JP2004335387A

JP2004335387A - Battery pack

Info

Publication number: JP2004335387A
Application number: JP2003132715A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Kuniyuki Ota; 晋志大田; Takeshi Ishimaru; 毅石丸; Naohiro Hamao; 尚宏濱尾
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 2003-05-12
Filing date: 2003-05-12
Publication date: 2004-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 2023-05-12
Also published as: JP4408027B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a circuit-board integrated battery pack provided with a constitution which is low in cost and can be manufactured in an excellent yield while being devised for miniaturizing and thinning. <P>SOLUTION: The battery pack, in which a battery cell 1 and a circuit board 7 with a battery protective circuit for controlling the charge/discharge of the battery pack 1 mounted thereon are packaged integrally, has a circuit board block 13 in which a resin coating portion 14 is integrally formed with a circuit board 7 in an arrangement to cover the outer face of the circuit board 7, a tip portion of a metal-made bar-like coupling member 21 inserted into a communication hole 18 of a resin coating portion 14 is fixed to a metal-made end face of the battery cell 1, and the circuit board block 13 is fixed to the end face of the battery cell 1 by the coupling member 21 in a pressure contact state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、電池とこの電池を過充電や過放電から保護するための電池保護回路が実装された回路基板とが一体的にパッケージ化されてなる電池パックに関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
近年では、エレクトロニクス技術の進歩に伴い、電子機器の高機能化とともに、小型化、薄型化および軽量化が可能となった。その結果、各種民生用ポータブル機器が開発、実用化され、それらの市場規模が急速に拡大しつつある。それらの代表例としては、携帯電話機やノート型パソコンなどがあげられる。これらの携帯型電子機器の駆動用内蔵電源となる電池には、使用環境が一定でなく、移動を伴うことから、小型化、薄型化および軽量化が要求されると同時に防塵および防滴構造が要求される。また、単電池のみでは実現し難い高電圧化および高容量化が必要となる用途に対しては、所要個数の単電池を電気的に直列または並列に接続し、且つ機械的に連結してなる組電池をパックケース内に収容してなる電池パックが実用化されている。この電池パックとしては、組電池を過充電や過放電から保護するための電池保護回路が実装された回路基板を内蔵して一体的にパッケージ化することによって携帯型電子機器の電源としての要求に応える構造としたものが数多く採用されている。
【０００３】
このように回路基板を一体化した電池パックとしては、図３および図４にそれぞれ示すような製造工程を経て得られる構造を備えたものが知られている。図３（ａ）〜（ｃ）は製造過程の平面図を示したもので、この電池パックの製造に際しては、先ず、（ａ）に示すように、組電池としての電池セル１の正極端子（図示せず）および負極端子（図示せず）に、正極接続板２および負極接続板３を電気的接続状態に固着し、両接続板２，３から切り起こしにより形成された正極リード２ａおよび負極リード３ａを、所要の電子部品４を実装して電池セル１を過充電および過放電などから保護する電池保護回路が構成された回路基板７の正極端子部（図示せず）および負極端子部（図示せず）に電気的に接続する。なお、正極接続板２にはＰＣＴ素子のような安全素子８が取り付けられている。
【０００４】
つぎに、同図（ｂ）に示すように、回路基板７が上述のように取り付けられた電池セル１を、合成樹脂製の下ケース９内に挿入して、この下ケース９の周壁から内方に突出した複数の仕切片９ａ〜９ｃによって下ケース９内に仮固定する。続いて、下ケース９とほぼ同様の形状となった上ケース１０を下ケース９に被せるように突き合わせると、上ケース１０の各仕切片１０ａ〜１０ｃが下ケース９の対応する仕切片９ａ〜９ｃに突き合わされて仕切壁が形成され、この仕切壁によって電池セル１および回路基板７が動かないように固定される。最後に、同図（ｃ）に示すように、両ケース９，１０の互いに突き合わされた周端面を超音波接合することにより、両ケース９，１０を互いに合体してパックケースを構成する。
【０００５】
この電池パックでは、電池セル１を下ケース９に挿入したときに、下ケース９内に予め取り付けられている接続板（図示せず）に電池セル１が電気的接続され、接続板がパックケースの外部接続端子（図示せず）に電気的接続されている。この電池パックは、下ケース９と上ケース１０とが超音波接合されてなるパックケース内に電池セル１および回路基板７が封入されていることにより、使用環境が一定でない携帯型電子機器の駆動電源としての要求に応えられる防塵および防滴構造を有している。
