it also has a function as a detent for the nut.

When fastening the upper lid flange 43a and the lower lid flange 39a with bolts and nuts, the cable 55 led out of the case from the control unit chamber is
By sealing a grommet made of PBT resin between the upper lid case 43 and the lower lid case 39, airtightness in the battery module 100 is maintained.

<Operation and the Like> Next, the operation and effect of the battery module 100 of the first embodiment will be described.
This will be described together with the effect.

In the present embodiment, as for the number of battery cells 2 of the battery pack 1, the weight of the battery cells 2 is about 300.
In consideration of g, the number of components was set based on 1,000 g, which can be worked with one hand even by a woman. Also,
Since the power supply for vehicles is converted into 12V, 24V, 36V and 12V units, it is preferable that the number of assembled batteries 1 can be increased in accordance with the working voltage. Further, even in the case of electrical connection, the workability of the serial connection of a plurality of assembled batteries 1 is improved by using an even number of the assembled battery output bus bars 7 coming out of the assembled battery 1 in the same direction. Can be done.
In the battery pack 1 of the present embodiment, since the number of the battery cells 2 is four, the workability of handling and electrical connection can be improved, and the number of components conforms to the standard of the power supply for automobiles. Can be.

In the battery pack 1 of the present embodiment, the battery cell 2 is inserted into the holder case A3 which is separated into two upper and lower parts, and is sandwiched by the holder case B4.
B4 are fixed to each other, and one end of an assembled battery output busbar 7 and an inter-cell metal connection busbar 6 embedded by insert molding.
By merely spot-welding the end of the battery cell 2 and the terminal of the battery cell 2, the assembled battery can be assembled, so that the assembly workability of the assembled battery can be improved.

Further, in the battery pack 1 of the present embodiment, the battery cells 2 disposed in the holder cases A3, B4 are connected between the holder cases A3, B4 by the inter-cell connection metal bus bars 6 embedded in the holder cases A3, B4. , And are electrically connected in series as a whole, so that the battery cells 2 are arranged in a parallel structure while being electrically connected in series, and the battery pack 1 can have a compact structure. Since the fitting portion of the holder case B4 has a key groove structure, erroneous insertion between the holder cases A3 and B4 can be prevented, and safety can be improved.

Further, in the battery pack 1 of the present embodiment, the circular rib 13 is formed at the place where the positive electrode side of the battery cell 2 is inserted. Therefore, even if the battery cell 2 is erroneously inserted (inserted in the reverse direction). In addition, there is no contact between the cell connecting metal bus bar 6 embedded in the holder cases A3 and B4 and the battery can 10 of the battery cell 2. Therefore, there is no danger of a short circuit due to erroneous insertion, and work errors can be prevented.

Further, in the assembled battery 1 of this embodiment, the detected voltage of each battery cell 2 can be collected on one of the battery holders A3 by the wiring sheet 5 having the voltage detecting connector 19. For this reason, wiring work for voltage detection can be performed only by inserting a connector without using screws, so that workability can be significantly improved.

In the module battery 100 of the present embodiment,
Cooling air inlet 3 for introducing and discharging cooling air into the case
3. Lower lid case 39 with cooling air outlet 34 formed on the side
A plurality of assembled batteries 1 are arranged and accommodated horizontally in the accommodation section. For this reason, the battery cell 2 becomes perpendicular to the flowing direction of the cooling air, and the cooling effect can be enhanced. Further, since the temperature of the cooling air is different between the cooling air inlet 33 side and the cooling air outlet 34 side due to heat exchange, the cooling air temperature at the inlet side and the outlet side is different only by flowing the normal cooling air. The temperature variation of the battery cell 2 becomes large. Therefore, the gap 32 formed between the assembled battery 1 and the bottom surface portion 31 is a bypass path 35 through which the cooling air for cooling each battery cell 2 flows, so that the cooling air inlet 33 and the cooling air outlet 34 are provided. Since the battery cells 2 can be cooled by the cooling air having the same temperature regardless of the side, the temperature variation of the battery cells 2 can be minimized.

