JP2007059062A - Battery case - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery case which can effectively prevent any peel-off due to temperature variations in a metal plate integrally fixed to a tubular wall of a synthetic-resin case body. <P>SOLUTION: A metal plate 14 is made up in a method to integrally join many stiffening plates 30 located adjacent to each other at a given distance in a direction perpendicular to a height direction of a case body 12 with clips 32 positioned between neighboring stiffening plates 30. An expansion and contraction means 44 is provided on the clip 32 which makes the clip 32 expandable in a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the case body 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery case, and more particularly to an improved structure of a battery case that has a bottomed cylindrical shape capable of accommodating a power generation element and is preferably used as a constituent member of a secondary battery. .

  Conventionally, secondary batteries such as lead-acid batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and lithium ion batteries have been widely used as rechargeable power sources in various apparatuses and devices. And in recent years, among them, especially small secondary batteries are portable communication devices, information devices, acoustic devices, or electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles that use an electric motor as a main drive source or auxiliary drive source for traveling, etc. In the future, it will be used as a power supply device for devices and the like that are expected to evolve further, and its market scale is rapidly expanding.

  By the way, in such a secondary battery, generally, various power generation elements are accommodated in a battery case made of iron or aluminum having a bottomed cylindrical shape, and an opening of the battery case is predetermined. In addition to being sealed with a lid body, an electrode terminal is provided and configured there, but recently, there is a great demand for weight reduction, and therefore, a battery case made of synthetic resin, It has been adopted.

  However, in a secondary battery using a synthetic resin battery case, it has been difficult to improve battery performance comprehensively. This is because, as is well known, in the secondary battery, in order to obtain excellent battery performance, it has not only sufficient lightness that can improve the weight energy density but also power generation or discharge. It is desirable to have a high strength that can suppress deformation due to an increase in internal pressure, and also has excellent heat conductivity (cooling performance) that can effectively release heat generated during power generation or discharge. This is because the secondary battery using the synthetic resin battery case cannot achieve sufficient weight and strength, but cannot ensure sufficient strength and heat transfer. .

  Therefore, a synthetic resin case body having a bottomed cylindrical shape that can accommodate the power generation element is provided, and a metal layer is applied to at least the outer surface of the cylindrical wall portion of the case body by casting or applying metal powder. Alternatively, battery cases integrally formed by spraying or the like (for example, see Patent Document 1 below), battery cases in which metal plates are integrally fixed by insert molding, and the like have been proposed in recent years. In some cases, it is used for practical use. In these battery cases, while maintaining sufficient lightness of the case body made of synthetic resin, the overall battery case is high due to the metal layer and the metal plate integrally provided on the outer surface of the case body. Strength and excellent heat transfer can be effectively exhibited, and thus can greatly contribute to improvement of battery performance.

  However, in a secondary battery obtained by using such a conventional battery case having a two-layer or double structure of metal and resin, the resin case body and the outer surface of the cylindrical wall portion of the case body Due to the difference in the coefficient of linear expansion between the metal layer and the metal plate that are integrally provided in the battery, the temperature inside the battery during use and when it is not used and the change in ambient ambient temperature The case main body and the metal layer or the metal plate are expanded or contracted (thermal expansion / contraction) by different amounts, which may cause the metal layer or the metal plate to peel off from the case main body. In general, since the battery case of the secondary battery is formed in a horizontally long shape with a plurality of accommodating portions arranged side by side so that a plurality of power generation elements are accommodated, the case in the secondary battery as described above The difference in the amount of expansion and contraction accompanying the temperature change between the main body and the metal plate is particularly remarkable in the lateral dimension of the case main body, that is, in the length dimension in the direction perpendicular to the height direction of the case main body.

  Therefore, a secondary battery obtained using a battery case having a two-layer or double structure of metal and resin lacks reliability in stably maintaining excellent battery performance. The problem was inherent.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-329483

  Here, the present invention has been made in the background as described above, and the problem to be solved is at least a cylindrical wall portion of a case body made of a synthetic resin having a cylindrical shape with a bottom on one side. In a battery case in which excellent heat transfer and high strength can be effectively exhibited while securing sufficient lightness by being integrally fixed to the outer surface of the metal plate Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved structure so that peeling of the metal plate from the case main body due to expansion and contraction of the case main body and the metal plate due to temperature change can be advantageously prevented.

  And, in the present invention, in order to solve such a problem, the gist of the present invention is a synthetic resin having a cylindrical shape with a bottom on one side and having an accommodating portion for accommodating a power generation element inside. A battery case comprising a case body made of metal, and a metal plate for reinforcing the case body, which is integrally fixed to at least the outer surface of the cylindrical wall portion of the case body by insert molding A plurality of reinforcing plate portions for reinforcing the case body, the metal plates being positioned so as to be adjacent to each other at a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the case body, A connecting plate portion that integrally connects adjacent ones of the reinforcing plate portions, and the connecting plate portion is connected to the connecting plate portion in the height direction of the case body. Stretch in the direction perpendicular to Lying in the battery case, characterized in that the elastic means for the ability is provided.

  That is, in the battery case according to the present invention, a metal plate for reinforcing the case main body is integrated with at least the outer surface of the cylindrical wall portion of the synthetic resin case main body having a bottomed cylindrical shape. As a result, it is possible to obtain a high strength while securing sufficient lightness, and to expose the metal plate to the outside on the outer surface of the cylindrical wall portion of the case body. Thus, excellent heat transfer can also be exhibited effectively.

  In particular, in the battery case according to the present invention, the cylindrical wall portion of the case main body is thermally expanded due to an increase in the temperature inside the case main body or the ambient atmosphere temperature, and a direction perpendicular to the height direction. In addition, when the cylindrical wall portion is extended by an amount larger than that of the metal plate, the connecting plate portion of the metal plate is extended by the expansion / contraction means. Thereby, the extension amount of the entire metal plate in the direction perpendicular to the height direction accompanying the temperature rise can be made substantially the same size as the extension amount of the cylindrical wall portion due to the temperature rise, or It can be done with very close quantities. In addition, when the tube wall portion that has been extended is contracted due to a decrease in the internal temperature of the case body or the surrounding ambient temperature, the connecting plate portion of the metal plate follows the expansion / contraction means. Can be shrunk. That is, thus, the difference in linear expansion coefficient between the case main body and the metal plate can be effectively absorbed by the expansion / contraction of the expansion / contraction means of the connecting plate portion in the metal plate. In addition, the “direction perpendicular to the height direction of the case body” that is the expansion / contraction direction of the expansion / contraction means is a direction in which the adjacent ones of the plurality of reinforcing plate portions in the metal plate are separated / approached from each other. Say it. same as below.

  Therefore, when the battery case according to the present invention is used, the cylinder of the case main body is generated in accordance with the temperature change of the atmosphere inside or around the battery in a state where the power generation element is accommodated in the accommodating portion and configured as a battery. It can be prevented very advantageously that the metal plate is peeled off from the case main body due to the expansion and contraction of the wall portion by a larger amount than the metal plate. As a result, a highly reliable battery that can stably maintain the excellent battery performance realized by having sufficient lightness and high heat conductivity and strength is more reliably achieved. It will be obtained.

