JP2009217989A - Battery pack - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery pack system which can cut off the power supply circuit of the battery pack with good workability. <P>SOLUTION: The battery pack system 1 configured by connecting a plurality of battery packs 2, 3, 4 includes: battery packs 2, 3 which have open power supply circuit terminals 23, 33; and other battery packs 3, 4 which have connecting portions 35, 45 to connect in series the open power supply circuit terminals 23, 33 of the battery packs 2, 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an assembled battery system in which assembled batteries formed by connecting a plurality of batteries are further connected in a plurality of stages.

  In assembled batteries with multiple batteries connected in series, a detachable service plug is provided in the connection circuit, and when handling or maintaining the assembled battery, the service plug is removed to shut off the circuit, tools, etc. Is known to prevent short circuit due to contact with the positive and negative terminals of the battery pack (Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-343331 A

  However, when a plurality of such assembled batteries are connected, the service plugs of all the assembled batteries must be removed in order to shut off the power supply circuit, and there is a problem that the work becomes complicated.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an assembled battery system that can shut off the power supply circuit of the assembled battery with good workability.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem by providing a power circuit terminal that is open to an assembled battery while providing a connecting portion that connects the other assembled battery in series.

  According to the present invention, the power supply circuit of the assembled battery can be shut off with good workability.

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

<< First Embodiment >>
FIG. 1 is an electric circuit diagram showing an assembled battery system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The assembled battery system 1 of this example is one in which three assembled batteries 2, 3, 4 are connected and accommodated in a case body 6. Here, the assembled battery 2 is referred to as the first stage, the assembled battery 3 is referred to as the second stage, the assembled battery 4 is referred to as the third stage assembled battery, and the “front stage” of the Nth stage assembled battery is the ( The “battery stage” of the (N−1) -th stage assembled battery and the N-th stage assembled battery refers to the (N + 1) -th stage assembled battery.

Each of the assembled batteries 2, 3, 4 has two power supply circuits (series bodies) 22, 32, 42 each having a plurality of single cells 21, 31, 41 connected in series. And one terminal 23,33,43 of each power supply circuit 22,32,42 is made into the electrically opened power supply circuit terminal, and the other terminal 24,34,44 is made into the power supply output terminal of the assembled battery system 1. Yes. That is, paying attention to the assembled battery 2, the power supply circuit terminal 23 connected to the negative side of one of the two power supply circuits 22, and the power supply circuit terminal 23 connected to the positive side of the other power supply circuit 22 The two power supply circuit terminals 23 are provided in an electrically open state with each other. Similarly, in the assembled batteries 3 and 4, the two power supply circuit terminals 23 are provided in an electrically open state with each other. Yes. The cells constituting the assembled batteries 2, 3 and 4 are fixed to each other, and one assembled battery is accommodated in a case or an accommodating means corresponding thereto so as to perform a function such as handling as one battery pack.

In addition, the connection form of the single cells 21, 31, 41 in each of the assembled batteries 2, 3, 4 can be, for example, a combination of series and parallel in addition to the illustrated series. In other words, even when multiple parallel bodies in which a plurality of single cells are connected in parallel are connected in series, each parallel body can be considered as one single battery. Can do. Moreover, the capacity | capacitance and quantity of the single cells 21, 31, and 41 in each assembled battery 2, 3, and 4 are not specifically limited, You may make it mutually the same or different.

Except for the first-stage assembled battery 2, the second-stage and third-stage assembled batteries 3, 4 include the first-stage assembled battery, that is, the second-stage assembled battery 3. In the case of the assembled battery 2 and the third-stage assembled battery 4, connection circuits 35 and 45 for connecting the opened power circuit terminals 23 and 33 of the second-stage assembled battery 3 in series are provided. The connection circuits 35 and 45 correspond to the connection portion according to the present invention.

The connection circuits 35 and 45 can be composed of a pair of terminals and a conductive wire connecting them, and can be provided in the case of each of the assembled batteries 3 and 4. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of the connection circuits 35 and 45 according to this example. For example, as shown in the figure, the open power circuit terminal 23 of the assembled battery 2 is formed by a concave contact, and the connection circuit Thirty-five terminals can be formed with pin contacts. Of course, these can also be reversed and connection structures other than uneven | corrugated fitting can also be employ | adopted.