Further, the battery module 100 of the present embodiment
In this embodiment, a step is formed between the lower lid case 39 and the battery pack 1 to form a gap, so that a large amount of cooling air can be circulated between the lower cover case 39 and the battery cell 1 to allow frequent heat exchange. 2 can further enhance the cooling effect. Also, since the positioning protrusions 41 having a mountain shape are formed as ribs at locations between the battery packs 1 which are laterally accommodated in the lower lid case 39, the positioning protrusions 41 function as louvers to rectify the cooling air and flow the cooling air. Because you can make adjustments,
Cooling efficiency is improved. Moreover, the ribs are formed so as to protrude above the center of the louver having a trapezoidal cross section from the side of the cooling air inlet 33 to the side of the cooling air outlet 34, so that the cooling that rises closer to the cooling air discharge side 34 is formed. By utilizing the cooling principle that the cooling effect is increased in proportion to the square root of the flow velocity of the cooling air, the flow velocity of the cooling air is increased by narrowing the flow path of the cooling air, thereby cooling the battery cells 2. Is uniform. The positioning projection 41
Since it has a mountain shape and extends in the lateral direction of the lower lid case 39, the structural strength of the lower lid case 39 is increased, and at the same time, the lower lid case 39 functions as a positioning and stopper for the battery pack 1, thereby improving the assembling workability.

Further, the battery module 100 of the present embodiment
By forming the upper lid flange portion 43a and the lower lid flange portion 39a, the packing 45 can be stably disposed, and can be fastened with bolts and nuts to replace parts inside the battery module 100. Since workability can be improved and parts can be replaced without breaking the upper lid case 43 and the lower lid case 39,
Recyclability and rebuildability can be ensured. In particular, since the battery pack 1 is made into a unit, even if a failure occurs in the battery cell 2, it is possible to replace the battery pack 1 as a whole, and high rebuildability and replacement workability are provided. In addition, since the packing stoppers 54 are formed at the four corners of the lower lid flange portion 39a and the bolt and nut fastening holes, the packing 45 crushed by the bolt and nut fastening is provided.
, And also functions as a guide so that the packing 45 does not contract and come off the lower lid flange 39a. Further, the lower lid flange portion 39a
, The stress concentrated on the lower lid flange portion 39 a can be dispersed to the side surface of the lower lid case 39. In addition, since the width of the deformation preventing rib 25 is set to be slightly larger than the width of the nut, the rotation of the nut is prevented and the workability of assembly can be improved.

Further, the battery module 100 of the present embodiment
Then, the assembled battery output bus bar 7 from the assembled battery 1 is
When the main battery is led out and placed horizontally in the housing portion of the lower lid case 39, the lower lid case 39
Is formed so as to project upward in a substantially U-shaped cross section. For this reason, when the assembled batteries 1 are electrically connected in series, the work of attaching the inter-assembled battery connection connection bus bar 36 can be performed without being hindered by the assembled battery 1, and the connection workability is improved. Furthermore, since the nut-shaped recess 38 and the recess-to-recess groove 40 are formed in the base portion 37, the nut and the battery connection connection bus bar 36 are arranged in advance, and the battery assembly 1 is arranged in the case and fastened with bolts and nuts. As a result, 10 battery packs 1
Can be connected in series, and the workability of the electrical connection can be remarkably improved. In addition, since the series connection work process is all one-way work from above, the work itself is easy. Also, when the battery pack 1 is arranged, the recess corresponding to the shape is formed in the base 37 at the position where the battery pack output bus bar 7 is arranged, so that the battery pack 1 can be easily positioned. Can be.

Further, the battery module 1 of the present embodiment
In the case of 00, since the control unit room and the battery room are partitioned by the middle plate 42, the cooling air does not flow into the control unit room, and the function of the control unit does not deteriorate due to dust or moisture. Therefore, it is possible to provide a battery module that does not have a concern about a decrease in reliability.

