JP2005116436A - Packed battery - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a packed battery most suited as a compact and light-weight power source for supplying large energy in high density. <P>SOLUTION: The packed battery is provided with a plurality of laminated single cells 1, conductive washers 50 having conductivity and insulating washers 51 having insulation. The conductive washers 50 and the insulating washers 51 are alternately arrayed in the lamination direction of the single cells 1, and electrically connect the single cells in the lamination direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an assembled battery that is optimal as a power source that supplies large energy with high energy density, small size, and light weight.

  In recent years, in response to growing environmental awareness, there is a movement to shift the power source of automobiles from an engine using fossil fuel to a motor using electric energy. For this reason, the technology of the battery that serves as a power source for the motor is also rapidly developing.

  An automobile is desired to be equipped with a battery that is small and light and can be charged and discharged with a large amount of electric power and has excellent vibration resistance and heat dissipation. As an assembled battery excellent in heat dissipation capable of supplying large electric power, there is a battery as shown in Patent Document 1 below.

The assembled battery disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of flat unit cells that are electrically connected in series, in parallel, or in series-parallel at predetermined intervals in the thickness direction of the unit cells, A pressing member that presses the unit cells on both sides is arranged on the side, and a plurality of unit cells are fixed by an exterior member. By adopting such a structure, the heat dissipation characteristics of the single battery are improved, and the cycle characteristics and rate characteristics of the assembled battery are improved.
JP 2000-195480 A (see paragraph numbers “0014” to “0029” and the descriptions of FIGS. 1, 2, and 4)

  Since the assembled battery of Patent Document 1 uses a flat battery as a single battery, the battery has the same energy capacity and higher energy density than a conventional assembled battery configured using a battery other than the flat battery. If so, downsizing is possible. For this reason, the assembled battery comprised by the flat battery is suitable as a battery for motor vehicles from the point of a small size and a high energy density.

  However, since the assembled battery of Patent Document 1 is an assembled battery developed for a power storage system, it can be used as an assembled battery for an automobile that requires production efficiency, size reduction and weight reduction, vibration resistance, and high reliability. In order to do so, it is necessary to make significant improvements to the structure.

  Specifically, it is necessary to consider the structure of an assembled battery that can increase the production efficiency, and in order to reduce the size and weight, the assembled battery is configured by arranging cells to maximize the volumetric efficiency with as few parts as possible. In addition, even if charging and discharging are repeated frequently, the gas generated inside the cell does not cause a decrease in capacity and life, and it is stable even if it is constantly exposed to vibration. Thus, it is necessary to make various improvements such as having a structure having vibration resistance that can be operated in an efficient manner and efficiently dissipating heat even if the cells are arranged at a very high density.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an assembled battery having an optimum structure as a power source that can supply large energy with high energy density, small size and light weight, which can meet the above-described requirements.

  The assembled battery of the present invention includes a plurality of stacked flat unit cells, conductive means having conductivity, and insulating means having insulation, and the conductive means and the insulating means include the single unit. The battery cells are alternately arranged in the stacking direction of the cells with the output ends of the unit cells interposed therebetween, and the unit cells are electrically connected in the stacking direction.

  According to the present invention, the conductive means and the insulating means are alternately arranged in the stacking direction of the unit cells with the output ends of the unit cells interposed therebetween, and the unit cells are electrically connected in the stacking direction. There is no need to carry out the process, the number of man-hours can be reduced, and a circuit for easily connecting the cells in the assembled battery can be configured.

  The assembled battery according to the present invention is an assembled battery in which a plurality of unit cells are stacked, and includes a conductive washer (conductive means) of a conductive member and an insulating washer (insulating means) of an insulating member. It is characterized by constituting a circuit for connecting single cells.

  This feature can be applied to various types of assembled batteries. Hereinafter, the assembled battery according to the present invention is divided into [Embodiment 1] to [Embodiment 3] and will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an assembled battery according to the first embodiment.

  First, a schematic configuration of the assembled battery of the present invention will be described, and details of each part will be described later.

