JP2009224227A - Battery module and battery pack with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery module that prevents a wrong connection in a serial or parallel connection and provide a battery pack with the battery module. <P>SOLUTION: The battery module 10 includes a secondary battery having a case, an electrode housed in the case, and a positive electrode terminal 20a and a negative electrode terminal 20b which are connected with the electrode and are extruded out from the case in a same direction, and an insulative case 14 covering the secondary battery. The battery pack is composed of a plurality of battery modules arranged in lamination. The case has a first locking portion 36a and a second locking portion 36b for regulating a direction of the arrangement, and the first and the second locking portions are formed so as to be locked with a second locking portion and a first locking portion of the other case, respectively. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery module using a secondary battery and a battery pack including the same.

  In recent years, secondary batteries have been widely used as power sources for electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, electric bicycles, or electric devices. For example, a lithium ion secondary battery, which is a non-aqueous secondary battery, has attracted attention as a power source for electric vehicles and the like because of its high output and high energy density.

  In general, a secondary battery includes a case formed in a flat rectangular box shape with aluminum or the like, an electrode group housed together with an electrolyte in the case, and an electrode provided in the case and connected to the electrode group And a terminal. An electrode terminal consists of a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal, and these terminals protrude outward from the top wall of the case.

  The case is relatively weak against a mechanical external force and may be deformed. Therefore, a battery pack in which a secondary battery is housed in a housing formed of a synthetic resin or the like has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). When a battery pack is configured by arranging a plurality of secondary batteries side by side, it is necessary to cover the entire group of secondary batteries with a strong exterior case. When the pack is configured, a strong exterior case can be omitted, and the battery pack can be reduced in weight and the configuration can be simplified.

In addition, a battery pack is provided by stacking a plurality of flat frames to form an exterior case, and holding and holding a power storage cell between adjacent frames (for example, Patent Document 2). )
JP 2000-149893 A JP 2005-268004 A

  The battery pack described above constitutes one power storage unit by arranging a necessary number of battery packs or battery modules in a stacked state and electrically connecting them together. As a connection method, a method of connecting a plurality of battery packs or battery modules in series or a method of connecting them in parallel is taken according to the voltage specification or capacity specification. Usually, when connecting in series, a plurality of battery packs are arranged so that the positive and negative terminals of adjacent battery packs are adjacent to each other, and when connected in parallel, the positive terminals of adjacent battery packs or The negative terminals are arranged adjacent to each other.

  However, since the battery pack is configured by arranging a plurality of battery packs or battery modules having the same shape, there is a possibility that the orientation of the arrangement is wrong, and there is a possibility of incorrect connection when connecting in series or in parallel. There is.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the above point, The objective is to provide the battery module which can prevent a misconnection in series or parallel connection, and a battery pack provided with the same.

  A battery module according to an aspect of the present invention includes a case, an electrode body housed in the case, and a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal that are connected to the electrode body and project from the case in the same direction. A secondary battery and an insulating casing that covers the secondary battery, the casing including a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion that regulate the orientation of the arrangement; The first and second engaging portions are formed to be engageable with the second engaging portion and the first engaging portion of another casing, respectively.

A battery pack according to another aspect of the present invention includes a case, an electrode body housed in the case, and a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal that are connected to the electrode body and project in the same direction from the case. A plurality of battery modules comprising: a secondary battery; and a casing having insulation and covering the secondary battery,
The housing of each battery module has a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion that regulate the orientation of the arrangement, and the plurality of battery modules are in a state where the housings are in contact with each other, and The positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are stacked and arranged in the same direction, and the first engagement portion of the housing is engaged with the second engagement portion of another adjacent housing.

  According to the said structure, the battery module which can prevent a misconnection in series or parallel connection, and a battery pack provided with the same can be provided.

  Hereinafter, a battery module and a battery pack according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 is a perspective view showing a battery pack including the battery module according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the battery module, and FIG. 3 is a series arrangement state of the battery modules in the battery pack. Is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the battery pack 8 is configured by arranging a plurality of, for example, five battery modules 10 in a stacked state. In the present embodiment, each battery module 10 is formed for series connection, and is arranged so that the positive terminal of one battery module and the negative terminal of an adjacent battery module are located adjacent to each other.