The battery module 100 of the present embodiment
Then, since the control unit is fixed to the middle plate 42, the worker can perform the work separately from other work, and the assembling workability of the battery module 100 can be improved. Further, a voltage detection harness 50 is attached to the inner lid 42.
Are fixed by the binding band 58, and the voltage detection harness fixing ribs 51 prevent the harness from running out, so that the voltage detection harness 50 can be prevented from being damaged by rubbing, such as disconnection, short circuit, or disconnection of the connector portion.

Further, the battery module 1 of the present embodiment
In 00, a middle plate 42 made of PBT resin is used.
When the intermediate plate is not used, the battery pack 1 and the base 37 are fixed at two points on one side by the battery pack output bus bar 7, which is insufficient in consideration of vibration and impact. For this reason, the battery pack 1 is fixed by the middle plate 42 from above, but it is necessary to form a gap between the middle plate 42 and the battery pack 1 in consideration of the expansion of the resin in design. However, since this gap may cause deformation or breakage when subjected to vibration or impact from the outside, the vibration isolating rubber 27 having a lower compression ratio than the middle plate 42 and the lower lid case 39 is provided. The damping rubber 27 is crushed to fill the gap between the middle plate 42 and the assembled battery 1, thereby preventing the middle plate 42 and the assembled battery 1 from being damaged. In addition, the weight of the control unit such as the control unit 46 is applied to the middle plate 42, and the battery module 100 of the present embodiment is mounted on the vehicle, so that vibration and the like are applied thereon. For this reason, in the present embodiment, a high strength PBT resin is used, and the intermediate plate reinforcing ribs 57 are erected to reinforce the intermediate plate 42. Further, the control unit is fixed to the middle plate 42, and the middle plate 42 itself is fixed to the lower lid case 39 by screws. Therefore, when the middle plate 42 is warped, the components are fixed and the screws are fixed to the lower lid case 39. Is difficult to do. Therefore, for example, if a resin such as PP (polypropylene) that causes warpage of 1 mm or more is used for the material of the middle plate 42, the fixing of parts and the lower lid case 39 are performed.
Screw cannot be fixed to In the present embodiment, the inner lid 4
The above problem is solved by using PBT having higher strength and lower thermal expansion coefficient than PP.

The battery module 100 of the present embodiment
In the lower cover case 39 and the middle plate 42, the vibration isolating rubber 27 is installed in the vibration isolating rubber disposing groove 53, and the width thereof is larger than the rubber width, so that the allowance for compression is secured. To fix the middle plate 42, the middle plate 42 is pressed and the lower lid case 39 is pressed.
It is only necessary to fix the battery module 100 with the tapping screw 28, and the assembling operation can always be performed from above, so that the assembling workability of the battery module 100 is greatly improved. Moreover, since the battery pack 1 housed in the housing portion of the lower lid case 39 is pressurized and fixed in the vertical direction and fixed by the positioning projection 41 and the stopper rib 48 in the horizontal direction, it can be mounted on the hybrid car. It does not move.

Further, the battery module 100 of the present embodiment
In this case, the vibration-proof rubber 27 is used. As the material of the vibration isolating rubber 27, a material having low cost, aging resistance and heat resistance is preferable. When various rubbers such as NBR and IR were compared, physical properties were EPDM>NBR> IR. Therefore, in this embodiment, the material of the vibration-proof rubber 27 was EPDM rubber. Also, a vibration isolating rubber 27 for fixing the battery pack 1 under pressure.
In order to set the optimum compression ratio of the battery pack 1 and the vibration-proof rubber 27 arranged in the vibration-proof rubber arrangement groove 53 formed in the middle plate 42,
The vibration test was performed by changing the compression ratio applied to the above, and the resonance sound and the condition of the battery pack 1 were observed. The test results of the vibration test are shown in Table 1 below.