【０００６】
一方、図４の電池パックの製造に際しては、（ａ）に示すように、組電池としての電池セル１の正極端子（図示せず）および負極端子（図示せず）に、正極接続板２および負極接続板３を電気的接続状態に固着し、両接続板２，３から切り起こしにより形成された正極リード２ａおよび負極リード３ａを、所要の電子部品４を実装して電池セル１を過充電および過放電などから保護する電池保護回路が構成された回路基板７の正極端子部（図示せず）および負極端子部（図示せず）に貫通させた状態で電気的に接続する。なお、正極接続板２にはＰＣＴ素子のような安全素子８が取り付けられている。
【０００７】
つぎに、同図（ｂ）に示すように、回路基板７と電池セル１との間の空間を覆うように型組みした成形金型（図示せず）内に形成されたキャビティ（図示せず）に溶融状態の樹脂を充填して、その充填した樹脂が硬化することによって樹脂封止部１１が形成される。最後に、回路基板７の外側、樹脂封止部１１の外側および電池セル１の外側の一部を覆うように型組みした成形金型（図示せず）の内部に形成されたキャビティ（図示せず）内に溶融状態の樹脂を充填して、その充填した樹脂が硬化することにより、同図（ｃ）に示すように、正極端子窓１２ａおよび負極端子窓１２ｂを有する樹脂外装部１２が形成される。なお、上記樹脂封止部１１および樹脂外装部１２の形成素材としては、一般にホットメルト系接着剤が用いられている。この電池パックは、電池セル１および回路基板７が樹脂封止部１１および樹脂外装部１２により外部から封止されて、使用環境が一定でない携帯型電子機器の駆動電源としての要求に応えられる防塵および防滴構造を有している。
【０００８】
【特許文献１】
特開２００３−８６１５９号公報
【０００９】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、図３の電池パックでは、電池セル１および回路基板７を内部に収容するための樹脂製のパックケースを必要とするので、小型化を図ることができない。また、パックケースが下ケース９と上ケース１０とで構成されていることから、部品点数が多く、しかも、回路基板７を取り付けた電池セル１を、下ケース９内にこれらの仕切片９ａ〜９ｃで仮固定する配置で挿入したのち、下ケース９とこれに被せた上ケース１０とを超音波接合するので、組立性の悪い工程を経ることから、工数が多くなり、これらがコストアップの要因になっている。
【００１０】
一方、図４の電池パックは、図３の電池パックに比較してパックケースが不要となる分だけ小型化および薄型化できる利点があるが、樹脂封止部１１と樹脂外装部１２とを形成するために、２回の樹脂モールド成形工程を要し、しかも、樹脂封止部１１は金属製の電池セル１の端面に接合するように樹脂モールド成形を行うので、溶融樹脂の温度設定などに精密性を要して工程管理が難しく、これらに起因して相当のコストアップを招いている。また、この電池パックでは、樹脂封止部１１および樹脂外装部１２を樹脂モールド成形工程を経て形成したときに、ホットメルト系接着剤などの樹脂と金属製の電池セル１との密着性が悪いので、電池セル１と回路基板７との接続部分を確実に封止できないおそれがあり、これが歩留りの低下の一因になっている。
【００１１】
そこで、本発明は、上記従来の課題に鑑みてなされたもので、小型化および薄型化を図りながらも安価で、且つ歩留り良く製造できる構成を備えた回路基板一体型の電池パックを提供することを目的とするものである。
【００１２】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために、本発明に係る電池パックは、電池セルと、この電池セルの充放電の制御を行う電池保護回路が実装された回路基板とが一体的にパッケージされてなるものにおいて、前記回路基板の外面を覆う配置で樹脂被覆部が前記回路基板に一体形成された回路基板ブロックを有し、前記樹脂被覆部の連通孔に挿通された金属製の棒状連結部材の先端部が前記電池セルの金属製端面に固着されて、前記回路基板ブロックが、前記連結部材によって前記電池セルの端面に圧接状態に固定されていることを特徴としている。
【００１３】
この電池パックでは、予め形成された回路基板ブロックが、金属製の電池セルの端面に先端を連結された棒状連結部材により電池セルに圧接状態に一体化された構成を有しているので、パックケースを用いる場合に比較して部品点数が少なく、且つ金属製の電池セルに樹脂モールド成形する場合のような精密な工程管理が不要となって工数が低減するから、相当のコストダウンを達成することができる。しかも、回路基板ブロックの電池セルへの固定およびこれらの間の封止は、共に金属製の連結部材と電池セルの端面とを固着することにより行うので、金属製の電池セルに樹脂モールド成形する場合に比較して確実な固定および封止となり、歩留りが向上する。また、この電池パックでは、パックケースが不要となる分だけ小型化および薄型化できる。
【００１４】
上記発明において、回路基板ブロックの樹脂被覆部に、凹部または段差部と、この凹部または段差部からこれの反対面まで貫通する連通孔とが形成され、連結部材が、これの頭部が前記凹部または前記段差部の底面に当接した状態で連結軸部が前記連通孔に挿通されている構成とすることが好ましい。この構成によれば、連結部材を樹脂被覆部から突出しない配置で設けることができ、好ましい外形を有する電池パックを得ることができる。
【００１５】
上記発明において、連結部材と電池セルの端面とが抵抗溶接により相互に連結されている構成とすることが好ましい。この構成によれば、簡単な工程により電池セルの端面に強固に連結できる連結部材により回路基板ブロックを電池セルの端面に圧接状態で確実に一体化できるので、歩留りが向上する。
【００１６】
上記発明において、回路基板ブロックの外面と電池セルの端面に近接する側面の一部とを覆う樹脂外装部が前記回路基板ブロックおよび電池セルに一体形成されている構成とすることが好ましい。この構成によれば、電池セルと回路基板との間を一層確実に密封することができ、高い防塵性および防滴性を有したものとなる。