  First, the configuration of the battery module 10 will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery module 10 includes a thin secondary battery 12 such as a lithium ion battery, and a flat rectangular box-shaped casing 14 that covers the entire outer surface of the secondary battery 12. And.

  The secondary battery 12 includes a flat rectangular box-shaped case 16 made of aluminum or the like, an electrode body 18 housed in the case together with a nonaqueous electrolyte solution, one end wall of the case 16, here a ceiling It has a positive electrode terminal 20a and a negative electrode terminal 20b protruding in the same direction from the wall 16a. The electrode body 18 is formed in, for example, a flat rectangular shape in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are wound in a spiral shape with a separator interposed therebetween, and further compressed in the radial direction. The positive electrode terminal 20 a and the negative electrode terminal 20 b are connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the electrode body 18, respectively, and extend through the top wall 16 a of the case 16 in a liquid-tight manner. A gasket made of an insulator (not shown) is provided between the positive terminal 20a and the negative terminal 20b and the top wall 16a.

  The casing 14 has a rectangular box shape that is slightly larger than the secondary battery 12 and is formed of an insulating material, for example, a synthetic resin such as ABS resin or polycarbonate. The housing 14 has a box-shaped main body 24 having one main surface opened, and a rectangular flat cover plate 26 covering the opening of the main body. The main body 24 has a rectangular flat main wall 24a, a pair of side walls 24b erected on both side edges of the main wall, a top wall 24c and a bottom wall 24d erected along the upper and lower edges of the main wall. Is integrated. A rectangular block-shaped convex portion 27 protruding upward is integrally formed at the central portion of the top wall 24 c of the housing 14. In the top wall 24c, a pair of openings 25 are formed on both sides of the protrusion 27 to expose the positive terminal 20a and the negative terminal 20b of the secondary battery 12.

  The cover plate 26 is screwed and fixed to the side wall 24b, the top wall 24c, and the bottom wall 24d of the main body 24, faces the main wall 24a of the main body in parallel with a gap, and closes the opening of the main body. . The cover plate 26 constitutes the other main wall of the housing 14.

  The secondary battery 12 is housed in the housing 14, and the entire outer surface of the case 16 is covered with the housing 14. In the state of being housed in the housing 14, the secondary battery 12 has both side surfaces and upper and lower end surfaces of the case 16 facing the inner surfaces of the side wall 24 b, the top wall 24 c and the bottom wall 24 d of the housing 14, respectively. The positioning in the direction parallel to the main wall 24a of the housing 14 is performed. The positive terminal 20a and the negative terminal 20b of the secondary battery 12 are located in a pair of openings 25 formed in the top wall 24c of the casing 14, and project outward from the top wall 24c of the casing through these openings. .

  In a state where the secondary battery 12 is housed in the housing 14, one main surface of the case 16 is opposed to the inner surface of the cover plate 26 with a gap, and a cooling medium, for example, cooling air is allowed to pass through the gap. A distribution space that can be distributed is formed. Further, the other main surface of the case 16 is opposed to the inner surface of the main wall 24a of the main body 24 with a gap therebetween, and a circulation space in which cooling air can be circulated is formed by this gap. A slit-like inlet 30a that guides cooling air to the circulation space is formed on one side wall of the housing 14, and a slit-like outlet (not shown) that discharges the cooling air that has circulated through the circulation space is formed on the other side wall. Is formed.

  Lead terminal pieces 32 a and 32 b are connected to the positive electrode terminal 20 a and the negative electrode terminal 20 b of the battery module 10. The lead terminal pieces 32a and 32b are each formed of an L-shaped metal plate. One end portion of the lead terminal piece 32 a is fixed to the positive electrode terminal 20 a by laser welding or the like, and the other end portion is bolted to the convex portion 27 of the housing 14 by a bolt 33. Similarly, one end portion of the lead terminal piece 32 b is fixed to the negative electrode terminal 20 b by laser welding, and the other end portion is bolted to the convex portion 27 of the housing 14 by a bolt 33.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the housing 14 of each battery module 10 has a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion that restrict the orientation of the array. The battery module 10 is formed for series connection. In this case, the first and second engaging portions are formed on a common main wall of the casing 14 and are symmetrical with respect to the central axis C1 in the longitudinal direction of the casing 14. Is formed and arranged. In the present embodiment, the first engaging portion is formed by, for example, a columnar protrusion 36a, and the second engaging portion is formed by a recess 36b having a shape and a size with which the protrusion can be fitted.

