JP2012094507A - Single battery, battery module, and battery pack - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a single battery, a battery module, and a battery pack which can sufficiently secure heat radiation and also enables the gas discharged from within the case as a safety valve is opened to be guided and exhausted to a desired direction.SOLUTION: A single battery A comprises: a square-shaped bottom plate part 11; and a case body 19 formed in a box shape by a pair of side plate parts 12 and a pair of end plate parts 13 which are erected on the periphery of the bottom plate part 11, with a safety valve 17 provided on one or both sides of the end plate part 13. Since a battery module B is equipped with an exhaust path 2 to guide the gas discharged from within the case 10 when the safety valve 17 is opened, the single battery A includes a frame-like seat part 20 formed by a pair of protrusions 21 projecting from the end plate parts 13 of the case body 19 and a spacer part 22 disposed along the side plate parts 12 of the case body 19 from both ends of the pair of protrusions 21 so as to have the safety valve 17 positioned in between, and a lid body part 30 which forms a closed space laid between the pair of protrusions 21.

Description

  The present invention relates to a unit cell, a battery module, and an assembled battery used in an electric vehicle, a hybrid car, and the like, and more specifically, a unit cell provided with a safety valve on an end plate portion of a case body, and a plurality of the unit cells connected side by side. The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack in which a plurality of battery modules are connected side by side.

  Batteries used in electric cars and hybrid cars are designed to increase the voltage with battery modules in which single cells are connected in series, and assembled batteries in which battery modules are connected in series. Designed with consideration.

  A lithium-ion battery, which is an example of a unit cell, includes a sheet-like positive electrode plate, a sheet-like separator, and a sheet-like negative electrode plate, and a spirally wound power generation element and a necessary amount of electrolyte. It has a configuration housed in a case. Moreover, in order to ensure safety, the cell is provided with a safety valve in the case.

  That is, in the unit cell, when the electrolyte in the case is gasified at the time of failure or other abnormality, the safety valve is opened to release this gas to the outside of the case so that the case does not burst. The unit cell includes a container-like case main body whose case is open at the top and a cover plate that closes the opening of the case main body, and a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal protrude from the cover plate.

  A plurality of such cells are connected side by side, and the positive and negative terminals of adjacent cells are connected by a bus bar, that is, connected in series, thereby further increasing the voltage of the battery module. Used as an assembled battery in which modules are connected in series. And since a single battery heat | fever-generates, a battery module and an assembled battery shall be equipped with the heat dissipation. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an invention of an assembled battery for a vehicle in which the heat dissipation characteristics of an intermediate single cell sandwiched between single cells at both ends (“battery cell” in Patent Document 1) are improved.

  This assembled battery is characterized in that a plurality of single cells are mounted on the same plane, and the adjacent single cells and the single cells are connected by a connecting portion formed of an insulating heat-resistant resin. The connecting portion connects the two unit cells on the same plane by fitting the concave strip provided on the entire side surface of one unit cell and the convex strip provided on the entire side surface of the other cell. .

JP 2002-352786 A

  The assembled battery described in Patent Document 1 is excellent in heat dissipation by exposing the top surface and the bottom surface (the back surface in Patent Document 1) by mounting the unit cell on a plane. However, since the connecting portion is provided over the entire surface between the side surface of one unit cell and the side surface of the other unit cell, heat dissipation on this side surface is not sufficiently ensured.

  Moreover, the assembled battery described in Patent Document 1 does not include an exhaust path for gas released from the case when the safety valve is opened. Therefore, in the assembled battery described in Patent Document 1, since the safety valve is exposed, the gas released from the inside of the case is scattered, and the monitoring unit provided in the assembled battery is damaged and does not break down. May adversely affect other cells.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a unit cell and an assembly that can sufficiently ensure heat dissipation and can guide the gas released from the inside of the case to open and exhaust the gas in the intended direction by opening the safety valve. It is an object to provide a battery.

  The cell according to the present invention includes a case main body formed in a box shape by a bottom plate portion, a pair of side plate portions and a pair of end plate portions that are erected on the periphery of the bottom plate portion, and one or both ends. A single cell having a safety valve in the plate portion, and an end plate of the case main body so that the safety valve is positioned between the battery in order to provide an exhaust passage for guiding the gas released from inside the case when the safety valve is opened Are formed in a U-shape in plan view by a pair of ridges for projecting from the part and forming a closed space, and a spacer part provided along the side plate part of the case body from both ends of the pair of ridges. A frame-shaped seat portion is provided.

