JP2006040819A - Power source module and vehicle loaded with power source module - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power source module and a vehicle loaded with the power source module capable of preventing breakage of a voltage detection lead wire by vibration. <P>SOLUTION: This power source module has a plurality of power supply cells 20, a power supply case 10 housing the power supply cells 20, a bus bar 30 connecting between power supply cells 20, the voltage detection lead wire 50 connected with the bus bar 30, and a holding part 40 covering and holding the voltage detection lead wire 50 and fixed between the power supply case 10 and the bus bar 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply module in which a plurality of power supply cells are combined and housed in a power supply case.

  In recent years, reduction of carbon dioxide emissions has been strongly desired for environmental protection. In the automobile industry, there is a great expectation for reducing carbon dioxide emissions by introducing electric vehicles (EV) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV). ing.

  Examples of power sources that have been developed include secondary batteries such as lithium ion batteries and nickel metal hydride batteries, and electric double layer capacitors. Usually, these power supply devices are called single cells and have a metal can or laminate package exterior. A plurality of cells are arranged and fixed in a power supply case formed of resin, metal or the like and used as a power supply module.

  In the power supply module, cells are connected to each other through a bus bar (collecting connector) in a power supply case. A voltage detection lead is connected to the bus bar, and the voltage of each cell is monitored. Since the voltage detection conductor only allows a minute current to flow, it is constituted by a relatively thin conductor.

The power supply module as described above is provided with a packing between the cell and the power supply case in order to reduce the influence of vibration of the vehicle or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The bus bar and the cell are fixed.
JP 2001-345082 A

  In the power supply module as described above, since the packing absorbs the impact, the cell is not damaged. However, the cell or bus bar and the power supply case are relatively moved by vibration. Here, since the voltage detecting lead is fixed to both the bus bar and the power supply case, the voltage detecting lead is pulled or shrunk by relative movement.

  As a result, there is a possibility that the voltage detection lead wire is disconnected, or the coupling portion between the voltage detection lead wire and the bus bar is disconnected.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a power supply module capable of preventing damage to a voltage detection lead wire due to vibration and a vehicle equipped with the power supply module.

  The power supply module of the present invention includes a plurality of power cells, a power supply case that houses the power cells, a current collector connection that connects the power cells, and a voltage detection connector that is connected to the current collector connection. It has a conducting wire and a holding part which covers and holds the voltage detecting conducting wire and is fixed between the power supply case and the current collector connector.

  According to the power supply module of the present invention, the voltage detection lead is covered and held by the holding portion fixed between the power supply case and the current collector connection body. Therefore, the force due to the relative movement of the power supply case and the current collector connector does not act on the voltage detection lead. As a result, it is possible to prevent disconnection of the voltage detection lead wire due to the relative mobility of the power supply case and the current collector connection member and disconnection of the voltage detection lead wire from the current collector connection member.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a power supply module of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an external appearance of the power supply module of the present invention. In addition, the arrow in FIG. 1 shows the flow of the air which passes through the inside of a power supply module.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the power supply module includes a plurality of power supply cells 20 arranged in a power supply case 10. The power cells 20 are electrically connected to each other by a bus bar (current collector connector) 30.

  The power supply case 10 is provided with ventilation holes 11 on both side surfaces. Air passes through the ventilation hole 11 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The wind passing through the ventilation hole 11 may be due to ventilation by a fan or the like, or may be due to natural intake of a traveling vehicle. In the power supply case 10, power supply terminals 31 protrude from the inside on both side surfaces, and power can be taken out from the power supply case 10 through the power supply terminals 31. A voltage detection terminal 32 protrudes from the upper surface of the power supply case 10.

  The power supply case 10 is made of, for example, a hard resin such as reinforced polypropylene, or aluminum whose surface is coated with a nonconductor for insulation. However, the material of the power supply case 10 is not limited to these.

  The power cell 20 is a power source including a power generation element, and is, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel metal hydride battery, or a capacitor such as an electric double layer capacitor. The power cell 20 itself may be a single battery or an assembled battery in which a plurality of single batteries are combined. The power cell 20 uses a metal can or a laminate package for the exterior.

  The power cell 20 has a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal (not shown) extending from the exterior. The positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are connected to the bus bar 30 and connected to the negative electrode terminal and the positive electrode terminal of another power supply cell 20. Thereby, the power cells 20 are connected in series.