  The assembled battery of the present invention includes a plurality of stacked flat unit cells 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as unit cells), a heat sink 2 stacked together with the unit cells 1, between the unit cells 1, and between the unit cells 1 and the heat sink. And a high friction sheet 3 disposed between the holding unit 4 and the holding unit 4 that holds the plurality of unit cells 1 pressed together from both sides in the stacking direction. The high friction sheet 3 is shown in FIG.

  The unit cells 1 are connected in series in the stacking direction. Two electrode tabs extending from the unit cell 1 are connected so as not to be short-circuited by alternately arranging conductive washers and insulating washers arranged between the tabs. Details will be described later.

  Hereinafter, each configuration will be described in detail.

<Single cell>
2 is a perspective view showing the unit cell, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the assembled battery shown in FIG.

  The unit cell 1 is a flat battery, and includes a plurality of stacked power generation elements (not shown) in which a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator are sequentially stacked. The unit cell 1 is a secondary battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery, for example. In the assembled battery, the unit cells 1 are stacked in the same direction as the stacking direction of the power generation elements included.

  The unit cell 1 includes a positive electrode tab 10 and a negative electrode tab 12 as electrode tabs that are two output ends extending in a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction. In the unit cell 1, holes 11 and 13 are provided in the positive electrode tab 10 and the negative electrode tab 12, respectively.

  In the cell 1, the insulating pins 52 (see FIG. 7) whose surfaces are insulated are inserted into the holes 11 and 13. As shown in FIG. 3, in the unit cell 1 positioned in the stacking direction, the polarity of the electrode tab is alternately positive and negative in the stacking direction, that is, the positive electrode tab 10 and the negative electrode tab 12 are alternately stacked.

  Conductive washers 50 or insulating washers are alternately arranged on the insulating pins 52 with the positive electrode tab 10 and the negative electrode tab 12 interposed therebetween. For example, in the case shown in FIG. 3, an insulating washer 51 is disposed between the positive electrode tab 10 and the negative electrode tab 12 in the upper layer, and between the negative electrode tab 12 and the positive electrode tab 10 in the upper layer. The conductive washer 50 is arranged.

  The conduction washer 50 is formed of a conductive metal such as copper, and electrically connects the positive electrode tab 10 and the negative electrode tab 12 that are in contact with the upper and lower sides thereof. The insulating washer 51 is formed of an insulating metal such as ceramic, and insulates the positive electrode tab 10 and the negative electrode tab 12 that are in contact with the upper and lower sides thereof. The conductive washer 50 and the insulating washer 51 also serve as a spacer so that the positive electrode tab 10 and the negative electrode tab 12 of the unit cell 1 are not in direct contact.

  Focusing on the same level of washer, in this embodiment, the insulating washer 51 is disposed on the positive terminal 10 and the conductive washer 50 is disposed on the negative terminal 11.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the positive electrode tabs 10 and the negative electrode tabs 12 are alternately arranged in the stacking direction, thereby connecting the cells 1 so that a current flows from the upper layer to the lower layer of the stack. Is configured. When a current is desired to flow from the lower layer to the upper layer, the arrangement of the conductive washer 50 and the insulating washer 51 is reversed.

  The insulation pin 52 is subjected to insulation treatment by covering the surface of the metal rod with a heat shrinkable tube or painting, coating or covering with a resin. The insulation pin 52 is tightened with a nut 53 from above and below. Thereby, the electrode tabs 10 and 12 of the unit cell 1 are firmly sandwiched between the conduction washer 50 and the insulating washer 51. Therefore, conduction or insulation between the electrode tabs 10 and 12 is ensured.

  Here, the surface roughness of the conductive washer 50 and the insulating washer 51 is preferably as small as possible. If the surface roughness is large, the surface of the conductive washer 50 and the insulating washer 51 will be sunk when the nuts 53 are clamped from both sides. This is because the connection resistance with the electrode tabs 10 and 12 is lowered because the electrical resistance between the electrode tabs 10 and 12 increases.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the case of a circuit configuration in which current flows from the upper layer to the lower layer, power terminals are arranged between the nut 53a and the conductive washer 50 and between the nut 53b and the insulating washer 51b. By making it possible to take out the current, for example, the battery voltage can be detected by a controller (not shown). The power terminal can also be used when a plurality of assembled batteries shown in FIG. 1 are combined.

