JP2004265830A

JP2004265830A - Battery pack

Info

Publication number: JP2004265830A
Application number: JP2003057383A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Toshiaki Hayashi; 俊明林
Original assignee: Japan Storage Battery Co Ltd
Current assignee: Japan Storage Battery Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-03-04
Filing date: 2003-03-04
Publication date: 2004-09-24

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery pack in which by mounting a plurality of unit cells 1 on a lid 2 for the battery pack mounted with a connecting conductor 4 between unit cells, the trouble of wiring between these unit cells 1 is eliminated, malfunction of respective unit cells 1 can be handled easily, and freedom of designing becomes high. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of unit cells 1 are mounted on the lid 2 for the battery pack, and electrode pillars 1c, 1c of these unit cells are connected electrically via the connecting conductor 4 between the unit cells embedded in this lid 2 for the battery pack. In the unit cells 1, opening parts of a unit cell case 1a may be sealed by this lid 2 for the battery pack, and may be sealed respectively by the lid for the unit cell for each unit cell 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、鉛蓄電池等の単電池を複数個組み合わせた組電池に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来の鉛蓄電池は、上端が開口する方形箱型の樹脂製の電槽内を垂直なセル間隔壁によって等間隔に６箇所の電池セルに分割し、これらの各電池セルにそれぞれ発電要素を収納している（例えば、特許文献１参照。）。これらの各電池セルに収納された発電要素は、セパレータを介して交互に重なり合った複数枚ずつの正極板と負極板が上方の両側に配置された正極用と負極用のストラップにそれぞれ接続されている。そして、隣接する電池セルのストラップ同士も、セル間隔壁を介して順に直列に接続されている。また、一方の端の電池セルの正極用のストラップと他方の端の電池セルの負極用のストラップからは、それぞれ上方に向けて極柱が立設されている。
【０００３】
上記電槽は、上端開口部に蓋板が取り付けられて塞がれる（例えば、特許文献２参照。）。蓋板は、方形板状の樹脂製であり、下面に電槽の上端縁部と各セル間隔壁の上端縁部を封止して取り付けることにより各電池セルを分離して密閉する。ただし、これらの電池セルは開放型であるため、蓋板の各電池セルに対応する位置に開口孔が形成されると共に、これらの開口孔にそれぞれ液栓が螺着され、この液栓の排気口を通して各電池セル内が外部に通じるようになっている。もっとも、各電池セルを密閉型とし、この蓋板に液栓に代えて安全弁を設けたものも従来からある。この蓋板の両端部には、正極端子と負極端子が取り付けられ、電槽の両端の電池セルのストラップから立設された極柱がそれぞれ接続されるようになっている。これらの正極端子と負極端子は、それぞれ外部との接続のために蓋板から上方に突出すると共に、基部が蓋板にインサート成形によって埋め込まれ、これらの基部に極柱が溶接等により接続されることになる。
【０００４】
上記鉛蓄電池は、１個の電槽内をセル間隔壁で６箇所の電池セルに分割したものであるが、各電池セルに代えて独立した６個の単電池を組み合わせて組電池としたものも従来からあった（例えば、特願２００１−３０７１３０参照。）。各単電池は、円筒容器状の単電池電槽内に巻回型の発電要素を収納して単電池とし、この単電池電槽の上端開口部に円板状の蓋板を取り付けて封口したものであり、内部の発電要素の正極板と負極板に接続された正極端子と負極端子がこの蓋板を封止貫通して上方に突出している。なお、この単電池は、実際には、樹脂製の単電池電槽と蓋板をアルミニウム合金製の円筒形の外装缶で覆って保護している。また、この単電池は、密閉型の鉛蓄電池を示し、蓋板部分に安全弁が設けられている。ただし、各単電池を開放型の鉛蓄電池とし、蓋板部分に液栓を設けるようにすることも可能である。
【０００５】
上記のようにして単体の電池として構成された６個の単電池は、２行３列に並べられて円筒状の下端部が下枠板上の凹部にそれぞれ嵌入されると共に、上端部に上枠板が嵌め込まれる。そして、下枠板と上枠板は、周囲を複数本の連結棒で連結固定される。また、各単電池の正極端子と負極端子が直列に配線されて、上枠板に取り付けられた組電池の正極端子と負極端子に接続される。なお、例えば上枠板に各単電池の円筒状の上端部をそれぞれ嵌め込み固定する凹部を設けるようにして、下枠板や連結棒を使用せずに、この上枠板だけで６個の単電池を支持するようにすることもできる。
【０００６】
【特許文献１】
特開２００２−３１３３１０号公報（第３図）
【特許文献２】
特開２００２−３５２７８０号公報（第３図）
【０００７】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところが、特許文献１や特許文献２に示した鉛蓄電池の組電池は、セル間隔壁で分割した各電池セルが、中央部に配置されるものほど放熱効率が悪くなり、充放電に伴って温度が上昇するために、電池特性にバラツキが生じたり電池寿命が短縮されるという問題があった。
