JP2003051297A - Battery pack - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery pack capable of quickly coping with changes in the number of simple cells used and safely conducting assembly operations. SOLUTION: The combination cell comprises 14 columnar simple cells, connected electrically and mechanically to one another and electrically insulating sheets 8 arranged at its top and bottom, each of which has polarities. The electrically insulating sheets 8 are smaller than a periphery of the battery pack and each have a voltage detecting line 9 fixed to the surface thereof, and rectangular slits 10 leaving a particular side are formed at positions, corresponding to connection portions between simple battery 2. A folding portion 12 is formed in each of the electrically insulating sheets 8 at a valley-like dead space 11 formed by arranging the simple batteries 2.

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 more particularly to an assembled battery in which a plurality of columnar cells are electrically and mechanically connected and electric insulating sheets having polarities are arranged above and below.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an assembled battery in which a plurality of cells are combined, the cells are connected in series and / or in parallel within the assembled battery. For example, in an assembled battery in which a plurality of columnar cells are juxtaposed side by side with the vertical direction reversed, the terminals of the cells are connected by a plate-shaped metal connection bus bar, and both ends (cells) of the assembled battery are connected. An external output terminal is connected to the battery), and the entire battery pack is held by an outer case made of an electrically insulating resin or covered with a heat shrinkable shrink tube or the like to ensure electrical insulation.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned assembled battery, when the molded product is used in the outer case made of the electrically insulating resin, the shape is fixed because the molding die is used. When the number of used batteries changes, it is not possible to quickly respond to the user's needs, and unless a large number of assembled batteries are manufactured, the equipment becomes too large and it is difficult to amortize the molding die.

Further, in an assembled battery which is entirely covered with a heat-shrinkable shrink tube, if the tube has sharp edges or protrusions, the tube is easily broken during heat shrinkage, so the edges and protrusions are hidden by electrical insulating paper or the like. . However, in the unit cell,
For example, when using a lithium battery, which is a high-performance secondary battery, it is necessary to measure the voltage of each single cell and ensure the voltage between the cells within a certain variation, which makes wiring work complicated. It is also difficult to hide edges and protrusions with electrically insulating paper. On the contrary, when the metal connecting busbars for connecting the unit cells are completely exposed, the assembly work is dangerous and the assembly efficiency is reduced.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an assembled battery which can quickly cope with a change in the number of used single cells and can be safely assembled.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to an assembled battery in which a plurality of columnar cells are electrically and mechanically connected, and electric insulating sheets having polarities are arranged above and below. In the electric insulation sheet, the electric insulation sheet is smaller than the outer periphery of the assembled battery, the wiring lead wire is fixed to the surface, and a notch that can be opened and closed is formed at a position corresponding to the connection portion between the unit cells.

In the present invention, a plurality of columnar cells are arranged vertically, the cells are electrically and mechanically connected to each other, and the electrically insulating sheets having polarities are arranged above and below. Since the electrical insulation sheet is smaller than the outer periphery of the assembled battery, it can be prevented from protruding from the outer periphery of the assembled battery even by visual placement, and the wiring lead wires are fixed on the surface of the electrical insulation sheet, improving the workability of wiring work. However, since there is a notch that can be opened and closed at the position corresponding to the connection between the cells, when connecting the wiring lead wire to each cell with solder etc., open the notch and connect the cells By exposing only the part, you can connect the wiring lead wire and close the notch after connection,
It is possible to prevent short circuits between cells due to dripping of solder or contact with the tip of the iron, improving the safety of assembly work (wiring work), and increasing or decreasing the number of cells that make up the battery pack. Even if there is, it can be dealt with by changing the processing of the electric insulating sheet, so that it is possible to respond promptly to the needs of the user.