Aspects of the Invention

  By the way, the present invention can be suitably implemented at least in various aspects as listed below.

(1) A case body made of a synthetic resin having a cylindrical shape with a bottom on one side and provided with an accommodating portion for accommodating a power generation element, and at least an outer surface of the cylindrical wall portion of the case body A battery case including a metal plate for reinforcing the case body, which is integrally fixed by molding, wherein the metal plates are predetermined to each other in a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the case body. A plurality of reinforcing plate portions that are positioned so as to be adjacent to each other at a distance and reinforce the case main body, and a connecting plate portion that integrally connects adjacent ones of the plurality of reinforcing plate portions. The connecting plate portion is provided with expansion / contraction means that can extend / contract the connecting plate portion in a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the case body. Battery case.

(2) A case body made of a synthetic resin having a cylindrical shape with a bottom on one side and having an accommodating portion for accommodating a power generation element, and an insert on at least the outer surface of the cylindrical wall portion of the case body A battery case including a metal plate for reinforcing the case body, which is integrally fixed by molding, wherein the metal plates are predetermined to each other in a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the case body. A plurality of reinforcing plate portions that are positioned so as to be adjacent to each other at a distance and reinforce the case main body, and a connecting plate portion that integrally connects adjacent ones of the plurality of reinforcing plate portions are provided. And at least the connecting plate portion of the metal plate is elastically deformable, and is recessed toward the inner side or the outer side of the case body with respect to the connecting plate portion. The bottom is the case A bending portion formed by bending the connecting plate portion is provided so as to extend in the height direction of the case body, and the bending portion is configured to be a height of the case main body based on an elastic deformation action of the connecting plate portion. A battery case characterized in that the battery case can be expanded and contracted in a direction perpendicular to the direction.

  That is, in this embodiment, a metal plate for reinforcing the case main body is integrally fixed to at least the outer surface of the cylindrical wall portion of the synthetic resin case main body having a bottomed cylindrical shape on one side. From that point, high strength is obtained while ensuring sufficient lightness, and such a metal plate is exposed to the outside on the outer surface of the cylindrical wall portion of the case body, Thereby, excellent heat conductivity can also be effectively exhibited.

  In particular, in this aspect, the cylindrical wall portion of the case main body is larger than the metal plate in a direction perpendicular to the height direction due to thermal expansion due to an increase in the temperature inside the case main body or the ambient atmosphere temperature. When the cylindrical wall portion is extended by a certain amount, the bent portion of the connecting plate portion of the metal plate is extended. Thereby, the extension amount of the entire metal plate in the direction perpendicular to the height direction accompanying the temperature rise can be made substantially the same size as the extension amount of the cylindrical wall portion due to the temperature rise, or It can be done with very close quantities. In addition, when the cylindrical wall portion that has been extended is contracted due to a decrease in the internal temperature of the case body or the surrounding ambient temperature, the bent portion of the connecting plate portion of the metal plate contracts accordingly. Can be. That is, thus, the difference in linear expansion coefficient between the case main body and the metal plate can be effectively absorbed by the expansion and contraction of the bending portion of the connecting plate portion in the metal plate.

  Therefore, according to this aspect, the battery case is configured as a battery in which the power generation element is housed in the housing portion, and the temperature of the atmosphere inside or around the battery changes with the temperature of the case body. Due to the fact that the cylindrical wall portion is expanded and contracted by an amount larger than that of the metal plate, it is possible to extremely advantageously prevent the metal plate from being peeled off from the case main body. As a result, a highly reliable battery that can stably maintain the excellent battery performance realized by having sufficient lightness and high heat conductivity and strength is more reliably achieved. It will be obtained.

(3) A case body made of synthetic resin having a cylindrical shape with a bottom on one side and having a housing portion for housing a power generation element, and at least an outer surface of the tubular wall portion of the case body A battery case including a metal plate for reinforcing the case body, which is integrally fixed by molding, wherein the metal plates are predetermined to each other in a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the case body. A plurality of reinforcing plate portions that are positioned so as to be adjacent to each other at a distance and reinforce the case body, and a connecting plate portion that integrally connects adjacent ones of the plurality of reinforcing plate portions. And at least the connecting plate portion of the metal plate is elastically deformable, and further, the connecting plate portion is bent at a plurality of positions separated by a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the case body. Squeezed Accordingly, a concave groove-like bent portion that is recessed toward the inner side or the outer side of the case main body and the bottom of the concave portion extends in the height direction of the case main body is provided on the connecting plate portion. The distance between the side wall portions facing each other of the groove-shaped bent portion is changed based on the elastic deformation action of the connecting plate portion, so that the connecting plate portion is perpendicular to the height direction of the case body. A battery case characterized in that it can be expanded and contracted in any direction.

  That is, even in this embodiment, a metal plate for reinforcing the case body is integrally fixed to at least the outer surface of the cylindrical wall portion of the synthetic resin case body having a bottomed cylindrical shape. Therefore, high strength and excellent heat conductivity can be effectively exhibited while ensuring sufficient lightness.

  In particular, in this aspect, the cylindrical wall portion of the case main body is larger than the metal plate in a direction perpendicular to the height direction due to thermal expansion due to an increase in the temperature inside the case main body or the ambient atmosphere temperature. When the cylindrical wall portion is extended by an amount, the size of the angle formed by the side wall portion and the bottom portion of the concave groove-shaped bent portion provided in the connecting plate portion of the metal plate is increased with the extension of the cylindrical wall portion. Thus, the distance between the side wall portions facing each other of the groove-like bent portion is increased, so that the connecting plate portion is extended. Thereby, the extension amount of the entire metal plate in the direction perpendicular to the height direction accompanying the temperature rise can be made substantially the same size as the extension amount of the cylindrical wall portion due to the temperature rise, or It can be done with very close quantities. In addition, when the cylindrical wall portion that has been extended is contracted due to a decrease in the internal temperature of the case body or the surrounding ambient temperature, the concave groove-shaped bent portions in the connecting plate portion face each other. The distance between the side wall portions to be reduced is reduced, and thus the connecting plate portion can be contracted. That is, thus, the difference in linear expansion coefficient between the case main body and the metal plate can be effectively absorbed by the expansion and contraction of the bending portion of the connecting plate portion in the metal plate.

  Therefore, even in this embodiment, the battery case is configured as a battery in which the power generation element is housed in the housing portion, and the case main body with the temperature change of the atmosphere inside and around the battery. Due to the fact that the cylindrical wall portion is expanded and contracted by an amount larger than that of the metal plate, it is possible to extremely advantageously prevent the metal plate from being peeled off from the case main body. As a result, a highly reliable battery that can stably maintain the excellent battery performance realized by having sufficient lightness and high heat conductivity and strength is more reliably achieved. It will be obtained.