<Heatsink>
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing two types of heat sinks.

  As shown in FIG. 5, there are two types of heat sinks 2, an outer layer heat sink 2 a arranged in the outermost layer of the assembled battery and an inner layer heat sink 2 b laminated together with the unit cell 1.

  Each of the heat sinks 2a and 2b has a plurality of ventilation holes 20 through which a refrigerant such as air can pass. These ventilation holes 20 are formed by forming a plurality of grooves on the surfaces of the two plate materials, and bonding the two plate materials so that the grooves fit each other. This is because it is difficult to cut out the ventilation holes in the very thin heat sinks 2a and 2b. In the present embodiment, as described above, the heat sink is formed of two plates, but may be formed as a single member by, for example, extrusion molding.

The outer heat sink 2a is formed with a notch 21 for exposing the electrode tabs 10 and 12 of the unit cells 1 to be laminated. Holes 22 are formed at four corners with the notch 21 in between. The hole 22 is disposed between the outer layer heat sinks 2a and is provided for attaching a pressurizing unit 40 (see FIG. 5) for applying a surface pressure necessary for the unit cell 1.

  The inner layer heat sink 2b does not have the hole 22 like the outer layer heat sink 2a. When the inner layer heat sink 2b is stacked on the assembled battery, the inner layer heat sink 2b is held by the surface pressure by the pressure unit 40 together with the unit cell 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the inner layer heat sink 2 b is disposed between the unit cells 1 such that when four unit cells 1 are stacked, one unit is stacked thereon. Thereby, the heat_generation | fever of the cell 1 of the center of lamination | stacking can also be dissipated.

<High friction sheet>
The high-friction sheet 3 is disposed between the single cells 1 or between the single cells 1 and the heat sink 2 as shown by thick lines in FIGS. 3 and 4. The high friction sheet 3 is formed, for example, by forming silicon rubber into a sheet shape. Silicon rubber expresses a higher frictional resistance than the frictional resistance when the single cells 1 are directly laminated. Therefore, by interposing between the single cells 1 or between the single cells 1 and the heat sink 2, these lateral shifts are prevented.

  On the other hand, the high friction sheet 3 expresses a high frictional force against lateral displacement, but hardly exhibits an adhesive force against the stacking direction of the unit cells 1. Therefore, the high friction sheet 3 has non-adhesiveness with respect to the unit cell 1 and the heat sink 2. In other words, the high friction sheet 3 does not permanently join the single cells 1 or the single cells 1 and the heat sink 2 but has a property of separating them in the stacking direction when desired.

<Holding means>
The holding means 4 includes an outer layer heat sink 2a (holding plate) stacked on the outermost layer, a pressure unit 40 disposed between the outer layer heat sinks 2a, and a nut 41 for attaching the pressure unit 40 to the outer layer heat sink 2a.

  As described above, the outer layer heat sink 2a is stacked on the outermost layer of the assembled battery and functions as a cooling means for cooling the unit cell 1. On the other hand, the outer layer heat sink 2a also functions as part of a holding unit that holds the unit cell 1 and the inner layer heat sink 2b that are stacked in the middle while applying a surface pressure in the stacking direction. As a part of the holding means, the outer layer heat sink 2a is applied with a force in a direction in which the outer layer heat sink 2a approaches each other by the pressing unit 40.

  The pressurizing unit 40 is inserted into the hole 22 provided in the outer layer heat sink 2 a and fastened by a nut 41. A specific configuration of the pressurizing unit 40 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

  5 is a view showing the pressurizing unit, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 5A is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the pressure unit, FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the configuration of the spring holding portion, and FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the initial state of the pressure unit. FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a state in which the pressure unit 40 is attached between the outer layer heat sinks 2a.

  The pressurizing unit 40 includes a tension coil spring 42 (elastic body) and spring holding portions 43 that hold both ends of the tension coil spring 42.

  The tension coil spring 42 is attached between the outer heat sinks 2a in a stretched state, thereby acting to contract and expressing an elastic force in a direction in which the outer heat sinks 2a approach each other.