【００１７】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の好ましい実施の形態について図面を参照しつつ詳細に説明する。図１は、本発明の一実施の形態に係る電池パックの製造過程を順に示した断面図であり、図３および図４と同一若しくは同等のものには同一の符号を付してある。この電池パックの製造に際しては、先ず、同図（ａ）に示すように、組電池としての電池セル１の正極端子（図示せず）および負極端子（図示せず）に、正極接続板２および負極接続板３を電気的接続状態に固着する。両接続板２，３には、切り起こしにより正極リード２ａおよび負極リード３ａがそれぞれ形成されており、正極接続板２にはＰＣＴ素子のような安全素子８が取り付けられている。
【００１８】
一方、所要の電子部品４を実装して電池セル１を過充電および過放電などから保護する電池保護回路が構成された回路基板７は、同図（ｂ）に示すように、電子部品４の実装面（図の下面）を除く全面が樹脂で予め被覆されて、回路基板ブロック１３に形成されている。すなわち、回路基板ブロック１３は、開放部が形成され、回路基板７の周囲を囲むように形成された樹脂被覆部１４の内部に、開放部から回路基板７を挿入配置して一体的に形成されている。樹脂被覆部１４は、電池セル１の外形に対応する外形に形成されて、幅方向（図の左右方向）の両端部に、凹部１７とこの凹部１７に連通して下面に貫通する連通孔１８とが形成されているとともに、回路基板７の２つの接続孔７ａ，７ｂに対応する位置に挿通孔１９，２０が形成されている。
【００１９】
上記回路基板ブロック１３は、同図（ｂ）に示すように、回路基板７の接続孔７ａ，７ｂに正極リード２ａおよび負極リード３ａをそれぞれ貫通させて電気的接続された配置で電池セル１の端面に押し付けられ、この状態で、両側の凹部１７および連通孔１８に、矢印で示すように金属製のリベット２１が挿入される。このリベット２１は、同図（ｃ）に示すように、頭部２１ａが凹部１７に、且つ連結軸部２１ｂが連通孔１８に挿入されて、連結軸部２１ｂの先端部が電池セル１の端面に接触する。このように、リベット２１は、回路基板ブロック１３内に埋入されて、外部に突出しない状態となる。
【００２０】
つぎに、同図（ｃ）に示すように、抵抗溶接機２２の一対の電極２２ａ，２２ｂをリベット２１の頭部２１ａおよび電池セル１の側面にそれぞれ押し当てるとともに、一方の電極２２ａから頭部２１ａに圧力を加えて連結軸部２１ｂの先端部を電池セル１の端面に押し付ける状態で抵抗溶接機２２から両電極２２ａ，２２ｂ間に通電することにより、リベット２１の連結軸部２１ｂの先端部を電池セル１の端面に抵抗溶接する。図の右方においても、同様にしてリベット２１の連結軸部２１ｂの先端部を電池セル１の端面に抵抗溶接する。これにより、回路基板ブロック１３は、共に金属からなるリベット２１と電池セル１との抵抗溶接による強固な連結により、両リベット２１の各頭部２１ａによって電池セル１の端面に押し付けられた状態で電池セル１に一体的に結合される。
【００２１】
最後に、回路基板ブロック１３の外面および電池セル１における一部側面を覆うように型組みした成形金型（図示せず）の内部に形成されたキャビティ（図示せず）に溶融状態の樹脂を充填して、その充填した樹脂が硬化することにより、同図（ｄ）に示すように、正極リード２ａに対向した正極端子窓２３ａおよび負極リード３ａに対向した負極端子窓２３ｂを有する樹脂外装部２３が形成される。なお、樹脂外装部２３の形成素材としては、ホットメルト系接着剤等が用いられる。
【００２２】
このようにして製造された電池パックは、予め形成された回路基板ブロック１３が、金属製の電池セル１の端面に抵抗溶接で連結したリベット２１の頭部２１ａにより電池セル１に圧接状態に一体化された構成を有しているので、パックケースを用いる場合に比較して部品点数が少なく、且つ金属製の電池セル１に樹脂モールド成形する場合のような精密な工程管理が不要であり、さらに、樹脂モールド成形工程は樹脂外装部２３を形成するために１回行うだけであるから、相当のコストダウンを達成することができる。しかも、回路基板ブロック１３の電池セル１への固定およびこれらの間の封止は、リベット２１と電池セル１との抵抗溶接により行うので、金属製の電池セル１に樹脂モールド成形する場合に比較して確実に行うことができ、これにより歩留りが向上する。
【００２３】
また、上記電池パックでは、図３の電池パックのようなパックケースが無い分だけ小型化および薄型化できる。さらに、上記電池パックは、電池セル１の端面に溶接されたリベット２１の頭部２１ａによって回路基板ブロック１３の樹脂被覆部１４が電池セル１の端面に圧接され、さらに樹脂被覆部１４とこれに隣接する電池セル１の一部とが樹脂外装部２３で覆われていることにより、電池セル１と回路基板７の間が完全に密封されており、高い防塵性および防滴性を有している。
【００２４】
なお、回路基板ブロック１３は、成形金型（図示せず）を回路基板７の周囲を囲むように型組みして内部に形成されたキャビテイ（図示せず）内に溶融樹脂を充填し、その充填樹脂が硬化して形成された樹脂被覆部１４と回路基板７とが一体化されて形成してもよい。充填樹脂としては、ホットメルト系接着剤等が用いられる。
【００２５】
図２は本発明の他の実施の形態に係る電池パックの製造工程の一部を順に示したものであり、図１と相違するのは、回路基板ブロック２７の幅方向（図の左右方向）の両側部に、段差部２９と、この段差部２９上面から樹脂被覆部２８の下面まで貫通する連通孔３０が設けられている構成のみである。
【００２６】
この電池パックにおいても、一実施の形態と同様に、一対のリベット２１を電池セル１の端面に抵抗溶接により連結されるが、その場合、リベット２１の連結軸部２１ｂを回路基板ブロック２７の連通孔に挿通したときに、リベット２１の頭部２１ａが段差部２９の上面に露出しているので、抵抗溶接を容易に行えるとともに、リベット２１の頭部２１ａを介して回路基板ブロック２７を電池セル１の端面に押圧するのが容易となる利点がある。そして、外部露出していたリベット２１の頭部２１ａは、同図（ｂ）に示すように、樹脂外装部２３が成形されたときに、この樹脂外装部２３内に埋没されて、突出状態になることがない。
【００２７】
【発明の効果】
以上のように本発明の電池パックによれば、予め形成された回路基板ブロックが、金属製の電池セルの端面に先端を連結された棒状連結部材により電池セルに圧接状態に一体化された構成を有しているので、パックケースを用いる場合に比較して部品点数が少なく、且つ金属製の電池セルに樹脂モールド成形する場合のような精密な工程管理が不要となって工数が低減するから、相当のコストダウンを達成することができる。しかも、回路基板ブロックの電池セルへの固定およびこれらの間の封止は、共に金属製の連結部材と電池セルの端面とを固着することにより行うので、金属製の電池セルに樹脂モールド成形する場合に比較して確実な固定および封止となり、歩留りが向上する。また、この電池パックでは、パックケースが不要となる分だけ小型化および薄型化できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】（ａ）〜（ｄ）は本発明の一実施の形態に係る電池パックの製造工程を順に示した断面図。
