JP2008277049A - Power supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power supply device capable of being easily mounted, with optimization aimed at of a space for constituent elements constituting the power supply device. <P>SOLUTION: The power supply device is provided with a power source aggregate 30 with a plurality of power source bodies 35 laminated, and an upper case 10 as well as a lower case 20 housing the power source aggregate 30. The upper case 10 is structured of a first case member 11 and a second case member 12 each mounted on the power source aggregate 30 from right and left directions in a laminated direction of the power source body 35, and fastening parts (13, 34) are arranged in a right-and-left direction of the power source aggregate 30 for fastening the power source aggregate 30 and the upper case 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply device, and more particularly to optimization of the space of components constituting the power supply device and prevention of a liquid short circuit.

  Conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1, a power storage device such as a secondary battery or an electric double layer capacitor (capacitor) or a power supply device such as a fuel cell has a power supply assembly in which a plurality of power supply bodies (battery cells) are stacked. The power supply assembly (assembled battery, battery module) and the lower case are fixed by fastening members such as bolts.

  Further, the power supply device in which the power supply assembly is accommodated in the case is fixed to the vehicle body (floor) via the lower case (and / or the upper case) and mounted on the vehicle.

  FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional power supply device, which includes a case member composed of an upper case 10 and a lower case 20, and a plurality of power supply bodies (battery cells, power storage cells) accommodated in the case member. , Fuel cell, etc.) 35 and a power supply assembly 30 in which a plurality of layers are stacked. The power supply assembly 30 is fastened and fixed to the lower case 20, and is mounted on the vehicle by fastening and fixing the extension portion provided in each of the upper case 10 and the lower case 20 and the vehicle body 1.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, each of the plurality of power supply bodies 35 constituting the power supply assembly 30 includes a power generation (storage) element (shaded portion) and a resin member that covers the power generation element. The coupling portion 34 provided in the assembly 30 and the lower case 20 are fastened by the fastening member 40 from the vertical direction of the power supply assembly 30. 4A includes a cooling device (not shown) that cools the power supply assembly 30 by taking in cooling air from outside the device, and the chamber 31 that forms the chamber space CS through which the cooling air flows is a power source. It is provided on both sides of the assembly 30. The chamber 31 is disposed between the extending portion 33 provided on the upper portion of the power source body 35 and the lower coupling portion 34, and is engaged and disposed via the engaging portion 32.

  FIG. 4B is a view for explaining a method of fastening the power supply assembly 30 and the lower case 20 and assembling the case member, and shows a cross-sectional view of the power supply device. As described above, the coupling portion 34 of the power source body 35 and the lower case 20 are fastened and fixed by the fastening member 40 from above and below, and the upper case 10 is covered from above the lower case 20 and the power source assembly 30.

JP 2006-236826 A (FIG. 1, FIG. 2, etc.) JP 2006-185815 A JP 2006-334041 A JP 2003-346749 A JP 2006-190529 A

  Usually, for example, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), cooling power is taken from outside the power supply device to cool the power supply assembly 30 and the power generation efficiency and the like are suitably maintained. There is a problem in that dew condensation occurs in the power supply body 35 and the condensed water causes a short circuit between the power supply bodies 35 and a short circuit between the power supply body 35 and the metal case.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the conventional power supply apparatus positions the power supply assembly 30 with respect to the lower case 20 in order to position the power supply assembly 30 inside the case. After that, the upper case 10 is assembled from above the power supply assembly 30 so as to cover it. That is, the fastening member 40 is located below the power supply assembly 30 (the lower case 20 for fastening by the fastening member 40 and the fastening hole in the coupling portion 34 of the power supply body 35 are located on the lower surface side of the power supply assembly 50). It is in a state.

  Therefore, when water vapor is condensed in each power supply body 35 to form water droplets (condensation water), the attached dew condensation water flows out toward the lower case 20 and the power supply assembly 30 and the lower case 20 are fastened. It is guided to the member 40 or the vicinity thereof (see FIG. 4B) and easily causes a short circuit between the power supply bodies 35 and a short circuit between the power supply body 35 and the lower case 20 due to the condensed water.