On the other hand, the opened power circuit terminal 43 of the third-stage assembled battery 4 is made conductive by attaching the connection plug 5 to the opened power circuit terminal 43. The connection plug 5 can also be composed of a pair of terminals 55 and a conductive wire connecting them, and can have a connection structure similar to that illustrated in FIG. That is, it can be considered that the connection circuits 35 and 45 are formed by integrally forming the connection circuit of the connection plug 5 in the assembled batteries 2 and 3.

The power output terminals 24, 34, 44 of the assembled batteries 2, 3, 4 are connected to a driving load by an appropriate connection structure according to the usage pattern of the assembled battery system 1, and supplied with power.

The structure of the connection part between the open circuit circuit terminals 23 and 33 of the first-stage and second-stage assembled batteries 2 and 3 and the connection circuits 35 and 45 connecting them in series is as follows. It is desirable that the assembled battery in the previous stage cannot be removed from the case unless the battery is taken out from the case (a case containing a plurality of assembled batteries). For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the connection circuit 35 of the second-stage assembled battery 3 is formed on the surface of the first-stage assembled battery 2 where the open power circuit terminal 23 is formed. Provide to overlap the surfaces. Similarly, the surface on which the connection circuit 35 of the second-stage assembled battery 3 is formed is superimposed on the surface on which the opened power circuit terminal 23 of the first-stage assembled battery 2 is formed. Provide.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a handling state when the assembled batteries 2, 3, 4 are accommodated in the case 6 shown in FIG. 1 and a handling state when the assembled batteries 2, 3 are taken out from the case 6.

In order to accommodate the three assembled batteries 2, 3, 4 of this example in the case 6, the first-stage assembled battery 2 to the third-stage assembled battery 4 in order from the opening of the case 6 to the case 6. 2 (inserted into the case 6 from above in FIG. 2) and the assembled batteries 2, 3 and 4 are inserted into the case. The assembled batteries 2, 3 and 4 are connected to the power circuit terminals 22, 32, Since one end of 42 is open, a short circuit of the battery due to a tool or the like coming into contact with the power output terminals 24, 34, 44 during handling work is prevented.

Then, after the first-stage assembled battery 2 is placed in a predetermined position of the case 6, the opened power circuit terminal 23 of the first-stage assembled battery 2 and the connection circuit 35 are connected. When the second-stage assembled battery 3 is placed in the case 6, the power circuit 22 of the first-stage assembled battery 2 is brought into conduction only at this time. Similarly, after the second-stage assembled battery 3 is placed in a predetermined position of the case 6, the opened power circuit terminal 33 of the second-stage assembled battery 3 and the connection circuit 45 are connected. When the third-stage assembled battery 4 is put in the case 6, the power circuit 32 of the second-stage assembled battery 3 is turned on for the first time. For the third-stage assembled battery 4, the third-stage assembled battery 4 is placed in a predetermined position of the case 6, and then the terminal 55 of the connection plug 5 is connected to the opened power circuit terminal 43. For the first time, the power supply circuit 42 of the third-stage assembled battery 4 becomes conductive.

As described above, when the assembled batteries 2, 3, 4 are accommodated in the case 6, the power supply circuits 22, 32, 42 of the assembled batteries 2, 3, 4 include the assembled batteries 3, 4 and the connection plug 5 at the subsequent stage. Since it is comprised so that it may not conduct | electrically_connect unless it connects, the short circuit of the battery at the time of accommodating the assembled batteries 2, 3, and 4 in the case 6 can be prevented. In particular, since the third assembled battery 2, 3 and 4 from the first stage can be accommodated only in this order, the battery can be prevented from being short-circuited when the conductive assembled battery is handled.

According to this example, when the assembled battery in the subsequent stage is accommodated in the case, the power circuit of the assembled battery in the previous stage is conducted, but the battery is already installed at a predetermined position of the case and does not need to be touched. Is prevented.

On the other hand, when taking out the assembled batteries 2, 3, 4 from the case 6, first, the connection plug 5 is removed from the third-stage assembled battery 4, and the power supply circuit 42 of the third-stage assembled battery 4 is opened. .