The spring holding portion 43 includes a main body portion 44, a threaded portion 45 having a thread formed at a pitch P2 larger than the pitch P1 of the tension coil spring 42, and a butt extending from the threaded portion 45 toward the center of the tension coil spring 42. Part 46 and an insertion part 47 extending from main body part 44 and inserted into outer layer heat sink 2a.

  The main body 44 abuts against the tension coil spring 42 so that it does not come off. In addition, the main body 44 also contacts the outer layer heat sink 2a when the pressure unit 40 is attached to the assembled battery, and also plays a role of determining the extension of the tension coil spring 42.

  As shown in the figure, the screwing portion 45 is screwed into the end portion of the tension coil spring 42 and is screwed into the inside of the tension coil spring 42 to fix it. As shown in FIG. 5B, the threaded portion 45 has a thread having a pitch P2 formed on the surface thereof. The pitch P2 of the threaded portion 45 is larger than the pitch P1 of the tension coil spring 42. Therefore, the screwing portion 45 can be screwed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. By screwing the screwing portion 45, the butting portion 46 advances toward the center of the tension coil spring 42.

  When the screwing portion 45 is screwed in from both ends of the tension coil spring 42, as shown in FIG. 5 (A), the butting portion 46 proceeding from both sides comes into contact. In this state, the tension coil spring 42 is extended from its natural length, and an initial tension is applied as an initial state of the pressure unit 40.

  The insertion part 47 is formed with a thread that can be fastened to the nut 41 at the tip. A slit 48 for preventing rotation described later is provided at the head of the insertion portion 47. The spring holding portion 43 can be easily prevented from rotating by inserting a flathead screwdriver into the slit 48.

  When the pressurizing unit 40 as described above is disposed between the outer layer heat sinks 2a, the result is as shown in 6 (A).

  Here, the insertion portion 47 is inserted into the hole 22 of the outer layer heat sink 2a. In this state, the insertion portion 47 of the other spring holding portion 43 is fastened with the nut 41 while preventing the one spring holding portion 43 from rotating. Then, the spring holding part 43 is pulled toward the nut 41 side. When this is performed by both spring holding portions 43, as shown in FIG. 6B, the spring holding portion 43 is relatively separated while holding the tension coil spring 42, and the tension coil spring 42 is interposed between the outer heat sinks 2a. It is held in a stretched state.

  In this manner, the tension coil spring 42 is stretched in accordance with the width between the outer layer heat sinks 2a, so that an elastic force in the contracting direction by the tension coil spring 42 can be obtained regardless of the tightening torque of the nut 41. The elastic force is applied to the unit cell 1 by the outer layer heat sink 2a.

<Assembly procedure>
Next, how the assembled battery of the present invention is assembled will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing how the assembled battery is assembled.

  As shown in FIG. 7, first, the outer layer heat sink 2a is disposed, and the unit cell 1 is laminated thereon. Here, in the cell 1, the electrode tabs 10 and 12 are inserted into the insulating pins 52 so that the positive electrode tabs 10 and the negative electrode tabs 12 are alternately arranged in the stacking direction. Each time the electrode tabs 10, 12 of the unit cell 1 are inserted into the insulating pin 52, the conduction washer 50 or the insulating washer 51 is also inserted into the insulating pin 52.

Insulation pins 5 and conduction washers 50 and insulation washers 51 are alternately arranged in the stacking direction.
2 is inserted. On the positive electrode tab 10 and the negative electrode tab 12 of the same unit cell 1, it arrange | positions so that the conduction washer 50 may contact one, and it arrange | positions so that the insulation washer 51 may contact the other. That is, different types of washers are arranged on the positive electrode tab 10 and the negative electrode tab 12 of the same unit cell 1.

  After stacking the unit cells 1 in a plurality of stages, for example, after stacking four unit cells 1, the inner layer heat sink 2 b is disposed. Thus, after repeating lamination | stacking with the cell 1 and the inner layer heat sink 2b, the outer layer heat sink 2a is laminated | stacked finally. The pressure unit 40 is disposed between the outer layer heat sinks 2a, and is fastened with the nut 41 until the tension coil spring 42 of the pressure unit 40 extends between the outer layer heat sinks 2a. The assembled battery shown in FIG. 1 is assembled by the above procedure.

