JP2006244756A - Film outer packaging electric device and film packaging electric device assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a film outer packaging electric device sufficiently conducting radiation of an electric device element on the inside even in the large capacity device and sufficiently ensuring stiffness as the whole of the film outer packaging electric device. <P>SOLUTION: A battery cell 50 has: two battery elements 22a, 22b; a passage forming member 30 arranged in a state interposed between the battery elements; and outer packaging films 24a, 24b for forming a sealed space in which the battery elements and the passage forming member are housed. The passage forming member 30 has a cooling air passage inside. Two long sides of the passage forming member are interposed between the outer packaging films 24a, 24b, and the cooling air passage 32 is passed through a film wrapping body comprising the outer packaging films, and extended. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a film-clad electrical device in which electrical device elements that store and output electrical energy represented by batteries and capacitors (capacitors) are housed in a film envelope, and a film exterior in which a plurality of the film-clad electrical devices are assembled. The present invention relates to an electrical device assembly.

  In recent years, for example, a lightweight and small battery has been developed as a power source for driving a motor of an electric vehicle. As this type of battery, for example, an assembled battery in which a plurality of battery cells 420A (also referred to as film-clad batteries) as shown in FIG. 18 are assembled is known. The battery cell 420A has a battery element 422 arranged in a sealed space formed by the exterior film 424, and the battery element 422 itself is formed by alternately laminating positive and negative electrode metal foils via separators. It has been configured. The battery element 422 is accommodated in the exterior film 424 together with the electrolytic solution, whereby a predetermined electromotive force is output through each electrode tab 425.

  By the way, in the battery cell having such a configuration, in order to increase the capacity of the battery, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, a configuration in which two battery elements 422a and 422b are stacked may be considered. That is, the battery cell 420B shown in FIG. 19 has two battery elements 422a and 422b, thereby obtaining an output twice that of the battery cell 420A shown in FIG.

  However, the battery cell generally has a property that the battery element 422 generates heat when in use, and from the viewpoint of preventing the battery life from being shortened and not deteriorating the battery performance, It is necessary to dissipate heat. Therefore, in particular, in the configuration as shown in FIG. 19, heat is trapped inside the battery elements 422a and 422b.

  FIG. 20 schematically shows a configuration of a conventional assembled battery disclosed in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. 20, the assembled battery 550 has a plurality of battery cells BC assembled in a stacked state, and each battery cell BC is electrically connected in a parallel connection state. In order to prevent the temperature rise of the battery cell BC, a heat radiating means (anode plate 530) as shown in FIG. 21 is accommodated in the center battery cell BC in the figure.

Specifically, the anode plate 530 in FIG. 21 has a circulation channel 523 formed between two plates 521 and 522, and for example, pure water is used as a working fluid in the circulation channel. Filled. Such an anode plate 530 is disposed between the battery cells BC, and the temperature of the working fluid partially rises due to the heat from the battery cells BC. As a result, the working fluid circulates gently in the circulation flow path, and the heat dissipation of the battery cell BC is performed by this circulation.
JP-A-9-50821

  As described above, when battery cells or assembled batteries are used, it is desirable to efficiently dissipate the battery cells. On the other hand, although it is considered that the heat dissipation means as shown in FIG. 21 can surely provide efficient heat dissipation, the cooling means having a complicated structure as shown in FIG. 21 is incorporated in the battery cell or the assembled battery. This is not preferable, for example, due to manufacturing costs. In addition, the working fluid in the circulation channel may leak into the battery cell BC, and the battery cell BC may break down due to leakage of the working fluid.

  Next, in order to increase the capacity of the battery cell, in addition to the configuration as shown in FIG. 19, for example, as shown in FIG. 22, the area of the battery cell 420C is increased to obtain an output twice that of the battery cell 420A. It is also possible to do so. However, actually, in many cases, the area of the battery cell cannot be increased due to the outer size required for the assembled battery. In addition, the battery cell itself is generally configured to be thin, and thus there is a problem that the surface rigidity of the battery cell 420C is reduced when the area is increased as shown in FIG.

  In addition, although the film-clad battery has been described above as an example, the above problem is not limited to the battery. That is, even in a device in which a capacitor or the like is arranged as an electric device element in the film envelope, the same problem as described above may occur, and heat dissipation of the electric device element and improvement of the rigidity of the entire device are common problems.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems as described above, and the purpose thereof is that even when the capacity is increased, the heat dissipation of the internal electrical device elements is performed well, and the film An object of the present invention is to provide a film-clad electrical device in which rigidity as a whole of a packaged electrical device is sufficiently secured, and a film-clad electrical device assembly in which the film-clad electrical device is assembled.

  In order to achieve the above object, the film-covered electrical device of the present invention is arranged in such a manner that two electrical device elements each configured to store and output electrical energy are sandwiched between the electrical device elements. A passage forming member and a film envelope forming a sealed space in which the two electric device elements are accommodated, and the passage forming member extends in a state penetrating the film envelope. A cooling air passage is provided.