【０００８】
また、電槽内をセル間隔壁で分割する代わりに、樹脂板に間隔をあけて深い窪みを６箇所形成し、これらの窪みを電池セルとするようにした場合には、各電池セルの外壁間に適宜な隙間が形成されるので、中央部に配置された電池セルだけが特に放熱効率が悪くなるのを防止することができる。しかしながら、このような電槽では、電池セル間の間隔が樹脂板の成形時に固定されるために、各電池セルの使用時における発熱量や放熱効率に応じてこれらの電池セル間の間隔を調整することができず、組電池のスペース効率を高めることができないという問題が生じる。
【０００９】
しかも、各電池セルは、製造時にある程度の割合で不良が発生するのを避けることができないので、上記いずれの従来例の場合にも、電槽が一体化されていることから、組電池としての不良の発生率も６倍に上昇し、歩留りが悪くなるという問題もあった。
【００１０】
さらに、６個の鉛蓄電池の単電池を上枠板等で支持して組み合わせた組電池は、各単電池の端子間に配線を施すために、組み立て工数が増加するという問題があった。
【００１１】
本発明は、かかる事情に対処するためになされたものであり、複数の単電池を単電池間接続導体を組み付けた組電池用蓋体に取り付けることにより、これらの単電池間の配線の手間を省き、各単電池の不良にも容易に対処でき、設計の自由度も高くなる組電池を提供することを目的としている。
【００１２】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１の組電池は、組電池用蓋体に複数の単電池が取り付けられると共に、これらの単電池の端子間が、この組電池用蓋体に組み付けられた単電池間接続導体を介して電気的に接続されたことを特徴とする。
【００１３】
請求項１の発明によれば、複数の単電池の端子間が組電池用蓋体に組み付けられた単電池間接続導体によって接続されるので、この組電池用蓋体上で別途単電池間の配線を行う必要がなくなり、組電池の組み立て作業工程の生産性を向上させることができるようになる。しかも、一部の単電池に不良が発生した場合にも、この単電池を交換するだけで組電池全体が不良になるのを避けることができるようになり、歩留りを向上させることもできる。また、各単電池は、単電池電槽がぞれぞれ独立しているので、これらの単電池電槽を間隔をあけて配置することにより、単電池の配置位置による放熱効率の相違をほとんどなくし、電池特性の均一化を図ると共に、一部の単電池の電池寿命が短縮されることによる寿命性能の低下を防止することもできるようになる。さらに、取り付け部の配置が異なる組電池用蓋体に切り替えるだけで、各単電池の配置を容易に変更することができるので、単電池の使用時の発熱量や放熱効率に応じて、これらの単電池の間隔を調整することにより、用途等に応じてスペース効率が最適となる組電池を製造することもできるようになる。
【００１４】
請求項２の組電池は、前記各単電池が、開口部を有する単電池電槽と、この単電池電槽に収納された発電要素とを備え、この単電池電槽の開口部が組電池用蓋体により封口されたことを特徴とする。
【００１５】
請求項２の発明によれば、単電池電槽が開口した複数の単電池が１枚の組電池用蓋体にそれぞれ封口して取り付けられるので、各単電池ごとに蓋体を取り付ける必要がなくなり、部品点数や組み立て工数を削減することができるようになる。
【００１６】
請求項３の組電池は、前記各単電池が、開口部を有する単電池電槽と、この単電池電槽に収納された発電要素と、この単電池電槽の開口部を封口する単電池用蓋体とを備えたことを特徴とする。
【００１７】
請求項３の発明によれば、各単電池が単電池電槽の開口部を単電池用蓋体により封口されているので、組電池の組み立て作業時の取り扱いが容易となるだけでなく、組電池用蓋体から不良となった単電池だけを取り外して交換することも容易となる。
【００１８】
請求項４の組電池は、前記組電池用蓋体が、充放電時に各単電池から発生する気体を外部に放出するための排気通路を備えたことを特徴とする。
【００１９】
請求項４の発明によれば、各単電池から発生する気体が組電池用蓋体の排気通路を通って外部に排出されるので、この気体が不用意な場所から漏れ出すのを防止したり、まとめて処理を行ってから外部に排出することができるようになる。
【００２０】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施形態について図面を参照して説明する。
【００２１】
図１〜図２は本発明の一実施形態を示すものであって、図１は組電池用蓋体の下方に６個の単電池を配置した組電池の組み立て斜視図、図２は組電池の構造を示す縦断面組み立て図である。
【００２２】
本実施形態は、円筒状の単電池電槽に発電要素を収納した単電池を２行３列に並べて配置する鉛蓄電池の組電池について説明する。図１に示すように、各単電池１は、単電池電槽１ａ内に発電要素１ｂを収納している。単電池電槽１ａは、樹脂を円筒容器状に成形したものである。ただし、樹脂製の単電池電槽１ａだけでは、外部からの衝撃等に対する強度が不足する場合には、この単電池電槽１ａを例えばアルミニウム合金製の円筒容器で覆うようにすることもできる。発電要素１ｂは、帯状の正極板と負極板を円柱状に巻回した巻回型のものであり、上端面からは、正極板に接続された正極側の極柱１ｃと負極板に接続された負極側の極柱１ｃとが１本ずつ上方に向けて突設されている。また、これらの極柱１ｃ，１ｃは、上端部が単電池電槽１ａの上端開口部よりも上方に突出している。各極柱１ｃは、発電要素１ｂの正極板又は負極板に接続された鉛合金からなる棒体であり、単電池１の正負極の端子となるものである。
【００２３】
本実施形態の組電池は、上記単電池１を６個直列に接続して用いる。これらの単電池１は、組電池用蓋体２の下方で、単電池電槽１ａの周側面間に少し隙間をあけて２行３列に配置される。組電池用蓋体２は、樹脂を方形の厚板状に成形したものであり、下面に６箇所の円形の凹部２ａが形成されている。これらの凹部２ａは、６個の単電池１と同様に、少し隙間をあけて２行３列に形成されている。そして、各単電池１は、単電池電槽１ａの上端部を下方からこれらの各凹部２ａに嵌入し、熱溶着や接着、圧入等の方法で封止して取り付けられる。従って、各単電池１は、単電池電槽１ａの上端開口部が組電池用蓋体２の凹部２ａによって塞がれて封口される。
【００２４】
