JP2007095597A - Battery module - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery module excellent in manufacturing efficiency while preventing mechanical degradation at a terminal with a simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: Power-generation elements 1 are arrayed vertically and horizontally and stored in a container body 2. The whole of the power-generation elements 1 is serially connected while electrically connecting the power-generation elements 1 adjacent to each other with a lead L. An anode terminal P extended from one end of the serially-connected power-generation elements 1, and a cathode terminal N extended from the other end, are respectively protruded from the peripheral edge of the container body 2. Each arrayed power-generation element 1, each lead, and each pole terminal root are sandwiched by the container body 2 and a lid material 3. A periphery 2a of each power-generation element 1 and the lower face of the lid material 3 facing it are thermally adhered with the upper face of the container body 2, so as to cover and fix them in a hermetically sealed state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery module structure using a laminate packaging material for an exterior case.

  In recent years, high energy density and high output density batteries have been actively developed for use in electric vehicles powered by electricity and hybrid cars that run in combination with an engine and a motor. As a battery configuration for such a use, a wound power generation element is housed in a cylindrical case, a wound power generation element or a power generation element in which flat electrodes and separators are stacked is a flat type. There is something stored in the case.

  In addition, as a means for reducing the weight of such a battery and achieving higher energy density and higher output, a laminated packaging material is used as an outer case, and the periphery of the battery is sealed by heat sealing. Structures have been proposed. Furthermore, in such a battery using a laminate packaging material for the outer case, the configuration of the battery module that can improve the reliability of the sealing performance of the battery and ensure charge / discharge performance at a large current is disclosed in Patent Document 1. It is disclosed.

  Specifically, a flat battery covered with a laminate film, housed and sealed by thermal fusion, a battery assembly in which a plurality of the batteries are assembled, and a battery assembly from the direction facing the flat surface of the flat battery A battery module including a pair of flat plate-type supports that sandwich the battery, wherein at least one of the flat plate-type supports includes an electric conductor that electrically connects lead terminals of a plurality of flat-type batteries The rib portion holds the flat plate support at a predetermined interval, and the flat plate support presses and supports the battery assembly.

In addition, an assembled battery configured by combining and combining a plurality of thin batteries having a structure strong against an applied external force, and a composite assembled battery configured by combining a plurality of the assembled batteries However, this is disclosed in Patent Document 2. With this configuration, it is possible to easily obtain a composite battery pack suitable for required capacity, voltage, and the like.
JP 2003-242951 A JP 2004-31136 A

  However, in the configuration as described in each of the above patent documents, since the electrode terminals (leads) adjacent to each other are connected by a metal plate or a metal rod, the process becomes complicated. Moreover, since the continuous load from a metal plate or a metal rod is applied to the terminal portion, the terminal portion is easily damaged. Furthermore, when the battery cells are fixed, it is necessary to insulate the individual battery cells from each other, which complicates the configuration.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module that has a simple configuration, prevents mechanical deterioration of a terminal portion, and has high manufacturing efficiency.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a plurality of power generating elements having positive and negative lead terminals protruding from the periphery are stacked or wound with a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate interposed between separators. Are arranged and housed vertically and horizontally, and the power generation elements adjacent to each other are electrically connected by the lead terminals while being connected in series, and a positive terminal extending from one end and a negative terminal extending from the other end are connected to the periphery of the container body. The power generation element, each lead terminal, and each electrode terminal base portion are sandwiched between the container main body and the lid member, and the peripheral portion of each power generation element on the upper surface of the container main body and the lid facing the lid It is characterized by being thermally bonded to the lower surface of the material.

  Further, the positive and negative lead terminals protrude from the respective power generation elements so as to face each other or substantially orthogonal to each other, and the lead terminals of the adjacent power generation elements are overlapped to be electrically connected. It is characterized by that.

  Further, a chamfered portion or a stepped portion is provided at each tip portion of the lead terminal to be superimposed, and these are brought into contact with each other so that the superimposed portion does not rise.

  The container main body and the lid material are made of a laminate packaging material in which a base material, an aluminum material, and a thermal adhesive resin material are sequentially laminated and bonded. The thermal adhesive resin material is a resin having metal adhesiveness.

  Further, the lead terminal is characterized in that the front and back surfaces and side surfaces of the lead terminal are covered with a lead terminal adhesive film, and a part of the lead terminal is exposed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery module that has a simple configuration, prevents mechanical deterioration of the terminal portion, and has high manufacturing efficiency.