  Since the film-covered electrical device of the present invention configured as described above includes two electrical device elements (for example, battery elements) between the passage forming members, the capacity of the film-wrapped electrical device is increased. . And even if it is the structure which has two electric device elements in this way, since the passage formation member in which the cooling air passage was formed is arranged between electric device elements, when an electric device element generates heat Even so, the heat is dissipated through the cooling air passage. More specifically, the heat of the electric device element is first transmitted to the passage forming member, and then propagated through the member into the cooling air passage to be dissipated. Since the electric device element is radiated in this manner, the electric device element is less likely to accumulate heat.

  Further, in the film-clad electrical device of the present invention, even if the electrical device element housed therein is thin and deformed, the passage-forming member also functions as a reinforcing member, so that the entire film-clad electrical device The surface rigidity is sufficiently ensured, and deformation of the electric device element is prevented.

  In the film-covered electrical device of the present invention, specifically, the passage forming member has a first surface and a second surface that face each of the electrical device elements and face each other. The cooling air passage may be formed between the first surface and the second surface. Further, in the passage forming member, each side surface at which the cooling air passage opens may be exposed to the outside of the film outer package.

  In particular, it is preferable that the first surface and the second surface are both flat and formed in parallel to each other. This is because the contact area with the electric device element is expanded by making each surface flat, and thus heat from the electric device element is easily transferred to the passage forming member.

  Here, in order for the passage forming member to form the “cooling air passage extending in a state of penetrating the film envelope”, for example, the first and second surfaces of the passage forming member are partially formed by the film envelope. What is necessary is just to become the structure inserted | pinched between. In this case, it is preferable that sealing between the passage forming member and the film outer package is performed reliably from the viewpoint of preventing leakage of the electrolytic solution, for example.

  Therefore, in the passage forming member, the first surface and the second surface may be connected to each other by R portions that form curved outer peripheral surfaces at both ends thereof. Alternatively, the first surface and the second surface may be connected to each other at both ends by a tapered portion configured such that outer peripheral surfaces facing each other intersect at one corner.

  When the film-covered electrical device is such that gas is generated therein, it is preferable that a safety valve for releasing gas (for releasing pressure) is formed on the passage forming member. That is, the passage forming member has a plurality of cooling air passages partitioned from each other, and at least one of the first surface and the second surface is one of the plurality of cooling air passages. There may be provided a safety valve that will be communicated with.

  The safety valve can be formed, for example, as a structural portion in which at least one member of the first surface and the second surface is partially thinned. In the above case, since one of the cooling air passages is used as a gas discharge passage, the cooling air passage (the gas discharge passage) is used to satisfactorily connect to another gas recovery passage. ) Is preferably constituted by a nozzle portion partially protruding from the side surface of the passage forming member. In this case, the nozzle part may form a passage whose cross-sectional area gradually increases toward the outside.

  The passage forming member may be a resin molded product. In this case, the film-clad electrical device of the present invention further includes two sheet-like electrode tabs that are electrically connected to the electrical device elements and drawn out from the film envelope, for positive and negative electrodes. And the one end side of each said electrode tab and the said channel | path formation member may be mutually connected.

  In the case where the passage forming member is made of a metal material, since the metal material is a good thermal conductor, the heat dissipation characteristics are further improved, but it is necessary to be electrically insulated. Therefore, in this case, a film that insulates the passage forming member may be disposed on the first surface and the second surface.

  The passage forming member is not limited to an integral member, and is constituted by a frame body having an opening formed in the center, and a heat radiating plate having an uneven cross-sectional shape and disposed in the opening. Also good. In this case, the cooling air passage may be configured by a passage formed in the frame body and a groove formed by unevenness of the heat radiating plate communicating with each other.

  The film-covered electrical device of the present invention may be provided with a cell case. For example, in the vicinity of the side surface (side surface of the passage forming member) where the cooling air passage opens, the passage forming member is It is also possible to use a cell holder that is partially sandwiched with the film envelope member interposed.

  A plurality of the film-clad electrical devices according to the present invention as described above are assembled, and the film-clad electrical devices are electrically connected in series and / or in parallel to each other so that the film-clad electrical device aggregate (for example, a battery pack) of the present invention is used. Is obtained.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even when the capacity is increased, the heat dissipation of the internal electric device elements is performed well, and the film-covered electric device as a whole is sufficiently rigid. An exterior electrical device is provided.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the film-clad electrical device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a battery cell as an example.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the battery cell of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a completed state of the battery cell of FIG. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the battery cell 50 of this embodiment includes two battery elements 22 a and 22 b each configured to output a predetermined electromotive force (for example, 3.6 V), and two battery elements 22 a and 22 b. A flat passage forming member 30 disposed between the battery elements 22a and 22b, and two exterior films 24a and 24b for forming a sealed space in which the battery elements 22a and 22b and the passage forming member 30 are accommodated. have.