  The bus bar 30 is disposed across different power cells 20 and connects the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the power cell 20. The bus bar 30 is provided with a power supply terminal 31.

  The power terminal 31 extends from only the bus bar 30 disposed at the end of the plurality of bus bars 30 and is drawn out of the power supply case 10. The power terminal 31 draws the total power of the connected power cell 20 as a positive electrode and a negative electrode.

  The bus bar 30 is connected to a voltage detection lead wire 50 which will be described later. The voltage detection lead wire 50 is further connected to a voltage detection terminal 32.

  The voltage detection terminal 32 is pulled out from the inside of the power supply case 10 for voltage detection in order to detect the voltage of each power supply cell 20. The voltage detection terminal 32 is fixed to a hole provided in the power supply case 10.

  A holding unit 40 is attached on the bus bar 30. The holding unit 40 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the holding portion, and FIG. 5 is a side view of the holding portion.

  The holding | maintenance part 40 contains the holding | maintenance part main body 41, the airflow control part 42, and the weight part 43, as shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the holding unit main body 41 is disposed and fixed between the power supply case 10 and the bus bar 30. The holding part main body 41 covers and holds the voltage detection lead wire 50. The voltage detection lead wire 50 is soldered and connected to a lead wire connecting portion 33 provided on the bus bar 30. The voltage detection lead wire 50 is connected to detect the voltage of the power supply cell 20.

  The holding part main body 41 is fixed by fitting a voltage detection terminal 32 at the upper part and a conductor connecting part 33 at the lower part. That is, the holding part main body 41 covers the entire voltage detection lead wire 50 including the connection part between the voltage detection lead wire 50, the voltage detection terminal 32 and the lead wire connection part 33.

  An airflow control unit 42 is attached to the holding unit main body 41 laterally. In the present embodiment, the airflow control unit 42 is formed in a flat plate shape. The airflow control unit 42 is attached to the holding unit main body 41 with a slight inclination with respect to the direction of the airflow indicated by an arrow in FIG.

  The airflow control part 42 has a weight part 43 heavier than other parts. The weight part 43 is attached to the tip of the airflow control part 42.

  As described above, the holding unit 40 has a shape in which the holding unit main body 41 and the weight unit 43 are connected by the airflow control unit 42 and constitutes a dynamic vibration absorber. A dynamic vibration absorber is a mass that has a damping, causes a relative displacement between the main system and absorbs vibration energy of the main system. Here, the mass with attenuation corresponds to the weight portion 43, and the main system corresponds to the holding portion main body 41.

A dynamic vibration absorber is generally effective as a means for reducing vibrations of machines and structures. Assuming that the vibration frequency of the holding unit 40 is ω (s ⁻² ), the mass of the weight unit 43 is m (kg), and the spring constant of the airflow control unit 42 is k (kg · s ⁻² ), ω ² = k / m It is desirable to satisfy. Here, when the air flow control unit 42 is regarded as a beam having one degree of freedom, k is approximately expressed as k = 3 · E · I / l ³ based on the motion equation of the beam / mass point vibration system. The E · I is the bending rigidity of the beam, and l is the length of the airflow control unit 42.

  The vibration of the vehicle is not uniquely determined because it varies depending on various conditions. However, it is generally between a few Hz and a few hundred Hz. In the present invention, the connection portion of the voltage detection lead wire 50 to be attenuated is greatly influenced by high frequency. Therefore, it is desirable to determine the elastic modulus, the cross-sectional shape, and the mass of the weight part 43 of the airflow control unit 42 so that vibration of several hundred Hz can be attenuated.

(Function, effect)
Next, the operation and effect of the power supply module of the first embodiment will be described.

  As described above, the power supply module includes a plurality of power supply cells 20 connected in series by the bus bar 30. When various devices are connected to the power terminal 31 of the bus bar 30 at the end, a current flows through the power cell 20.

  When a current flows through the power cell 20, the temperature of the power cell 20 rises. Here, the air is blown in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 through the ventilation holes 11 provided on both sides of the power supply case 10. As shown by arrows in FIG. 5, the direction of the blown wind is partially changed to the power cell 20 side by the air flow control unit 42. Therefore, the blown wind directly hits the power cell 20. Thereby, the power cell 20 is efficiently cooled.