In this case, when a plurality of columnar cells are arranged in a bale stack, a valley-shaped space between the cells along the outer circumference of the cell is a dead space for one cell on the left and right of the cell. However, if a bent portion is formed in the electric insulating sheet at a position corresponding to the valley-shaped space that becomes the dead space, it can function as a positioning rib at the time of assembling the unit cell, so that the assembling workability can be improved. it can. At this time, if the bent portion is formed on the short side surface side of the assembled battery, the bent portion can be formed at the position of the dead space smaller than the outer circumference of the electric insulating sheet.
It is possible to reduce waste when cutting the electrically insulating sheet and reduce costs. If the battery pack is further covered with a heat-shrinkable shrink tube, electrical insulation and vibration resistance can be improved, and an opening for leading out a wiring lead wire to the short side surface side of the battery pack of the heat-shrinkable shrink tube. When the portion is formed, the lead wire for wiring and the like can be taken out from the opening portion, so that the utilization efficiency of the valley-shaped space where the dead space between the unit cells is generated can be improved.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of an assembled battery to which the present invention is applicable will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the assembled battery 1 of this embodiment
In, the fourteen columnar cells 2 are arranged in a bales stack in the order of five, four and five columns. The unit cell 2 is a high-performance lithium secondary battery in which lithium manganate or the like is a main constituent material of the positive electrode mixture and amorphous carbon or the like is a main constituent material of the negative electrode mixture, and is a casing having high thermal conductivity. It is covered. Each unit cell 2 is connected by a metal bus bar between unit cells, and the assembled battery 1 electrically connects two unit cells 2 in parallel,
It has a connection structure in which seven sets of single cells 2 connected in parallel are connected in series.

There are three types of inter-unit metal bus bars for connecting the unit cells 2, namely an output bus bar 3 on the output side of the assembled battery 1, a 7-shaped connection bus bar 4, and a J-shaped connection bus bar 5, On the bottom surface side of the battery pack, the same type and number of metal bus bars between the unit cells as those on the flat surface side are connected in the same arrangement. In addition, each inter-unit-cell metal bus bar is provided with a step portion 6 that rises to the upper side in a portion corresponding to between the unit cells 2, and has a function of correcting a displacement of the unit cell 2 or absorbing a shock. is doing.

As shown in FIG. 2, the unit cells 2 constituting the assembled battery 1 are constrained by the three types of jigs 16 in the above-mentioned bales stacking state, and the inter-unit cell metal bus bars are arranged above the unit cells 2. After mounting on the bus bar holding groove 17 of the jig 16 to be installed, the welding projection portion 7 (see FIG. 1) formed on the inter-cell metal bus bar is spot-welded, so that the cells 2 are separated from each other. It is mechanically and electrically connected. Similarly, on the bottom surface side of FIG. 2, the projection portion 7 is connected by spot welding, and after the connection of the unit cells 2 forming the assembled battery 1 is completed, the restraint of the unit cell 2 by the jig 16 is released. After that, as shown in FIG. 3, the electrical insulating paper 8 cut into a shape along the outer circumference of the assembled battery 1 and smaller than the outer circumference of the assembled battery 1 is placed and fixed with a double-sided tape.