  According to this unit cell, in the assembled battery in which the unit cells are arranged and connected so that the side plates of the case body face each other, the spacer part of the adjacent unit cell abuts. A cooling space is provided between the side surface portion and the side surface portion, and the exhaust path can be provided by the continuous closed space formed by the pair of protrusions of the frame-shaped seat portion.

  Further, a cell according to the present invention different from the above comprises a case main body formed in a box shape by a bottom plate portion, a pair of side plate portions and a pair of end plate portions erected on the periphery of the bottom plate portion, A unit cell provided with a safety valve on one or both end plate portions, and an exhaust passage for guiding gas released from inside the case when the safety valve is opened is provided on the end plate portion of the case body, A spacer portion protruding from the end plate portion of the main body is provided.

  According to this unit cell, in the battery assembly in which the unit cells are arranged and connected so that the side plate portions of the case body face each other, the side surface of the case body of the adjacent unit cell by the spacer portion protruding from the end plate portion of the case body. A cooling space is provided between these parts. And by providing an exhaust path in the end plate part of the case body, the gas released from the case when the safety valve is opened can be guided in the intended direction.

  Further, in the unit cell according to the present invention, it is preferable that the spacer portion is provided by a rod support portion fixed to one or both end plate portions of the case body. According to this single cell, the spacer part can be provided by the end part of the rod support part fixed to the end plate part projecting in the width direction from the end plate part. In addition, the battery module in which the cells are arranged is temporarily connected to assemble the assembled battery, and a rod support portion is used when temporarily connecting the battery modules.

  Further, in the unit cell according to the present invention, in order to provide the exhaust passage, a pair of protrusions projecting from the end plate portion of the case body so as to position the safety valve therebetween, and forming a closed space, A frame-shaped seat portion formed in a U-shape in plan view by a spacer portion provided along the side plate portion of the case body from both ends of the pair of ridge portions, the frame-shaped seat portion and the rod support portion; Are preferably integrated by the intermediate portion. According to this single cell, the frame-shaped seat portion and the rod support portion are integrated by the intermediate portion, thereby improving productivity as compared with the case where the frame-shaped seat portion and the rod support portion are separately formed. be able to.

  Further, in the unit cell according to the present invention, it is preferable that the intermediate portion is formed by one or a plurality of rod-shaped members that connect the frame-shaped seat portion and the rod support portion. According to this single battery, since the intermediate portion is formed by one or a plurality of rod-shaped members, the intermediate portion is partially overlapped with the end plate portion of the battery case, and the intermediate portion is separated from the end plate portion. It can be made difficult to become an obstacle to heat dissipation.

  In the unit cell according to the present invention, the closed space is preferably formed by covering a lid portion between a pair of protrusions. According to this single cell, the closed space can be easily formed by covering the lid portion between the pair of protrusions.

  In addition, the battery module according to the present invention is a battery module in which the cells according to the present invention are arranged side by side without the lid portion being covered between the pair of protrusions, and the spacer portions of the adjacent unit cells By abutting each other, a cooling space is provided between the side plate portion and the side plate portion of the case body of the adjacent unit cells, and the exhaust path of the adjacent unit cells is continuous, and the exhaust path However, it is provided by a cylindrical body having a band plate portion overlapping the end plate portions of a plurality of single cells, and the end plate portion is provided with a window hole portion corresponding to the position of the safety valve. Yes.

  According to this battery module, since the spacer portions of the adjacent unit cells contact each other, a cooling space is provided between the side plate portion and the side plate portion of the case body of the adjacent assembled battery. The heat generated from the battery is cooled in this cooling space, and the exhaust path of the unit cell is continuous, so that the exhaust path is also provided in the battery module and released from the case when the safety valve is opened. Gas can be discharged into the exhaust path of the battery module.

  And, by providing the exhaust passage with a cylindrical body, the safety valve is opened, and the gas released from the case does not flow into the cooling space, but is surely discharged in the intended direction outside the battery module. Can do.

  Further, in the battery module according to the present invention, an annular groove surrounding the window hole portion is formed on a surface where the band plate portion overlaps the end plate portion of the unit cell, and a packing is fitted in the annular groove. Is preferred. According to this battery module, the airtightness between the end plate portion of the unit cell and the strip plate portion of the cylindrical body can be enhanced by packing. And a band plate part can be made to closely_contact | adhere with the end plate part of a cell by fitting packing into an annular groove.

  Further, a battery module according to the present invention different from the above is a battery module in which the cells according to the present invention are arranged side by side with a lid portion covered between a pair of protrusions, and are adjacent to each other. By contacting the spacer parts, a cooling space is provided between the side plate part and the side plate part of the case body of the adjacent unit cells, and the closed space of the adjacent unit cells is continuous. The exhaust passage is provided.