上記組電池用蓋体２には、図２に示すように、各凹部２ａごとに、この凹部２ａの底面の中央部から組電池用蓋体２の上面に通じる排気路を形成する排気筒２ｂが形成され、これらの各排気筒２ｂには上方からゴム質のキャップ弁３がそれぞれ嵌め込まれる。従って、各単電池１は、密閉型となり、通常時はキャップ弁３の弾性によって排気筒２ｂの排気路が塞がれるが、単電池電槽１ａの内部でガスが発生した場合には、キャップ弁３を押し広げて組電池用蓋体２の上方にこのガスを排出することができるようになる。なお、実際には、組電池用蓋体２に各単電池１と取り付けて、各単電池電槽１ａ内に排気筒２ｂから電解液を注入した後に、このキャップ弁３が排気筒２ｂに嵌め込まれることになる。
【００２５】
上記組電池用蓋体２には、各凹部２ａ間を跨ぐように５個の単電池間接続導体４がインサート成形によって埋め込まれている。各単電池間接続導体４は、鉛合金製の棒状の両端部に厚肉の筒部を形成したものであり、これらの筒部の中央の貫通孔が組電池用蓋体２の下面の凹部２ａ内に開口すると共に、上面にも開口するようになっている。また、この組電池用蓋体２の両端にある２箇所の凹部２ａ，２ａの端部には、それぞれ組電池用端子５，５がインサート成形によって埋め込まれている。組電池用端子５は、単電池間接続導体４の場合と同様の構成の筒部の側方に円錐台形状の外部接続部が形成された鉛合金製の端子であり、筒部が組電池用蓋体２に埋め込まれると共に、外部接続部が組電池用蓋体２の上面からさらに上方に突出するようになっている。そして、組電池用蓋体２の各凹部２ａに単電池１の単電池電槽１ａの上端部を取り付けたときに、各単電池１の２本の極柱１ｃ，１ｃがこれらの単電池間接続導体４又は組電池用端子５の筒部の貫通孔に嵌合するようになっている。また、これらの極柱１ｃ，１ｃは、筒部の貫通孔に嵌合した状態で溶接等により単電池間接続導体４に接続固着され、この際に貫通孔も完全に封止される。なお、本実施形態では、６個の単電池１は、５個の単電池間接続導体４により直列に接続されることになる。
【００２６】
上記構成によれば、各単電池１を１枚の組電池用蓋体２の下方にそれぞれ封口して取り付けて、極柱１ｃ，１ｃを単電池間接続導体４や組電池用端子５に接続するだけで、これら６個の単電池１を直列に接続することができるので、各単電池１間の配線を別途行う必要がなくなる。また、この組電池用蓋体２が各単電池１の単電池電槽１ａの上端開口部を封口するので、各単電池１ごとに個別に蓋板を設けて取り付ける必要がなくなる。しかも、一部の単電池１に不良が発生していたとしても、この単電池１を交換するだけで組電池全体が不良になるのを避けることができる。さらに、各単電池１の配置は、組電池用蓋体２の凹部２ａの配置によって決まるので、この凹部２ａの配置が異なる組電池用蓋体２に切り替えるだけで、単電池電槽１ａ間の隙間を任意に調整することができ、単電池１の配置自体も任意に変更することができるようになる。
【００２７】
なお、上記実施形態では、組電池用蓋体２の上面に単電池間接続導体４の筒部の上端部や排気筒２ｂに嵌めたキャップ弁３が露出するので、図２に示す樹脂等からなるカバー６をこの組電池用蓋体２の上に取り付けるようにしてもよい。このようなカバー６を取り付けると、組電池用蓋体２の上面に露出した単電池間接続導体４の筒部を覆い隠して、組電池用端子５，５のみを突出させることができるので、安全性を高めると共に見栄えを良くすることができる。しかも、キャップ弁３が排気筒２ｂから抜けて上方に外れるのを防止することもできるようになる。ただし、単電池間接続導体４が組電池用蓋体２の上面に露出しないように埋め込んだり、キャップ弁３を上方から支持するようにすれば、このようなカバー６は、必ずしも取り付けなくてもよい。
【００２８】
また、組電池用蓋体２の凹部２ａに単電池電槽１ａの上端部を取り付けただけでは、単電池１の支持が不十分な場合には、図２に示す樹脂等からなる底板７を取り付けてこれら６個の単電池１を下方から支持するようにしてもよい。このような底板７を取り付けると、組電池を設置した際の設置面積が広がるので安定性を高めることができる。しかも、このような方形の底板７であれば、設置部に隙間なく嵌め込んだり取り付け部材を用いた支持固定も容易になり、確実な設置を行うことができるようになる。さらに、ここでは、この底板７を接着等により単電池電槽１ａの下面に固着する場合を示したが、各単電池電槽１ａの下端部が嵌まり込むような凹部を形成してもよく、これらの単電池電槽１ａの少なくとも下端部を囲むような底板７とは異なる組電池用枠体を用いるようにしてもよい。
【００２９】
また、上記実施形態では、排気筒２ｂからキャップ弁３を押し広げて漏れ出すガスがそのまま組電池用蓋体２の上方に排出されるようになっているが、この組電池用蓋体２の内部にガスの排気通路を形成して、この排気筒２ｂから漏れ出すガスが例えば組電池用蓋体２の側面から外部に排出されるようにしたり、この排出口を１〜数箇所にまとめて、これらの排出口に配置したフィルタを通して排出されるようにすることもできる。
【００３０】
また、上記実施形態では、組電池用蓋体２の下面に形成した凹部２ａに単電池１の単電池電槽１ａの上端部を嵌入させて封口し取り付けるようにすることにより、この取り付け作業を容易にしたり単電池電槽１ａの封口や支持を確実なものにするようにしたが、必ずしもこのような凹部２ａを設ける必要はなく、例えば組電池用蓋体２の平坦な下面に単電池電槽１ａの上端開口部を当接させて封口し取り付けるようにすることも可能である。
【００３１】
また、上記実施形態では、密閉型の単電池１を用いる場合を示したが、開放型の単電池１を用いることもできる。このような開放型の単電池１の場合には、組電池用蓋体２の排気筒２ｂに代えて排気口を形成し、ここに液栓が取り付けられるようにすればよい。そして、このような開放型の単電池１の場合にも、液栓の排気口から排出されるガスを組電池用蓋体２の排気通路を通して排出させるようにすることができる。
【００３２】
また、上記実施形態では、巻回型の発電要素１ｂを用いた単電池１について説明したが、積層型の発電要素１ｂを用いた単電池１にも同様に実施可能であり、単電池電槽１ａの形状も円筒形に限らず角形等の任意の形状のものを用いることができる。さらに、単電池１の端子として極柱１ｃ，１ｃを用いる場合を示したが、この端子の形状や構成も任意である。しかも、組電池用蓋体２の端部に配置された単電池１のいずれか一方の極柱１ｃをそのまま組電池用蓋体２の上方まで突出させて、この突出部分を組電池用端子５として用いることもできる。
【００３３】
また、上記実施形態では、単電池電槽１ａの開口部を組電池用蓋体２で封口する場合を示したが、各単電池電槽１ａの開口部を単電池用蓋体で封口し、それぞれ単体の電池として構成した単電池１を用いることもできる。ただし、このような単電池用蓋体に代えて、単電池電槽１ａ内の発電要素１ｂの上に内部を密閉しない中間蓋等を配置したような単電池１を用いることもできる。