  Specifically, since the power generation elements adjacent to each other are electrically connected by overlapping the lead terminals, an extra connection member is unnecessary, and mechanical deterioration at the terminal portion can be prevented.

  Moreover, since it is the structure which accommodates and seals several electric power generation elements simultaneously, it can manufacture efficiently and it becomes easy to modularize together.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the power generation elements 1 are arranged and stored in the container body 2 vertically and horizontally, and the entire power generation elements 1 are connected in series while being electrically connected to each other by leads L, A positive terminal P extending from one end and a negative terminal N extending from the other end protrude from the peripheral edge of the container body 2. The arrayed power generation elements 1, the leads, and the electrode terminal bases are sandwiched between the container body 2 and the lid 3, and face the peripheral portions 2 a of the power generation elements 1 on the upper surface of the container body 2. The structure is such that the lower surface of the lid member 3 is thermally bonded and covered and hermetically fixed.

  As is well known, the power generation element 1 is formed by laminating or winding a positive electrode plate, a separator, and a negative electrode plate (not shown respectively), and positive and negative lead terminals project from each other as will be described later. Further, as will be described later, a laminate packaging material in which a resin and a metal are laminated is used for the container body 2 and the lid material 3. In addition, adhesion | attachment with the container main body 2 and the cover material 3 is not necessarily limited to thermal bonding, and may use an adhesive agent etc. as long as sufficient adhesive performance is obtained.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a state in which the lid member is removed from the battery module of the present embodiment. In the figure, the respective power generation elements 1 are respectively stored in storage recesses, which will be described later, provided in the container body 2 and are arranged vertically and horizontally. Further, from each power generating element 1, a positive lead terminal 1a and a negative lead terminal 1b protrude so as to face each other or substantially orthogonal to each other, and the lead terminals 1a and 1b of the adjacent power generating elements 1 overlap each other to be electrically connected. Are connected to each other to form a lead L.

  In this case, the power generation element 1 arranged at the corner of the connection uses a positive lead terminal 1a and a negative lead terminal 1b protruding so as to be substantially orthogonal to each other. The positive electrode lead terminal 1a and the negative electrode lead terminal 1b are used so that they protrude so as to face each other, and as a result, the power generating elements 1 are connected in series as a whole. Further, at both ends of the series connection, the lead terminal 1a protrudes from the peripheral portion of the container body 2 at the power generation element 1 at one end to form the positive terminal P, and the lead terminal 1b extends from the peripheral portion of the container body 2 at the power generation element 1 at the other end. The negative electrode terminal N is formed so as to protrude.

  FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing a state in the vicinity of the power generation element in the battery module of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the container main body 2 is provided with storage recesses 2b projecting from the lower surface thereof in the vertical and horizontal directions, and the power generation element 1 is stored in each of them. From the upper peripheral edge of the power generation element 1, lead terminals 1a and 1b extend back and forth along the peripheral portion 2a of each power generation element 1 on the upper surface of the container body 2, and the lead terminals of the power generation elements 1 adjacent to the lead terminal 1a 1b is superimposed, and the lead terminal 1b and the lead terminal 1a of the adjacent power generation element 1 are superimposed.

  Note that either one of the superimposed lead terminals 1a and 1b may be on the upper side. Moreover, although the figure shows the case where the lead terminals 1a and 1b of the power generation element 1 protrude so as to face each other, if the lead terminals 1a and 1b protrude so as to be substantially orthogonal to each other, The shape protrudes toward the front side or the other side. After each power generating element 1 is disposed as described above, the lid member 3 is provided on the upper side, and each power generating element 1, each lead L and the like is sandwiched between the container body 2 and the lid member 3, and the surrounding portion 2a and The lower surface of the cover 3 facing this is thermally bonded and covered and hermetically fixed.

  At this time, the superimposed lead terminals 1a and 1b do not need to be joined in particular, and a sufficiently electrical connection state can be obtained by a crimping force by thermal bonding. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, chamfering is performed on each tip portion of the lead terminals 1a and 1b to be superimposed (see FIG. 4A) or a step is applied (see FIG. 4B), By bringing them into contact with each other so that the overlapping portion does not rise, the adhesion between the lead terminals is improved, and a more reliable electrical connection state can be obtained.

  FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the laminate packaging material used in this example. As shown in the figure, this laminate packaging material uses a resin having heat resistance, water barrier properties, etc. such as ON (stretched nylon) or PET (polyethylene terephthalate) as the base material 4, an aluminum material 5, and thermal bonding The conductive resin materials 6 are sequentially laminated and joined by dry lamination or the like. When this laminate packaging material is used for the container body 2, the heat-adhesive resin material 6 becomes the upper surface, and when it is used for the lid material 3, the heat-adhesive resin material 6 becomes the lower surface, and the heat-adhesive resin materials 6 are combined. It is a mechanism that is thermally bonded.

  In addition, when mass-producing the battery module of the present embodiment, for example, a plurality of battery modules are produced using a continuous container body 2 and lid material 3 made of a strip-shaped laminate packaging material, and finally separated one by one. If it is a method, it will be highly productive. It is also possible to stack the battery modules of this embodiment and connect adjacent electrodes to form an assembled battery.

  Moreover, it is preferable to prevent the electrolyte from flowing along the lead terminal surface between adjacent storage recesses in a state where the power generation element is stored and sealed in each storage recess by the container body, and the following method is taken. Can do. That is, there is a method in which a metal adhesive resin having thermal adhesion to the lead terminal is used as the thermal adhesive resin material, and the lead terminal and the thermal adhesive resin material are thermally bonded by heat when the container body is sealed. As the metal adhesive resin, a film made of an acid-modified olefin resin graft-modified with an unsaturated carboxylic acid can be used.

  Alternatively, there is a method in which a lead terminal adhesive film is bonded to the front and back surfaces of each lead terminal, and the lead terminal adhesive film and the heat adhesive resin material of the container body are thermally bonded. In this case, it is necessary to expose a part of the lead terminal (for example, the tip of the lead terminal) in order to expose a part of the surface of the overlapping lead terminal to be a contact between the lead terminals.

  As the lead terminal adhesive film, it is preferable to use a film in which a polyolefin layer, at least one of which is an acid-modified polyolefin, is laminated on both sides of a polyethylene naphthalate film. In this case, since the polyolefin naphthalate film has excellent heat resistance, it is not thinned during heat sealing, and it is possible to prevent a short circuit between the aluminum material and the lead terminal in the laminate packaging material forming the container body and the lid material. it can.

The disassembled perspective view which shows typically the structure of the battery module which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. The top view which shows typically the state except a cover material. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows typically the mode of the power generation element vicinity. The modification of each front-end | tip part of the lead terminal superimposed. The expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view of the laminate packaging material used by a present Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power generation element 1a, 1b Lead terminal 2 Container main body 2a Surrounding part 2b Storage recessed part 3 Lid material 4 Base material 5 Aluminum material 6 Thermoadhesive resin material L Lead P Positive electrode terminal N Negative electrode terminal

Claims (6)

  A plurality of power generation elements having positive and negative electrode lead terminals protruding from the periphery are arranged or housed in a container body vertically and horizontally, and are stacked or wound with a separator and a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate disposed adjacent to each other. The elements are electrically connected to each other by the lead terminals, and are connected in series, and a positive electrode terminal extending from one end and a negative electrode terminal extending from the other end are projected from the peripheral edge of the container body, and each of the power generation elements and each lead The terminal and each electrode terminal base portion are sandwiched between the container body and the lid member, and the peripheral portion of each power generating element and the lower surface of the lid member opposed to the upper surface of the container body are thermally bonded. Battery module characterized.   The lead terminals of the positive electrode and the negative electrode protrude from the power generation elements so as to face each other or substantially perpendicular to each other, and the lead terminals of the adjacent power generation elements are electrically connected by being superimposed. The battery module according to claim 1.   The battery module according to claim 2, wherein a chamfered portion or a stepped portion is provided at each tip portion of the lead terminal to be superimposed, and these are brought into contact with each other so that the superimposed portion does not rise.   The battery according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the container main body and the lid member are made of a laminate packaging material in which a base material, an aluminum material, and a thermoadhesive resin material are sequentially laminated and bonded. module.   The battery module according to claim 4, wherein the thermal adhesive resin material is a resin having metal adhesiveness.   2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the lead terminal is covered with a lead terminal adhesive film on the front and back surfaces and side surfaces of the lead terminal, and a part of the lead terminal is exposed.

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