[0073]

[Table 1]

As shown in Table 1, the test results of the vibration test
When the compression rate of the vibration-isolating rubber 27 is set to 20% or more, resonance noise and damage to the holder cases A3 and B4 are eliminated, and it has been found that a cushioning effect against vibration is seen around the compression rate of about 20%. Thereby, in the battery module 100 of the present embodiment, the compression ratio of the vibration isolation rubber 27 is set to 20%. In this way, by interposing EPDM rubber having a lower compression ratio than the middle plate 42 and the lower cover case 39 between the middle plate 42 and the lower cover case 39, the vibration isolating rubber 27 is crushed and assembled with the middle plate 42. Since the gap with the battery 1 is filled, the middle plate 42 does not sway due to vibration or the like.
And the battery 1 can be prevented from being damaged.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a battery module for mounting on a hybrid car will be described. In this embodiment, the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and names, and the description thereof will be omitted. Only different points will be described.

As shown in FIG. 12, the battery module 200 of this embodiment has an upper lid case 143 and a lower lid case 13.
9. The lower lid flange portion 139a of the lower lid case 139 is formed at a position at a height A higher than the height B of the battery pack 1 accommodated in the accommodating portion of the lower lid case 139.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a lower lid flange groove 167 is formed in the lower lid flange portion 139a all around the inside of the bolt / nut fastening hole 165. The lower lid flange portion 13 inside 167
At the four corners 9a and the bolt and nut fastening holes 165, a lower lid flange guide 163 projecting upward is formed integrally with the lower lid flange portion 139a. Further, the lower lid flange portion 139a is formed directly below the bolt / nut fastening hole 165 in a horizontal direction (a direction orthogonal to the bolt / nut fastening hole 165) so that the nut can be held with the bolt / nut fastening hole 165 being coaxial. The formed nut holding recess 166 is formed. On the other hand, four corners of the upper lid flange portion 143a of the upper lid case 143 and a portion of the bolt / nut fastening hole 165 are provided with the lower lid flange groove 16.
The upper lid flange guide 168 is formed integrally with the upper lid flange portion 143 a, which is protruded downward at the same height as the lower lid flange guide 163 outside the lower lid 7 and outside the lower lid flange guide 163. . In the space defined by the lower lid flange guide 163, the lower lid flange groove 167, the upper lid flange guide 168, and the upper lid flange portion 143a, a packing 145 made of a liquid foamed resin is inserted.

The packing 145 is composed of two liquid foamed resins, a liquid A containing a metal catalyst and a liquid B containing a cross-linking agent.
Apply along 7, foam and cure. The packing 145 is sufficiently dry after application, and the surface of the packing 145 is dry by touching it with a finger, that is, the surface in contact with the lower lid flange groove 167 is not removed unless forcedly peeled off.
It is in a state of being adhered to.

In the battery module 200, similarly to the battery module 200 of the first embodiment, the upper cover case 143 and the lower cover case 139 are fastened by bolts and nuts, and the upper cover flange guide 168 is positioned outside the packing 145. The upper cover case 1 is arranged, the nut is arranged in the nut holding recess 166 in advance, and the bolt is inserted into the bolt / nut fastening hole 165 and tightened with a screwdriver.

In the battery module 200 of the present embodiment,
Since there is no obstacle in the height direction around the lower lid flange portion 139a, the operation of applying the packing 145 can be mechanized, and the workability can be improved.

The battery module 200 of the present embodiment
Since the liquid foaming resin is used for the packing 145, the adhesive curing time when bonding using a polyurethane-based adhesive takes about 5 hours as in the related art,
Since the inside of the battery module 200 can be air-tightened in a short time, work efficiency can be improved. Furthermore, since the two-part liquid foamed resin that is the raw material of the packing 145 foams and expands in volume by 2.5 to 3.5 times,
The amount of application was extremely small, and it became possible to achieve airtightness at a cost of 1/10 or less as compared with the case where rubber packing was used. Therefore, the battery module 200
Is considered to be quite advantageous in terms of cost.

Further, the battery module 200 of the present embodiment
In this case, since the above-mentioned space defines the compression allowance and the position of the packing 145, stable airtightness can be secured. Further, since the upper lid case 143 need only remove the bolt and nut fastening without breaking the outer case as in the bonding method, recyclability and rebuildability can be ensured.