  According to this battery module, since the spacer portions of the adjacent unit cells contact each other, a cooling space is provided between the side plate portion and the side plate portion of the case body of the adjacent assembled battery. The heat released from the battery is cooled in this cooling space, and when the safety valve is opened by the exhaust passage provided by the continuous closed space of the unit cell, the gas released from the case is induced. Exhaust in the desired direction.

  In the battery module according to the present invention, it is preferable that the lid portion is formed to be longer than the length of the protruding portion. According to this battery module, since the lid portion is formed to be longer than the length of the ridge portion, the exhaust path provided in the assembled battery in which the cells are arranged and connected is the length of the ridge portion. It can be efficiently formed with a smaller number of sheets, preferably one sheet, than the only lid part.

  In the battery module according to the present invention, one or a plurality of flame retardants may be placed in the exhaust passage. According to this battery module, since the flame retardant is placed in the exhaust passage, it can be prevented from being ignited by gas.

  Further, the assembled battery according to the present invention is an assembled battery in which the battery modules according to the present invention in which exhaust passages are provided by a cylindrical body are connected side by side, and the cylindrical body is formed longer than the length of the battery module. It is characterized by being.

  According to this assembled battery, in the assembled battery in which the battery modules are arranged and connected, the cylindrical body is formed across the plurality of battery modules, so that the exhaust path is more efficient than molding the cylindrical body for each battery module. Can be formed.

  Further, the assembled battery according to the present invention is an assembled battery in which the battery modules according to the present invention in which the lid portion is placed between a pair of protrusions are connected side by side, and the spacer portions of the adjacent unit cells are connected to each other. Makes a cooling space between the side plate portion and the side plate portion of the case body of the adjacent unit cells, and the closed space of the adjacent unit cells is continuous, so that the exhaust path It is characterized by being provided.

  According to this assembled battery, since the exhaust path can be provided in the assembled battery in which the battery modules are arranged and connected, the gas released from the case can be guided into the exhaust path and exhausted in the intended direction. it can.

  Moreover, the assembled battery which concerns on this invention WHEREIN: It is preferable that the said cover body part is formed longer than the length of the said battery module. According to this assembled battery, after the battery modules are connected side by side, the exhaust path can be efficiently formed with one or a smaller number of lid parts than the length of the lid part of the battery module.

  According to the present invention, a battery module and an assembled battery in which a cooling space is provided between the single cells and a continuous exhaust path is provided across the plurality of single cells, and the single battery constituting the battery module and the assembled battery. By providing the battery, the module in which the assembled battery is combined can sufficiently ensure heat dissipation and can discharge the gas released from the case in the intended direction.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the cell of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the battery module of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the first step which assembles the assembled battery of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the 2nd step which assembles the assembled battery of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the 3rd step which assembles the assembled battery of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the 4th step which assembles the assembled battery of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the 5th step which assembles the assembled battery of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the last stage which assembled the assembled battery of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an assembled battery of the first embodiment according to the present invention, which is different from FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the battery module of 2nd Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the assembled battery which arranged and connected the battery module of 2nd Embodiment shown in FIG. 10 which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the single battery of 3rd Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the cell of 3rd Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the battery module of 4th Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part of the battery module of 4th Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the cell of 5th Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the battery module of 5th Embodiment which concerns on this invention.

Embodiment 1
A single battery, a battery module, and an assembled battery according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the unit cell A of the first embodiment is provided with an exhaust passage 2 by fixing a frame-shaped seat portion 20 to a case 10, and a plurality of unit cells A,. A battery pack B and a battery pack C in which a plurality of battery modules B,... Are connected side by side are provided with a cooling space 1 and an exhaust passage 2 as shown in FIGS.

  The case 10 includes a case body 19 formed in a box shape having an opening by a rectangular bottom plate portion 11 and a pair of side plate portions 12 and a pair of end plate portions 13 erected on the periphery of the bottom plate portion 11. The lid plate 14 closes the opening.

  In the case body 19, a power generation element (not shown) is accommodated sideways, and then an electrolyte is injected. In the power generation element, a sheet-like positive electrode plate and a sheet-like negative electrode plate are overlapped with a separator interposed therebetween, and these are wound into a flat spiral shape. Further, a positive electrode terminal 15 and a negative electrode terminal 16 protrude from the cover plate 14. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the standing posture in which the positive electrode terminal 15 and the negative electrode terminal 16 are positioned on the upper side will be described as a basic orientation.