As a result, it is possible to prevent the battery from being short-circuited when the third-stage assembled battery 4 is gripped, so that the assembled battery 4 is gripped and taken out from the case 6. When the third-stage assembled battery 4 is lifted, the connection circuit 45 of the assembled battery 4 releases the conduction of the power circuit terminal 33 opened in the second stage, so that the second-stage assembled battery 3 The power supply circuit 32 is opened.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the battery from being short-circuited when the second-stage assembled battery 3 is gripped, so that the assembled battery 3 is gripped and taken out from the case 6. When the second-stage assembled battery 3 is lifted, the connection circuit 35 of the assembled battery 3 releases the conduction of the power circuit terminal 23 opened in the first stage, so that the first-stage assembled battery 2 The power supply circuit 32 is opened. Thereby, the short circuit of the battery at the time of holding the first-stage assembled battery 2 can also be prevented, and the battery can be taken out from the case 6.

Thus, when taking out the assembled batteries 2, 3, 4 from the case 6, the power supply circuits 22, 32, 42 of the assembled batteries 2, 3, 4 remove the assembled batteries 3, 4 and the connection plug 5 at the subsequent stage. Accordingly, the battery can be prevented from being short-circuited when the assembled batteries 2, 3, 4 are taken out from the case 6. In particular, since the first assembled battery 2, 3 and 4 can be taken out only in this order from the third stage, it is possible to prevent erroneous conduction of the assembled battery.

<< Second Embodiment >>
FIG. 3 is an electric circuit diagram showing an assembled battery system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment described above, for example, the connection circuit 35 that connects the opened power circuit terminals 23 of the first-stage assembled battery 2 in series is referred to as the power circuit 32 of the second-stage assembled battery 3. Although a separate circuit is used, the power supply circuit 32 may be shared as a connection circuit.

  That is, as shown in the figure, each of the assembled batteries 2, 3, 4 has power supply circuits 22, 32, 42 in which unit cells 21, 31, 41 are connected in series. The connection form of the cells 21, 31, 41 in each of the assembled batteries 2, 3, 4 can be, for example, a combination of series and parallel other than the illustrated series. Moreover, the capacity | capacitance and quantity of the single cells 21, 31, and 41 in each assembled battery 2, 3, and 4 are not specifically limited, You may make it the same or different.

  Regarding the power supply circuit 22 of the assembled battery 2 at the first stage, one terminal 23 is an open terminal and the other terminal 24 is a power output terminal of the assembled battery system 1. On the other hand, both terminals 33 and 36 of the power circuit 32 of the second-stage assembled battery 3 are both open terminals, and one terminal 36 is an opened power circuit terminal of the first-stage assembled battery 2. 23 and the other terminal 33 is connected to the open terminal 46 of the assembled battery 4 at the third stage. Further, both terminals 43 and 46 of the power circuit 42 of the third-stage assembled battery 4 are both open terminals, and one terminal 46 is connected to the opened power circuit terminal 33 of the second-stage assembled battery 3. The other terminal 43 is connected to the terminal 55 of the connection plug 5.

Then, as shown in the figure, when the first to third-stage assembled batteries 2, 3, 4 are connected to the call connection plug 5 and accommodated in the case 6, the three-stage assembled batteries 2, 3, 4 are The assembled battery system 1 having one power output terminal 24 connected in series is configured.

In this assembled battery system 1, as shown in the figure, when the connection plug 5 is removed from the state accommodated in the case 6, all the power supply circuits 22, 32, 42 of the three assembled batteries 2, 3, 4 are opened. Will be. Conversely, when the three assembled batteries 2, 3, 4 are accommodated in the case 6, all the assembled batteries 2, 3, 4 are placed in the case 6, and the connection plug 5 is connected to the third-stage assembled battery 4. The power supply circuits 22, 32, and 42 of the three assembled batteries 2, 3, and 4 are all kept open until connected.

That is, the power circuit 32 of the second-stage assembled battery 3, the power circuit 42 of the third-stage assembled battery 4, and the connection plug 5 in this example are the power circuit opened in the first-stage assembled battery 2. A connection circuit (corresponding to the connection portion of the present invention) that connects the terminals 23 in series is configured. Similarly, the power supply circuit 42 and the connection plug 5 of the assembled battery 4 at the third stage are connected to the opened power circuit terminal 33 of the assembled battery 3 at the second stage in series (the connecting portion of the present invention). Equivalent).

