JP2011091003A - Battery connection assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery connection assembly capable of readily adjusting the gap of pitch between mutually adjacent electrode terminals. <P>SOLUTION: The battery connection assembly 14 includes a plurality of connection units 15, having connection members 17 for connecting electrode terminals 11 of adjacent single batteries 12, and respective connection units 15A, 15B have sliding rod sections 30, protruding in a lined-up direction of the connection units 15; and groove sections 32 slidably storing the sliding rod sections 30 in the lined direction, by fitting on the outer peripheral surfaces of the sliding rod sections 30 at the adjacent connection unit 15. The plurality of connection units 15 are connected, by having the groove sections 32 fit on the sliding rod sections 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery connection assembly.

  An electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle is equipped with a battery module in which a plurality of unit cells having positive and negative electrode terminals are arranged and electrode terminals of adjacent unit cells are connected by a connecting member. Thereby, a plurality of single cells are connected in series or in parallel (see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-11-67184

  When connecting between the electrode terminals of a plurality of single cells as described above, in order to simplify the connection work, a plurality of connections arranged in the mold by insert molding or the like according to the number of electrode terminals to be connected It is conceivable to use a battery connection plate in which members are integrally formed in a resin.

  However, an assembly tolerance is set between the plurality of arranged single cells. For this reason, in a battery module in which a plurality of unit cells are arranged, the pitch between electrode terminals formed in adjacent unit cells is shifted. Then, when the battery connection plate described above is connected to the electrode terminal, a positional shift occurs between the electrode terminal and the connection member of the battery connection plate, which may reduce the efficiency of the battery connection plate connection work. Is done.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery connection assembly capable of easily adjusting a shift in pitch between adjacent electrode terminals.

  The present invention provides a battery connection assembly for connecting the cell groups in a battery module having a cell group in which a plurality of cells having positive and negative electrode terminals are arranged, and the electrodes of the adjacent cell cells A plurality of connection units each having a connection member for connecting terminals, wherein each connection unit includes a slide bar portion projecting in an arrangement direction of the connection units, and an outer periphery of the slide bar portion in the adjacent connection unit A groove portion that is fitted to a surface and is slidably accommodated in the arrangement direction, and the plurality of connection units are connected by fitting the groove portion to the slide rod portion. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, the slide bar portion slides in the groove portion in the direction in which the connection units are arranged, whereby the pitch deviation between the electrode terminals can be adjusted.

As embodiments of the present invention, the following embodiments are preferable.
One of the slide bar part and the groove part is provided with a stopper that protrudes toward the other side, and the other of the slide bar part and the groove part is brought into contact with the stopper from the alignment direction. It is preferable that a restricting portion for restricting the slide rod portion from coming out of the groove portion in the arrangement direction is provided.

  According to this aspect, since the slide bar is prevented from coming out of the groove when the regulating part comes into contact with the stopper, the efficiency of the work of assembling the battery connection assembly to the unit cell group can be improved.

  It is preferable that a cross-sectional shape of the slide bar portion is circular, and a cross-sectional shape of the groove portion is a sector shape having a central angle larger than 180 ° and smaller than 360 °.

  According to this aspect, the slide bar portion can be easily fitted in the groove portion, and the slide bar portion can be easily slid in the groove portion.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the shift | offset | difference of the pitch between the electrode terminals adjacent in a battery module can be adjusted easily.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the battery module according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the battery module. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a unit cell group. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the main connection unit. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the main connection unit. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the sub-connection unit. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the sub-connection unit. FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of a main part showing a state in which the cells are close to each other. FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view of a main part showing a state where the single cells are separated from each other. FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan view of a main part showing a battery module according to another embodiment.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The battery module 10 according to the present embodiment is used as a power source of, for example, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The battery module 10 includes a unit cell group 13 in which a plurality of unit cells 12 having positive and negative electrode terminals 11 are arranged. The cell groups 13 are connected by a battery connection assembly 14. In the following description, it is assumed that the upper side in FIG.

(Single cell 12)
A power generation element (not shown) is accommodated inside the unit cell 12. As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of electrode terminals 11, 11 electrically connected to the power generation element are arranged in the vertical direction in FIG. Is formed to protrude. The polarity of the electrode terminal 11 is reversed between the lower side and the upper side in FIG. The electrode terminal 11 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and a thread is formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof.