  The both end plate portions 13 of the case body 19 are provided with safety valves 17 for releasing the gas generated in the case 10 at the time of abnormality to the outside of the case 10. By providing the safety valve 17 on the end plate portion 13, gas emitted from the power generation element stored sideways can be easily released to the outside of the case 10.

  The pair of frame-shaped seats 20 fixed to the case 10 are fixed to the end plate 13 of the case body 19 so that the safety valve 17 is located between them, that is, above and below the safety valve 17 in the drawing. The protrusions 21 and the spacers 22 fixed along the side plates 12 of the case body 19 from both ends of the pair of protrusions 21 are formed in a U shape in plan view. Therefore, the protruding portion 21 has a length obtained by adding the thickness of both spacer portions 22 to the width of the end plate portion 13 of the case main body 19.

  The spacer portion 22 is formed in an “I” shape that is bridged by the pair of protrusions 21 along the edge of the side plate portion 12 of the case main body 19, but to the inside of the side plate portion 12 of the case main body 19. You may form in a "U" shape so that it may enter. Such a spacer portion 22 is in a state of sandwiching both side plate portions 12 of the case main body 19.

  Then, the lid body portion 30 is stretched over the pair of ridge portions 21, and a closed space is formed by the ridge portion 21 and the lid body portion 30. The intermediate portion of the lid portion 30 may have a flat plate shape as shown in the figure, or a hook shape that bulges outward.

  In addition, grooves 21 a for fitting the side edges of the lid body portion 30 to the opposing surfaces of the pair of rib portions 21 so that the lid body portion 30 can be easily and reliably attached to the rib portion 21. Is formed. However, although not shown, the protrusion 21 is a pedestal on which a plurality of female screws are formed, a small hole is formed in each side edge of the lid 30, and a screw that passes through the small hole and is screwed into the female screw. The lid portion 30 may be fixed to the ridge portion 21 by the above.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the lid 30 is formed in a strip-like length having the length of the battery module B in which a plurality of single cells A,. As shown, the workability of mounting the lid portion 30 on the ridge portion 21 is improved by forming a strip-like length having the length of the assembled battery C in which a plurality of battery modules B,. be able to.

  However, as shown in FIG. 1, the lid body portion 30 has the same length as the protruding portion 21, and when the battery module B is used, the lid body portion 30 and the lid body portion 30 of the adjacent unit cell A May be matched. In this case, it is preferable that a packing is interposed between the lid part 30 and the lid part 30 because airtightness can be improved.

  And the rod support part 40 which formed the through-hole 41 which penetrates a rod (not shown) is being fixed to the both-ends board part 13 of the case main body 19 in the bottom part side and the opening part side. The rod support portion 40 has the same length as the ridge portion 21 of the frame-shaped seat portion 20, and the end surfaces of the adjacent rod support portions 40 are in contact with each other when the unit cells A are adjacent to each other. Yes. In addition, although the spacer part which follows the side-plate part 12 of the case main body 19 is not provided in the illustrated rod support part 40, you may provide a spacer part similarly to the frame-shaped seat part 20. FIG.

  The frame-shaped seat portion 20 and the rod support portion 40 are made of heat-resistant resin in order to reduce weight, and are integrally molded with the case body 19 by injection molding from the viewpoint of dimensional accuracy, productivity, adhesive strength, and the like. .

  However, the frame-shaped seat portion 20 and the rod support portion 40 may be made of metal, and the metal frame-shaped seat portion 20 and rod support portion 40 and the case main body 19 can be integrally formed by forging. Further, the frame-shaped seat portion 20 and the rod support portion 40 may be made of resin or metal, and may be separately fixed to the case body 19 with an adhesive or the like. In addition, when the frame-shaped seat part 20, the cover part 30, and the rod support part 40 are made of resin, they are molded from polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyimide, fluororesin, or the like. It is preferable.

  As shown in FIG. 2, such a single cell A becomes a battery module B when the side plate portion 12 and the side plate portion 12 face each other and the positive electrode terminal 15 and the negative electrode terminal 16 are connected by a bus bar 50. In the battery module B, the spacer portions 22 of the frame-shaped seat portions 20 fixed to the adjacent unit cells A are in contact with each other, so that the cooling space 1 is provided between the unit cells A and the unit cells A. .

  Note that the cooling space 1 is provided between the unit cells A and A even when the end surfaces of the rod support units 40 fixed to the adjacent unit cells A are in contact with each other. Even if the end surfaces do not contact each other, the cooling space 1 is provided by the spacer portions 22 of the frame-shaped seat portion 20 contacting each other.