【図２】（ａ），（ｂ）は本発明の他の実施の形態に係る電池バックの製造工程を順に示した断面図。
【図３】（ａ）〜（ｃ）は従来の電池パックの製造過程を順に示した平面図および切断平面図。
【図４】（ａ）〜（ｃ）は従来の他の電池パックの製造過程を順に示した断面図。
【符号の説明】
１電池セル
７回路基板
１３，２７回路基板ブロック
１４，２８樹脂被覆部
１７凹部
１８，３０連通孔
２１リベット（棒状連結部材）
２２抵抗溶接機
２３樹脂外装部
２９段差部[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a battery pack in which a battery and a circuit board on which a battery protection circuit for protecting the battery from overcharging and overdischarging are mounted are integrally packaged.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with advances in electronics technology, electronic devices have become more sophisticated and smaller, thinner and lighter. As a result, various consumer portable devices have been developed and put into practical use, and their market scale is rapidly expanding. Representative examples thereof include a mobile phone and a notebook computer. Batteries, which are built-in power supplies for driving these portable electronic devices, are required to be miniaturized, thinned and lightened because of their uncertain use environment and accompanying movement. Required. For applications requiring high voltage and high capacity, which are difficult to realize with single cells alone, a required number of single cells are electrically connected in series or parallel, and mechanically connected. A battery pack in which an assembled battery is housed in a pack case has been put to practical use. This battery pack has a built-in circuit board with a built-in battery protection circuit to protect the assembled battery from overcharge and overdischarge, and is packaged together to meet the demand as a power source for portable electronic devices. Many that have a structure that responds have been adopted.
[0003]
As such a battery pack having an integrated circuit board, a battery pack having a structure obtained through a manufacturing process as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is known. FIGS. 3A to 3C are plan views showing the manufacturing process. In manufacturing the battery pack, first, as shown in FIG. 3A, as shown in FIG. A positive electrode connection plate 2 and a negative electrode connection plate 3 are fixed to a negative electrode terminal (not shown) in an electrically connected state to a negative electrode terminal (not shown), and a positive electrode lead 2 a and a negative electrode formed by cutting and raising the two connection plates 2 and 3. A positive terminal (not shown) and a negative terminal (not shown) of a circuit board 7 on which a lead 3a is mounted with a required electronic component 4 and a battery protection circuit for protecting the battery cell 1 from overcharge and overdischarge are formed. (Not shown). Note that a safety element 8 such as a PCT element is attached to the positive electrode connection plate 2.