  Each unit cell 12 is arranged so that the polarities of the electrode terminals 11 protruding from the adjacent unit cells 12 are reversed. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 3, the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal which comprise the electrode terminal 11 are distribute | arranged so that it may adjoin. The unit cells 12 constituting the unit cell group 13 are fixed by a fixing member (not shown).

(Battery connection assembly 14)
As shown in FIG. 1, the electrode terminals 11 of adjacent unit cells 12 are connected in series by attaching a battery connection assembly 14 to the unit cell group 13. The battery connection assembly 14 includes a plurality of connection units 15.

  The connection unit 15 includes a main connection unit 15A and sub connection units 15B that are located on the upper side in FIG. The main connection units 15A are formed in the same shape and size. The sub-connection units 15B are also formed in the same shape and size.

(Main connection unit 15A)
As shown in FIG. 2, the main connection unit 15A is made of synthetic resin and has a box shape opening upward in FIG. A connecting member 17 formed by pressing a metal plate into a predetermined shape is accommodated in the connecting member accommodating portion 16 of the main connecting unit 15A. The connection member 17 can be formed of an arbitrary metal material as required, such as copper, copper alloy, stainless steel (SUS), or the like. Moreover, arbitrary metal plating, such as tin plating and nickel plating, can be formed on the surface of the connection member 17 as necessary.

  The connecting member 17 has a substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners. As shown in FIG. 1, the length dimension of the connecting member 17 in the left-right direction in FIG. 1 is set to be smaller than the width dimension (the length dimension in the left-right direction in FIG. 1) in the state where two unit cells 12 are arranged. Has been. The connection member 17 is formed with a pair of terminal insertion holes (not shown) through which the electrode terminals 11 are inserted side by side in the left-right direction in FIG.

  The electrode terminal 11 is inserted into the terminal insertion hole of the connection member 17, and the nut 18 is screwed into the electrode terminal 11, whereby the adjacent electrode terminals 11 are electrically connected by the connection member 17.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the connection member accommodating portion 16 of the main connection unit 15A has a box shape opening upward. Two openings 19 are formed at the bottom of the connection member accommodating portion 16 so that the electrode terminals 11 can be inserted therethrough. A plurality of pressing claws 20 </ b> A are formed on the inner side wall of the connection member housing portion 16 and project inward, and restrict the connection member 17 from coming off by contacting the connection member 17 from above.

  The main connection unit 15A is formed to extend from the connection member accommodating portion 16 in a direction intersecting the direction in which the electrode terminals 11 are arranged, and can accommodate a voltage detection line 21 for measuring the voltage of the unit cell 12. A voltage detection line accommodating portion 22 is provided. The voltage detection line accommodating portion 22 has a box shape opening upward, and a plurality of voltage detection lines 21 are accommodated side by side in the voltage detection line accommodating portion 22.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the upper end edge of the side wall of the voltage detection line accommodating part 22 protrudes so as to overlap the bottom wall of the voltage detection line accommodating part 22, and the voltage detection line 21 does not protrude outside. A holding portion 23 is formed to be held on the surface.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a voltage detection terminal 24 is connected to the electrode terminal 11 connected by the connection member 17. The voltage detection terminal 24 is formed with a terminal through hole (not shown) that penetrates the tip of the metal plate. The electrode terminal 11 is inserted into the terminal through hole by the nut 18 described above. The electrode terminal 11 and the connection member 17 are fastened together. Thereby, the voltage detection terminal 24 and the electrode terminal 11 are electrically connected.

  The voltage detection terminal 24 is electrically connected to the voltage detection line 21. For the connection between the voltage detection terminal 24 and the voltage detection line 21, an arbitrary method such as crimping, pressure welding, soldering, or welding can be used as necessary. In the present embodiment, a barrel 25 </ b> A provided on the voltage detection terminal 24 is crimped to the voltage detection line 21.

  The voltage detection terminal 24 is restricted from coming off upward by being brought into contact with the presser claw 20 </ b> A formed in the connection member accommodating portion 16 from above.