  For example, two sets of protrusions 36 a and recesses 36 b are formed on one main wall of the housing 14, that is, on the outer surface side of the cover plate 26. One set of protrusions 36a and recesses 36b are formed at the center of the lower end of the cover plate 26, and another set of protrusions 36a and recesses 36b are the upper ends of the cover plate, here, one main surface of the protrusions 27. Is formed. The protrusions 36 a and the recesses 36 b of each set are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the central axis C <b> 1 of the housing 14. In the present embodiment, the upper set of protrusions 36a and recesses 36b are arranged opposite to the left and right protrusions 36a and recesses 36b.

  Two sets of protrusions 36 a and recesses 36 b are formed on the outer surface side of the other main wall 24 a of the housing 14. One set of protrusions 36 a and recesses 36 b are formed at the center of the lower end of the main wall 24 a, and another set of protrusions 36 a and recesses 36 b are formed on the other main surface of the protrusions 27. The protrusions 36 a and the recesses 36 b of each set are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the central axis C <b> 1 of the housing 14. Further, the pair of protrusions 36a and the recesses 36b formed at the center of the lower end of the main wall 24a are positioned opposite to the pair of protrusions 36a and the recesses 36b formed at the center of the lower end of the cover plate 26. Then, it is provided at a symmetrical position with respect to the central axis C <b> 2 extending in the width direction of the housing 14. In addition, the pair of protrusions 36a and recesses 36b formed on the other surface of the convex portion 27 is a pair of protrusions 36a and recesses 36b formed on one surface of the convex portion 27 on the cover plate 26 side. It is provided at the opposite position, that is, at a position symmetric with respect to the central axis C <b> 2 extending in the width direction of the housing 14.

  Note that the housing 14 only needs to include at least one pair of protrusions 36a and recesses 36b, and the first engagement portion may be constituted by a recess and the second engagement portion may be constituted by a protrusion. In the case where two or more sets of protrusions and recesses are provided, there is also an effect that the positions of two adjacent battery modules can be fixed.

  According to the battery pack 8 configured by stacking a plurality of, for example, five battery modules 10 configured as described above, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the plurality of battery modules 10 includes a housing 14. The main walls are aligned with the main walls facing each other and in contact with each other, and the positive terminal 20a and the negative terminal 20b are stacked and arranged in the same direction. At this time, the two adjacent battery modules 10 are overlapped with each other in a direction in which one battery module is inverted by 180 degrees around the central axis C1 with respect to the other battery module, or between the main walls 24a of the housing 14, or The cover plates 26 of the housing 14 are in contact with each other while facing each other. And the protrusion 36a of one battery module 10 fits into the recess 36b of the other battery module, and the positioning between the two battery modules and the arrangement direction are regulated. Thereby, in two battery modules 10 adjacent to each other, the positive terminal 20a of one battery module and the negative terminal 20b of the other battery module are positioned adjacent to and opposed to each other, and both battery modules can be connected in series. It has become.

  As described above, for example, an annular tape 40 having heat shrinkability is wound around the upper and lower end portions of the laminated body in which the plurality of battery modules 10 are laminated, and thereby the laminated body is maintained in a laminated state. Further, an outer case of the battery pack 8 is formed by the casing 14 of the plurality of battery modules 10. The positive electrode terminal 20a and the negative electrode terminal 20b of two adjacent battery modules are electrically connected by a bus bar or the like (not shown), thereby connecting a plurality of battery modules in series.

  According to the battery module and the battery pack configured as described above, even when a plurality of battery modules having the same shape are stacked and arranged, the arrangement of the battery modules is not mistaken in the direction of series, or in parallel. Incorrect connection can be prevented. That is, as in this embodiment, the battery module formed for series connection has at least one set of protrusions 36a and recesses 36b formed on at least one main wall of the housing, and these include the housing. It is provided at a position symmetrical to the center axis C1 of the body. Therefore, when the plurality of battery modules 10 are stacked in a state where the main surfaces of the housing face each other, the protrusions are provided only when the other battery modules adjacent to one battery module are arranged in an inverted direction. 36a and the recess 36b are engaged, and a plurality of battery modules can be stacked. In contrast, when adjacent battery modules are stacked in the same direction, that is, in a parallel connection direction, the protrusions 36a or the recesses 36b abut against each other, thereby bringing the two battery modules into close contact with each other. Cannot be stacked in a state. Therefore, when the battery pack 8 is manufactured, the battery modules 10 are not stacked in the wrong direction, and can be easily arranged in the correct direction to form a battery pack for series connection.