[0083]

As described above, according to the battery module of the present invention, the lower lid case has an inlet for introducing cooling air to one side surface and discharges cooling air to the opposite side surface of the one side surface. A plurality of assembled batteries are electrically connected in series in the lower lid case, and the battery cells are housed horizontally so that the battery cells are perpendicular to the flow direction of the cooling air. Therefore, the heat exchange area of the battery cells can be increased, and the cooling efficiency can be increased.
Further, since the packing can be stably arranged by forming a flange around the openings of the upper lid case and the lower lid case, airtightness can be secured, and the battery module can be secured by bolts and nuts. It is possible to obtain an effect that workability such as replacement of internal parts can be improved and recyclability can be secured.

Further, according to the battery pack of the present invention, the battery cells are vertically sandwiched between the vertically adjacent battery cells by the first and second holder cases, and the terminals are connected to the ends of the metal bus bars. Since the first and second holder cases are welded and fixed to each other by screwing at the central portion, a required number of battery cells can be neatly moved between the first and second holder cases. Therefore, the battery cells can be favorably secured. In addition, it is not necessary to attach a metal busbar, a high-power busbar, and a voltage detection busbar in a later process. It is possible to manufacture an assembled battery simply by welding the end of the metal busbar and the terminal of the battery cell to the terminal of the battery cell through a welding opening formed for welding, and these working directions are limited to the vertical direction. Therefore, mechanization is easy and assembly workability can be improved. Furthermore, since the first holder case is formed with a contact-permissible projection at the end of the first metal bus bar around the welding opening, the contact-permitting projection allowing the contact of only one pole of the battery cell. If you try to arrange the wrong polarity of the
The other pole of the battery cell does not come into contact with the end of the first metal bus bar, and the ends of the battery cells are not aligned and cannot be sandwiched by the second holder case. be able to. In addition, the other end of the high-power bus bar has two positive and negative terminals as external output terminals in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the battery cell from the second holder case.
Since the battery packs are drawn out in parallel, it is possible to obtain an effect that the battery pack can be arranged horizontally and accommodated in the battery module.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a battery module according to a first embodiment to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of an assembled battery used in the battery module according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an assembled battery used in the battery module according to the first embodiment.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show battery cells constituting a battery pack used in the battery module of the first embodiment, FIG. 4A is an external perspective view, and FIG. 4B is a partially enlarged side view near a positive electrode terminal.

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of a holder case B of the battery pack used in the battery module of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a wiring diagram schematically showing wiring of a battery pack used in the battery module of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the battery module according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of the lower lid case showing a state in which the assembled battery is accommodated in one row in the accommodating portion of the lower lid case constituting the battery module of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the battery module of the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a state in which a cable and a voltage detection line are fixed to an intermediate plate constituting the battery module according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an external perspective view showing a state immediately before the upper cover case of the battery module according to the first embodiment is attached.

FIG. 12 is a vertical side view of a battery module according to a second embodiment to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of the upper and lower cover cases of the battery module according to the second embodiment after bolts and nuts are fastened in the vicinity of a flange portion.