(Sub-connection unit 15B)
As shown in FIG. 7, the sub-connection unit 15 </ b> B is made of synthetic resin, and is connected to the power terminal housing portion 27 in which the power terminal fitting 26 connected to the electrode terminal 11 is housed, and to the power terminal housing portion 27. And a voltage detection line accommodating portion 22 in which the voltage detection line 21 is accommodated.

  The power terminal fitting 26 has a barrel 25B, and the power line 28 and the power terminal fitting 26 are connected by crimping the barrel 25B.

  A plurality of pressing claws 20B are formed on the inner side wall of the power terminal accommodating portion 27 so as to protrude inward and restrict the power terminal metal fitting 26 from coming out upward by contacting the power terminal metal fitting 26 from above. Yes.

  Since the configuration other than the above is substantially the same as that of the main connection unit 15A, redundant description is omitted.

(Assembly structure of connection unit 15)
As shown in FIG. 1, among the side walls constituting each connection unit 15 </ b> A, 15 </ b> B, the pair of side walls extending in the direction along the alignment direction of the connection units 15 (the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 1) A base 29 that protrudes outward in the thickness direction of the side wall (vertical direction in FIG. 1) is provided at a position near one end in the arrangement direction. The base 29 is formed with a slide bar 30 that protrudes in the direction in which the connection units 15 are arranged.

  The cross-sectional shape of the slide bar portion 30 is circular. The length dimension of the slide bar portion 30 is set to be equal to or more than the sum of manufacturing tolerances and assembly tolerances between adjacent unit cells 12.

  Of the side walls constituting each connection unit 15A, 15B, the connection units 15 are arranged on a pair of side walls extending in a direction along the alignment direction of the connection units 15 (the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 1). Thus, a protruding portion 31 that protrudes outward in the thickness direction of the side wall (vertical direction in FIG. 1) is provided at a position corresponding to the stopper 33 portion.

  On the upper surface of the protruding portion 31, a groove portion 32 is formed in which the slide rod portion 30 is accommodated so as to be slidable in the direction in which the connection units 15 are arranged. As shown in FIG. 5, the cross-sectional shape of the groove portion 32 is a fan having a central angle larger than 180 ° and smaller than 360 °, and is formed so as to be fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the slide rod portion 30.

  The inner diameter dimension of the inner peripheral surface of the groove part 32 is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter dimension of the slide bar part 30. Thereby, the slide rod part 30 can slide easily in the groove part 32.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a stopper 33 is provided at the tip of the slide bar portion 30 so as to protrude toward the groove 32 fitted to the slide bar portion 30. In the present embodiment, the stopper 33 is formed larger than the diameter of the slide bar portion 30 and is formed in a disc shape. The end edge 34 of the groove 32 abuts against the stopper 33 from the arrangement direction of the connection units 15, thereby restricting the slide bar 30 from coming out of the groove 32 in the arrangement direction (FIG. 9). reference). In this embodiment, the edge 34 of the groove part 32 formed in the protrusion part 31 is corresponded to the control part as described in a claim.

  Then, the effect | action and effect of this embodiment are demonstrated. First, an example of the assembly process of the battery module 10 will be described in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, ten unit cells 12 are connected in series to form a unit cell group 13. In the unit cell group 13, a battery connection assembly 14 including five main connection units 15A is attached to the lower side in FIG. 1, and four main connection units 15A and two sub connection units 15B are attached to the upper side. A battery connection assembly 14 is attached.

  The slide rod portion 30 is fitted into the groove portion 32 formed in the protruding portion 31 of the connection unit 15 from above. Thereby, each connection unit 15A, 15B is connected.

  Subsequently, the connection member 17 is inserted into the connection member accommodation portion 16 of the main connection unit 15A, and is accommodated in the connection member accommodation portion 16 by being pressed from above with the pressing claws 20A. After that, the voltage detection terminal 24 connected to the voltage detection line 21 is inserted into the connection member housing portion 16 and is held in the connection member housing portion 16 by being pressed from above with the pressing claws 20A.

  Also, the power terminal fitting 26 in a state connected to the power line 28 is inserted into the power terminal accommodating portion 27 of the sub-connection unit 15B and is pressed from above with the holding claws 20B, whereby the power terminal fitting 26 is connected to the power terminal accommodating portion 27. Housed inside.