【００３４】
また、上記実施形態では、単電池間接続導体４が組電池用蓋体２にインサート成形により埋め込まれた場合を示したが、必ずしもこのように埋め込まれる必要はなく、例えば溝等に嵌まり込んで密着していたりして組み付けられているだけでもよい。
【００３５】
また、上記実施形態では、６個の単電池１を組み合わせた組電池について説明したが、２個以上であれば、この単電池１の個数も限定されない。さらに、上記実施形態では、鉛蓄電池の組電池について説明したが、電池の種類も任意であり、例えば非水電解質二次電池を組み合わせた組電池にも同様に実施可能である。
【００３６】
【発明の効果】
以上の説明から明らかなように、本発明の組電池によれば、複数の単電池の端子間を組電池用蓋体に組み付けられた単電池間接続導体によって接続することにより、組電池の組み立て作業工程の生産性を向上させることができるようになる
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施形態を示すものであって、組電池用蓋体の下方に６個の単電池を配置した組電池の組み立て斜視図である。
【図２】本発明の一実施形態を示すものであって、組電池の構造を示す縦断面組み立て図である。
【符号の説明】
１単電池
１ａ単電池電槽
１ｂ発電要素
１ｃ極柱
２組電池用蓋体
２ａ凹部
４単電池間接続導体
５端子
７底板[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an assembled battery in which a plurality of cells such as a lead storage battery are combined.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a conventional lead-acid battery, the inside of a rectangular box-shaped resin container whose upper end is open is divided into six battery cells at equal intervals by vertical cell spacing walls, and power generation elements are stored in each of these battery cells. (For example, see Patent Document 1). The power generating elements housed in each of these battery cells are connected to a positive electrode and negative electrode strap in which a plurality of positive and negative plates alternately stacked via a separator are disposed on both upper sides. I have. The straps of the adjacent battery cells are also connected in series via the cell spacing wall. In addition, pole columns are erected upward from the strap for the positive electrode of the battery cell at one end and the strap for the negative electrode of the battery cell at the other end.
[0003]
The battery case is closed by attaching a lid plate to an upper end opening (see, for example, Patent Document 2). The lid plate is made of a rectangular plate-like resin, and the battery cell is separated and sealed by sealing and attaching the upper edge of the battery case and the upper edge of each cell spacing wall to the lower surface. However, since these battery cells are open type, opening holes are formed at positions corresponding to the respective battery cells on the cover plate, and liquid stoppers are screwed into these opening holes, respectively. The inside of each battery cell communicates with the outside through the mouth. However, there has conventionally been a battery in which each battery cell is of a sealed type and a safety valve is provided on this lid plate instead of a liquid stopper. A positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal are attached to both ends of the cover plate, and pole columns erected from straps of the battery cells at both ends of the battery case are connected to each other. These positive electrode terminal and negative electrode terminal respectively protrude upward from the cover plate for connection with the outside, and the base is embedded in the cover plate by insert molding, and the pole is connected to these bases by welding or the like. Will be.