  Hereinafter, the battery elements 22a and 22b may be simply referred to as “battery elements 22” without being distinguished from each other, and similarly, the exterior films 24a and 24b may also be simply referred to as “exterior films 24”.

  The exterior films 24a and 24b constitute a film envelope, and the battery elements 22a and 22b are sandwiched from both sides in the thickness direction to seal the battery elements and the like. The contour shape of the exterior film 24 is formed larger than the contour shape of the battery element 22, and the contour shape is a rectangle in the present embodiment. Each exterior film 24 has a cup portion formed, for example, by deep drawing at the center thereof. As shown in FIG. 2, in the completed state of the battery cell, the outer peripheral portions of the exterior films 24 a and 24 b are heat-sealed, whereby the sealing portion 23 is formed on the entire outer periphery of the exterior film.

  In the present embodiment, the “sealing portion 23” is not only a region where the exterior films 24a and 24b are heat-sealed with each other, but also between electrode films 25a and 25b, which will be described later, and the above-described passage formation. The region including the member 30 is also included.

  Each of the battery elements 22a and 22b is made by alternately laminating positive and negative electrode metal foils via separators, and the thickness thereof is, for example, several mm to several tens of mm. As schematically shown in FIG. 3, the positive electrode and negative electrode metal foils are electrically connected to the positive electrode tab 25a and the negative electrode tab 25b, respectively. Each of the electrode tabs 25 a and 25 b is drawn from each short side of the exterior film 24. In the battery cell 50 of the present embodiment configured as described above, electromotive forces (for example, 3.6 V × 2 = 7.2 V) for two battery elements 22 a and 22 b are output through the electrode tabs 25 a and 25 b. The

  The passage forming member 30 is, for example, a resin molded product. As shown in FIG. 4, the upper surface 31a (first surface) and the lower surface 31b (second surface) are both flat and parallel to each other. Is formed. The thickness of the passage forming member 30 is about 1.5 to 2 mm. R portions 33 are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction (X direction in the drawing) of the passage forming member 30. A plurality of ribs 34 are formed between the upper surface 31a and the lower surface 31b, whereby a plurality of cooling air passages 32 extending in the short direction (Y direction in the drawing) of the passage forming member 30 are formed.

  The cooling air passage 32 may be a single cooling air passage without providing the rib 34, but the rigidity of the passage forming member 30 is increased by providing the rib 34 as in the present embodiment. Enhanced. As shown in FIG. 3, in the completed state of the battery cell 50, the lower surface of the battery element 22a is in close contact with the upper surface 31a of the passage forming member 30, and the upper surface of the battery element 22b is in close contact with the lower surface 31b.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the length of the passage forming member 30 in the short direction is substantially the same as the length of the exterior film 24 in the short direction. Thereby, in the completed state of the battery cell 50, both end portions in the short direction of the passage forming member 30 are sandwiched between the sealing portions 23 of the exterior film 24. In other words, the passage forming member 30 is configured such that each of the side surfaces where the cooling air passage 32 opens is exposed to the outside of the film outer package. With such a configuration, the cooling air passage 32 is configured so as to penetrate the battery cell 50 in the lateral direction without being sealed by the exterior film 24.

  FIG. 5 is a view as seen from the direction of arrow B in FIG. 2 and partially shows the passage forming member 30 sandwiched between the exterior films. As shown in FIG. 5, the inner surface of the exterior film 24a is bonded to the upper surface 31a of the passage forming member 30, and the inner surface of the exterior film 24b is bonded to the lower surface 31b.

  Such adhesion can be performed, for example, by heat-sealing the inner surface of each exterior film and the outer peripheral surface of the passage forming member 30. By providing an R portion 33 that forms a curved outer peripheral surface at the end of the passage forming member 30, a gap is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the passage forming member 30 and the inner peripheral surface of each exterior film. It is hard to be done.

  In addition, in order to implement | achieve the adhesion | attachment of the above-mentioned channel | path formation member 30 and an exterior film by heat sealing, as a member which comprises the outer peripheral surface of the channel | path formation member 30, the member which comprises the inner surface of an exterior film, It is preferable to select materials that melt well. Moreover, in order to implement | achieve more reliable sealing, it is also possible to interpose the sealing material which consists of resin materials, for example between the outer peripheral surface of the channel | path formation member 30 and the inner peripheral surface of each exterior film.

  As described above, since the battery cell 50 of the present embodiment is arranged by stacking the two battery elements 22a and 22b, the large area of the battery cell as described with reference to FIG. It is possible to increase the capacity of the battery without increasing the capacity. And even if it is the structure which laminates | stacks a battery element in this way, since the channel | path formation member 30 is arrange | positioned between battery element 22a, 22b, the following advantages are acquired.