14A and 14B show the vicinity of a flange portion of an upper cover case and a lower cover case before fastening a bolt and a nut of the battery module according to the second embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view near a flange portion of a lower lid case.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 battery pack 2 battery cell 3 holder case A (first holder case) 4 holder case B (second holder case) 5 wiring sheet (pattern circuit) 6 inter-cell connection metal busbar (first and second metal busbars) 7) Battery output bus bar (strong electric bus bar) 13 Circular rib (contact allowable protrusion) 14 Through hole for welding (opening for welding) 15 Metal piece for voltage detection (part of voltage detection bus bar) 17 Round hole (bolt hole) Reference Signs List 18 Screw fixing portion 19 Voltage detection connector (connector) 21 Post (member between holder cases) 25 Deformation prevention rib (flange reinforcement rib) 27 Anti-vibration rubber (cushion material) 28 Tapping screw 30 Rail-shaped projection 33 Cooling air introduction port ( Inlet) 34 Cooling air discharge port (discharge port) 35 Bypass passage 36 Connecting bus between assembled batteries (Busuba connecting assembled batteries) 37 Base 38 Nut Depressions (nut holding and holding depressions) 39, 139 Lower lid case 39a, 139a Lower lid flange 40 Groove between depressions (battery connection busbar depression, high-power busbar depression, external output terminal depression) 41 Positioning projection (projection) 41a Louver A 41b Louver B 41c Louver C 41d Louver D 42 Middle plate 43, 143 Upper lid case 43a, 143a Upper lid flange 44 Through hole 45 Packing 46 Control unit (part of control unit) 47 Relay unit (part of control unit) 50 Voltage Detection harness 53 Anti-vibration rubber arrangement groove (Cushion material accommodation recess) 54 Packing stopper (Packing suppression protrusion) 55 Cable 56 Fuse (part of control unit) 57 Middle plate reinforcing rib 58 Binding band (Bundling body) 100, 200 Battery module 101 Vol G 102 Nut 163 Lower lid flange guide 164 Packing 166 Nut holding recess 167 Lower lid flange groove (groove) 168 Upper lid flange guide

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kotaro Ikeda 2-8-7 Nihonbashi Honcho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Inside Shin-Kobe Electric Machinery Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tsunemi Aiba 2-7-1 Nihonbashi Honcho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Inside Shin Kobe Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Toshiaki Onuki 2-8-7, Nihonbashi Honcho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Shinkobe Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Kenji Nakai 2-87 Nihonbashi Honcho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Shin-Kobe Electric F term in reference (reference) 5H031 AA08 AA09 EE04 KK08 5H040 AA28 AS07 AT01 AY05 CC05 CC20 CC34 DD03 DD10 DD14