(4) In any one of the modes (1) to (3) described above, the metal plate includes at least three of the reinforcing plate portions and a plurality of the connecting plate portions. The plurality of connecting plate portions are positioned at least one each between adjacent ones of the at least three reinforcing plate portions, and the adjacent reinforcements are provided. The plate parts are integrally connected by the connecting plate parts.

  In this aspect, the connecting plate portion that can be expanded and contracted in the direction perpendicular to the height direction of the case body by any of the expansion and contraction means, the bending portion, and the groove-shaped bending portion is the metal plate. At a plurality of locations separated by a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the case main body, the case main body is positioned side by side in such a direction.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, for example, the connecting plate portion that can be expanded and contracted in the direction perpendicular to the height direction of the case body is positioned at one place in the direction perpendicular to the height direction of the case body. The amount of expansion and contraction of the metal plate in the direction perpendicular to the height direction of the case main body depends on the number of connecting plate parts arranged side by side in this direction as compared to the case where the metal plate is configured. It can be advantageously increased by the amount.

  Therefore, according to this aspect, the difference in linear expansion coefficient between the case main body and the metal plate can be more effectively absorbed by the expansion and contraction of the plurality of connecting plate portions in the metal plate. As a result, it is more advantageously prevented that the metal plate is peeled off from the case body due to the cylinder wall portion of the case body being expanded and contracted by a larger amount than the metal plate as the temperature changes. Can be done.

(5) In any one of the modes (1) to (4) described above, the size of the connecting plate portion in the width direction corresponding to the height direction of the case body is the plurality of reinforcing plates. It is made smaller than the magnitude | size of the width direction corresponding to this height direction in each part. According to this aspect, the expansion / contraction in the direction perpendicular to the width direction of the connecting plate portion by any one of the expansion / contraction means, the bending portion, and the concave groove-shaped bent portion is made by the amount that the width of the connecting plate portion is reduced. However, it can be done more easily with a small external force. Therefore, as the temperature changes, the connecting plate, and thus the entire metal plate, can be expanded and contracted more reliably following the expansion and contraction of the case body. The peeling of the metal plate from the case main body due to the above can be prevented even more advantageously.

(6) In the aspect (5) described above, the metal plate includes the plurality of reinforcing plate portions and the plurality of connecting plate portions, and the plurality of connecting plate portions include the plurality of connecting plate portions. Two or more adjacent reinforcing plates are positioned between adjacent ones of the plurality of reinforcing plate portions so as to be adjacent to each other at a predetermined distance in the height direction of the case body. The parts are connected integrally with each connecting plate part.

  According to this aspect, since the reinforcing plate portions adjacent to each other are connected by the plurality of connecting plate portions, each of the connecting plate portions is reduced in width even though the width is reduced. The connection strength between the adjacent reinforcing plate portions can be advantageously ensured. Thereby, while maintaining as much as possible the effect of improving the strength of the case main body by fixing the metal plate to the cylindrical wall portion of the case main body, the function / effect exhibited in the above aspect (5), that is, the connecting plate portion The excellent peeling prevention effect of the metal plate from the case main body due to the difference in the amount of expansion and contraction accompanying the temperature change, which is exhibited by reducing the width dimension, can be enjoyed extremely effectively.

(7) In any one of the modes (1) to (6) described above, a ridge that continuously extends in the height direction of the cylindrical wall portion is formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical wall portion of the case body. It is provided integrally and the connecting plate portion is embedded in the ridge.

  In this embodiment, when the bent portion or the groove-shaped bent portion is formed in the connecting plate portion, the bent portion or the groove-shaped bent portion is in a state where the metal plate is fixed to the cylindrical wall portion of the case body. Is not exposed to the outside, for example, when a bent portion or a grooved bent portion is formed by press molding or the like on a metal plate having an insulating film or plating formed on the surface, etc. In this case, even if the insulating film or plating may be peeled off from the surface of the bent part or the concave groove-shaped bent part when molding the bent part or the concave groove-shaped bent part, such an insulating film or plated It is possible to advantageously prevent occurrence of short circuit, electric leakage, rust, etc. in the bent portion or the groove-like bent portion from which the etc. are peeled off, and the advantage that the battery performance can be advantageously stabilized can be obtained. .

  In addition, when this aspect is combined with the aspect (6) described above, the reinforcing plate portions adjacent to each other in the direction perpendicular to the height direction of the case body are predetermined in the height direction of the case body. Part of the ridges integrally formed on the cylindrical wall portion of the case main body is allowed to enter between the connecting plate portions positioned at a distance.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, a part of the ridges intruded between the connecting plate portions positioned side by side in the height direction of the case main body is higher than the height of the case main body with respect to the connecting plate portions. The so-called angle effect that prevents the relative displacement between the cylindrical wall portion and the metal plate in the height direction of the cylindrical wall portion of the case main body at a part of the ridges is thereby achieved. In addition to being able to be exhibited advantageously, when the case main body is expanded in the height direction, that is, the opening side and the bottom wall side of the cylindrical wall portion in the case main body due to thermal expansion, the cylindrical wall of the case main body Of the plurality of connecting plate portions, the end surface on the bottom wall portion side of the cylindrical wall portion in the connecting plate portion located on the opening side of the cylindrical wall portion, and the cylinder Advantageous with the end face of the bottom of the opening of the cylindrical wall in the connecting plate located on the bottom wall side of the wall So that can be regulated. As a result, when the case main body and the metal plate are expanded and contracted in the height direction of the case main body due to a temperature change, the metal plate is caused by the difference in expansion and contraction between the case main body and the metal plate. It can be effectively prevented from being peeled off from the case body.

  Therefore, according to this aspect, the amount of expansion and contraction between the case body and the metal plate accompanying the temperature change in the atmosphere inside or around the battery in a state where the power generation element is housed in the housing part and configured as a battery. Due to the difference, it is possible to more effectively prevent the metal plate from peeling from the case body, and more excellent battery performance can be stably exhibited.

(8) In any one of the modes (1) to (7) described above, the metal plate portion located on the opening side of the case body is bent or curved inward of the case body. A first inner curved portion is provided, and the cylindrical wall portion includes a first extending portion extending from the first inner curved portion in a direction intersecting with a height direction of the cylindrical wall portion of the case body. A first restricting portion that restricts the expansion toward the opening due to thermal expansion of the case body is formed, while the metal plate portion located on the bottom wall portion side of the case body is bent inward of the case body. Or a second inner curved portion that is curved, and a second extending portion that extends from the second inner curved portion in a direction intersecting the height direction of the cylindrical wall portion of the case body, The 2nd control part which controls the expansion | extension to the bottom wall part side by the thermal expansion of this cylinder wall part is formed.

  In this embodiment, the extension in the height direction due to the thermal expansion of the case main body is regulated by the first regulating part and the second regulating part. As a result, when the case body and the metal plate are expanded and contracted in the height direction of the case body due to temperature changes, the metal plate is removed from the case body due to the difference in expansion and contraction between the case body and the metal plate. Such peeling can be effectively prevented.