[0004]
The above lead storage battery is one in which one battery case is divided into six battery cells by a cell interval wall, but instead of each battery cell, six independent cells are combined to form an assembled battery. (See, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-307130). Each unit cell contained a wound type power generating element in a unit cell container having a cylindrical container shape to form a unit cell, and was sealed by attaching a disk-shaped lid plate to an upper end opening of the unit cell container. The positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal connected to the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate of the internal power generating element project upward through the lid plate sealingly penetrating therethrough. In addition, this unit cell is actually protected by covering the unit cell battery case and the cover plate made of resin with a cylindrical outer can made of aluminum alloy. Further, this unit cell is a sealed type lead storage battery, and a safety valve is provided on a cover plate portion. However, it is also possible to make each unit cell an open-type lead storage battery and provide a liquid stopper on the cover plate portion.
[0005]
The six single cells configured as a single cell as described above are arranged in two rows and three columns, and cylindrical lower ends are respectively fitted into recesses on the lower frame plate, and upper ends are positioned at upper ends. The frame plate is fitted. The lower frame plate and the upper frame plate are connected and fixed around each other by a plurality of connecting rods. Further, the positive terminal and the negative terminal of each unit cell are wired in series, and are connected to the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the assembled battery attached to the upper frame plate. In addition, for example, by providing a concave portion for fitting and fixing the cylindrical upper end of each unit cell in the upper frame plate, for example, six unit cells can be formed only by the upper frame plate without using the lower frame plate and the connecting rod. The battery can be supported.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-313310 (FIG. 3)
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-2002-352780 (FIG. 3)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the battery packs of lead-acid batteries disclosed in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2, as the battery cells divided by the cell spacing wall are arranged at the center, the radiation efficiency becomes worse, and the temperature rises due to charging and discharging. Therefore, there is a problem that the battery characteristics vary and the battery life is shortened.