[0004]
Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, the battery cell 1 to which the circuit board 7 is attached as described above is inserted into the lower case 9 made of synthetic resin, and the battery cell 1 is inserted from the peripheral wall of the lower case 9 through the inner wall. Temporarily fixed in the lower case 9 by a plurality of partition pieces 9a to 9c protruding in the direction. Subsequently, when the upper case 10 having substantially the same shape as the lower case 9 is abutted so as to cover the lower case 9, the partition pieces 10 a to 10 c of the upper case 10 become corresponding to the corresponding partition pieces 9 a to 9 c of the lower case 9. A partition wall is formed by abutting the partition wall 9c, and the battery cell 1 and the circuit board 7 are fixed so as not to move by the partition wall. Finally, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), the two cases 9, 10 are joined together by ultrasonic bonding of the butted peripheral end surfaces of both cases 9, 10, to form a pack case.
[0005]
In this battery pack, when the battery cell 1 is inserted into the lower case 9, the battery cell 1 is electrically connected to a connection plate (not shown) mounted in the lower case 9 in advance, and the connection plate is connected to the pack case. Are electrically connected to external connection terminals (not shown). In this battery pack, the battery case 1 and the circuit board 7 are sealed in a pack case in which the lower case 9 and the upper case 10 are ultrasonically joined to each other, so that the driving environment of a portable electronic device whose usage environment is not constant is increased. It has a dust-proof and drip-proof structure that can meet the demands of power supply.
[0006]
On the other hand, when the battery pack shown in FIG. 4 is manufactured, as shown in FIG. 4A, the positive electrode connection plate 2 and the negative electrode terminal (not shown) are connected to the positive terminal (not shown) and the negative terminal (not shown) of the battery cell 1 as an assembled battery. The negative electrode connecting plate 3 is fixed in an electrically connected state, and the positive electrode lead 2a and the negative electrode lead 3a formed by cutting and raising the both connecting plates 2 and 3 are mounted on required electronic components 4 to overcharge the battery cell 1. In addition, they are electrically connected to the circuit board 7 on which a battery protection circuit configured to protect from overdischarge or the like is penetrated through a positive terminal section (not shown) and a negative terminal section (not shown). Note that a safety element 8 such as a PCT element is attached to the positive electrode connection plate 2.