  Therefore, according to this aspect, the amount of expansion and contraction between the case body and the metal plate accompanying the temperature change in the atmosphere inside or around the battery in a state where the power generation element is housed in the housing part and configured as a battery. Due to the difference, the metal plate can be prevented from peeling off from the case body more effectively, and more excellent battery performance can be stably exhibited.

  Hereinafter, in order to clarify the present invention more specifically, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 schematically show an embodiment of a battery case according to the present invention in a front form and a cross-sectional form, respectively. As is clear from these figures, the battery case 10 of the present embodiment includes a case body 12 made of synthetic resin, and two metal plates 14 and 14 integrally fixed to the outer surface of the case body 12. And is configured.

  More specifically, the case main body 12 is made of a synthetic resin material having excellent heat resistance, chemical resistance, and the like, such as polypropylene and ABS resin. And in this case main body 12, it has integrally the square-walled cylindrical wall part 20 and the bottom wall part 22 which obstruct | occludes the lower side opening part of this cylindrical wall part 20, Comparing as a whole It is thin and has a rectangular tube shape with a bottom on one side. Moreover, the square cylindrical tube wall portion 20 has two horizontal wall portions 16a and 16b and two vertical wall portions 18a and 18b. Each horizontal wall portion 16 has a height in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the height direction of the case main body 12 (cylinder wall portion 20) (the horizontal direction in FIG. 1 and hereinafter referred to as the horizontal direction). It has a horizontally long rectangular shape that is sufficiently larger than the dimension in the vertical direction parallel to the vertical direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 1 and hereinafter referred to as the vertical direction). Each vertical wall portion 18 has a vertical dimension in the same direction as the vertical direction of each horizontal wall portion 16 that is sufficiently larger than the horizontal dimension in the front-rear direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2) perpendicular to the horizontal direction of each horizontal wall portion 16. It has a vertically long rectangular shape.

  Further, on the inner bottom surface of the bottom wall portion 22 of the case body 12, there is an equal interval in the length direction of the bottom wall portion 22 (in the left-right direction in FIG. 2, the same direction as the left-right direction of each lateral wall portion 16). In addition, the partition wall 24 extending in the opposing direction of the two lateral wall portions 16a and 16b is integrated with the inner side surface (the opposing surface) of each lateral wall portion 16 at both end surfaces in the opposing direction. In the state, each is erected integrally. Thus, the interior of the case body 12 is partitioned by the five partition walls 24 into six spaces each having the opening 25 that opens upward. Each of the six spaces serves as a housing portion 26 in which each known power generation element (not shown) is housed.

  Further, each horizontal wall portion 16 in the cylindrical wall portion 20 of the case main body 12 has a predetermined height projecting from an outer surface portion of both end portions in the left-right direction and an outer surface portion of a portion where the partition wall 24 is formed, and in the vertical direction. The ridges 28 having a rectangular section extending continuously are integrally formed over the entire length in the vertical direction.

  Thus, here, the protruding portion 28 forming portion in each lateral wall portion 16 is thickened, and the strength of the portion is improved, and the rigidity of each lateral wall portion 16 and thus the entire case body 12 is improved. . In addition, in a state where a predetermined power generation element is accommodated in the accommodating portion 26 of the battery case 10 and a secondary battery is configured, a plurality of such secondary batteries are connected to the ridge 28 in the battery case 10. As a result, the gaps surrounded by the lateral wall portions 16 and the ridges 28 are formed between the battery cases 10. The gap serves as an air passage through which air for cooling the secondary battery is circulated.

  On the other hand, the two metal plates 14 and 14 constituting the battery case 10 together with the case body 12 have a size slightly smaller than the lateral wall portion 16 of the case body 12 and a sufficiently thin thickness, respectively. As a whole, it is composed of a horizontally long rectangular thin plate whose lateral dimension in the left-right direction is larger than that in the vertical direction. Further, the metal plate 14 is made of a metal material that is inexpensive and has sufficient strength, and further has excellent moldability by press molding or the like and a melting point higher than that of the synthetic resin material that gives the case body 12. Preferably used. Here, for example, an iron plate, an aluminum plate, or the like that has these characteristics and can be elastically deformed is used as the metal plate 14.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the present embodiment, in particular, the metal plate 14 includes six reinforcing plate portions 30 for reinforcing the case body 12 and the six reinforcing plates. It integrally has 15 connecting plate portions 32 that connect the portions 30 to each other.

  Each of the plurality of reinforcing plate portions 30 in the metal plate 14 has a size capable of covering a portion between the adjacent ridges 28 in the horizontal wall portion 16, and the vertical dimension in the vertical direction is the horizontal dimension in the horizontal direction. It has a larger rectangular flat plate shape (see FIGS. 1 and 2), and is positioned adjacent to each other at a predetermined distance in the left-right direction.

  In the reinforcing plate 30, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, first and second sides bent at right angles toward the same side in the plate thickness direction at both ends in the vertical direction, respectively. Second bent portions 34 and 36 are provided, and first and second extended portions 38 extending at a predetermined length in the horizontal direction from the first and second bent portions 34 and 36, respectively. , 40. And the extension length of the 1st extension part 38 located in the upper end part of the reinforcement board part 30 among such two extension parts 38 and 40 is the horizontal wall part 16 (cylinder wall part 20). While the length is short enough not to exceed the thickness, the extension length of the second extension portion 40 located at the lower end portion of the reinforcing plate portion 30 is sufficiently larger than the thickness of the lateral wall portion 16 (tubular wall portion 20). It has a long length.

  On the other hand, each connecting plate portion 32 has substantially the same length (the direction perpendicular to the height direction of the cylindrical wall portion 20) as the width of the protrusion 28 provided on the horizontal wall portion 16 (the dimension in the left-right direction in FIG. 1). 3 and a width less than 1/7 of the vertical dimension of the reinforcing plate 30 (the dimension in the height direction of the cylindrical wall portion 20). , A vertical dimension in FIG. 3). Further, in the connecting plate portion 32, both end portions in the length direction are respectively connected piece portions 42.

  Each of the connecting plate portions 32 is adjacent to each other between the reinforcing plate portions 30 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction at a predetermined distance in the vertical direction. ) And positioned in a plurality of rows (in this case, 5 rows) with the reinforcing plate portion 30 interposed therebetween in the left-right direction, with respect to the adjacent reinforcing plate portions 30 and 30. The connecting piece portions 42 are integrated with each other. Therefore, the adjacent reinforcing plate portions 30 are integrally connected to each other.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, in the connecting plate portion 32, the intermediate portion in the length direction is bent so that the connection piece portions 42, 42 at both ends in the length direction are close to each other. Thus, the reinforcing plate 30 has a concave curved shape that is concave toward the opposite side of the extending side of the first and second extending portions 38, 40 and whose depth gradually changes in the length direction. It is configured as follows. That is, the intermediate portion in the length direction of the connecting plate portion 32 is recessed toward the opposite side of the extending side of the first and second extending portions 38, 40 provided in each reinforcing plate portion 30, and The bottom portion of the recessed portion is bent so as to continuously extend over the entire width.