  Thus, conventionally, the above-mentioned problem has been avoided by applying insulation treatment (short-circuit prevention treatment), corrosion resistance treatment, etc. to the fastening portion between the lower case 20 and the power supply assembly 30. There is a problem that the number of processes increases and the cost increases. In particular, in the configuration of the conventional power supply device, even if an insulation treatment or the like is performed, there is no change in that dew condensation water that causes a liquid short circuit or corrosion is guided to the fastening member 40 or the vicinity thereof. It is not a preventive method for liquid short circuit.

  Further, as described above, if the power supply assembly 30 is not fastened to the lower case 20 when the upper case 20 is assembled, the power supply assembly 30 cannot be accurately positioned in the case, and the assembly accuracy is improved. It will decline.

  Further, the assembly that covers the upper case 10 from above the power supply assembly 30 may interfere with the upper side of the power supply assembly 30 fixed to the lower case 20. Therefore, conventionally, a large space for accommodating the power supply assembly 30 of the upper case 10 is formed so that the upper case 10 does not interfere with the power supply assembly 30.

  However, if the space for accommodating the power supply assembly 30 of the upper case 10 is formed large, the case will be increased in size, and the efficiency of the arrangement space of the power supply device in the vehicle will be reduced.

  In particular, as shown in FIG. 4A, in the power supply device including the chamber 31, the chamber 31 is disposed so as to protrude from the side surface of the power supply assembly 30, and thus accommodates the power supply assembly 30. The space must be made larger. However, as described above, the increase in the size of the case cannot increase the efficiency of the arrangement space of the power supply device in the vehicle. Therefore, the amount of protrusion of the chamber 31 from the power supply assembly 30 is reduced, and the chamber 31 and the upper case 10 A gap S1 as a non-interference space must be ensured between the two. For this reason, the chamber space CS is reduced, and the cooling efficiency is reduced.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a power supply apparatus that can optimize the space of components constituting the power supply apparatus while suitably preventing a liquid short circuit or corrosion due to condensed water.

  A power supply device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a power supply assembly in which a plurality of power supply bodies are stacked, an upper case and a lower case that accommodate the power supply assemblies, and the power supply assembly in the stacking direction of the power supplies. The power supply assembly includes a first case member and a second case member assembled from the left and right directions.

  A power supply device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a power supply assembly in which a plurality of power supply bodies are stacked, and an upper case and a lower case that store the power supply assemblies, and the power supply body is stacked in the stacking direction. In the left-right direction of the power supply assembly, a fastening portion is disposed for fastening the power supply assembly and the upper case.

  In addition, the first case member or the second case member of the power supply device can be formed in a shape having a space that extends in the stacking direction and accommodates part or all of the power supply assembly from the left-right direction.

  Further, when the power supply device includes first and second chambers that are provided adjacent to the left and right sides of the power supply assembly and form a chamber space through which cooling air flows, the first and second case members Each can be configured to be assembled to the power supply assembly in contact with each chamber, and the first and second chambers are attached to each of the first and second case members. Thus, the first and second case members may be assembled to the power supply assembly.

  In the power supply device, each of the first and second case members assembled from the left and right directions of the power supply assembly is fastened to the power supply assembly through a fastening portion in a state where the power supply assembly is mounted on the lower case. In addition, the upper case and the lower case can be fastened.

  In addition, the first and second case members may have contact surfaces that prevent the power supply assembly from moving at a position different from the fastening portion.

  Moreover, the said fastening part may be provided separately from a power supply assembly, and you may comprise so that it may be provided in a part of resin member which comprises a power supply body.

  In addition, a vibration absorbing member can be disposed between the power supply assembly and the lower case.