As shown in FIG. 4, a voltage detection line 9 (wiring lead wire) for detecting the battery voltage of the unit cell 2 is arranged on the electric insulating paper 8, and the voltage detection line 9 is shown in the figure. It is fixed to the electric insulating paper 8 with a tape or an adhesive. Further, a plurality of rectangular cuts 10 leaving a specific side are formed at positions corresponding to the electric cells 8 of the electric insulating paper 8. The electric insulating paper 8 has a tape arranging region 18 on a side portion in the longitudinal direction on the assembled battery 1 side, in which a double-sided tape for adhering and fixing the electric insulating paper 8 to the assembled battery 1 is arranged. Further, the electrical insulating paper 8 arranged on the lower side of the assembled battery 1 has the same shape as the electrical insulating paper 8 arranged on the upper side, and has the upper surface on the lower surface.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the end of the voltage detection line 9 fixed to the electric insulating paper 8 is connected to the connecting portion between the unit cells 2, the notch 10 has a specific side of the electric insulating paper 8. Since it remains on the top and can be opened and closed like a door, the notch 10 at the connection part between the specific unit cells 2 to be connected 10
Only the opening is opened to expose the connection portion between the unit cells 2, and the end portion of the voltage detection line 9 and the connection portion between the assembled battery 2 are connected by soldering.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the electrically insulating paper 8
When the electric insulating paper 8 is covered on the assembled battery 1, the bent portion 12 is formed in the dead space 11 of the valley-shaped space formed by arranging the cells 2 in a bale stacking shape on the short side surface side of There is. The folded portion 12 is initially expanded and can be folded before the electric insulating paper 8 is placed on the unit cell 2. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the end of the output bus bar 3 has a tab shape 13 of 250 series, so that the power cable 14 can be easily connected.

As shown in FIG. 5, the battery pack 1 is entirely covered with a heat-shrinkable shrink tube 15 obtained by heat-shrinking a cylindrical tube. Heat shrink shrink tube 1
On the short side surface side of the assembled battery 5, the voltage detection line 9 fixed on the electric insulating paper 8 is taken out from one side of the assembled battery 1 and an opening for leading out the battery cable 14 is formed in the battery 5. .

Next, the operation of the battery pack 1 of this embodiment will be described.

As described above, in the assembled battery 1 of this embodiment, the polarities of the plurality of unit cells 2 are alternately arranged in a bale stack, and the electrically conductive inter-unit metal bus bars 3, 4, 5 are used. After the connection, the electric insulating paper 8 is covered from above the inter-cell metal bus bar, but since the electric insulating paper 8 is smaller than the outer circumference of the assembled battery 1, even if it is visually arranged, The heat-shrinkable shrink tube 15 is prevented from breaking off from the outer periphery and the heat-shrinkable shrink tube 15 is prevented from breaking, and the corners of the electric insulating paper 8 are arcuate, which reduces the possibility.

Further, in the assembled battery 1 of this embodiment, since the voltage detection line 9 of each unit cell 2 can be fixed in advance to the electric insulating paper 8, the workability of wiring work can be improved. . Furthermore, when the connection work between the voltage detection line 9 and each unit cell 2 is performed, the wiring is connected by solder or the like in a state where the battery pack 1 is not insulated (the electric insulating paper 8 and the like are not arranged). When performing, there is a risk that a short circuit may occur between the unit cells 2 due to dripping of solder or contact of a soldering iron tip, but in the assembled battery 1 of the present embodiment, a rectangular shape in which a specific side is left on the electrically insulating paper 8 is used. Since a plurality of notches 10 are formed, it can be opened and closed on one side remaining on the electric insulating paper 8 and can be opened like a door, so that only the connection portion between the specific unit cells 2 is exposed. And voltage detection line 9
Can be connected and the safety can be improved.

Further, in the assembled battery 1 of the present embodiment, since the plurality of columnar cells 2 are arranged in a bale stack, a dead space for one cell is produced on the left and right of the assembled battery 1. Since the unit cell 2 has a cylindrical shape, a valley-shaped space between the unit cells 2 along the outer periphery of the assembled battery 1 becomes a dead space 11, but when the electrical insulating paper 8 is covered on the assembled battery 1, the dead space 11 is dead. Since the bent portion 12 is formed corresponding to the position of the space 11, the bent portion 12 functions as a positioning rib at the time of assembly, and the workability can be improved. In this way, the bent portion 12 is made to function as a positioning rib. However, if the bent portion 12 is made larger than the outermost periphery of the electric insulating paper 8, there is a large amount of a surplus portion when the shape is cut out from the electric insulating paper 8 and the cost is high. Becomes Battery assembly 1 of this embodiment
Then, since the short side surface of the assembled battery 1 has a dead space 11 at a position smaller than the outermost periphery of the assembled battery 1 when the unit cells 2 are arranged in a bale stacking manner, this portion should be the bent portion 12. Thus, waste is reduced when cutting the electric insulating paper 8 and the cost is reduced.