  Thus, the intermediate portion in the length direction of the connecting plate portion 32 is a bent portion 44 having a concave curved shape whose depth gradually changes in the length direction. As described above, since the metal plate 14 including the connecting plate portion 32 and the reinforcing plate portion 30 can be elastically deformed, the bending portion 44 is also elastically deformable. Therefore, for example, the reinforcing plate portions 30 connected by the connecting plate portion 32 are separated from each other, and are separated from the connection piece portions 42 and 42 at both ends in the length direction of the connecting plate portion 32. When a predetermined acting force is applied in the direction, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 6, the bent portion 44 having a concave curved shape is elastically deformed so as to be spread outward, and the bent portion 44. As a result, the entire connecting plate portion 32 is extended in the length direction. Moreover, when the said action force is cancelled | released from the expansion | extension state of such a connection board part 32, the bending part 44 will be shrunk by the restoring force, and the whole connection board part 32 is also made to extend | stretch. It can be shrunk to the state. As is apparent from this, in the present embodiment, the expansion / contraction means is configured by the bending portion 44.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 6, the metal plate 14 having such a structure is formed by the two lateral wall portions 16 a and 16 b of the cylindrical wall portion 20 of the case body 12. Each outer surface, that is, a surface opposite to the opposing surface of each lateral wall portion 16 is integrally fixed by insert molding as will be described later. Further, under such a fixed state, the reinforcing plate portions 30 of the metal plate 14 are separated from each other by a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to both the height direction of each lateral wall portion 16 and the thickness direction thereof. Adjacent to each other, the thin wall portion between the ridges 28 in each lateral wall portion 16 is positioned with the surface opposite to the side fixed to the lateral wall portion 16 exposed to the outside. It has been.

  As a result, in the battery case 10 of the present embodiment, the cylinder that occupies most of the case body 12 after securing the light weight merit obtained by the case body 12 being made of resin. Each of the thin-walled portions between the ridges 28 in the wall portion 20 (lateral wall portion 16) is reinforced by the reinforcing plate portions 30 of the metal plate 14 and is sufficiently more than the case where the wall portion 20 (lateral wall portion 16) is made of only a synthetic resin material. High rigidity can be exhibited, and the surface opposite to the side fixed to the cylindrical wall portion 20 of each of the reinforcing plate portions 30 is exposed to the outside. The heat transfer through the reinforcing plate 30 can be effectively ensured.

  In the battery case 10, as described above, in particular, a predetermined acting force is applied to the metal plate 14 in a direction in which adjacent members of the reinforcing plate portions 30 are separated / approached from each other. The connecting plate portions 32 that connect the adjacent reinforcing plate portions 30 to each other can be expanded and contracted based on the expansion and contraction action of the bending portion 44. Therefore, for example, the cylindrical wall portion 20 (lateral wall portion 16) to which such a metal plate 14 is fixed is higher than the height in the vertical direction due to thermal expansion accompanying an increase in the internal temperature of the case body 12 or the ambient atmosphere temperature. Reinforcing plate portions 30 adjacent to each other in the lateral direction, that is, in the lateral direction with respect to the metal plate 14 having a smaller linear expansion coefficient than the cylindrical wall portion 20 when greatly expanded in the left and right lateral directions having large dimensions. An acting force is applied in a direction in which the two are separated from each other. At this time, each connecting plate portion 32 is extended based on the extending action of the bending portion 44. Further, when the cylindrical wall portion 20 thus extended is contracted due to a decrease in the internal temperature of the case main body 12 or the ambient atmosphere temperature, the connecting plate portions 32 follow the flexure portions. Based on the contraction action of 44, it can be contracted.

  In addition, the expansion / contraction amount of the bending part 44 in each connection plate part 32 is a place determined suitably according to the difference etc. of the expansion / contraction amount between the horizontal wall part 16 of the cylindrical wall part 20 and the metal plate 14 by a temperature change. However, for example, in the case where the dimension in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the height direction of each horizontal wall portion 16 in the cylindrical wall portion 20 (that is, the expansion / contraction direction of the bending portion 44) is about 260 mm, −40 to 70 The difference in the amount of expansion / contraction between the lateral wall portion 16 and the metal plate 14 due to the temperature change up to 0 ° C. is about 1.58 mm. The connecting plate portions 32 are arranged in five rows at a predetermined distance from each other in the lateral direction of the metal plate 14. Therefore, in this embodiment, the bending part 44 of each connection board part 32 will be designed so that the expansion-contraction amount of about 0.4 mm may be ensured. Of course, the amount of expansion / contraction of the flexure 44 is not limited to this.

  Thus, here, when the cylindrical wall portion 20 is expanded or contracted in the lateral direction due to changes in the internal temperature of the case main body 12 or the ambient atmosphere temperature, the metal plate 14 follows the cylindrical wall portion 20 to follow it. It is configured so that it can be expanded and contracted in the lateral direction by an amount substantially equal to or very close to the expansion / contraction amount.

  Further, in the battery case 10 of the present embodiment, the upper and lower portions of the reinforcing plate portions 30 of the respective metal plates 14 are arranged in a state where the respective metal plates 14 are integrally fixed to the outer surface of the cylindrical wall portion 20. First and second extending portions 38 and 40 extending at right angles from the first and second bent portions 34 and 36 provided at both ends are respectively the outer surface of the end portion on the opening 25 side of the cylindrical wall portion 20. From the outer surface of the bottom wall part 22, it is extended in the horizontal direction at right angles to the height direction of the cylinder wall part 20 toward those inside. And the 1st extension part 38 extended toward the inside from the outer surface of the opening part 25 side part of the cylinder wall part 20 does not expose the front end surface in the accommodating part 26, but a cylinder wall part. 20 is embedded in the end portion on the opening 25 side. Further, the second extending portion 40 extended from the outer surface of the bottom wall portion 22 toward the inside is extended to a position where the tip reaches the vicinity of the center portion in the width direction of the bottom wall portion 22. It is embedded in the bottom wall portion 22.

  Thereby, here, when the cylindrical wall part 20 is extended in the vertical direction by thermal expansion, the extension to the upper side (opening 25 side of the cylindrical wall part 20) is the first extension part 38. On the other hand, extension to the lower side (bottom wall portion 22 side) is restricted by the second extending portion 40. As is clear from this, in the present embodiment, the first bent portion 34 and the second bent portion 36 constitute the first inner curved portion and the second inner bent portion, respectively. The first extending portion 38 and the second extending portion 40 constitute a first restricting portion and a second restricting portion, respectively.

  Furthermore, in the battery case 10 of the present embodiment, the entire connecting plate portion 32 of each metal plate 14 is connected to each of the cylindrical wall portions 20 under the state in which each metal plate 14 is fixed to the outer surface of the cylindrical wall portion 20. It is embedded in the ridge 28. For this reason, the reinforcing plate portions 30 adjacent to each other are integrally formed with the cylindrical wall portion 20 between the connecting plate portions 32 positioned so as to be adjacent to each other with a predetermined distance in the vertical direction. A part of the protruding ridge 28 is intruded.