  Next, a battery module and a battery pack according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 shows a state when a plurality of battery modules according to the second embodiment are stacked and arranged. In the present embodiment, the battery module 10 is configured as a battery module for parallel connection.

  The housing 14 of each battery module 10 has a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion that regulate the orientation of the arrangement. In the case of parallel connection, the first engagement portion is provided on one main wall of the housing 14, for example, the surface of the cover plate 26, and the second engagement portion is formed on the other main wall 24 a of the housing 14. These are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis C2 extending in the width direction of the casing 14. The first engaging portion is formed by, for example, a cylindrical protrusion 36a, and the second engaging portion is formed by a recess 36b having a shape and a size with which the protrusion can be fitted.

  For example, two sets of protrusions 36a and recesses 36b are formed in the housing 14. One set of protrusions 36a and recesses 36b are provided on the positive electrode terminal 20a side with respect to the central axis C1 (see FIG. 1) in the longitudinal direction of the housing 14, and another set of protrusions 36a and recesses 36b are It is provided on the negative electrode terminal 20b side with respect to the central axis C1. The two sets of protrusions 36a are formed on the common main wall of the casing 14, here the cover plate 26, and are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the central axis C1 of the casing. The two sets of recesses 36b are formed in the other main wall 24a of the casing 14 and are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the central axis C1 of the casing.

  Note that the housing 14 only needs to include at least one pair of protrusions 36a and recesses 36b, and the first engagement portion may be constituted by a recess and the second engagement portion may be constituted by a protrusion.

  According to the battery pack configured by stacking a plurality of, for example, six battery modules 10 according to the second embodiment configured as described above, the plurality of battery modules 10 are arranged on the main walls of the casing 14. Are aligned in a state where they face each other and are in contact with each other, and the positive electrode terminal 20a and the negative electrode terminal 20b are stacked and arranged in the same direction. At this time, the two adjacent battery modules 10 are overlapped in a state of being arranged in the same direction, and the main wall 24a of one casing 14 and the cover plate 26 of the adjacent casing 14 are in contact with each other. . Then, the two protrusions 36a of one battery module 10 are fitted into the two recesses 36b of the other battery module, respectively, and the positioning between the two battery modules and the arrangement direction are regulated. Thereby, in the two adjacent battery modules 10, the positive electrode terminals 20a and the negative electrode terminals 20b are located adjacent to and opposed to each other, and both battery modules can be connected in parallel.

  For example, a heat-shrinkable annular tape is wound around the upper and lower end portions of the laminated body in which the plurality of battery modules 10 are laminated, so that the laminated body is maintained in a laminated state. Further, an outer case of the battery pack is formed by the casings 14 of the plurality of battery modules 10. The positive electrode terminals 20a and the negative electrode terminals 20b of two adjacent battery modules are electrically connected by a bus bar or the like (not shown), whereby a plurality of battery modules are connected in parallel.

  The other configurations of the battery module 10 and the battery pack are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  According to the battery module and the battery pack configured as described above, even when a plurality of battery modules having the same shape are stacked and arranged, the arrangement of the battery modules is not mistaken in the direction of series, or in parallel. Incorrect connection can be prevented. As in the present embodiment, the battery module formed for parallel connection has at least one set of protrusions 36a and recesses 36b formed on one main wall facing each other of the casing, and these include the casing. Are provided at symmetrical positions with respect to the central axis C2 in the width direction. Therefore, when the plurality of battery modules 10 are stacked and arranged in a state where the main surfaces of the casing face each other, the protrusion 36a is provided only when another adjacent battery module is arranged in the same direction with respect to one battery module. And the recess 36b are engaged, and a plurality of battery modules can be stacked. On the other hand, when it is going to laminate | stack in the direction which reversed one of the adjacent battery modules, ie, the direction for series connection, the processus | protrusion 36a and a recessed part do not engage, but both battery modules are contact | adhered Can not be laminated to. Therefore, when manufacturing the battery pack, the battery modules 10 can be easily arranged in the correct direction without being stacked in the wrong direction, and a battery pack for parallel connection can be configured.