  Subsequently, the battery connection assembly 14 is assembled from above the unit cell group 13 having both ends of the connected connection unit 15 and arranged side by side.

  Now, a manufacturing tolerance is set for each unit cell 12. Further, an assembly intersection is set between the adjacent unit cells 12. For this reason, the pitch interval between the adjacent electrode terminals 11 may deviate within the range of manufacturing tolerances and assembly intersections.

  First, the operator moves the battery connection assembly 14 from above with the unit cell group in a state where the position of the electrode terminal 11 protruding upward from the unit cell 12 and the position of the opening 19 of the connection unit 15 are substantially aligned. 13 is placed. At this time, the electrode terminal 11 is inserted into the electrode terminal insertion hole of the connection member 17 arranged at a position aligned with the electrode terminal 11.

  On the other hand, when the electrode terminal 11 and the electrode terminal insertion hole of the connection member 17 are arranged at positions that do not match, the upper end of the electrode terminal 11 abuts on the connection member 17 from below, Is not inserted.

  Subsequently, the operator slides the connection units 15A and 15B in the arrangement direction. As described above, in the present embodiment, the slide bar portion 30 is slidable in the groove portion 32 in the arrangement direction of the cells 12. For this reason, each connection unit 15A, 15B can be slid within the range of the length dimension of the slide rod part 30 (refer FIG.8 and FIG.9). And since the length dimension of the slide bar part 30 is set to be equal to or more than the sum of the manufacturing tolerance and the assembly tolerance of the unit cell 12, it is manufactured by sliding each connection unit 15A, 15B. The positional deviation of the pitch interval of the electrode terminals 11 due to the tolerance and the assembly tolerance can be absorbed.

  As a result, the position of the electrode terminal 11 and the position of the electrode terminal insertion hole can be easily aligned. Thereby, all the electrode terminals 11 can be inserted in the electrode terminal insertion hole.

  Thereafter, by screwing the nut 18 to the electrode terminal 11, the electrode terminal 11 and the voltage detection terminal 24 are fastened together, and the electrode terminal 11 and the voltage detection terminal 24 are electrically connected. In addition, the electrode terminal 11 and the power terminal fitting 26 are electrically connected. Thereby, the battery module 10 is completed.

  According to this embodiment, when assembling the battery connection assembly 14 to the unit cell group 13, the operator assembles the electrode terminal 11 and the electrode terminal insertion hole from above in a state where the positions of the electrode terminal 11 and the electrode terminal insertion hole are substantially aligned. By sliding the connection units 15A and 15B in the arrangement direction, it is possible to easily adjust the deviation in the pitch interval of the electrode terminals 11.

  In the present embodiment, since the slide bar portion 30 is slidable in the groove portion 32, it is only necessary to apply a relatively small force when displacing each connection unit 15A, 15B in the arrangement direction. For this reason, the efficiency of the assembly | attachment operation | work of the battery connection assembly 14 can be improved.

  Further, as the single battery 12 constituting the single battery group 13, for example, a lithium ion battery having a relatively large volume change may be used when charging and discharging are repeated. Then, even after the battery connection assembly 14 is assembled, there is a concern that the interval between the adjacent unit cells 12 may be increased or decreased when charging and discharging are repeated. In the present embodiment, even in this case, the change in the interval between the single cells 12 can be collected by sliding the slide bar portion 30 in the groove portion 32.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, in a state where the single cells 12 are in contact with each other, the slide bar portion 30 slides and is displaced in a direction in which the adjacent connection units 15 approach each other. Thereby, the displacement of the direction where the space | interval of the cell 12 becomes narrow can be absorbed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, in a state where the single cells 12 are separated from each other, the slide member slides and is displaced in a direction in which the adjacent connection units 15 are separated from each other. Thereby, the displacement of the direction where the space | interval of the cell 12 becomes wide can be absorbed.