Further, in the assembled battery 1 of this embodiment, the unit cells 2 are electrically and mechanically connected by the inter-unit cell metal bus, but the unit cells 2 are connected in consideration of the influence of heat. A small gap is set. Therefore, in terms of anti-vibration, since the fixing of each unit cell 2 is insufficient, it is necessary to integrate the entire assembled battery 1. Therefore, the entire battery pack 1 is covered with the heat-shrinkable shrink tube 15 to enhance the insulating property, and the whole battery pack 1 is integrated to improve workability such as carrying.

Further, in the assembled battery 1 of the present embodiment, the opening for taking out the voltage detection line 9 of each unit cell 2 is formed in the short side surface portion by heat-shrinking the cylindrical tube. The space where the dead space 11 between the unit cells 2 is generated can be effectively used.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the electrical insulation sheet is smaller than the outer periphery of the assembled battery, it can be prevented from protruding from the outer periphery of the assembled battery even by visual placement, and the wiring lead wires are fixed on the surface of the electrical insulation sheet, improving the workability of wiring work. However, since there is a notch that can be opened and closed at the position corresponding to the connection between the cells, when connecting the wiring lead wire to each cell with solder etc., open the notch and connect the cells By exposing only the part and connecting the lead wire for wiring and closing the notch after connection, it is possible to prevent short circuits between cells due to dripping of solder or contact of the iron tip, etc. In addition to being able to improve, even if the number of cells that make up the assembled battery increases or decreases, it can be handled by changing the processing of the electrical insulation sheet, so it is possible to respond promptly to user needs. Kill, effect it is possible to obtain that.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a state in which an inter-cell metal bus bar is connected to a cell constituting an assembled battery of an embodiment to which the present invention is applicable.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a state in which unit cells constituting the assembled battery of the embodiment are constrained by a jig.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the assembled battery of the embodiment showing a state in which the inter-unit metal bus bar is connected to the unit cell and then the electrical insulating paper is covered.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the battery insulating paper, which is the electrical insulating paper covered with the battery pack of the embodiment and fixed with the voltage detection line, and which is arranged below the battery pack.

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the assembled battery of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 set battery 2 cells 8 Electrical insulation paper (electrical insulation sheet) 9 Voltage detection wire (lead wire for wiring) 12 Bending part (bending part) 15 Heat shrink shrink tube

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Toshiaki Onuki             2-8-7 Nihonbashihonmachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo             Inside Shin-Kobe Electric Machinery Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kotaro Ikeda             2-8-7 Nihonbashihonmachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo             Inside Shin-Kobe Electric Machinery Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5H011 AA01 AA09 BB03 CC02 CC06                       CC08 CC12 DD07 DD23                 5H040 AA03 AA14 AT01 AY06 AY07                       DD03 DD07 DD16 GG04 LL08                       LL10 NN03

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An assembled battery in which a plurality of columnar cells are electrically and mechanically connected to each other, and electric insulating sheets having polarities are arranged above and below, the electric insulating sheet being smaller than an outer periphery of the assembled battery. An assembled battery, wherein a wiring lead wire is fixed on the surface, and a notch that can be opened and closed is formed at a position corresponding to a connecting portion between the unit cells. 2. The assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the electrically insulating sheet has a bent portion at a position corresponding to a valley space formed by arranging the columnar cells. . 3. The assembled battery according to claim 2, wherein the bent portion is formed on a short side surface side of the assembled battery. 4. The assembled battery is further covered with a heat-shrinkable shrink tube, and an opening for leading out the lead wire for wiring is formed on a short side surface side of the assembled battery of the heat-shrinkable shrink tube. The assembled battery according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that.