[0008]
In addition, instead of dividing the inside of the battery case with cell spacing walls, six deep recesses are formed at intervals in the resin plate, and these recesses are used as battery cells. Since an appropriate gap is formed between the battery cells, it is possible to prevent only the battery cell disposed at the center from having a particularly low heat radiation efficiency. However, in such a battery case, since the interval between the battery cells is fixed at the time of molding the resin plate, the interval between these battery cells is adjusted according to the calorific value and the heat radiation efficiency when each battery cell is used. And the space efficiency of the assembled battery cannot be increased.
[0009]
Moreover, since it is inevitable that each battery cell has a certain percentage of defects at the time of manufacture, the battery case is integrated in each of the above-described conventional examples, and the battery case is integrated. There was also a problem that the occurrence rate of defects also increased six-fold, and the yield deteriorated.
[0010]
Further, in an assembled battery in which six lead-acid batteries are combined and supported by an upper frame plate or the like, there is a problem that the number of assembling steps is increased because wiring is performed between terminals of each battery.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in order to cope with such a situation, and by attaching a plurality of cells to a battery pack cover in which the inter-cell connection conductors are assembled, wiring work between these cells is reduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide an assembled battery which can easily deal with the failure of each unit cell and can increase the degree of freedom in design.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the battery pack according to the first aspect, a plurality of cells are attached to the battery pack cover, and terminals of these cells are connected to each other through the inter-cell connection conductors attached to the battery pack cover. It is characterized by being electrically connected.
[0013]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the terminals of the plurality of cells are connected by the inter-cell connection conductor assembled to the battery pack cover, so that the cells are separately connected on the battery pack cover. There is no need to perform wiring, and the productivity of the assembly work process of the assembled battery can be improved. In addition, even when a defect occurs in some of the cells, the entire assembled battery can be prevented from becoming defective simply by replacing the cells, and the yield can be improved. In addition, since each cell has its own cell case, each cell case is arranged at an interval, so that the difference in heat radiation efficiency due to the arrangement position of the cells is almost eliminated. Thus, the battery characteristics can be made uniform, and a decrease in the life performance due to a shortened battery life of some of the cells can be prevented. Furthermore, the arrangement of each cell can be easily changed simply by switching to the assembled battery lid having a different arrangement of the mounting portion. By adjusting the interval between the cells, it becomes possible to manufacture an assembled battery having the optimum space efficiency according to the application and the like.
[0014]
3. The assembled battery according to claim 2, wherein each of the cells includes a cell battery case having an opening, and a power generation element housed in the cell battery case, and the opening of the cell battery case has an opening. It is characterized by being sealed with a lid for use.
[0015]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since a plurality of cells each having an open cell battery case are sealed and attached to one battery pack lid, it is not necessary to attach a lid for each cell. Thus, the number of parts and the number of assembling steps can be reduced.
[0016]
4. The assembled battery according to claim 3, wherein each of the unit cells has a unit cell container having an opening, a power generation element housed in the unit cell container, and a unit cell closing the opening of the unit cell container. And a lid for use.
[0017]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the opening of the single cell battery case is sealed by the single cell lid, not only the handling at the time of assembling the assembled battery becomes easy, but also the It becomes easy to remove and replace only the defective unit cell from the battery cover.
[0018]
The battery pack according to a fourth aspect is characterized in that the battery pack cover has an exhaust passage for discharging gas generated from each cell at the time of charge / discharge to the outside.
[0019]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the gas generated from each unit cell is discharged to the outside through the exhaust passage of the battery pack cover, so that this gas is prevented from leaking from an unintended location. , And can be discharged to the outside after performing the processing collectively.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0021]
1 and 2 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view of an assembled battery in which six unit cells are arranged below a lid for an assembled battery, and FIG. 2 is an assembled battery. It is a longitudinal section assembly drawing which shows the structure of.
[0022]
In the present embodiment, a description will be given of a battery pack of a lead storage battery in which single cells each containing a power generation element in a cylindrical single cell battery case are arranged in two rows and three columns. As shown in FIG. 1, each cell 1 contains a power generation element 1b in a cell battery case 1a. The cell battery case 1a is formed by molding a resin into a cylindrical container shape. However, if the resin battery case 1a alone does not have sufficient strength against external impact or the like, the battery case 1a can be covered with a cylindrical container made of, for example, an aluminum alloy. The power generating element 1b is a wound type in which a strip-shaped positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are wound in a cylindrical shape, and is connected from the upper end surface to the positive electrode-side pole 1c connected to the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate. Each of the negative poles 1c protrudes upward one by one. In addition, the upper ends of these pole columns 1c, 1c protrude above the upper end opening of the cell battery case 1a. Each pole 1c is a rod made of a lead alloy connected to the positive electrode plate or the negative electrode plate of the power generation element 1b, and serves as the positive and negative terminals of the unit cell 1.