  When the unit cell 1, the outer layer heat sink 2a, and the inner layer heat sink 2b are stacked, the high friction sheet 3 is attached to the surfaces thereof.

  In the first embodiment, only one assembled battery stacked vertically is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. A battery module with higher output can be obtained by arranging a plurality of assembled batteries formed by laminating a plurality of unit cells 1 and connecting them together. In this case, the assembled batteries are electrically connected to each other by a bus bar attached to both the one assembled battery and the other assembled battery. The bus bar is attached and fixed to the insulating pin 52 together with the nut 53, for example.

  As described above, in the battery pack of Embodiment 1, the conductive washer 50 and the insulating washer 51 are alternately inserted in the stacking direction between the positive electrode tab 10 and the negative electrode tab 12 of the unit cell 1 inserted through the insulating pin 52. ing. Therefore, a circuit for connecting the stacked unit cells 1 can be easily configured by alternately arranging the conductive washers 50 and the insulating washers 51.

[Embodiment 2]
In the first embodiment, the case where the insulating pins 52 are directly inserted into the electrode tabs 10 and 12 of the unit cell 1 and the conductive washers 50 and the insulating washers 51 are alternately arranged on the insulating pins 52 has been described. In the second embodiment, the insulating pins 52 are not inserted directly into the electrode tabs 10, 12, but the insulating pins 52 are inserted into bus bars (output ends and parallel connection means) extending from the electrode tabs 10, 12, thereby connecting the conductive washers 50. A case where the insulating washers 51 are alternately arranged will be described.

  In the second embodiment, the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the assembled battery according to Embodiment 2 is assembled.

  As shown in FIG. 8, two unit cells 1 are made into one set, and the positive electrode tabs 10 and the negative electrode tabs 12 are connected by a bus bar 6, and the single cells 1 are connected in parallel. The bus bar 6 and the positive electrode tab 10 and the negative electrode tab 12 of the unit cell 1 are joined by welding, for example. That is, in this case, the output ends of the two unit cells 1 are the bus bars 6.

  Hereinafter, the bus bar 6 that joins the positive electrode tab 10 is referred to as a bus bar 6a, and the bus bar 6 that joins the negative electrode tab 12 is referred to as a bus bar 6b. The bus bars 6a and 6b are provided with holes 60 through which the insulating pins 52 can be inserted. When configuring an assembled battery, a set of unit cells 1 are stacked by inserting an insulating pin 52 into the hole 60. Here, when the unit cells 1 are stacked, the bus bars 6a and 6b are inserted through the insulating pins 52 so as to be alternated in the stacking direction. When the bus bars 6a and 6b are inserted into the insulating pins 52, the unit cell 1 is positioned.

  A conductive washer 50 or an insulating washer 51 is also inserted into the insulating pin 52. The conducting washers 50 and the insulating washers 51 are alternately arranged in the stacking direction one by one between the bus bars 6a and 6b. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, an insulating washer 51 is inserted on the lowermost bus bar 6a in the drawing, and a conductive washer 50 is inserted on the bus bar 6b above the insulating washer 51. .

  In FIG. 8, the heat sinks 2a and 2b are not shown in order to show a state in which the single cells 1 are stacked. However, when configuring the assembled battery, as in the first embodiment, the outer layer heat sink 2a is disposed in the outermost layer of the stack, and the heat sink 2b is stacked each time a plurality of unit cells 1 are stacked. And the pressurization unit 40 is arrange | positioned between the outer layer heat sinks 2a, and the cell 1 is hold | maintained, while a surface pressure is provided.

  As described above, in the assembled battery of the second embodiment, the bus bars 6a and 6b are alternately inserted into the insulating pins 52 in the stacking direction, and the conductive washers 50 and the insulating washers 51 are alternately connected to the insulating pins 52 in the stacking direction. It is inserted. Therefore, the unit cells 1 are connected in series in the stacking direction, and are connected in parallel in the direction orthogonal to the stacking direction.