[0007]
Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, a cavity (not shown) formed in a molding die (not shown) assembled so as to cover the space between the circuit board 7 and the battery cell 1. ) Is filled with a resin in a molten state, and the filled resin is cured, whereby the resin sealing portion 11 is formed. Lastly, a cavity (not shown) formed inside a molding die (not shown) assembled so as to cover the outside of the circuit board 7, the outside of the resin sealing portion 11, and a part of the outside of the battery cell 1. A resin in a molten state is filled in the inside, and the filled resin is cured to form a resin exterior portion 12 having a positive terminal window 12a and a negative terminal window 12b as shown in FIG. Is done. Note that a hot melt adhesive is generally used as a material for forming the resin sealing portion 11 and the resin exterior portion 12. In this battery pack, the battery cells 1 and the circuit board 7 are sealed from the outside by a resin sealing portion 11 and a resin exterior portion 12, so that the dust proof can meet the demand as a driving power source for a portable electronic device whose usage environment is not constant. And a drip-proof structure.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2003-86159 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the battery pack of FIG. 3 requires a pack case made of resin for accommodating the battery cells 1 and the circuit board 7 therein, so that the size cannot be reduced. Further, since the pack case is composed of the lower case 9 and the upper case 10, the number of parts is large, and the battery cells 1 to which the circuit board 7 is attached are placed in the lower case 9 with these partition pieces 9a to 9a. After the lower case 9 and the upper case 10 placed on the lower case 9 are inserted by ultrasonic bonding after being inserted in the temporary fixing arrangement at 9c, the process goes through a process with poor assemblability. It is a factor.
[0010]
On the other hand, the battery pack of FIG. 4 has an advantage that it can be made smaller and thinner as compared with the battery pack of FIG. This requires two resin molding steps, and the resin molding is performed so that the resin sealing portion 11 is joined to the end surface of the battery cell 1 made of metal. Process control is difficult due to the need for precision, resulting in considerable cost increase. Further, in this battery pack, when the resin sealing portion 11 and the resin exterior portion 12 are formed through a resin molding process, the adhesion between the resin such as a hot melt adhesive and the metal battery cell 1 is poor. Therefore, there is a possibility that the connection portion between the battery cell 1 and the circuit board 7 may not be reliably sealed, which causes a decrease in yield.
[0011]
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and provides a circuit board-integrated battery pack having a configuration that is inexpensive and can be manufactured with high yield while reducing the size and thickness. The purpose is.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a battery pack according to the present invention is a battery pack in which a battery cell and a circuit board on which a battery protection circuit for controlling charging and discharging of the battery cell is mounted are integrally packaged. The resin covering portion has a circuit board block integrally formed on the circuit board in an arrangement covering the outer surface of the circuit board, and a tip end portion of a metal rod-shaped connecting member inserted into a communication hole of the resin covering portion is provided. The circuit board block is fixed to a metal end face of the battery cell, and is fixed to the end face of the battery cell by the connecting member in a press-contact state.
[0013]
In this battery pack, the previously formed circuit board block has a configuration in which the rod-shaped connecting member whose tip is connected to the end face of the metal battery cell is integrated with the battery cell in a pressure-contact state. Compared to the case where a case is used, the number of parts is small, and precise process control such as when resin molding is performed on a metal battery cell is not required, thereby reducing man-hours, thereby achieving considerable cost reduction. be able to. In addition, since the fixing of the circuit board block to the battery cells and the sealing therebetween are performed by fixing both the metal connecting members and the end faces of the battery cells, resin molding is performed on the metal battery cells. As compared with the case, secure fixing and sealing are achieved, and the yield is improved. Further, in this battery pack, the size and thickness can be reduced by the amount that the pack case is not required.
[0014]
In the above invention, a concave portion or a step portion, and a communication hole penetrating from the concave portion or the step portion to an opposite surface thereof are formed in the resin coating portion of the circuit board block, and a connecting member has a head portion having the concave portion. Alternatively, it is preferable that the connecting shaft portion is inserted into the communication hole in a state of being in contact with the bottom surface of the step portion. According to this configuration, the connecting member can be provided so as not to protrude from the resin coating portion, and a battery pack having a preferable outer shape can be obtained.
[0015]
In the above invention, it is preferable that the connection member and the end face of the battery cell are connected to each other by resistance welding. According to this configuration, the circuit board block can be surely integrated into the end face of the battery cell in a press-contact state by the connecting member that can be firmly connected to the end face of the battery cell by a simple process, so that the yield is improved.