  According to the present invention, since the upper case is constituted by the first case member and the second case member that are assembled from the left and right directions of the power supply assembly, the space of the components constituting the power supply device can be optimized. Easy assembly is possible.

  Further, by disposing a fastening portion for fastening the power supply assembly and the upper case in the left-right direction of the power supply assembly, it is possible to suitably prevent problems such as a liquid short circuit due to condensed water.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below.

Example 1
A power supply apparatus that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Here, in this embodiment, a power storage device will be described as an example of a power supply device, but the present invention is also applicable to a power supply device such as a fuel cell. 1 is an external perspective view of a battery pack as a power storage device, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack in FIG. 1 in the left-right direction.

  1 and 2, the battery pack 100 includes a battery module (power supply assembly) 30 in which a plurality of battery cells (power supply bodies) 35 are stacked, and an upper case 10 and a lower case 20 that house the battery modules 30. The upper case 10 is composed of a first case member 11 and a second case member 12. The first case member 11 and the second case member 12 are a pair of case members obtained by dividing one upper case 10, and are assembled from the left and right directions of the battery module 30 in the stacking direction of the battery cells 35. The battery pack 100 is configured as 10. The battery pack 100 in which the battery module 30 is housed corresponds to the power supply device described in the claims.

  Each of the plurality of battery cells 35 constituting the battery module 30 includes a power generation element (shaded portion) and a resin member that covers the power generation element. The battery module 30 includes a plurality of battery cells 35, end plates 36a disposed at both ends in the stacking direction, and a restraining bar 36b that connects the end plates 36a. Each battery cell 35 includes an end plate 36a. It is restrained between.

  In addition, the battery pack 100 of this embodiment includes a cooling device (not shown) that cools the battery module 30 by taking in cooling air from the outside of the battery pack 100, and the chamber 31 that forms the chamber space CS through which the cooling air flows is a battery. It is provided adjacent to both side surfaces (left and right direction) of the module 30. In addition, a mounting member 37 on which a plurality of battery cells are mounted is provided in the lower part of the battery module 30, and a chamber mounting member 38 is provided in the upper part. Each of the mounting member 37 and the chamber attachment member 38 has an extending portion (33, 34) provided so as to protrude in the left-right direction from the side surface of the battery module, and the chamber 31 is provided above and below the battery module 30. It arrange | positions between the extending parts which are located, and is engagedly arrange | positioned through the engaging part 32. FIG.

  The first and second case members 11, 12 constituting the upper case 10 are provided with fastening portions 13 for fastening with the battery module 30 on the side surfaces in the left-right direction of the battery pack 100. The battery module 30 and the first and second case members are fastened through the mounting member 37 constituting the battery module 30. The fastening portion 13 is formed in a convex shape with respect to the battery module 30 (concave with respect to the side surface of the upper case 10), and the convex surface of the fastening portion 13 abuts on the extending portion 34 of the mounting member 37. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the first case member 11 and the second case member 12 extend in the stacking direction of the battery cells 35 and accommodate part or all of the battery module 30 from the left-right direction of the battery module 30. The battery module 30 is housed in a space formed by the case members 11 and 12 as will be described later. In the present embodiment, one upper case 10 is constituted by a pair of case members that are divided into approximately two equal parts along the stacking direction of the battery modules 30. For example, the battery module 30 is provided as one case member. A space that accommodates the whole is formed, the other case member is configured to close the space of the one case member from the left-right direction, and the other case member does not include a space for accommodating the battery module 30. It is also possible.

  A fastening hole 39 corresponding to the fastening hole 14 of the fastening portion 13 extends on the lateral side surface of the mounting member 37, that is, the side surface facing the upper case 10 in the lateral direction of the battery pack 100. The fastening part 34 as a part is provided, and the battery module 30 and the upper case 10 are fastened via the fastening member 40 by the fastening part 13 of the upper case 10 and the fastening part 34 of the mounting member 37. Each of the first and second case members 11 and 12 includes a flange portion 16 having a fastening hole 15 for fastening to the lower case 20 (including fastening to the vehicle body 1).