  That is, the heat generated in the battery elements 22a and 22b when the battery cell 50 is used (during charging / discharging) propagates to the upper surface 31a or the lower surface 31b of the passage forming member 30. As a result, the temperature of the passage forming member 30 rises. The heat transmitted to the passage forming member 30 propagates to the air in the cooling air passage 32 and is radiated. Thus, in the battery cell 50 of this embodiment, since the heat | fever generate | occur | produced in each battery element 22a, 22b can be escaped through the cooling air path 32, heat dissipation of each battery element is performed favorably. Moreover, the battery cell 50 of this embodiment does not use the heat dissipation means having a complicated structure as described with reference to FIG. 21, but performs heat dissipation using the passage forming member 30 having a relatively simple structure. Therefore, it is advantageous, for example, in terms of manufacturing cost and reliability.

  From the viewpoint of heat dissipation as described above, it is preferable that the battery elements 22a and 22b are in close contact with the upper surface 31a or the lower surface 31b of the passage forming member 30 as in the present embodiment. This is because heat from the battery elements 22a and 22b is easily transmitted to the passage forming member 30 by such a configuration. In the above description, it has been described that the material of the passage forming member 30 is preferably one that melts well with the inner surface of the exterior film. From the viewpoint of heat dissipation, the material of the passage forming member 30 is High thermal conductivity is preferable.

  The passage forming member 30 of the present embodiment also has a function as a reinforcing member in the battery cell 50. Normally, the battery elements 22a and 22b themselves have a flat structure of, for example, about several mm to several tens mm as described above, and may be deformed when an external force is applied. The deformation of the battery elements 22a and 22b itself may cause a short circuit between the positive electrode metal foil and the negative electrode metal foil, for example. On the other hand, according to the configuration in which the passage forming member 30 is disposed between the battery elements as in the present embodiment, the passage forming member 30 functions as a reinforcing member, so that the surface rigidity of the battery cell 50 is increased. Is improved, and deformation of the battery elements 22a and 22b is prevented.

  As described above, the battery cell 50 of the present embodiment has a large battery capacity as a single unit, and is highly reliable in terms of heat dissipation and rigidity. Then, while assembling a plurality of battery cells 50, an assembled battery can be configured by electrically connecting the battery cells 50 in series and / or in parallel with each other. Since each battery cell 50 is highly reliable as described above, the reliability of the assembled battery as a whole is also improved.

  Although not specifically described in the above description, the refrigerant flowing through the cooling air passage 32 is not limited to air, and various refrigerants including liquid can be used. Further, the passage forming member 30 is not limited to the one described above, and various changes can be made as shown in FIG.

  In the passage forming member 30 </ b> A shown in FIG. 6A, the interval between the ribs 34 near the center is narrowed, and a temperature sensor hole 32 </ b> A is formed between the ribs 34. According to the passage forming member 30A having such a configuration, for example, a rod-shaped temperature sensor can be inserted into the temperature sensor hole 32A. In the configuration of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the temperature sensor hole 32 remains open without being sealed by the exterior film 24 even when the battery cell is completed. Yes. Therefore, the temperature sensor can be inserted after the battery cell is completed. The configuration in which the temperature sensor can be inserted afterwards is advantageous in terms of workability compared to the configuration in which the temperature sensor is incorporated during the battery cell manufacturing process. There is no problem that the sensor is damaged in the manufacturing process.

  In the end portion of the passage forming member 30B shown in FIG. 6B, not the R portion 33, but a tapered portion 33B whose sectional shape tapers outward is formed. In the tapered portion 33B, the upper surface and the lower surface of the passage forming member 30B gradually approach each other toward one corner portion 35 and intersect each other at the corner portion 35. According to such a tapered portion 33B, compared to the R portion 33, a gap is less likely to be formed between the outer peripheral surface of the passage forming member 30B and the inner peripheral surface of the exterior film.

  A passage forming member 30C shown in FIG. 6C has a rib 34C having an I-shaped cross section. In other words, the rib 34C itself has high rigidity. Therefore, the upper surface 31a and the lower surface 31b of the passage forming member 30C are thinner than the above-described configuration. As described above, since the thickness of the upper surface 31a and the lower surface 31b is reduced, the propagation efficiency of the heat transmitted to the cooling air passage 32 through the upper surface and the lower surface is improved. As a result, the heat dissipation of the battery element is performed more efficiently.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the passage forming member 130 constituting the battery cell of the second embodiment in a single state. That is, although the overall configuration is not shown, the battery cell of the second embodiment includes the passage forming member 130 of FIG. 7 instead of the passage forming member 30 in the battery cell of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1). It has a configuration.

  In the passage forming member 130 according to the present embodiment, a nozzle portion 136 is formed in the center of the longitudinal direction (X direction in the drawing) of the passage forming member, and a gas discharge passage 136a is formed inside the nozzle portion 136. Yes. In addition, a safety valve 140 is formed substantially at the center of the upper surface 131a. Since other structures are configured in the same manner as the passage forming member 30 according to the first embodiment described above, description thereof is omitted.