  Thus, in such a battery case 10, the protruding strips 28 that are intruded between the connecting plate portions 32 positioned side by side in the vertical direction are engaged with the respective connecting plate portions 32 in the vertical direction. Thus, a so-called angle effect that prevents the cylindrical wall portion 20 and the metal plate 14 from being displaced in the vertical direction at such a protruding portion 28 is exhibited. Further, when the cylindrical wall portion 20 is extended in the vertical direction due to thermal expansion, its upward extension is restricted by the lower end face of each connecting plate portion 32, while downward. The extension is configured to be restricted at the upper end face of each connecting plate portion 32.

  By the way, the battery case 10 of the present embodiment having such a structure is easily manufactured by, for example, performing the following insert molding.

  That is, first, two metal plates 14 and 14 are prepared. For this purpose, first, two horizontally-long rectangular metal base plates are cut out from, for example, a plate-shaped metal material having an electrically insulating film or plating formed on the surface. After that, each of these two metal base plates is subjected to a known press forming process such as punching, and rectangular notches are formed at a plurality of positions spaced in the length direction of each metal base plate. By providing each of the portions and the rectangular holes, a plurality of the connecting plate portions 32 and the reinforcing plate portions 30 are formed by the remaining portions after the notches and the holes are formed. Next, a known press molding or the like is further performed on the metal base plate on which the plurality of connecting plate portions 32 and the plurality of reinforcing plate portions 30 are formed, and both sides of each reinforcing plate portion 30 in the length direction. First and second bent portions 34 and 36 and first and second extending portions 38 and 40 are formed at the end portions, respectively, and a bent portion 44 is formed with respect to each connecting plate portion 32. . As a result, a plurality of reinforcing plate portions 30 provided with the first and second extending portions 38 and 40 at both end portions in the lengthwise direction are connected to each other by a plurality of connecting plate portions 32 having flexure portions 44. The two metal plates 14 and 14 thus formed are respectively prepared and prepared.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the two metal plates 14 and 14 thus obtained are set in a molding cavity 48 of an injection mold 46 prepared in advance.

  Note that the injection mold 46 used here is, for example, a fixed plate 50 and a movable plate 52 that are arranged to face each other in the horizontal direction, and on the mutually facing surfaces of the fixed plate 50 and the movable plate 52, respectively. It has a fixed mold 54 and a movable mold 56 that are arranged to be fixed in position. A cavity forming convex portion 58 is integrally formed on the surface of the fixed die 54 facing the movable die 56, while a cavity forming recess 60 is provided on the surface of the movable die 56 facing the fixed die 54. It has been.

  In the injection mold 46, the fixed mold 54 and the movable mold 56 are mated so that the cavity forming convex portion 58 enters the cavity forming recess 60, and the cavities are formed. A molding cavity 48 corresponding to the outer shape of the target battery case 10 is formed between the inner surface of the forming recess 60 and the outer surface of the cavity forming convex portion 58. Further, under such a state where the fixed mold 54 and the movable mold 56 are aligned, the sprue 64 of the sprue bush 62 provided on the fixed plate 50 and brought into contact with a nozzle of an injection molding machine (not shown) is fixed to the fixed mold 54. In addition, the mold can be communicated with the molding cavity 48 through a sub sprue 66, a runner 68, and a gate 70 provided in the movable mold 56.

  Further, when the two metal plates 14 and 14 are set in the molding cavity 48 of the injection mold 46, the two metal plates 14 and 14 sandwich the cavity forming convex portion 58 therebetween. The first extending portion 38 of each metal plate 14 is positioned on the opening side of the cavity forming recess 60 and the second extending portion 40 is formed in the cavity forming convex portion 58 while being opposed to each other. The first and second extending portions 38 and 40 are extended from the second bent portion 34 to the first bent portion 36 with a predetermined distance from the distal end surface of the first bent portion 36. The entire surface opposite to the exit side is brought into contact with the inner surface of the cavity forming recess 60. Further, although not shown in the drawing, each connecting plate portion 32 is positioned inside a protruding line forming portion formed of a part of the molding cavity 48.

  Then, when the two metal plates 14 and 14 are set in the molding cavity 48 as described above, as shown in FIG. 8, a predetermined molten resin material 72 is fed from a nozzle of an injection molding machine (not shown). The sprue 64, the sub sprue 66, the runner 68, and the gate 70 are injected into the molding cavity 48 and filled.

  Thereafter, in the molding cavity 48, the molten resin material 72 injected and filled therein is cooled and solidified to form the case body 12, and each of the two lateral wall portions 16a and 16b of the case body 12 is molded. The two metal plates 14 are fixed to each other on the outer surface. Thus, the intended battery case 10 is obtained.

  As described above, in the battery case 10 of the present embodiment that is easily obtained by performing the insert molding, when the internal temperature of the case body 12 or the ambient atmosphere temperature is changed, the cylindrical wall portion 20 and the metal plate 14 are changed. Can be expanded or contracted by the same amount or an approximate amount in the lateral direction, and thereby, between the metal plate 14 and the cylindrical wall portion 20 (case body 12) in the lateral direction. The difference in linear expansion coefficient can be substantially eliminated or effectively reduced.

  Therefore, in such a battery case 10, when the battery case 10 is configured as a secondary battery or the like, the cylindrical wall portion 20 of the case main body 12 is accompanied by a temperature change in the atmosphere inside and around the battery. It is extremely certain that the metal plate 14 is peeled off from the case body 12 due to being expanded and contracted by a larger amount than the metal plate 14 in the transverse direction perpendicular to the height direction. And can be effectively prevented.

  Therefore, by using the battery case 10 of the present embodiment as described above, excellent battery performance realized by having sufficient lightness and high heat conductivity and strength can be stably maintained. A highly reliable battery can be manufactured more reliably and more advantageously.

  Further, in such a battery case 10, the expansion in the height direction (vertical direction) of the cylindrical wall portion 20 due to thermal expansion is the first and second extension provided in each reinforcing plate portion 30 of the metal plate 14. The protruding portions 38 and 40 and the upper and lower end surfaces of each connecting plate portion 32 can be advantageously prevented, and the relative displacement between the cylindrical wall portion 20 and the metal plate 14 in the height direction of the cylindrical wall portion 20 is It can be effectively prevented by the angle effect due to the protruding ridge 28 portion that has entered between the connecting plate portions 32 positioned side by side in the direction. As a result, the metal plate 14 is peeled off from the case main body 12 due to the cylindrical wall portion 20 of the case main body 12 being expanded and contracted by an amount larger than the metal plate 14 in the height direction. Can be effectively prevented. This can greatly contribute to the stabilization of excellent battery performance.