  In the present embodiment, the mounting member 37 on which the plurality of battery cells 35 are mounted is applied to fasten the upper case 10. However, as described above, the battery cells 35 are the power generation elements. Since it is composed of a resin member covering the periphery thereof, the fastening portions 34 may be integrally formed on both side surfaces of the battery cell 35 itself, and the battery module 30 and the upper case 10 may be directly fastened. Therefore, also in the chamber attachment member 38, the extending portion having the engaging portion 32 having the engaging portion 32 on the upper portion of the battery cell 35 can be integrally formed. Note that the end plate 36 a is formed to have the same cross-sectional shape corresponding to the extending portions 33 and 34 of the battery cell 35.

  The lower case 20 includes a mounting portion 21 on which the battery module 30 is mounted via a mounting member 37, and fastening holes 22 corresponding to the fastening holes 15 and the flange portions 16 of the first and second case members 11 and 12. The flange part 23 which has is provided. In addition, a vibration absorbing member 60 is disposed on the mounting portion 21, and the battery module 30 is mounted on the lower case 20 via the vibration absorbing member 60.

  2A and 2B are explanatory views for explaining a method of assembling the battery pack 100 of the present embodiment, and are cross-sectional views in a plane orthogonal to the stacking direction of the battery cells 35. FIG. As shown in FIG. 2A, in the battery pack 100 of this embodiment, the battery module 30 is mounted on the mounting portion 21 of the lower case 20 via the vibration absorbing member 60. At this time, the battery module 30 and the lower case 20 are not fastened by a fastening member such as a bolt or by engagement / fitting. Next, in a state where the battery module 30 is mounted on the lower case 20, the first case member 11 is assembled from the left and the second case member 12 is assembled from the right so as to sandwich the battery module 30. Each of the first case member 11 and the second case member 12 has an inner surface in contact with the chamber 31 in an assembled state, and the fastening portion 13 and the extending portion 34 of the mounting member 37 are in contact. In addition, the first and second case members 11 and 12 are configured so that at least a part, for example, upper portions of the case overlap each other in the assembled state, and are configured to cover the entire battery module 30. The first and second case members 11 and 12 are not directly connected to each other, but may be configured to have a structure for directly connecting each other. Also, the first and second case members 11 may be configured. , 12 can be configured to be provided with a seal member (seal mechanism) in an overlapping portion.

  After the first and second case members 11 and 12 are assembled, the fastening members 40 are used to fasten the fastening portions 13 of the first and second case members and the fastening portions 34 of the mounting member 37 with bolts or the like. While being fastened by the member 40, the flange part 16 of each of the first and second case members 11 and 12 and the flange part 23 of the lower case 20 are fastened. In this embodiment, the upper case 10 and the lower case 20 are fastened together with the battery pack 100 to the vehicle body 1 (see FIG. 2B).

  As shown in FIG. 2B, in the state where the upper case 10 is assembled, the inner surfaces of the first and second case members 11 and 12 are in contact with the chamber 31, and between the upper case 10 and the chamber 31. No gap is formed. That is, since no gap is formed between the first and second case members 11 and 12 and the chamber 31, it is possible to suppress an increase in size of the case itself and to secure a suitable space without reducing the chamber space CS. It becomes possible to do. As described above, the battery pack 100 according to the present embodiment can optimize the space of the components constituting the power supply device.

  Further, each of the first and second case members 11 and 12 abuts against the chamber 31 from the left-right direction. In other words, the upper case 10 is not assembled from above but assembled separately or simultaneously from the left-right direction. Therefore, the first and second case members 11 and 12 can be assembled without considering interference with the chamber 31.