[0023]
The assembled battery of the present embodiment uses six unit cells 1 connected in series. These cells 1 are arranged in two rows and three columns below the assembled battery lid 2 with a slight gap between the peripheral side surfaces of the cell battery case 1a. The battery pack cover 2 is formed by molding a resin into a rectangular thick plate shape, and has six circular concave portions 2a formed on the lower surface. These recesses 2a are formed in two rows and three columns with a slight gap, similarly to the six unit cells 1. Then, each cell 1 is fitted into each of the recesses 2a from below with the upper end of the cell battery case 1a, and is sealed and attached by a method such as heat welding, adhesion, or press-fitting. Accordingly, each cell 1 is sealed by closing the upper end opening of the cell battery case 1a by the concave portion 2a of the battery pack cover 2.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 2, in the battery pack cover 2, as shown in FIG. 2, an exhaust pipe 2 b that forms an exhaust path from the center of the bottom surface of the recess 2 a to the upper surface of the battery pack cover 2 for each of the recesses 2 a A rubber cap valve 3 is fitted into each of the exhaust cylinders 2b from above. Accordingly, each cell 1 is of a sealed type, and the elasticity of the cap valve 3 normally blocks the exhaust path of the exhaust pipe 2b. However, when gas is generated inside the cell battery case 1a, the cap is closed. This gas can be discharged above the battery pack cover 2 by pushing the valve 3 open. Actually, each cell 1 is attached to the battery pack cover 2 and the electrolytic solution is injected from the exhaust tube 2b into each cell battery case 1a, and then the cap valve 3 is fitted into the exhaust tube 2b. Will be.
[0025]
Five inter-cell connection conductors 4 are embedded in the battery pack cover 2 by insert molding so as to straddle between the recesses 2a. Each inter-cell connection conductor 4 is formed by forming thick-walled cylindrical portions at both ends of a rod-shaped lead alloy, and a through hole at the center of these cylindrical portions is formed in a concave portion on the lower surface of the battery pack cover 2. 2a as well as the upper surface. Terminals 5 for the battery pack 5 are embedded in the ends of the two concave portions 2a at both ends of the cover 2 for the battery pack by insert molding, respectively. The battery terminal 5 is a lead alloy terminal in which a truncated cone-shaped external connection portion is formed on the side of the cylindrical portion having the same configuration as that of the inter-cell connection conductor 4. The external connection portion projects from the upper surface of the battery pack cover 2 further upward while being embedded in the cover 2 for battery. When the upper end of the battery cell case 1a of the battery cell 1 is attached to each of the recesses 2a of the battery pack cover 2, the two poles 1c of the battery cell 1 are connected between the battery cells. The connection conductor 4 or the through hole in the cylindrical portion of the battery assembly terminal 5 is fitted. The poles 1c, 1c are connected and fixed to the inter-cell connection conductor 4 by welding or the like in a state fitted in the through holes of the cylindrical portion, and at this time, the through holes are completely sealed. In the present embodiment, six unit cells 1 are connected in series by five unit cell connecting conductors 4.
[0026]
According to the above configuration, each unit cell 1 is sealed and attached below one unit battery cover 2, and the poles 1 c, 1 c are connected to the unit cell connecting conductor 4 and the unit battery terminal 5. By simply doing so, these six unit cells 1 can be connected in series, so that there is no need to separately perform wiring between the unit cells 1. Further, since the battery pack cover 2 seals the upper end opening of the cell case 1a of each cell 1, it is not necessary to provide a cover plate for each cell 1 and attach it. Moreover, even if some of the cells 1 are defective, it is possible to prevent the whole assembled battery from becoming defective simply by replacing the cells 1. Furthermore, since the arrangement of the cells 1 is determined by the arrangement of the recesses 2a of the battery pack cover 2, the arrangement of the recesses 2a is simply switched to a different battery pack cover 2 and the cell battery case 1a is closed. The gap can be arbitrarily adjusted, and the arrangement of the unit cells 1 can be arbitrarily changed.
[0027]
In the above-described embodiment, the upper end of the cylindrical portion of the inter-cell connection conductor 4 and the cap valve 3 fitted to the exhaust pipe 2b are exposed on the upper surface of the battery pack cover 2, so that the resin or the like shown in FIG. Cover 6 may be mounted on the battery pack cover 2. When such a cover 6 is attached, the cylindrical portion of the inter-cell connection conductor 4 exposed on the upper surface of the battery pack cover 2 can be covered and covered, and only the battery pack terminals 5 and 5 can be protruded. The safety can be improved and the appearance can be improved. In addition, it is possible to prevent the cap valve 3 from coming off from the exhaust pipe 2b and coming off upward. However, if the inter-cell connection conductor 4 is buried so as not to be exposed on the upper surface of the battery pack cover 2 or if the cap valve 3 is supported from above, such a cover 6 is not necessarily attached. Good.