[0016]
In the above invention, it is preferable that a resin exterior part covering an outer surface of the circuit board block and a part of a side surface close to an end face of the battery cell is formed integrally with the circuit board block and the battery cell. According to this configuration, the space between the battery cell and the circuit board can be more securely sealed, and high dustproofness and dripproofness can be obtained.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view sequentially showing a process of manufacturing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the same or equivalent components as those in FIGS. 3 and 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In manufacturing this battery pack, first, as shown in FIG. 1A, a positive electrode connecting plate 2 and a negative electrode terminal (not shown) are connected to a positive electrode terminal (not shown) and a negative electrode terminal (not shown) of a battery cell 1 as an assembled battery. The negative electrode connecting plate 3 is fixed in an electrically connected state. A positive electrode lead 2a and a negative electrode lead 3a are respectively formed on the two connection plates 2 and 3 by cutting and raising, and a safety element 8 such as a PCT element is attached to the positive electrode connection plate 2.
[0018]
On the other hand, a circuit board 7 on which a required electronic component 4 is mounted to form a battery protection circuit for protecting the battery cell 1 from overcharge and overdischarge is configured as shown in FIG. The entire surface excluding the mounting surface (the lower surface in the figure) is previously coated with a resin and formed on the circuit board block 13. That is, the circuit board block 13 is formed integrally with the circuit board 7 inserted and arranged from the open section inside the resin coating section 14 formed with an open portion and surrounding the periphery of the circuit board 7. ing. The resin coating portion 14 is formed in an outer shape corresponding to the outer shape of the battery cell 1, and has a concave portion 17 and a communication hole 18 communicating with the concave portion 17 and penetrating to the lower surface at both ends in the width direction (left-right direction in the drawing). Are formed, and insertion holes 19 and 20 are formed at positions corresponding to the two connection holes 7a and 7b of the circuit board 7.
[0019]
The circuit board block 13 has a configuration in which the battery cells 1 are electrically connected by penetrating the positive electrode lead 2a and the negative electrode lead 3a through the connection holes 7a and 7b of the circuit board 7 as shown in FIG. The metal rivet 21 is inserted into the recess 17 and the communication hole 18 on both sides as shown by arrows in this state. The rivet 21 has a head 21 a inserted into the recess 17, a connecting shaft 21 b inserted into the communication hole 18, and a leading end of the connecting shaft 21 b as shown in FIG. Contact Thus, the rivet 21 is embedded in the circuit board block 13 and does not protrude outside.
[0020]
Next, as shown in FIG. 3C, the pair of electrodes 22a and 22b of the resistance welding machine 22 are pressed against the head 21a of the rivet 21 and the side surface of the battery cell 1, respectively. By applying a pressure between the two electrodes 22a and 22b from the resistance welding machine 22 in a state where pressure is applied to the end 21a and the tip of the connecting shaft 21b is pressed against the end face of the battery cell 1, the tip of the connecting shaft 21b of the rivet 21 is turned on. To the end face of the battery cell 1 by resistance welding. Similarly, on the right side of the figure, the distal end of the connecting shaft 21b of the rivet 21 is resistance-welded to the end face of the battery cell 1. Thus, the circuit board block 13 is pressed against the end face of the battery cell 1 by the respective heads 21a of the rivets 21 by strong connection between the rivet 21 and the battery cell 1 both made of metal by resistance welding. The cell 1 is integrally connected.
[0021]
Finally, molten resin is poured into a cavity (not shown) formed inside a molding die (not shown) formed so as to cover the outer surface of the circuit board block 13 and a part of the side surface of the battery cell 1. When the resin is filled and the filled resin is cured, as shown in FIG. 4D, a resin exterior portion having a positive terminal window 23a facing the positive lead 2a and a negative terminal window 23b facing the negative lead 3a. 23 are formed. In addition, as a material for forming the resin exterior portion 23, a hot melt adhesive or the like is used.
[0022]
In the battery pack manufactured in this manner, the circuit board block 13 formed in advance is integrated with the battery cell 1 by pressing the head 21a of the rivet 21 connected to the end face of the metal battery cell 1 by resistance welding. Since it has a simplified configuration, the number of parts is smaller than in the case of using a pack case, and precise process control is not required as in the case of resin molding on the battery cell 1 made of metal. Furthermore, since the resin molding process is performed only once to form the resin exterior part 23, a considerable cost reduction can be achieved. In addition, since the fixing of the circuit board block 13 to the battery cells 1 and the sealing therebetween are performed by resistance welding between the rivets 21 and the battery cells 1, compared with the case where the battery cells 1 made of metal are resin-molded. In this way, the yield can be improved.