  More specifically, when the upper case 10 is assembled from above the battery module 30 including the chamber 31 as in the prior art, the assembly must be performed with care so that the lower end of the upper case does not contact the chamber 31. In addition, a positioning process is required when assembling the upper case 10, which complicates the assembling process and requires high accuracy. On the other hand, in the battery pack 100 of the present embodiment, the upper case 10 is composed of a pair of first and second case members 11 and 12, and each case member 11 and 12 is formed in the chamber 31 (battery module 30). Since the assembly is performed from the left-right direction (side surface), the positioning process at the time of assembly of the case is simplified (omitted), and an easy assembly operation can be realized.

  The battery module 30 of the battery pack 100 according to the present embodiment is fastened and fixed to the upper case 10. That is, fastening portions (13, 34) are arranged in the left-right direction of the battery module 30 for fastening the battery module 30 and the upper case 10, and the fastening member 40 is positioned in the left-right direction of the battery module 30 in the assembled state. To do. Therefore, since the fastening part with the battery module 30 is not arranged in the lower case 20 (below the battery cell 35) where the condensed water reaches as in the conventional case, the condensed water affects the fastening parts (13, 34). There is nothing.

  More specifically, when the lower case 20 and the battery module 30 are fastened as in the related art, the fastening shaft is in the vertical direction of the battery pack 100. For this reason, when dew condensation occurs, naturally the dew condensation water flows to the lower case 20, so that the fastening portion between the lower case 20 and the battery module 30 comes into contact with the dew condensation water. In this embodiment, since the fastening shaft is substantially parallel to the left-right direction of the battery pack 100 and the battery module 30 and the upper case 10 are fastened, the direct influence from the dew condensation water flowing in the lower case 20 is exerted. I do not receive it. For this reason, it becomes possible to prevent suitably malfunctions, such as a liquid short circuit by dew condensation water. In this embodiment, since the battery module 30 and the upper case 10 are connected via the fastening portions (13, 34) in this way, the upper case 10 is connected to the battery module 30 in the stacking direction of the battery cells 35. By constituting the first case member 11 and the second case member 12 assembled from the left and right directions, the battery module 30 can be easily positioned and the battery module 30 and the upper case 10 can be easily fastened. ing.

  Moreover, since the fastening part of the battery module 30 and the case is located in the left-right direction, even if the fastening state of the battery module 30 and the case is mounted on the vehicle, it can be seen without being removed. For this reason, the maintainability of the battery pack 100 is improved.

  Further, the upper case 10 of the present embodiment is provided with contact surfaces (T1, T2) that prevent the battery module 30 from moving within the case. As shown in FIG. 2, the first and second contact surfaces T1 that contact the upper surface of the chamber mounting member 38 and the contact surfaces T2 that contact the side surface of the chamber mounting member 38 are formed on the inner surface of the case. The shape of the case members 11 and 12 is formed in an uneven shape corresponding to the position and shape of the chamber mounting member 38.

  That is, the power supply assembly (power supply module) 30 of the conventional power supply device shown in FIG. 4 is fastened only to the lower case 20, and the side surface and the upper surface of the power supply assembly 30 are separated from the case. When an impact is applied to the power supply device, the side surface and the upper surface of the power supply assembly 30 are not supported by the case, so that the space around the power supply assembly 30 is moved by the power supply assembly 30. It becomes a space that allows Therefore, it is necessary to deal with an impact or the like only by fastening with the lower case 20, and an excessive load is applied to the fastening portion with the lower case, and the power supply assembly 30 is not sufficiently held and fixed in the case.

  Therefore, in the battery pack 100 of the present embodiment, the contact surfaces T1 and T2 that contact the upper surface and the side surface of the chamber mounting member 38 attached to the battery module 30 are provided on the inner surfaces of the first and second case members. The battery module 30 is in contact with both the upper case 10 and the lower case 20 in the vertical direction and is prevented from moving in the vertical direction, and the battery module 30 is connected to the first and second case members 11 and 12 in the horizontal direction. The movement in the left-right direction is prevented by contact. That is, by allowing the upper surface or the side surface of the battery module 30 to contact the case directly or indirectly via a member such as the chamber mounting member 38, a gap (space) that allows the battery module 30 to move with respect to an impact. The battery module 30 is suitably held and fixed.