[0028]
In addition, when the support of the unit cell 1 is insufficient by simply attaching the upper end of the unit cell battery case 1a to the concave portion 2a of the battery pack cover 2, the bottom plate 7 made of resin or the like shown in FIG. The six unit cells 1 may be mounted to support the unit cells 1 from below. When such a bottom plate 7 is attached, the installation area when the battery pack is installed is increased, so that the stability can be improved. Moreover, such a rectangular bottom plate 7 can be easily fitted into the installation portion without any gap or can be easily supported and fixed by using an attachment member, so that reliable installation can be performed. Further, here, the case where the bottom plate 7 is fixed to the lower surface of the cell battery case 1a by bonding or the like is shown, but a concave portion into which the lower end of each cell case 1a fits may be formed. Alternatively, a frame for an assembled battery different from the bottom plate 7 may be used so as to surround at least the lower end of the unit battery case 1a.
[0029]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the gas leaking out by pushing the cap valve 3 from the exhaust pipe 2b is discharged as it is above the battery pack cover 2. A gas exhaust passage is formed inside, so that gas leaking from the exhaust tube 2b is discharged to the outside from, for example, the side surface of the battery pack cover 2, or this discharge port is collectively provided in one to several places. It can also be configured to be discharged through filters arranged at these discharge ports.
[0030]
In the above embodiment, the mounting operation is performed by fitting the upper end of the cell battery case 1a of the cell 1 into the concave portion 2a formed on the lower surface of the battery pack cover 2 and sealing and mounting the cell container 1a. Although the sealing and supporting of the cell battery case 1a have been made easy or reliable, it is not always necessary to provide such a concave portion 2a. It is also possible to bring the upper end opening of the tank 1a into contact and seal and attach it.
[0031]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the closed cell 1 is used is shown, but the open cell 1 may be used. In the case of such an open cell 1, an exhaust port may be formed instead of the exhaust tube 2b of the battery pack cover 2, and a liquid stopper may be attached thereto. Also in the case of such an open type cell 1, gas discharged from the exhaust port of the liquid stopper can be discharged through the exhaust passage of the battery pack cover 2.
[0032]
In the above-described embodiment, the unit cell 1 using the winding type power generating element 1b has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to the unit cell 1 using the stacked type power generating element 1b. The shape of 1a is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and any shape such as a square shape can be used. Furthermore, the case where the poles 1c, 1c are used as terminals of the unit cell 1 has been described, but the shape and configuration of these terminals are also arbitrary. In addition, one of the poles 1c of the unit cell 1 disposed at the end of the battery pack cover 2 is protruded directly above the battery pack cover 2 and the protruding portion is connected to the battery terminal 5 Can also be used.
[0033]
Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the opening of the cell battery case 1a is closed with the battery pack cover 2 is shown, but the opening of each cell battery case 1a is sealed with the cell cover. The unit cells 1 each configured as a single unit cell can also be used. However, instead of such a lid for unit cells, a unit cell 1 in which an intermediate lid or the like that does not hermetically close the inside is disposed on the power generating element 1b in the unit cell battery case 1a can also be used.
[0034]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the inter-cell connection conductor 4 is embedded in the battery pack cover 2 by insert molding is shown, but it is not always necessary to be embedded as described above, and for example, it is fitted in a groove or the like. It may be just attached and assembled.
[0035]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the assembled battery in which the six unit cells 1 are combined has been described, but the number of the unit cells 1 is not limited as long as it is two or more. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the assembled battery of the lead storage battery has been described. However, the type of the battery is also arbitrary. For example, the embodiment can be similarly applied to an assembled battery in which a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery is combined.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the assembled battery of the present invention, the terminals of the plurality of cells are connected by the inter-cell connection conductor assembled to the assembled battery cover, thereby assembling the assembled battery. It will be possible to improve the productivity of the work process [Brief description of drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention, and is an assembled perspective view of an assembled battery in which six unit cells are arranged below a lid for the assembled battery.
FIG. 2, showing one embodiment of the present invention, is an assembled longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of an assembled battery.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 unit cell 1 a unit cell container 1 b power generating element 1 c pole 2 cover for assembled battery 2 a recessed part 4 connection conductor between unit cells 5 terminal 7 bottom plate

Claims

A plurality of cells are attached to the battery pack cover,
An assembled battery, wherein terminals of these cells are electrically connected via inter-cell connection conductors attached to the assembled battery cover.

Each of the unit cells includes a unit cell container having an opening, and a power generation element housed in the unit cell container, and the opening of the unit cell container is sealed with a battery pack cover. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein:

Each of the unit cells includes a unit cell container having an opening, a power generation element housed in the unit cell container, and a unit cell lid closing the opening of the unit cell container. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein:

4. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the lid for a battery pack includes an exhaust passage for discharging gas generated from each cell at the time of charge / discharge to the outside. 5.