  In the second embodiment, the example in which the two unit cells 1 are connected in parallel by the bus bar 6 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Three or more unit cells 1 may be connected in parallel.

[Embodiment 3]
In the first and second embodiments, the unit cells 1 are directly stacked. However, in Embodiment 3, the assembled battery is configured by stacking the unit cells 1 in a state of being arranged on the frame. Hereinafter, the assembled battery according to Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  9 is a perspective view showing the assembled battery according to Embodiment 3, FIG. 10 is a view showing a frame, FIG. 11 is a view showing a state of arranging the frame, and FIG. 12 is a view showing a process of assembling the assembled battery. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a circuit configuration in the assembled battery. In FIG. 12, the electrode tabs of the unit cells are omitted in order to make it easy to see the conductive washer and the insulating washer.

  In the assembled battery of the third embodiment, the outer layer heat sink 2a is disposed in the outermost layer of the stack, and the frame 7 and the inner layer heat sink 2b are stacked therebetween. Each time a plurality of frames 7 are stacked, the inner layer heat sink 2b is stacked.

  The assembled battery has a bus bar 8 attached to a predetermined portion in order to form a series circuit in the assembled battery. The bus bar 8 will be described later.

  First, the frame will be described.

<Frame>
As shown in FIG. 10, the frame 7 has a conductive washer 50 embedded on one side and an insulating washer 51 embedded on the other side. The conductive washer 50 is formed slightly thicker than the frame 7 and thinner than the unit cell 1. The insulating washer 51 is formed to be thicker than the frame 7 and thinner than the unit cell 1, similarly to the conductive washer 50.

A positioning portion 70 is formed on the frame 7 so that the unit cell 1 is fitted and disposed at a predetermined position. The positioning part 70 is a notch formed smaller than the outer shape of the unit cell 1. The positioning unit 70 is wide enough to hold the periphery of the unit cell 1 when the unit cell 1 is disposed on the positioning unit 70, and to be in contact with the other unit cells 1 in the lower layer or the upper layer other than the periphery. Has been. The unit cell 1 is positioned on the frame 7 so that the electrode tabs 10 and 12 are in contact with the conduction washer 50 and the insulating washer 51. When positioned, the positions of the holes of the conductive washer 50 and the insulating washer 51 coincide with the positions of the hole 11 of the positive electrode tab 10 and the hole 13 of the negative electrode tab 12 of the unit cell 1.

  The frame 7 is provided with a hole 71 through which the pressure unit 40 can be inserted during lamination. In the first and second embodiments, the pressure unit 40 is provided outside the unit cell 1 and between the outer layer heat sinks 2a. However, in the third embodiment, the pressure unit 40 penetrates the frame 7, the inner layer heat sink 2b, and the outer layer heat sink 2a. Provided between the outer heat sinks 2a.

  On the frame 7, it arrange | positions so that the direction of the positive electrode tab 10 of the adjacent cell 1 and the negative electrode tab 12 may become reverse. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the single cells 1 are arranged so that the positive electrode tabs 10 and the negative electrode tabs 12 of the single cells 1 are alternately arranged on the front side in the drawing.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the frame 7 in which the plurality of single cells 1 are arranged in this way is stacked with a plurality of pressurizing units 40 and insulating pins 52 inserted therethrough. The pressurizing unit 40 and the insulating pin 52 are both fixed to the outer layer heat sink 2a with a nut (not shown) and erected. Further, after assembling the assembled battery, the pressurizing unit 40 is fixed between the outer layer heat sinks 2a as shown in FIG. Apply surface pressure.

  When the frames 7 are stacked, the electrode tabs 10 and 12 of the unit cell 1 are arranged alternately in the stacking direction. For example, paying attention to one side of the frame 7 of the layer immediately below, when the electrode tabs are arranged in the order of the positive electrode tab 10, the negative electrode tab 12, the positive electrode tab 10, and the negative electrode tab 12, The electrode tabs are arranged in the order of the negative electrode tab 12, the positive electrode tab 10, the negative electrode tab 12, and the positive electrode tab 10. Furthermore, when the frames 7 are stacked, the conductive washers 50 and the insulating washers 51 are embedded in the frame 7 as described above, so that the conductive washers 50 and the insulating washers 51 alternate in the stacking direction. Laminate as follows.