  By the way, in the battery configured as in the present embodiment, for example, when a voltage outside the standard range is applied to the battery when the battery is used, the electrolyzed solvent encapsulated with the battery element is electrolyzed. Gas may be generated in the film. In addition, even when the battery is used under high temperature conditions outside the standard range, gas may be generated due to decomposition of the electrolyte salt or the like. When a large amount of gas is generated and the internal pressure in the exterior film exceeds a predetermined pressure, for example, a sealing portion that heat seals the exterior films may be peeled off. And the gas in an exterior film will be discharge | released outside from this peeling part. Depending on the position of the peeling portion, the gas may be ejected in an unexpected direction, and such unexpected ejection may cause various problems.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to solve such a problem of gas ejection, a safety valve 140 in which the thickness of the upper surface 131a is partially reduced is provided as shown in the sectional view of FIG. The thin portion provided as the safety valve 140 is broken when the internal pressure in the exterior film reaches a predetermined set pressure (for example, 0.05 to 1 MPa as an increase from the atmospheric pressure). When the safety valve 140 is broken, the sealed space in the exterior film and the gas discharge path 136a communicate with each other. As a result, the gas generated inside is discharged into the gas discharge path 136a via the safety valve 140, and is discharged to the outside through the gas discharge path 136a.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the nozzle portion 136 is formed as a member constituting a part of the gas discharge path 136 a in a state of protruding from another portion of the side surface of the passage forming member. Protruding the nozzle portion 136 in this manner is advantageous in that it is easy to connect the nozzle portion 136 to a gas recovery passage (not shown). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the nozzle portion 136 can be formed without protruding.

  As described above, according to the battery cell of the present embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, the safety valve 140 and the gas discharge path 136a are further formed. Is unlikely to occur. Further, as in the present embodiment, it is preferable that the passage forming member 130 has the function of the safety valve 140 because a special member for configuring the safety valve is not required.

  7 and 8, only one safety valve 140 is formed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a safety valve may be provided on each of the upper and lower surfaces of the passage forming member 130. Further, for example, a plurality of safety valves 140 communicating with the gas discharge path 136a may be provided side by side on the upper surface 131a.

Further, the cross-sectional shape of the nozzle portion may be as shown in FIG. Here, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view in which the battery cell is cut in a direction orthogonal to the AA cutting line in FIG. 7, and FIG. FIG. 9B shows a cross-sectional view of another example. The gas discharge path 136a may be formed with a constant cross-sectional area as shown in FIG. 9A, but the cross-sectional area in the discharge direction is similar to the gas discharge path 136b of FIG. 9B. It may be gradually increased. That is, the thickness (length in the illustrated horizontal direction) of the nozzle portion 136B may gradually increase toward the outside. According to the gas discharge path 136b configured as described above, since the cross-sectional area of the passage gradually increases, the gas ejection speed is reduced. The width L ₁₃₆ of the opening of the nozzle part 136B can be increased to, for example, the thickness of the entire battery cell.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, it is also possible to arrange a pressure sensor 155 in the gas discharge path 136a of the passage forming member 130. The pressure sensor 155 is connected to an electric circuit (not shown) and is used as follows. That is, when the internal pressure in the battery cell increases and the safety valve 140 is destroyed, and the gas enters the gas discharge path 136a, the pressure sensor 155 detects the pressure increase. An electric circuit (not shown) drives a predetermined power cut-off circuit based on the detection result of the sensor, and thereby cuts off the power supply from the battery cell in which the safety valve 140 is operated. Thus, by providing the pressure sensor, it is possible to electrically detect abnormality of the battery cell.

  When a battery pack is configured by collecting a plurality of battery cells, the pressure sensor 155 may be provided for each battery cell, or a common gas communicating with the gas discharge path 136a of each battery cell. For example, only one may be provided in the discharge path.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the passage forming member 230 and the like constituting the battery cell of the third embodiment. For example, as described in the first embodiment, since the passage forming member 30 is housed in the exterior film together with the battery elements 22a and 22b, in principle, it is necessary to be made of an insulating material such as a resin. is there. On the other hand, since the passage forming member has a function of releasing heat from the battery element into the cooling air passage, the passage forming member is preferably made of a material having high thermal conductivity.

  In view of this point, in the configuration of FIG. 11, for example, a passage forming member 230 made of a material having high thermal conductivity (also referred to as “thermal good conductor”) such as a metal material, and two films 245 a to be attached to both surfaces thereof. 245b. The passage forming member 230 is obtained by changing the material of the passage forming member 30B described with reference to FIG. That is, tapered portions 233B are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the passage forming member 230 in the same manner as in the configuration of FIG. In addition, since the other structure of the battery cell of this embodiment is the same as that of the battery cell 50 of 1st Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The two films 245a and 245b are both sheet-like films made of an insulating material. When one film 245a is described as an example, a sealing material 260 is provided in a region to be sandwiched between sealing portions of the exterior film (see the sealing portion 23 in FIG. 2) in the completed state of the battery cell. It is applied to both surfaces of the film 245a. The sealing material 260 applied on the upper surface of the film 245a is for bonding the film 245a and the exterior film 24, while the sealing material 260 applied on the lower surface of the film 245a and the passage forming member. 230 is to be bonded.