In particular, according to the assembled battery system 1 according to this example, since the power supply circuits of all the assembled batteries 2, 3, 4 are disconnected at that moment by attaching / detaching the connection plug 5, it is possible to more reliably prevent the battery from being short-circuited. It can be carried out.

<< Third Embodiment >>
FIG. 4 is an electric circuit diagram showing the assembled battery system according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the assembled battery system according to the embodiment ((A) is a perspective view seen from one direction. (B) is a perspective view seen from another direction).

This embodiment adds mechanical structural deformation | transformation to 2nd Embodiment mentioned above, and the structure of an electric circuit is the same as 2nd Embodiment. In addition, although the assembled battery system 1 which connected two assembled batteries 3A and 3B is shown with respect to 2nd Embodiment, the assembled battery system 1 of this example sets the connection number of the assembled batteries 3 arbitrarily so that it may mention later. It is something that can be done.

  The two assembled batteries 3A and 3B of this example have the same size and shape, and a convex portion 37 is formed on one upper portion, and a concave portion 38 is formed on the other upper portion to be fitted to the convex portion 37. ing. The convex portion 37 is provided with one power circuit terminal 36 with the power circuit 32 opened, and the concave portion 38 is provided with the other power circuit terminal 33 with the power circuit 32 opened.

  Further, the connection plug 5 is shaped to fit into the recess 38 of the second-stage assembled battery 3B, and a terminal 55 of the connection plug 5 is an open power circuit of the second-stage assembled battery 3B. Terminal 33 is connected.

  On the other hand, a notch 61 for exposing the convex portion 37 of the first-stage assembled battery 3A to the outside of the case 6 is formed at one opening edge of the case 6 that houses the assembled batteries 3A and 3B. On the other opening edge, a notch 62 is formed to allow the connection plug 5 to be attached and detached (see particularly FIGS. 5A and 5B).

With the notch 62, the connection plug 5 can be easily attached and detached while the assembled batteries 3A and 3B are accommodated in the case 6. Therefore, when the assembled battery system 1 is assembled, the power supply circuits 32 and 32 of the assembled batteries 3A and 3B can be opened until the lid is completely closed by attaching the connection plug 5 after the lid of the case 6 is closed. . Further, when the assembled battery system 1 is disassembled, the power supply circuits 32 and 32 of the assembled batteries 3A and 3B can be opened before the lid is opened by removing the connection plug 5 before opening the lid.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, convex and concave fitting slits are formed on the four side surfaces inside the case 6 and the four side surfaces of each of the assembled batteries 3 </ b> A and 3 </ b> B. In this example, a concave fitting slit 63a having a tapered lower end is formed on two side surfaces in the longitudinal direction (direction in which the assembled batteries 3A and 3B are connected) of the four side surfaces inside the case 6, and the remaining two A convex fitting slit 63b whose upper end is tapered is formed on one of the side surfaces, and a concave fitting slit 63c whose lower end is tapered is formed on the other side surface.

On the other hand, on the two side surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the four side surfaces of the assembled batteries 3A and 3B, a convex fitting slit 39a having a tapered lower end that fits into the concave portion 63a of the case 6 is formed. A concave fitting slit 39b whose upper end is tapered is formed on one side surface of the remaining two side surfaces, and a convex fitting slit 39c whose upper and lower ends are tapered is formed on the other side surface. ing.

Among these concave and convex fitting slits, the convex fitting slits 39a of the assembled batteries 3A and 3B and the concave fitting slit 63a of the case 6 are fitted to each other so that the longitudinal length of the assembled batteries 3A and 3B with respect to the case 6 is increased. Regulate the position of the direction. Further, the concave fitting slit 39 and the convex fitting slit 39c of the assembled batteries 3A and 3B and the convex fitting slit 63b and the concave fitting slit 63c of the case 6 are fitted to each other to fit the assembled batteries 3A and 3B. The position in the short direction with respect to the case 6 is regulated. In this way, the assembled batteries 3A and 3B can be set at the normal position simply by putting the assembled batteries 3A and 3B into the case 6 so that these uneven fitting slits are fitted.