  Furthermore, in the battery case 10 of the present embodiment, the plurality of connecting plate portions 32 that have the bent portions 44 and can be expanded and contracted in the length direction are the height of the cylindrical wall portion 20 that is the extending and contracting direction of the bent portions 44. The amount of expansion / contraction of the entire metal plate 14 due to the expansion / contraction of the respective bending portions 44 can be effectively increased from the position positioned side by side through the reinforcing plate portion 30 in the lateral direction perpendicular to the direction. Thereby, the difference in the linear expansion coefficient in the lateral direction between the case main body 12 and the metal plate 14 can be eliminated or reduced more advantageously. As a result, the metal plate 14 peels from the case body 12 due to the cylindrical wall portion 20 of the case body 12 being expanded and contracted by a larger amount than the metal plate 14 with the temperature change. This can be prevented even more effectively.

  Furthermore, in the battery case 10, since the dimension in the width direction perpendicular to the expansion / contraction direction of each connection plate portion 32 is sufficiently small, each connection plate portion 32 is generated with a relatively small external force. The flexible portion 44 can be easily expanded and contracted. As a result, the connecting plate portion 32, and thus the entire metal plate 14, can be expanded and contracted more reliably following the expansion and contraction of the case body as the temperature changes. The peeling of the metal plate 14 from the case main body 12 due to the difference can be further advantageously prevented.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of connecting plate portions 32 are positioned at a predetermined distance from each other in the vertical direction corresponding to the height direction of the cylindrical wall portion 20 between the adjacent reinforcing plate portions 30. Therefore, although the width of each of the connecting plate portions 32 is reduced, the connection strength between the adjacent reinforcing plate portions 30 can be sufficiently secured.

  Furthermore, in the battery case 10 of the present embodiment, the entire connecting plate portions 32 and the entire first and second extending portions 38 and 40 provided at both upper and lower end portions of the reinforcing plate portions 30 Are embedded in each of the cylindrical wall portion 20 (the projecting ridge 28 and the lateral wall portion 16) and the bottom wall portion 22 of the case main body 12. Therefore, for example, when the metal plate 14 is formed by punching or the like even though the metal plate 14 has an electrically insulating film or plating on the surface, the metal plate 14 In order to become a cut surface when cut out from a predetermined plate-shaped metal material, it is constituted by the end surface of each connecting plate portion 32 or the end surface of each reinforcing plate portion 30 where the electrically insulating film or plating is not formed. It can be advantageously avoided that the respective front end surfaces of the first and second extending portions 38, 40 are exposed to the outside. As a result, a part of the metal plate 14 may be rusted or short-circuited by exposure to the outside of the metal plate 14 portion on which no electrically insulating film or plating is formed. Therefore, excellent battery performance can be stabilized more effectively.

  Next, FIGS. 9 to 11 show examples in which the structure of the expansion / contraction means provided for each connecting plate portion 32 of the metal plate 14 is different from that of the first embodiment. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the members and parts having the same structure as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. The explanation was omitted.

  That is, first, in the battery case 10 shown in FIG. 9, the intermediate portion in the length direction of the connecting plate portion 32 of the metal plate 14 is substantially “koku” at three points separated by a predetermined distance in the length direction. Is bent toward the outside of the cylindrical wall portion 20 (case body 12) at the intermediate portion in the length direction of the connecting plate portion 32, and the bottom portion is the height of the cylindrical wall portion 20. A V-groove bent portion 76 is provided as a concave groove-shaped bent portion extending in the direction. In addition, the V-groove bent portion 76 has two inclined side walls 74 and 74 that are inclined toward the inside and the outside of the cylindrical wall portion 20, respectively.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, for example, when an acting force in a direction in which the connecting piece portions 42 and 42 are separated from each other is applied to the connecting plate portion 32, as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The V-groove bent portion 76 is elastically deformed so that the angle formed by the two inclined side walls 74 and 74 in the groove-shaped bent portion 76 is increased and the distance between the two inclined side walls 74 and 74 is increased. As a result, the V-groove-shaped bent portion 76 and the entire connecting plate portion 32 are extended in the length direction. When the acting force is released from the extended state of the connecting plate portion 32, the V-groove bent portion 76 is contracted by the restoring force, and the entire connecting plate portion 32 is also extended. It can be shrunk to the state before it is used. As is clear from this, in the present embodiment, the V-groove bent portion 76 constitutes an expansion / contraction means.

  As a result, when the cylindrical wall portion 20 is expanded and contracted in the lateral direction perpendicular to the height direction in accordance with changes in the internal temperature of the case body 12 and the ambient ambient temperature, the metal plate 14 Following this, the metal plate 14 and the cylindrical wall portion 20 (case body 12 in the horizontal direction) are configured so that they can be expanded and contracted in the horizontal direction by the same amount as the expansion and contraction amount of the cylindrical wall portion 20. The difference in the linear expansion coefficient with respect to) can be substantially eliminated.

  Therefore, even in the battery case 10 of the present embodiment, when the battery case 10 is configured as a secondary battery or the like, the cylindrical wall portion 20 of the case main body 12 is accompanied by a temperature change in the atmosphere inside and around the battery. In the lateral direction perpendicular to the height direction, the metal plate 14 is peeled off from the case main body 12 due to being expanded and contracted by an amount larger than that of the metal plate 14. Can be prevented. As a result, the excellent actions and effects exhibited in the first embodiment can be enjoyed in the same manner.

  As shown in the second embodiment, the connecting plate portion 32 is bent at a plurality of locations at a predetermined distance in the length direction thereof, so that the case main body 12 is made to the connecting plate portion 32. A concave groove-shaped bent portion that is recessed toward the inner side or the outer side and the bottom of the concave portion extends in the height direction of the case main body 12, and between the opposite side wall portions of the concave groove-shaped bent portion. Is changed based on the elastic deformation action of the connecting plate portion 32, so that the connecting plate portion 32 can be expanded and contracted in a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the case body 12. The shape of such a groove-like bent portion is not particularly limited. Therefore, there is no problem even if the concave groove-like bent portion has, for example, a trapezoidal cross section, a rectangular shape, or a polygonal shape other than those.

  Next, in the battery case 10 shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of flexure portions 44 in the first embodiment (for example, for example, in the middle portion in the length direction of the connection plate portion 32 of the metal plate 14 (for example, In this example, a wave-like bending portion 78 in which peaks and troughs are alternately arranged is provided by combining two in the length direction of the connecting plate portion 32.

  Also in this embodiment, for example, when an acting force is applied to the connecting plate portion 32 in a direction in which the connection piece portions 42 and 42 are separated from each other, the wavy bending portion 78 (each of which has a wave form) The bent portion 44) is elastically deformed so as to be spread outward, so that the wave-like bent portion 78 and thus the entire connecting plate portion 32 are extended in the length direction. Moreover, when the said action force is cancelled | released from the expansion | extension state of such a connection board part 32, the wavelike bending part 78 will be shrunk by the restoring force, and the whole connection plate part 32 will also be extended. It can be shrunk to the state of. As is clear from this, in the present embodiment, the wave-like bending portion 78 constitutes the expansion / contraction means.