  The passage forming member 230 is insulated by being sandwiched from both sides by the two films 245a and 245b, except for the side surfaces where the cooling air passage 232 is opened. Although not shown in detail, the two films 245a and 245b may be heat-sealed to each other at the tip of the tapered portion 233B. Alternatively, two films may be bonded to each other with a sealing material. Considering that two films are bonded together in such a form, it is preferable that the end of the passage forming member 230 is a tapered portion 233B in that the films can be bonded well. .

  According to the battery cell of this embodiment, the capacity of the battery is increased by providing two battery elements as in the first embodiment, the heat dissipation is improved by the action of the cooling air passage 232, and Since the passage forming member 230 also functions as a reinforcing member, sufficient rigidity is ensured. And since the channel | path formation member 230 is comprised with thermal good conductors, such as a metal material, the thermal radiation characteristic of a battery cell improves more.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the passage forming member 330 and the like constituting the battery cell of the fourth embodiment. The passage forming member 330 shown in FIG. 12 includes a heat radiating plate 341 made of a good heat conductor such as a metal material, and a frame 310 made of the same good conductor. Note that the two films 345a and 345b depicted in FIG. 12 are the same as the films 245a and 245b of FIG.

  The heat radiating plate 341 is a plate material processed so that the cross-sectional shape is uneven (rectangular wave shape), and grooves 347 are formed on both surfaces by the unevenness. All of the grooves 347 extend in the short direction of the heat radiating plate 341. On one surface, a flat surface 346 is formed between the grooves 347. The flat surface 346 is in close contact with the battery element (see, for example, the battery element 22a in FIG. 1) in a completed state of the battery cell, though the film 245a. As described above, the flat surface 346 is in close contact with the battery element so that heat can be transmitted well.

  The frame 310 is formed by hollowing out the central portion of the passage forming member 230 shown in FIG. 11, and the four sides of the outer peripheral portion of the passage forming member 230 remain in a frame shape, and the hollowed central portion has an opening. A portion 315 is formed. The contour shape of the opening 315 is substantially the same as the contour shape of the heat sink 341, so that the heat sink 341 is disposed in the opening with its outer periphery fitted to the inner periphery of the opening 315. Is done. On each of the two sides on the long side of the frame 310, a passage 312 partitioned by ribs remains. The number of ribs, in other words, the number of passages 312 is not particularly limited.

  In the completed state of the battery cell of this embodiment, the heat radiating plate 341 is disposed in the opening 315 of the frame 310. Then, the heat radiating plate 341 and the frame 310 are insulated by attaching the films 245a and 245b to both surfaces of the frame 310 on which the heat radiating plate 341 is disposed. In the battery cell having such a configuration, the cooling air passage for releasing the heat of the battery element is such that the groove 347 formed in the heat radiating plate 341 and the passage 312 formed in the frame 310 communicate with each other. Will be composed.

  According to the battery cell of the present embodiment, the capacity of the battery is increased by providing two battery elements as in the first embodiment, and the cooling air passage constituted by the groove 347 and the passage 312 is provided. The heat radiation is improved by the action, and the passage forming member 330 also functions as a reinforcing member, so that sufficient rigidity is ensured. And since the heat sink 341 is comprised from the heat good conductor, the thermal radiation characteristic of a battery cell improves more.

  In the configuration of FIG. 12, the film for insulating the heat radiating plate 341 and the frame 310 is not limited to the one composed of the two films 345a and 345b. For example, the heat sink 341 and the frame 310 can be encapsulated using a cylindrical film. Moreover, either or both of the heat sink 341 and the frame 310 may be made of a resin material.

(Fifth embodiment)
For example, a cell holder (also referred to as a “cell case”) for holding the battery cell can be attached to the battery cell 50 of the first embodiment. The cell holder may be, for example, a frame-like case generally used for this type of battery cell. However, for the configuration of the present invention, a cell holder 80 as shown in FIG. It is also possible to use. In FIG. 13, only one cell holder 80 is shown, but actually, one cell holder 80 is attached to each side of the battery cell 50.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the cell holder 80 is a U-shaped member made of, for example, a resin material, and is formed to have the same length as the long side of the exterior film 24. A passage 82 communicating with the cooling air passage 32 of the passage forming member 30 is formed on the side surface of the cell holder 80, so that the cooling air passage 32 is not blocked. Although not particularly limited, in the present embodiment, the connection portion 84 of the cell holder 80 is configured to bend as shown in FIG. Therefore, the cell holding body 80 can be attached in a state where the connecting portion 84 is bent and the opening side of the slit 85 is opened. Such a configuration is advantageous in terms of improving workability.