  As described above, when the cells 1 are arranged on the frame 7 and the frames 7 are stacked, the cells 1 arranged in the stacking direction are connected in series. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, the cells 1 are stacked in four rows and connected in series. In the present embodiment, an assembly of four rows of unit cells 1 (hereinafter referred to as battery units 80a to 80d: refer to FIG. 9) formed by stacking battery units 80b and 80c from the upper layer toward the lower layer is the battery unit 80b. And 80d are connected in series from the lower layer to the upper layer, the arrangement direction of the electrode tabs 10 and 12 of each unit cell 1 and the arrangement position of the conductive washer 50 and the insulating washer 51 are determined.

  A bus bar 8 is used to connect the battery units 80a to 80d to each other. As shown in FIG. 9, the bus bar 8 connects the battery units 80a and 80b in the lowermost layer, connects the battery units 80b and 80c in the uppermost layer, and connects the battery units 80c and 80d in the lowermost layer.

  As described above, the plurality of battery units 80a to 80d are connected by the bus bar 8, so that all the single cells 1 in the assembled battery are connected in series. A schematic configuration of a circuit formed in the assembled battery at this time is as shown in FIG.

Since the electrode terminals 81 and 82 are connected to the uppermost negative electrode tab 12 of the battery unit 80a and the uppermost positive electrode tab 10 of the battery unit 80d, a high voltage is obtained.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, the frames 7 are stacked while the cells 1 are arranged on the frame 7. Here, a conductive washer 50 is incorporated on one side of the frame 7 and an insulating washer 51 is incorporated on the other side, and the frames 7 are laminated with their orientations reversed so that these washers 50 and 51 are alternately arranged in the laminating direction. ing. Therefore, as in the first and second embodiments, a circuit for connecting the unit cells 1 in series in the stacking direction is configured in the assembled battery.

  In the third embodiment, the example in which the cells 1 are arranged in four rows on the frame 7 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Two, three rows, or five or more rows of cells 1 may be arranged on the same frame.

  In the third embodiment, no voltage detection terminal for voltage detection is provided, but a voltage detection terminal 83 as shown in FIG. By providing the voltage detection terminal 83 between each conduction washer 50 and the insulating washer 51, the voltage of each unit cell 1 can be detected. Thereby, even after the assembled battery is mounted on the vehicle or the like, it is possible to detect the breakage or the like of the unit cell 1.

  As described above, the assembled battery of the present invention described in the first to third embodiments has the following effects.

  In the battery pack according to the present invention, the conductive washers 50 and the insulating washers 51 are alternately arranged in the stacking direction of the unit cells, and the unit cells 1 are electrically connected in the stacking direction. Therefore, it is necessary to perform welding soldering or the like. Therefore, the number of man-hours can be reduced, and a circuit for easily connecting the cells in the assembled battery can be configured. In particular, in Embodiment 3, since the conductive washer 50 and the insulating washer 51 are incorporated in the frame 7, the single cells 1 can be easily connected by simply stacking the frames 7 on which the single cells 1 are placed. A circuit can be constructed.

  Further, since the conductive washer 50 and the insulating washer 51 can be inserted into the insulating pin 52, the conductive washer 50 and the insulating washer 51 can be easily attached.

  In the first and third embodiments, the electrode tabs 10 and 12 of the unit cell 1 are also inserted through the insulating pin 52, but the hole diameters of the hole portions 11 and 13 and the outer diameter of the insulating pin 5 are substantially the same. If so, these positionings are also easy.

  In the second embodiment, the unit cells 1 connected in parallel can be connected in series by passing the insulating pin 52 through the bus bar 6.

  Furthermore, the surface pressure is applied to the unit cell 1 by the pressurizing unit 40. Therefore, even if the unit cell 1 is repeatedly charged and discharged frequently, the gas generated inside the unit cell 1 causes a decrease in capacity and a decrease in life. Absent.