[0023]
Further, in the above battery pack, the size and thickness can be reduced by the absence of the pack case as in the battery pack of FIG. Further, in the battery pack, the resin covering portion 14 of the circuit board block 13 is pressed against the end surface of the battery cell 1 by the head portion 21a of the rivet 21 welded to the end surface of the battery cell 1, and the resin covering portion 14 and the Since a part of the adjacent battery cell 1 is covered with the resin exterior part 23, the space between the battery cell 1 and the circuit board 7 is completely sealed, and has high dustproofness and dripproofness. I have.
[0024]
The circuit board block 13 is formed by assembling a molding die (not shown) around the circuit board 7 and filling a cavity (not shown) formed therein with molten resin. The resin coating portion 14 formed by curing the filling resin and the circuit board 7 may be integrally formed. As the filling resin, a hot-melt adhesive or the like is used.
[0025]
FIG. 2 shows a part of a manufacturing process of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention in order, and is different from FIG. 1 in the width direction of the circuit board block 27 (horizontal direction in the figure). Is provided with a stepped portion 29 and a communication hole 30 penetrating from the upper surface of the stepped portion 29 to the lower surface of the resin coating portion 28 on both sides.
[0026]
Also in this battery pack, a pair of rivets 21 are connected to the end surfaces of the battery cells 1 by resistance welding as in the case of one embodiment. In this case, the connection shaft 21 b of the rivet 21 is connected to the circuit board block 27. When the rivet 21 is inserted into the hole, the head 21a of the rivet 21 is exposed on the upper surface of the step portion 29, so that resistance welding can be easily performed and the circuit board block 27 is connected to the battery cell via the head 21a of the rivet 21. There is an advantage that it is easy to press against the end face of the first. Then, the head 21a of the rivet 21, which has been exposed to the outside, is buried in the resin exterior part 23 when the resin exterior part 23 is formed as shown in FIG. Never be.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the battery pack of the present invention, a configuration in which the pre-formed circuit board block is integrally pressed into contact with the battery cell by the rod-shaped connecting member having the tip connected to the end face of the metal battery cell. The number of parts is smaller than in the case of using a pack case, and precise process control such as the case of resin molding on a metal battery cell is not required, and the number of steps is reduced. , A considerable cost reduction can be achieved. In addition, since the fixing of the circuit board block to the battery cells and the sealing therebetween are performed by fixing both the metal connecting members and the end faces of the battery cells, resin molding is performed on the metal battery cells. As compared with the case, secure fixing and sealing are achieved, and the yield is improved. Further, in this battery pack, the size and thickness can be reduced by the amount that the pack case is not required.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIGS. 1A to 1D are cross-sectional views sequentially showing a manufacturing process of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views sequentially illustrating a manufacturing process of a battery bag according to another embodiment of the present invention.
3 (a) to 3 (c) are a plan view and a cut-away plan view sequentially showing a manufacturing process of a conventional battery pack.
FIGS. 4A to 4C are cross-sectional views sequentially showing a process of manufacturing another conventional battery pack.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 battery cell 7 circuit board 13, 27 circuit board block 14, 28 resin coating 17 recess 18, 30 communication hole 21 rivet (rod-shaped connecting member)
22 Resistance welding machine 23 Resin exterior part 29 Step part

Claims

In a battery pack in which a battery cell and a circuit board on which a battery protection circuit for controlling charging and discharging of the battery cell is mounted are integrally packaged,
A resin-coated portion having a circuit board block integrally formed on the circuit board in an arrangement covering an outer surface of the circuit board,
The distal end of a metal rod-shaped connecting member inserted into the communication hole of the resin coating portion is fixed to the metal end surface of the battery cell, and the circuit board block is pressed against the end surface of the battery cell by the connecting member. A battery pack fixed in a state.

A concave portion or a step portion and a communication hole penetrating from the concave portion or the step portion to the opposite surface thereof are formed in the resin coating portion of the circuit board block, and the connecting member has a head portion of the concave portion or the step portion. 2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein a connection shaft portion is inserted into the communication hole in a state in which the connection shaft portion is in contact with the bottom surface of the battery pack.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member and the end surface of the battery cell are connected to each other by resistance welding.

4. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein a resin exterior part covering an outer surface of the circuit board block and a part of a side surface close to an end face of the battery cell is formed integrally with the circuit board block and the battery cell. 5. .