Next, a battery module and a battery pack according to a third embodiment of the invention will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the battery pack 8 is configured by arranging a plurality of, for example, six battery modules 10 in a stacked state. In the present embodiment, each battery module 10 is formed for series connection, and is arranged so that the positive terminal of one battery module and the negative terminal of an adjacent battery module are located adjacent to each other.

  Each battery module 10 includes a thin secondary battery 12 and a flat rectangular box-shaped casing 14 that covers the outer surface of the secondary battery 12. In the present embodiment, rectangular openings 44 are formed in the central portion of the main wall 24a of the casing 14 and the center of the cover plate 26, respectively. Thereby, the main wall 24a and the cover plate 26 are each formed in a rectangular frame shape, and are opposed to the peripheral portion of the main surface of the secondary battery 12. The positive electrode terminal 20a and the negative electrode terminal 20b of the secondary battery 12 are positioned in a pair of openings formed in the top wall 24c of the housing 14, and project outward from the top wall 24c of the housing through these openings.

  The housing 14 of each battery module 10 has a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion that regulate the orientation of the arrangement. The battery module 10 is formed for series connection. In this case, the first and second engaging portions are formed on a common main wall of the casing 14 and are symmetrical with respect to the central axis C1 in the longitudinal direction of the casing 14. Is formed and arranged. The first engaging portion is formed by, for example, a cylindrical protrusion 36a, and the second engaging portion is formed by a recess 36b having a shape and a size with which the protrusion can be fitted.

  For example, two sets of protrusions 36a and recesses 36b are formed on one main wall of the casing 14, that is, on the outer surface side of the main wall 24a. One set of protrusions 36a and recesses 36b are formed at both lower corners of the main wall 24a, and another set of protrusions 36a and recesses 36b are formed at both upper corners of the main wall. The protrusions 36 a and the recesses 36 b of each set are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the central axis C <b> 1 of the housing 14. In the present embodiment, the upper set of protrusions 36a and recesses 36b are arranged opposite to the left and right protrusions 36a and recesses 36b.

  Two sets of projections and recesses (not shown) are formed on the outer surface side of the cover plate 26 of the housing 14. One set of protrusions and recesses are formed at the lower end side corners of the cover plate, and the other set of protrusions and recesses are formed at the upper end side corners of the cover plate. Each set of protrusions and recesses are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the central axis C <b> 1 of the housing 14. Further, the pair of protrusions and recesses formed on the lower end side of the cover plate 26 is at a position opposite to the pair of protrusions 36a and recesses 36b formed on the lower end side corners of the main wall 24a, The casing 14 is provided at a symmetrical position with respect to the central axis C2 extending in the width direction. The pair of protrusions and recesses formed on the upper end side of the cover plate 26 is symmetrical with respect to the central axis C2 with respect to the pair of protrusions 36a and recesses 36b formed on the upper end side corners of the main wall 24a. It is provided at a position.

  Note that the housing 14 only needs to include at least one pair of protrusions 36a and recesses 36b, and the first engagement portion may be constituted by a recess and the second engagement portion may be constituted by a protrusion.

  According to the battery pack 8 configured by stacking a plurality of, for example, six battery modules 10, the plurality of battery modules 10 are aligned in a state where the main walls of the housing 14 face each other and are in contact with each other, and The positive electrode terminal 20a and the negative electrode terminal 20b are stacked and arranged in a state facing the same direction. At this time, the two adjacent battery modules 10 are overlapped with each other in a direction in which one battery module is inverted by 180 degrees around the central axis C1 with respect to the other battery module, or between the main walls 24a of the housing 14, or The cover plates 26 of the housing 14 are in contact with each other while facing each other. And the protrusion 36a of one battery module 10 fits into the recess 36b of the other battery module, and the positioning between the two battery modules and the arrangement direction are regulated. Thereby, in two battery modules 10 adjacent to each other, the positive terminal 20a of one battery module and the negative terminal 20b of the other battery module are positioned adjacent to and opposed to each other, and both battery modules can be connected in series. It has become.