  In addition, the assembled battery according to the present invention is laminated without providing a gap between the single cells 1, and the inner layer heat sinks 2 b corresponding to the required heat radiation amount are interposed, so that an appropriate surface pressure is not required for each single cell 1. Therefore, it is possible to construct a battery for automobile use that is small and has high energy density. Furthermore, since it is a solid structure with no gaps, it is highly synthesized and excellent in vibration resistance.

  In the first to third embodiments, all the batteries in the stacking direction are electrically joined by the conductive washer. Needless to say, for example, a party that is partly welded can be appropriately changed.

It is a perspective view which shows an assembled battery. It is a perspective view which shows a cell. It is AA sectional drawing of the assembled battery shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows two types of heat sinks. FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a pressurizing unit, FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of the pressurizing unit, and FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a spring holding unit. FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views taken along the line B-B in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an initial state of the pressurizing unit, and FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that an assembled battery is assembled. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state where an assembled battery according to Embodiment 2 is assembled. 6 is a perspective view showing an assembled battery according to Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a figure which shows a flame | frame. It is a figure which shows a mode that a flame | frame is arrange | positioned. It is a figure which shows the process of assembling an assembled battery. It is the schematic which shows the circuit structure in an assembled battery.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... single cell,
2, 2a, 2b ... heat sink,
3 ... High friction sheet,
4 ... holding means,
6, 6a, 6b ... bus bar,
7 ... Frame,
8 ... Bus bar,
10 ... positive electrode tab,
11 ... hole,
12 ... negative electrode tab,
13 ... hole,
15 ... convex part,
17 ... hole,
20 ... vent hole,
22 ... hole,
40 ... Pressure unit,
41 ... Nut,
42 ... tension coil spring,
43. Spring holding part,
44 ... body part,
45 ... screwing part,
46. Butting part,
47 ... insertion part,
48 ... Slit,
50: Conductive washer,
51. Insulating washer,
52. Insulating pin,
53 ... Nut,
80a-d ... battery unit,
81, 82 ... electrode terminals.

Claims (9)

A plurality of stacked flat cells,
A conductive means having electrical conductivity;
Insulating means having insulating properties;
Have
The conductive means and the insulating means are alternately arranged in the stacking direction of the unit cells with the output ends of the unit cells interposed therebetween, and electrically connect the unit cells in the stacking direction. The battery further includes an insulating pin extending in the stacking direction of the unit cells and having an insulating surface.
The conductive means and the insulating means include an insertion hole through which the insulating pin can be inserted,
2. The assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the conductive unit and the insulating unit are alternately inserted through the insulating pin with the output end interposed therebetween. The output end is an electrode tab extending in a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction,
The assembled battery according to claim 2, wherein the insulating pin is inserted into the electrode tab. The plurality of unit cells are stacked such that the electrode tabs of the batteries adjacent in the stacking direction are electrode tabs having different polarities from each other,
The plurality of stacked unit cells are connected in series with each other by arranging the conductive unit and the insulating unit alternately with electrode tabs as output ends of the unit cells interposed therebetween. Item 4. The assembled battery according to Item 3. A plurality of parallel assembled batteries in which a plurality of single cells arranged on one plane are connected in parallel by conductive parallel connection means, and the output terminals of the insulated single cells connected in parallel are used as the parallel connection means. Are stacked,
The assembled battery according to claim 2, wherein the insulating pin is inserted through the parallel connection means. It further has a plate-shaped frame for positioning and holding the unit cell,
By laminating a plurality of frames holding the unit cells in the thickness direction of the frame, a plurality of unit cells are laminated,
The assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the conductive unit and the insulating unit are incorporated in the frame. The frame includes at least one of the conductive means and the insulating means,
The assembled battery according to claim 6, wherein the position where the conductive means and the insulating means are incorporated is reversed between one frame and a frame one level above or one level below the frame.   3. The assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein voltage drawing means is provided between the conductive means and the insulating means arranged alternately in the stacking direction.   The assembled battery according to claim 1, further comprising a pressurizing unit that pressurizes the stacked unit cells from both sides in the stacking direction.

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