  Further, in this embodiment, the stopper 33 provided at the tip of the slide bar portion 30 comes into contact with the end edge of the groove portion 32 provided in the protruding portion 31 so that the slide rod portion 30 comes out of the groove portion 32. Is regulated. For this reason, it is less necessary for the operator to pay attention to the fact that the connection units 15A and 15B are separated by the slide bar portion 30 falling out of the groove portion 32. As a result, the burden on the operator is reduced, and the efficiency of the work of assembling the battery connection assembly 14 is improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the slide bar portion 30 is circular, and the cross-sectional shape of the groove portion 32 is a sector shape having a central angle larger than 180 ° and smaller than 360 °. Accordingly, the slide bar portion 30 can be easily fitted into the groove portion 32 and the slide rod portion 30 can be easily slid within the groove portion 32.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) In the present embodiment, a pair of slide bar portions 30 is formed at one end of the connection unit 15 and a pair of protrusions 31 are formed at the other end. 10, as shown in FIG. 10, the slide bar portion 30 and the protruding portion 31 are formed at one end portion of the connection unit 15, and the protruding portion 31 is provided at a corresponding position of the other end portion, respectively. The slide rod portion 30 may be formed.
(2) The number of slide bar portions 30 provided in each connection unit 15A, 15B may be one, or a plurality of three or more. Each connection unit 15 </ b> A, 15 </ b> B is provided with the same number of groove portions 32 as the slide rod portions 30 at positions aligned with the slide rod portions 30.
(3) The cross-sectional shape of the slide bar portion 30 is not limited to a circular shape, and may be an oval shape or an elliptical shape, or may be a polygonal shape such as a triangular shape or a rectangular shape, and an arbitrary shape is adopted as necessary. sell. Moreover, the cross-sectional shape of the groove part 32 can be made into arbitrary shapes as needed corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the slide bar part 30.
(4) In this embodiment, the stopper 33 is formed in a disc shape larger than the diameter of the slide bar 30 at the tip of the slide bar 30 and the restricting part is the edge of the protruding part 31. For example, a protrusion (corresponding to a stopper) that protrudes radially outward from the outer surface of the slide rod portion 30 is formed, and a recess (corresponding to a restricting portion) is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the groove portion 32. The inner wall surface and the protrusion may be in contact with each other in the arrangement direction, and a protrusion (corresponding to a stopper) that protrudes inward from the inner peripheral surface of the groove portion 32 is formed, and a concave portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the slide bar portion 30. (Corresponding to a restricting portion) may be formed, and the inner wall surface of the recess and the protrusion may be in contact with each other in the arrangement direction, and the stopper and the restricting portion may adopt any shape as necessary.
(5) In this embodiment, the connecting member 17 connects the electrode terminals 11 of different polarities (single cells 12 connected in series), but is not limited to this, and connects the electrode terminals 11 of the same polarity (single The batteries 12 may be connected in parallel.
(6) The number of unit cells 12 may be 2 to 9, or 10 or more, and can be arbitrarily set as necessary.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Battery module 11 ... Electrode terminal 12 ... Single cell 13 ... Single cell group 14 ... Battery connection assembly 15A ... Main connection unit (connection unit 15)
15B ... Sub-connection unit (connection unit 15)
17 ... Connecting member 30 ... Slide bar part 32 ... Groove part 33 ... Stopper 34 ... Edge (regulation part)

Claims (3)

A battery connection assembly for connecting the unit cell group in a battery module having a unit cell group in which a plurality of unit cells having positive and negative electrode terminals are arranged,
A plurality of connection units having a connection member for connecting between the electrode terminals of the adjacent unit cells,
Each connection unit is fitted to a slide bar portion that protrudes in the direction in which the connection units are arranged, and an outer peripheral surface of the slide bar portion in the adjacent connection unit, and the slide bar portion slides in the arrangement direction. A battery connection assembly, wherein the plurality of connection units are coupled to the slide bar portion by fitting the groove portions. One of the slide bar part and the groove part is provided with a stopper that protrudes toward the other side, and the other of the slide bar part and the groove part is brought into contact with the stopper from the alignment direction. 2. The battery connection assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a restricting portion that restricts the slide rod portion from coming out of the groove portion in the arrangement direction. The cross-sectional shape of the slide bar portion is a circular shape, and the cross-sectional shape of the groove portion is a sector shape having a central angle larger than 180 ° and smaller than 360 °. A battery connection assembly according to claim 1.

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