  As described above, since the battery cell 35 is composed of the power generation element and the resin member covering the periphery thereof, each of the first and second case members 11, 12 is used instead of the chamber mounting member 38. The extending portion that contacts the contact surfaces T1 and T2 may be formed integrally with the battery cell 35, or the battery module 30 may be configured to directly contact the case.

  Moreover, it is preferable to comprise so that contact surface T1, T2 provided in the 1st and 2nd case members 11 and 12 may be provided in a position different from a fastening part (13, 34). That is, the contact surface T <b> 2 that prevents the movement in the left-right direction is provided so as to prevent the movement of the upper part of the battery module 30, thereby fastening (contacting) the fastening portion (13, 34) with the case of the battery module 30. ) And the case on the upper side of the power supply module 30, suitable holding / fixing is realized.

  Further, the battery module 30 of the battery pack 100 according to the present embodiment is mounted on the lower case 20 via the vibration absorbing member 60. For this reason, the vibration absorbing member 60 absorbs vibration during traveling of the vehicle and the like, and it is possible to realize suitable holding and fixing of the battery module 30. The vibration absorbing member 60 can also be applied to the contact surfaces T1 and T2.

(Modification)
A power supply device which is a modification of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The battery pack 100 as the power supply device according to this modification has a configuration in which the chamber 31 is attached in advance to the inner surfaces of the first and second case members 11 and 12 in the configuration of the first embodiment.

  That is, as described in the first embodiment, the upper case 10 of the battery pack 100 of the present invention includes the first and second case members 11 and 12 and the first and second case members 11 and 12. Are assembled from the left and right directions of the battery module 30, so that the chamber 31 is pre-attached to the inner surfaces of the first and second case members 11 and 12, thereby assembling the chamber 31 to the battery module 30; The assembly process of the first and second case members 11 and 12 can be a single process.

It is a perspective view of the power supply device in Example 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the power supply device in Example 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the power supply device as a modification of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the power supply device for demonstrating the conventional power supply device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Battery pack 1 Car body 10 Upper case 11 1st case member 12 2nd case member 13 Fastening part 20 Lower case 30 Power supply module 31 Chamber 34 Fastening part (extension part)
35 battery cells

Claims (9)

A power supply assembly in which a plurality of power supply bodies are stacked;
An upper case and a lower case for accommodating the power supply assembly,
The upper case is constituted by a first case member and a second case member assembled from the left and right directions of the power supply assembly in the stacking direction of the power supplies,
A power supply apparatus, wherein a fastening portion is disposed in the left-right direction of the power supply assembly for fastening the power supply assembly and the upper case.   The said 1st case member or the 2nd case member is formed in the shape which has a space which extends in the said lamination direction and accommodates a part or all of the said power supply assembly from the said left-right direction. The power supply device according to 1. The first and second chambers are provided adjacent to the left and right sides of the power supply assembly and form a chamber space through which cooling air flows.
3. The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second case members is assembled to the power supply assembly in a state of being in contact with each chamber. The first and second chambers are provided adjacent to the left and right sides of the power supply assembly and form a chamber space through which cooling air flows.
The said 1st and 2nd case member is assembled | attached with respect to the said power supply assembly in the state which attached the said 1st and 2nd chamber to each of the said 1st and 2nd case member. The power supply device according to 1 or 2.   With the power supply assembly mounted on the lower case, each of the first and second case members assembled from the left and right directions of the power supply assembly is fastened to the power supply assembly through the fastening portion, and The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the upper case and the lower case are fastened together.   The said 1st and 2nd case member has a contact surface which blocks | prevents the movement of this power supply assembly in the position different from the said fastening part, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Power supply.   The power supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fastening portion is provided separately from the power supply assembly.   The power supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the fastening portion is provided in a part of a resin member constituting the power supply body.   The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a vibration absorbing member is disposed between the power supply assembly and the lower case.