The thickness L ₈₀ of the cell holder 80 is preferably larger than the thickness of the battery cell 50. Since the thickness of the cell holder 80 is made thicker than the battery cell, when the plurality of battery cells 50 are stacked, the cell holders 80 are in close contact with each other, not in close contact with each other. It becomes. That is, according to such a configuration, a gap is secured between the battery cells 50, and such a gap is advantageous in dissipating the battery cell 50. Further, the configuration in which the cell holders 80 are in close contact with each other is preferable in that the final outer shape of the assembled battery can be defined with high dimensional accuracy, compared to the configuration in which the battery cells 50 are in close contact with each other.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the two sides on the long side of the exterior film 24 are held by the two cell holders 80 instead of the frame-like cell holder. Even in such a configuration, the sealing portion 23 (shown as “region 23a”) in which the passage forming member 30 is sandwiched has sufficient rigidity, so that the battery cell 50 is stably held. .

  Even if two cell holders 80 as in this embodiment are attached to the long sides of the exterior film for battery cells that do not have the passage forming member 30, the cell holders 80 are positioned relative to each other. Therefore, the holding of the battery cell is not stabilized. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the cell holder 80 is attached to both ends of the passage forming member 30. Therefore, the cell holders 80 are positioned with respect to each other and do not shift relatively. For this reason, even if the cell holder 80 is configured as a separate member, the battery cell 50 is stably held.

  FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing still another example of the cell holder. When the cell holder 81 is attached to a configuration in which the cross-sectional area of the gas discharge path 136b is gradually increased toward the outside as shown in FIG. 9B, the cross-sectional shape of the cell holder is the gas discharge The shape may be complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the path 136b. In addition, the cell holder 81 is not limited to the one member as described above, and the member 81a and the member 81b may be configured separately.

  The passage forming member may further be as shown in FIG. The passage forming member 30D shown in FIG. 16 has a connection portion 37 formed so as to extend further outward from the R portion 33. The connecting portion 37 is formed with a protrusion 37a. According to the passage forming member 30D having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 17, the electrode tab 26 and the passage forming member 37 are engaged with each other by engaging the hole 26a of the electrode tab 26 with the protrusion 37a of the connecting portion 37. Connected to each other. Of course, various connection forms can be used in addition to the forms shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 to connect the electrode tab and the passage forming member.

  When the electrode tab 26 is connected to the passage forming member 37, in other words, when one end side of the electrode tab 26 is supported by the passage forming member 37, the reliability of the final battery cell is as follows. Improves. That is, for example, in the configuration of FIG. 16, the electrode tab 26 is less likely to be displaced when a tensile load is applied to the electrode tab 26 compared to the configuration illustrated in FIG. . As described above, the electrode tab is less likely to be displaced, so that it is possible to prevent the electrical connection portion with the battery element from being damaged or a gap from being generated between the electrode tab and the exterior film. As a result, the reliability of the battery cell is increased.

  It should be noted that various combinations of the configurations of the embodiments described above can be used. In addition, as described with reference to FIG. 22, increasing the battery capacity by increasing the battery element area may be applied to the battery element according to the present invention.

  In each of the above embodiments, the battery element is hermetically sealed with a so-called four-side seal type bag in which two outer films 24a and 24b are overlapped and the outer periphery thereof is heat-sealed. In addition, for example, a so-called three-side sealed bag in which three sides of the outer peripheral portion of the exterior film are heat-sealed can be used. In this case, the electrode tabs 25a and 25b only need to be drawn from one side of the heat-sealed sealing portion.

  Although not described in detail in the above description, the battery elements 22a and 22b used for the battery cell 50 are lithium ion secondary batteries, specifically lithium-manganese composite oxides, lithium cobalt oxides, and the like. A positive electrode plate coated with a positive electrode active material on both sides of an aluminum foil or the like and a negative electrode plate coated with a lithium-doped / dedoped carbon material on both sides of a copper foil, etc., are opposed to each other with a lithium salt. It may be impregnated with an electrolyte solution containing. However, in addition to lithium ion secondary batteries, the battery elements may be battery elements of other types of chemical batteries such as nickel metal hydride batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, lithium metal primary batteries or secondary batteries, and lithium polymer batteries. Good. In addition, the battery element is not limited to a laminated type, and a belt-like positive electrode side active electrode and a negative electrode side active electrode are stacked with a separator interposed therebetween, wound, and then compressed into a flat shape. A wound type having a structure in which negative electrode side active electrodes are alternately stacked may be used. In addition to the battery element, the electric device element uses an element that stores and outputs electrical energy, such as a capacitor element such as an electric double layer capacitor or an electrolytic capacitor. May be.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the battery cell of 1st Embodiment. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the completion state of the battery cell of FIG. It is sectional drawing in the AA cutting line of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the channel | path formation member of the battery cell of FIG. 1 in a single-piece | unit state. It is the top view which looked at the battery cell of FIG. 1 from the arrow B direction of FIG. It is a top view which shows some of the other examples of a channel | path formation member. It is a perspective view which shows the channel | path formation member which comprises the battery cell of 2nd Embodiment in a single-piece | unit state. It is sectional drawing in the AA cutting line of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the battery cell of 2nd Embodiment. It is a top view of the channel | path formation member of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the channel | path formation member etc. which comprise the battery cell of 3rd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the channel | path formation member etc. which comprise the battery cell of 4th Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of 5th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the cell holding body of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the further another example of a cell holding body. It is a perspective view showing other examples of a passage formation member. It is sectional drawing which shows the connection of the channel | path formation member of FIG. 16, and an electrode tab. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the conventional battery cell. It is sectional drawing which shows the structural example of the battery cell of the state which laminated | stacked the battery element. It is a top view which shows typically an example of the conventional assembled battery. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the conventional thermal radiation means accommodated in the battery cell. It is a top view which shows the battery cell enlarged for the capacity increase of the battery.