  Thereby, when the cylindrical wall portion 20 is expanded and contracted in the lateral direction perpendicular to the height direction in accordance with changes in the internal temperature of the case main body 12 and the ambient ambient temperature, the metal plate 14 follows it. Thus, it can be expanded and contracted in the lateral direction by an amount substantially the same as the expansion / contraction amount of the cylindrical wall part 20, and therefore, between the metal plate 14 and the cylindrical wall part 20 (case body 12) in the lateral direction. Differences in the linear expansion coefficient can be substantially eliminated.

  Therefore, even in the battery case 10 of the present embodiment, the same actions and effects as those of the first and second embodiments can be achieved extremely advantageously.

  As shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of V-groove bent portions 76 are provided in the longitudinal direction of the connecting plate portion 32 (for example, for example, in the middle portion of the connecting plate portion 32 of the metal plate 14). It is also possible to form the concave groove-shaped bent portion 80 having a zigzag shape in the entirety of the plurality of V-groove-shaped bent portions 76 by providing two in parallel. It goes without saying that the same actions and effects as in the first to third embodiments can also be achieved by this.

  Further, even when the groove-shaped bent portion having such a zigzag shape is formed in the intermediate portion in the length direction of the connecting plate portion 32 of the metal plate 14, the cross-sectional trapezoidal shape, the rectangular shape, or other Of course, a plurality of polygonal grooves may be arranged side by side in the length direction of the connecting plate portion 32 to form a groove-shaped bent portion.

  The specific configuration of the present invention has been described in detail above. However, this is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited by the above description.

  For example, the overall shape, the number, and the like of each of the reinforcing plate portion 30 and the connecting plate portion 32 constituting the metal plate 14 can be changed as appropriate.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the metal plate 14 was integrally fixed only with respect to only the two horizontal wall parts 16a and 16b in the cylinder wall part 20 of the case main body 12, metal plate 14 is attached to a cylinder wall part. Of course, the two vertical wall portions 18a and 18b in FIG.

  Furthermore, the entire shape of the case main body 12 may be a rectangular tube shape other than the rectangular tube shape illustrated in FIG.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the two metal plates 14 and 14 have the same thickness and are made of the same type of metal material. However, the thickness and the constituent material of each metal plate 14 are the same. Even if they are different from each other, there is no problem. For example, when the thickness of the cylindrical wall portion 20 portion of the case body 12 to which the respective metal plates 14 are integrally fixed is different, a plurality of metal plates 14 having different thicknesses are advantageously used. It is done. That is, the thick metal plate 14 is integrally fixed to the thin cylindrical wall portion 20, while the thin metal plate 14 is integrally fixed to the thick cylindrical wall portion 20. . Thereby, the advantage that the lightness, strength, heat transfer property, etc. in the battery case 10 as a whole can be appropriately secured in a balanced manner can be obtained.

In the embodiment, the two metal plates 14 and 14 are integrally fixed to the outer surface of the cylindrical wall portion 20 of the case body 12. It is also possible to make it be integrally fixed to the outer surface of the cylindrical wall portion and the bottom wall portion after being bent into a cylindrical shape or formed into a cylindrical shape with a bottom.

  In addition, it goes without saying that the battery case according to the present invention can be applied to both the battery case of the secondary battery and the battery case of the primary battery.

  In addition, although not enumerated one by one, the present invention can be carried out in a mode to which various changes, modifications, improvements, etc. are added based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. It goes without saying that all are included in the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

It is front explanatory drawing which shows one Embodiment of the battery case according to this invention. It is II-II sectional explanatory drawing in FIG. It is front explanatory drawing of the metal plate which the battery case shown by FIG. 1 has. It is IV-IV cross-sectional explanatory drawing in FIG. It is a VV cross-section enlarged explanatory view in FIG. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged explanatory view in FIG. 2. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the process of manufacturing the battery case shown by FIG. 1, Comprising: The state which set the metal plate in the shaping | molding cavity is shown. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing an example of a battery case manufacturing process performed subsequent to FIG. 7, showing a state in which a molten resin material is injected and filled into a molding cavity in which a metal plate is set. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 6 which shows another embodiment of the battery case according to this invention. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 6 which shows another embodiment of the battery case according to this invention. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 6 which shows other embodiment of the battery case according to this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Battery case 12 Case main body 14 Metal plate 20 Cylinder wall part 22 Bottom wall part 28 Convex strip 30 Reinforcement board part 32 Connection board part 44 Bending part 76 V-groove bending part 78 Wave-like bending part 80 Concave groove bending part

Claims (6)

A case body made of a synthetic resin having a cylindrical shape with a bottom on one side and housing a power generation element, and at least the outer surface of the cylindrical wall portion of the case body are integrated by insert molding In a battery case comprising a metal plate for reinforcing the case body, which is fixedly attached to the case,
A plurality of reinforcing plate portions for reinforcing the case main body, the metal plates being positioned so as to be adjacent to each other at a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the case main body, and the plurality of reinforcing plates; And a connecting plate portion that integrally connects adjacent ones of the portions, and the connecting plate portion is perpendicular to the height direction of the case body with respect to the connecting plate portion. A battery case characterized by being provided with expansion / contraction means that can expand and contract in any direction. A case body made of a synthetic resin having a cylindrical shape with a bottom on one side and housing a power generation element, and at least the outer surface of the cylindrical wall portion of the case body are integrated by insert molding In a battery case comprising a metal plate for reinforcing the case body, which is fixedly attached to the case,
A plurality of reinforcing plate portions for reinforcing the case main body, the metal plates being positioned so as to be adjacent to each other at a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the case main body, and the plurality of reinforcing plates; And a connecting plate portion integrally connecting adjacent ones of the portions, and at least the connecting plate portion of the metal plate is elastically deformable, and further, with respect to the connecting plate portion In addition, a bending portion is provided by bending the connecting plate portion so that the concave portion is recessed toward the inside or outside of the case body and the bottom of the recessed portion extends in the height direction of the case body. A battery case, wherein the bending portion is configured to be able to expand and contract in a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the case body based on an elastic deformation action of the connecting plate portion.   The metal plate includes at least three of the reinforcing plate portions and a plurality of the connecting plate portions, and the plurality of connecting plate portions include the at least three reinforcing plates. The adjacent reinforcing plate portions are positioned at least one between adjacent ones of the portions, and the adjacent reinforcing plate portions are integrally connected by the connecting plate portions. The battery case according to claim 2.   The size in the width direction corresponding to the height direction of the case main body in the connecting plate portion is smaller than the size in the width direction corresponding to the height direction in each of the plurality of reinforcing plate portions. The battery case according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The metal plate includes the plurality of reinforcing plate portions and the plurality of connecting plate portions, and the plurality of connecting plate portions are adjacent to each other among the plurality of reinforcing plate portions. Between the two, two or more are positioned so as to be adjacent to each other at a predetermined distance in the height direction of the case body, and the adjacent reinforcing plate portions are connected to each other at the connecting plate portions. The battery case according to claim 4, which is integrally connected. On the outer surface of the cylindrical wall portion of the case main body, a ridge extending continuously in the height direction of the cylindrical wall portion is integrally provided, and the connecting plate portion is embedded in the ridge. The battery case according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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