  As described above, for example, an annular tape having heat shrinkability is wound around the upper and lower end portions of the laminated body in which the plurality of battery modules 10 are laminated, and thereby the laminated body is maintained in a laminated state. Further, an outer case of the battery pack 8 is formed by the casing 14 of the plurality of battery modules 10. The positive electrode terminal 20a and the negative electrode terminal 20b of two adjacent battery modules are electrically connected by a bus bar 46 or the like, thereby connecting a plurality of battery modules in series.

  In the third embodiment, the other configurations of the battery module and the battery pack are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be given. Omitted.

According to the battery module and the battery pack configured as described above, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment. That is, even when a plurality of battery modules having the same shape are stacked and arranged, the arrangement direction of the battery modules is not mistaken, and erroneous connection in series or parallel connection can be prevented. As in this embodiment, the battery module formed for series connection has at least one set of protrusions 36a and recesses 36b formed on at least one main wall of the housing, which are formed on the housing. It is provided at a position symmetrical with respect to the central axis C1. Therefore, when the plurality of battery modules 10 are stacked in a state where the main surfaces of the housing face each other, the protrusions are provided only when the other battery modules adjacent to one battery module are arranged in an inverted direction. 36a and the recess 36b are engaged, and a plurality of battery modules can be stacked. On the other hand, when adjacent battery modules are stacked in the same direction, that is, in a parallel connection direction, the protrusions 36a or the recesses 36b abut against each other, thereby bringing the two battery modules into close contact with each other. Cannot be stacked in a state. Therefore, when the battery pack 8 is manufactured, the battery modules 10 are not stacked in the wrong direction, and can be easily arranged in the correct direction to form a battery pack for series connection.
Further, according to the third embodiment, by providing the opening 44 in each main wall of the housing 14, it is possible to improve the cooling performance and reduce the weight of the battery module.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. Some constituent elements may be deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiments, or constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  For example, the shape, size, material, and the like of the secondary battery and the housing are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be changed as appropriate. The shape of the protrusion and the recess constituting the engaging portion is not limited to the cylindrical shape, and can be an arbitrary shape. The arrangement positions of the first and second engaging portions can be arbitrarily selected as long as they are main walls of the housing. In the battery pack, the number of battery modules arranged can be increased or decreased as necessary.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a battery pack including the battery module according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the battery module. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which a plurality of the battery modules are connected in series. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state in which a plurality of battery modules according to the second embodiment are connected in parallel. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a battery pack including a battery module according to a third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack.

Explanation of symbols

8 ... Battery pack, 10 ... Battery module, 12 ... Secondary battery, 14 ... Housing,
16 ... case, 18 ... electrode body, 20a ... positive electrode terminal, 20b ... negative electrode terminal, 24 ... main body,
24a ... main wall, 26 ... cover plate, 36a ... projection, 36b ... recess

Claims (5)

A secondary battery having a case, an electrode body housed in the case, and a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal that are connected to the electrode body and project in the same direction from the case;
A housing having insulation and covering the secondary battery,
The housing has a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion that regulate the orientation of the arrangement, and the first and second engaging portions are the second engaging portion and the first engaging portion of another housing. A battery module formed to be engageable with the engaging portion. The case of the secondary battery and the casing are each formed in a rectangular box shape,
The housing includes a pair of main walls that face the main surface of the case, a pair of side walls that face each other, and a top wall that exposes the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal of the secondary battery,
The battery module according to claim 1, wherein at least one main wall includes the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion. The case of the secondary battery and the casing are each formed in a rectangular box shape,
The housing includes a pair of main walls that face the main surface of the case, a pair of side walls that face each other, and a top wall that exposes the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal of the secondary battery,
2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein one main wall has the first engaging portion and the other main wall has a second engaging portion.   One of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion is formed by a protrusion, and the other of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion is formed by a recess engageable with the protrusion. The battery module according to claim 2 or 3. A case, an electrode body housed in the case, a secondary battery connected to the electrode body and having a positive terminal and a negative terminal projecting in the same direction from the case; A plurality of battery modules including a casing that covers the secondary battery,
The casing of each battery module has a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion that regulate the orientation of the array,
The plurality of battery modules are stacked and arranged in a state where the casings are in contact with each other and the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal face the same direction, and the first engagement portion of the casing is A battery pack engaged with a second engaging portion of another adjacent housing.

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