Explanation of symbols

310 frame body 312 passage 315 opening 22a, 22b battery element 23 sealing portion 23a region 24, 24a, 24b exterior film 25a, 25b, 26 electrode tab 26a hole 30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 130, 230, 330 Passage forming member 31a, 131a Upper surface 31b Lower surface 32, 132, 232 Cooling air passage 32A Temperature sensor hole 33 R part 33B, 233B, 333B Tapered part 34, 34C Rib 35 Corner part 37 Connection part 37a Projection 136, 136B Nozzle part 136a Gas Release path 140 Safety valve 341 Heat sink 245a, 245b, 345a, 345b Film 346 Flat surface 347 Groove 50 Battery cell 155 Pressure sensor 260, 360 Sealant 80, 81 Cell holder 81a, 81b Member 82 Passage 84 Connection 85 Lit

Claims (16)

Two electrical device elements each configured to store and output electrical energy, a passage forming member disposed between the electrical device elements, and the two electrical device elements are accommodated. A film envelope that forms a sealed space,
The film-clad electrical device, wherein the passage forming member has a cooling air passage extending in a state of passing through the film outer package.   The passage forming member has a first surface and a second surface that face each of the electric device elements and face each other, and are disposed between the first surface and the second surface. The film-clad electrical device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling air passage is formed.   3. The film-covered electrical device according to claim 1, wherein each side surface of the passage forming member where the cooling air passage opens is exposed to the outside of the film outer package.   4. The film-covered electrical device according to claim 2, wherein each of the first surface and the second surface is a flat surface and is formed in parallel with each other.   5. The film-clad electrical device according to claim 4, wherein the first surface and the second surface are connected to each other at both ends by an R portion that forms a curved outer peripheral surface.   The first surface and the second surface are connected to each other at both ends thereof by a tapered portion configured such that outer peripheral surfaces facing each other intersect at one corner. The film-clad electrical device as described.   The passage forming member has a plurality of cooling air passages partitioned from each other, and at least one of the first surface and the second surface communicates with one of the plurality of cooling air passages. The film-clad electrical device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a safety valve to be provided is provided.   The film-covered electrical device according to claim 7, wherein the safety valve is a structural part in which at least one member of the first surface and the second surface is partially thinned.   The film-covered electrical device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a part of the cooling air passage that communicates with the safety valve is constituted by a nozzle part that partially protrudes from a side surface of the passage forming member.   The film-covered electrical device according to claim 9, wherein the nozzle portion forms a passage whose cross-sectional area gradually increases toward the outside.   The film-covered electrical device according to claim 1, wherein the passage forming member is made of a resin material. Electrically connected to each of the electric device elements, and has two sheet-like electrode tabs for the positive electrode and the negative electrode drawn from the film envelope,
The film-covered electrical device according to claim 11, wherein one end side of each electrode tab and the passage forming member are connected to each other.   The passage forming member is made of a metal material, and a film for insulating the passage forming member is disposed on the first surface and the second surface. 2. The film-clad electrical device according to item 1. The passage forming member is composed of a frame body having an opening formed at the center, and a heat radiating plate having an uneven cross-sectional shape and disposed in the opening.
The film-clad electrical device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling air passage is configured by a passage formed in the frame body and a groove formed by unevenness of the heat radiating plate communicating with each other.   15. The cell holding body according to claim 1, further comprising a cell holder that partially sandwiches the passage forming member in a state where the member of the film envelope is interposed in the vicinity of a side surface where the cooling air passage opens. The film-clad electrical device according to Item.   A film-clad electrical device assembly in which a plurality of film-clad electrical devices according to any one of claims 1 to 15 are assembled and the film-clad electrical devices are electrically connected in series and / or in parallel.

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