  In addition, when the power supply module is mounted on the vehicle, vibration is given to the power supply module. Here, the holding part 40 fixed between the power supply case 10 and the bus bar 30 protects the voltage detection conductor 50 extending from the bus bar 30. In particular, the holding portion 40 protects the voltage detection lead wire 50 including the connection portion where the voltage detection lead wire 50 is connected to the voltage detection terminal 32 and the lead wire connection portion 33. Therefore, the force due to the relative movement of the power supply case 10 and the bus bar 30 does not act on the voltage detection lead wire 50. As a result, the voltage detection lead wire 50 is not disconnected at the center, and the connection portion between the voltage detection terminal 32 and the lead wire connection portion 33 is not disconnected.

  In the holding unit 40, a dynamic vibration absorber is configured by the holding unit main body 41, the airflow control unit 42, and the weight unit 43. Therefore, even if the power supply module vibrates, the holding unit 40 absorbs the vibration. Therefore, it is possible to reliably reduce the influence of the vibration on the voltage detection lead wire 50.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the second embodiment, the holding unit 40 is deformed.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a holding portion according to the second embodiment. A holding unit 40a illustrated in FIG. 6 includes an air flow control unit 42a instead of the air flow control unit 42 and the weight unit 43 of the first embodiment.

  The holding part 40a shown in FIG. 6 is formed in a plate shape that becomes thicker as the airflow control part 42a moves away from the holding part main body 41. Therefore, the air flow control unit 42a becomes a mass having a greater weight and attenuating as the distance from the holding unit main body 41 increases. Thereby, a dynamic vibration absorber is formed by the holding part main body 41 and the airflow control part 42a, and the vibration of the holding part main body 41 is reduced.

  Moreover, the airflow control part 42a is attached to the holding | maintenance part main body 41 inclining so that the direction of an airflow may be controlled to the power supply cell 20 side similarly to 1st Embodiment. Therefore, the cooling efficiency of the power cell 20 can be improved by applying the air flow to the power cell 20.

(Third embodiment)
In the third embodiment, the holding portion 40 is further deformed.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a holding unit according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a side view of the holding unit according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 8, the weight portion 43 is omitted for clarity of the airflow control portion 42b.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the third embodiment has an air flow control unit 42b instead of the air flow control unit 42 of the first embodiment. The airflow control unit 42b is formed in a plate shape that is curved from the upstream side of the airflow toward the power cell 20 side. A weight unit 43 is attached to the airflow control unit 42b.

  Since the air flow control unit 42b is provided as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the air flow is changed in direction and directed toward the power cell 20 as shown by an arrow in FIG. Thereby, the cooling efficiency of the power cell 20 can be improved.

  Moreover, since the weight part 43 is provided, the holding | maintenance part 40 comprises a dynamic vibration absorber and can absorb a vibration.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, the holding unit 40 is further deformed.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a holding unit according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a side view of the holding unit according to the fourth embodiment. In addition, in FIG. 10, the weight part 43 is abbreviate | omitted for the clarity of the airflow control part 42c.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in the fourth embodiment, the holding unit 40c includes a plurality of air flow control units 42c instead of the air flow control unit 42 of the first embodiment. Each airflow control unit 42c is attached to the holding unit main body 41 so as to be inclined so as to control the direction of the airflow toward the power cell 20 side. A weight part 43c is attached to each airflow control part 42c.

  Since the airflow control unit 42c is provided, the direction of the airflow is changed as shown by the arrow in FIG. Thereby, the cooling efficiency of the power cell 20 can be improved.

  Moreover, since the weight part 43c is provided, the holding | maintenance part 40c comprises a some dynamic vibration absorber, and can absorb a vibration.

(Fifth embodiment)
In the fifth embodiment, the inclination angle of each airflow control unit 42 is changed for the holding units 40 arranged in the ventilation direction.

  FIG. 11 is a side view showing holding parts arranged in the ventilation direction. When air flows in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 11, the inclination angle with respect to the direction of the airflow is smaller in the one arranged on the upstream side of the airflow than in the one arranged on the downstream side. A relatively small amount of air can be sent to the power cell 20 side on the upstream side where the airflow is large, and a relatively large amount of air can be sent on the downstream side where the airflow is small.