The convex fitting slit 39c of the assembled battery 3A is fitted with the concave fitting slit 39b of the assembled battery 3B, while the convex fitting slit 39c of the assembled battery 3B is fitted with the concave fitting slit 63c of the case 6. Match. At this time, the concave fitting slit 39b of the assembled battery 3B is inserted into the convex fitting slit 39c of the assembled battery 3A from above, and the convex fitting slit 39c of the assembled battery 3B is inserted into the concave fitting slit of the case 6. 63c is inserted from above. For this reason, the assembled fitting slits 39c of the assembled batteries 3A and 3B can be used as the assembled battery 3A or the assembled battery 3B by making the upper and lower ends tapered.

In addition, although the uneven | corrugated fitting slit formed in the outer surface of assembled battery 3A, 3B and the inner surface of case 6 corresponds to the positioning means of this invention, the shape and quantity are not specifically limited, Case of assembled battery 3A, 3B 6 can be set as appropriate in accordance with the insertion stability and insertion workability for 6.

  As described above, according to the assembled battery system 1 of the present embodiment, since the assembled batteries have the same structure, in addition to the case where the assembled battery system 1 is configured by connecting two illustrated assembled batteries 3A and 3B, 3 The assembled battery system 1 according to the required output can be constructed by connecting two or more assembled batteries. In this case, it is only necessary to prepare cases 6 corresponding to the number of connected assembled batteries.

  Moreover, since the concave and convex fitting slits 39a, 39b, 39c, 63a, 63b, and 63c for restricting the storage position of the assembled battery are formed on the outer surface of the assembled batteries 3A and 3B and the inner surface of the case 6, the assembled battery 3A, In the process of putting 3B into the case 6, the storage position of the assembled battery is determined. Therefore, it is not necessary to correct the positions of the assembled batteries 3A and 3B after the assembled batteries 3A and 3B are stored in the case 6.

  In addition, the electric circuit configuration of the assembled battery system 1 according to the third embodiment can be the same as that of the assembled battery system 1 according to the first embodiment. That is, the assembled batteries 2, 3 and 4 of the assembled battery system 1 according to the first embodiment can have the same structure.

1 is an electric circuit diagram showing an assembled battery system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action of the assembled battery system which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an electric circuit diagram which shows the assembled battery system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is an electric circuit diagram which shows the assembled battery system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the assembled battery system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the connection circuit of the assembled battery system which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... assembled battery systems 2, 3, 3A, 3B, 4 ... assembled batteries 21, 31, 41 ... single cells 22, 32, 42 ... power circuits 23, 33, 43, 36, 46 ... open power circuit terminals 24 , 34, 44 ... power output terminals 35, 45 ... connection circuit 37 ... convex part 38 ... concave part 39a, 39b, 39c ... fitting slit 5 ... connection plug 55 ... connection circuit 6 ... case 61, 62 ... notch part 63a, 63b, 63c ... fitting slit

Claims (7)

In an assembled battery system formed by connecting a plurality of cells, each of which is connected to a plurality of cells,
Two series bodies in which a plurality of unit cells are electrically connected in series, and electrically connected to the negative electrode of one of the two series bodies and the positive electrode of the other series body, respectively, One assembled battery having two power supply circuit terminals electrically open to each other;
And connecting the two opened power circuit terminals of the one assembled battery, and another assembled battery having a connection portion for connecting a plurality of single cells inside the one assembled battery in series. An assembled battery system. The assembled battery system according to claim 1,
The battery pack system according to claim 1, wherein the connection portion includes at least a connection plug for electrically connecting the two series bodies by connecting to the two power supply circuit terminals. The assembled battery system according to claim 2,
The battery pack system according to claim 1, wherein the connection portion is a power supply circuit of another battery pack connected to the battery pack 1 and the connection plug. In the assembled battery system as described in any one of Claims 1-3,
Each of the assembled batteries has the same structure. In the assembled battery system as described in any one of Claims 1-4,
A case for accommodating the plurality of assembled batteries;
One assembled battery of the plurality of assembled batteries can be removed from the case unless another assembled battery having a connection portion connected to the power supply circuit terminal of the one assembled battery is removed from the case. It is comprised so that there may be no assembled battery system characterized by the above-mentioned. The assembled battery system according to claim 5,
At least a part of the other assembled battery is provided on at least a part of the one assembled battery so as to overlap with an insertion direction when the assembled battery is inserted into the case. Battery pack system. The assembled battery system according to claim 6,
An assembled battery system, wherein positioning means for defining a storage position of the assembled battery is formed on an inner surface of the case and an outer surface of each of the plurality of assembled batteries.

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