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A battery module in which a plurality of assembled batteries are fixed and electrically connected in a pair of upper and lower outer casings, the battery module having a flange portion having an upper opening and a bolt hole formed around the opening. An inlet for introducing cooling air on one side and an outlet for discharging the cooling air on an opposite side of the one side are formed, and a plurality of assembled batteries electrically connected in series are A lower cover case made of an electrically insulating resin, which is housed horizontally so that the battery cells housed in the assembled battery are perpendicular to the flow direction of the cooling air; An upper cover case made of an electrically insulating resin that covers the lower cover case, and is interposed between the flange portion of the lower cover case and the flange portion of the upper cover case to hermetically seal the inside of the outer case. And packing, Battery module, wherein the flange portion of the serial lower cover case and upper cover case is fastening bolt, a nut through the packing. 2. A packing suppressing projection for suppressing the inward moving deformation of the packing is formed at four corners of a flange portion of the lower lid case and at a portion where a bolt hole is formed. A battery module according to claim 1. 3. The center of a bolt hole formed in a flange portion of the lower lid case, the flange having a predetermined interval larger than the width of the nut between the flange portion and a side surface of the lower lid case. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of flange portion reinforcing ribs for reinforcing the portion are formed. 4. An external output terminal of the battery pack is led out in the same direction as a longitudinal direction of the battery cell. The external output terminal has a bolt hole, and the battery pack has a bolt hole. The battery according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the battery is fastened with a bolt and a nut via an assembled battery connection busbar connecting the external output terminals and is electrically connected to each other in series. module. 5. The lower cover case has a nut receiving holding recess for receiving and holding the nut, an assembled battery connecting bush recess having a shape corresponding to the shape of the assembled battery connecting bus bar, and a shape of the external output terminal. 5. The battery module according to claim 4, wherein the external output terminal recess having a corresponding shape is formed, and the base has a base protruding upward. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a middle plate for partitioning a lower lid case accommodating the battery pack and the upper lid case accommodating a control unit.
The battery module according to any one of the above. 7. The battery module according to claim 6, wherein the control unit is fixed to the middle plate. 8. The battery module according to claim 6, wherein the middle plate is fixed to an upper portion of the lower lid case with a screw. 9. The battery module according to claim 6, wherein the middle plate has a plurality of middle plate reinforcing ribs on an upper surface for reinforcing the strength of the middle plate. 10. The battery module according to claim 6, wherein the material of the middle plate is a PBT resin. 11. A harness movement restraining projection for restraining movement of a voltage detection harness, which is a bundle of voltage detection lines electrically connected to the voltage detection bus bar, is formed on the upper surface of the middle plate. 11. A through-hole passing through the voltage detection harness is formed, and the voltage detection harness is fixed to the intermediate plate by a binding body that binds the voltage detection harness. 12. A battery module according to claim 1. 12. The battery pack according to claim 6, wherein a gap is formed between the middle plate and the battery pack, and a cushion material is provided in the gap.
The battery module according to the paragraph. 13. A cushion material accommodating recess having a width larger than the width of the cushion material for accommodating a cushion material abutting on the assembled battery is formed in the lower lid case and the middle plate. 13. The battery pack is pressurized and fixed by compressing the cushion material by screw-fixing the lower cover case.
The battery module according to any one of the above. 14. The battery module according to claim 12, wherein the cushion material is EPDM rubber. 15. Between the lower lid case and the battery pack,
A gap is formed by a step provided between the middle plate and the assembled battery, or at a location other than the contact portions of both, and the assembled battery accommodated in the lower lid case in the lower lid case The battery module according to any one of claims 6 to 14, wherein a protrusion having a substantially mountain-shaped cross section and a predetermined width is formed in a longitudinal direction of the battery cell. 16. A groove is formed all around the flange portion of the lower lid case, and at least four corners and a bolt hole of the flange portion of the lower lid case are formed inside the groove in an upward direction. A guide projecting from the guide is formed on the flange of the upper lid case at a position outside the groove and outside of the guide formed on the flange of the lower lid case. 16. A projection is provided in a lower direction, and the packing is inserted between the guide of the lower lid case and the guide of the upper lid case in the groove. The battery module according to claim 1. 17. The battery module according to claim 16, wherein the packing is made of a liquid foam resin. 18. The battery according to claim 17, wherein a flange portion of the lower lid case is formed above the battery pack.
A battery module according to claim 1. 19. The nut according to claim 16, wherein a nut holding recess capable of holding the nut is formed immediately below a bolt hole formed in a flange portion of the lower lid case. The battery module according to the paragraph. 20. An assembled battery in which a plurality of pillar-shaped battery cells are fixed and electrically connected and housed in a battery module, wherein a first metal bus bar for connecting the battery cells in series is embedded by insert molding. And the first
A welding opening for welding the end and the terminal of the battery cell is formed around an end of the metal bus bar, and an end of the first metal bus bar is formed around the welding opening. A first holder case made of an electrically insulating resin formed with a contact allowance protrusion allowing contact of only one pole of the battery cell at a portion, a second metal bus bar for connecting the battery cells in series, A high-voltage bus bar serving as an external output terminal and a voltage detection bus bar for detecting a voltage between each terminal of the battery cell are embedded by insert molding, and one end of the high-voltage bus bar and an end of the second metal bus bar are provided. A second holder case made of an electrically insulating resin having a welding opening formed around the end and a terminal of the battery cell for welding the battery cell, wherein the battery cell is provided with the first and second battery cells. of The terminal is welded to one end of the high-power busbar and one end of the metal busbar while being vertically sandwiched between vertically adjacent battery cells by a rudder case, and the other end of the high-power busbar is connected to an external output. Positive and negative terminals are led out of the second holder case in parallel in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the battery cell as terminals, and the first and second holder cases are fixed by screwing at the central portion. A battery pack characterized in that: 21. The first and second holder cases are electrically insulated from one central portion of the first and second holder cases to the other central portion thereof. 21. The battery module according to claim 20, wherein the battery is fixed to a distal end portion of a resin holder case member with a screw fastened from one of the other holder case sides. 22. A pattern circuit having a pattern end welded to the voltage detection bus bar and having a connector for outputting the inter-terminal voltage to the outside, wherein the number of the battery cells is four. 22. The battery pack according to claim 20, wherein the battery pack is a battery pack.