  Therefore, although the airflow becomes weaker as it goes downstream due to the influence of the obstacle in the case, the airflow can sufficiently reach the downstream power cell 20 by increasing the inclination angle of the airflow control unit 42 as it goes downstream.

(Sixth embodiment)
In the sixth embodiment, a modification of the ventilation hole 11 provided in the power supply case 10 will be described.

  12 to 14 are perspective views showing modifications of the ventilation window.

  The shape of the ventilation window 11 opened in the power supply case 10 can take various forms depending on the configuration inside the power supply case and the environment where the power supply case is set.

  As shown in FIG. 12, a mesh-shaped ventilation hole 11a can be provided. The ventilation hole 11 a is provided over the entire height of the power supply case 10. Thereby, airflow can be applied to the wide part of the internal power supply cell 20, and the heat dissipation can be improved.

  Moreover, since the ventilation hole 11a is formed in the mesh shape, the penetration | invasion of the foreign material from the power supply case 10 exterior can be reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the ventilation hole 11b can also be made into a louver shape. In this case, it is possible to further suppress foreign matters entering from the ventilation holes 11b.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the ventilation hole 11c can be formed not only on the surface perpendicular to the ventilation direction but also on the side surface. Furthermore, a plurality of ventilation holes 11 c can be provided over the entire height of the power supply case 10. Thus, by providing the plurality of ventilation holes 11c, the heat dissipation of the power cell 20 can be further promoted.

(Seventh embodiment)
In the seventh embodiment, the power supply module of the first to sixth embodiments is mounted as a driving power supply to constitute a vehicle. As a vehicle using a power supply module as a power supply for a motor, for example, an automobile in which wheels are driven by a motor, such as an electric vehicle and a hybrid vehicle.

  For reference, FIG. 15 shows a schematic diagram of an automobile 60 on which a power supply module is mounted. A power supply module mounted on an automobile has the characteristics described above. That is, since the power supply module also has an effect of cooling the power supply cell, an automobile equipped with the power supply module has high durability.

It is a schematic perspective view of the power supply module of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the external appearance of the power supply module of this invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1. It is a perspective view of a holding part. It is a side view of a holding part. It is a perspective view which shows the holding | maintenance part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the holding | maintenance part which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a side view of the holding | maintenance part which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the holding | maintenance part which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a side view of the holding | maintenance part which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a side view which shows the holding part arranged in a ventilation direction. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of a ventilation window. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of a ventilation window. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of a ventilation window. It is the schematic of the motor vehicle carrying a power supply module.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... Power supply case,
11, 11a-c ... vent hole,
20 ... power cell,
30 ... Bus bar,
31 ... Power terminal,
32 ... Voltage detection terminal,
33 ... Conductor connection part,
40, 40a-c ... holding part,
41 ... holding unit body,
42, 42a-c ... airflow control unit,
43, 43c ... parts by weight,
50 ... Conductor for voltage detection,
60 ... car.

Claims (10)

Multiple power cells;
A power case housing the power cell;
A current collector connector for connecting the power cells;
A voltage detection lead connected to the current collector, and
Covering and holding the voltage detection lead, and a holding part fixed between the power supply case and the current collector connection body,
A power supply module comprising: An airflow is generated in the power supply case,
The power supply module according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit is provided with an airflow control unit that controls a direction of the airflow toward the power cell.   The power supply module according to claim 2, wherein the airflow control unit is inclined with respect to the direction of the airflow, and the airflow collides with the inclination to change the direction of the airflow.   4. The power supply module according to claim 2, wherein the airflow control unit is formed in a flat plate shape extending from the holding unit, and has a weight part heavier than other parts.   4. The power supply module according to claim 2, wherein the airflow control unit is formed in a plate shape that becomes thicker as the distance from the holding unit increases. 5.   The said airflow control part is formed in the plate shape curved toward the said power supply cell side from the upstream of the said airflow, and has a weight part heavier than another part, The Claim 2 or Claim 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The listed power supply module.   The power supply module according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of the airflow control units are provided in one holding unit.   8. The airflow control unit according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the airflow control unit is arranged at an upstream side of the airflow and has a smaller inclination angle with respect to the direction of the airflow than that arranged at the downstream side. Or the power supply module according to any one of the above items.   The power module according to claim 1, wherein the power cell is a lithium ion secondary battery.   A vehicle comprising the power supply module according to claim 1 as a drive power supply.

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