  And the cover part 30 is mounted | worn with the protrusion part 21 of the frame-shaped seat part 20 used as the continuous state, ie, the cover part 30 is covered on a pair of protrusion part 21. FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the lid body portion 30 is formed to have the same length as the battery module B, so that one lid body portion 30 is attached to one battery module B. The closed spaces formed in the unit cells A connected side by side continuously form the exhaust path 2.

  However, as shown in FIG. 1, when the lid portion 30 has the same width as the ridge portion 21 of the frame-shaped seat portion 20 of the cell A, the ridge portion 21 and the lid portion 30 in the cell A The exhaust path 2 is provided by the continuous closed space formed by.

  In any case, a groove 21a is formed on the opposing surface of the ridge portion 21, and the lid body portion 30 is slid so as to fit each side edge of the lid body portion 30 into the groove 21a. Can be easily installed.

  One or a plurality of flame retardants (not shown) are placed at appropriate positions in the exhaust passage 2.

  A cover 60 provided with a belt passing portion 61 is overlaid on the cover plate 14 of the cells A connected side by side. The cover 60 is provided with notches that avoid the positive electrode terminal 15 and the negative electrode terminal 16 and ribs that partially surround the positive electrode terminal 15 and the negative electrode terminal 16.

  A plurality of such battery modules B,... Are connected side by side to form an assembled battery C as shown in FIGS.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the assembled battery C is assembled from a unit Ca in which battery modules B that are not covered with the lid 30 are arranged and connected. In this unit Ca, the cooling space 1 is also provided between the battery modules B and B, and the positive terminal 15 and the negative terminal 16 of the adjacent battery module B are connected by the bus bar 50. is there. As the bus bar 50, the bus bar 50 that connects the positive electrode terminal 15 and the negative electrode terminal 16 of the battery module B can be used.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the lid portion 30 formed to have the same length as the unit Ca of the assembled battery C is attached to the ridge portion 21 of the continuous frame-shaped seat portion 20. Due to the long lid portion 30, the assembled battery C becomes a unit Cb in which the exhaust passage 2 in which the closed space formed in each unit cell A is continuous is provided at once.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the bottom plate portion 11 of the case body 19 is brought into contact with each other to form a two-stage unit Cc. Then, a rod (not shown) is inserted into the through hole 41 of the rod support 40 that is in a continuous state, and the battery modules B are temporarily connected. In the unit Cc of the assembled battery C, the cover 60 of the battery module B is placed on the upper side and the lower side in the drawing, and as shown in FIG. By passing the belt 70 provided with the unit Cc, the unit Cc is brought into a stable state.

  As this belt 70, it is preferable to employ, for example, high-strength and high heat-resistant polyparaphenylene benzobisoxazole (PBO; trade name “Zylon”), meta-aramid fiber, para-aramid fiber, or the like. Although the belt 70 shown in FIG. 5 is formed in an annular shape, a part of the actual belt 70 is cut and passed through the belt passing portion 61, and then the cutting portion is tied.

  Next, the rod is extracted from the through hole 41 of the rod support portion 40, and as shown in FIG. 7, a unit Cd is obtained in which end plates 81 and 82 are superimposed on both ends of the unit Cc. The end plates 81 and 82 are provided with a plurality of ribs for reinforcement in the width direction, small holes communicating with the through holes 41 of the rod support portion 40, and the like. Some ribs are provided at positions that are continuous with the ridges 21 of the frame-shaped seats 20 at both ends so that the exhaust duct 90 can be supported. Note that the end plates 81 and 82 can be molded from poly (phenylene sulfide) (PPS), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyimide, fluororesin, or the like, in addition to the conventionally used metal plates.

  The exhaust duct 90 is provided with an intake port 91 communicating with the exhaust path 2 at both ends and an exhaust port 92 provided at an intermediate portion, and the intake port 91 and the exhaust port 92 are naturally opposite to each other. Such an exhaust duct 90 is fixed to both end plates 81 and 82 as shown in FIG.

  A rod (not shown) is inserted from the small holes of the end plates 81 and 82 into the through holes 41 of the rod support portion 40, and nuts (not shown) are fastened to both ends of the rods. Is completed. These rods and nuts are manufactured from heat-resistant and high-strength materials. For example, titanium, titanium alloy, polyamide MXD6 resin (trade name “RENY”), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyether By manufacturing from ether ketone (PEEK) etc., weight reduction can also be achieved compared with the conventional iron and stainless steel. Further, the rod and the nut may be a combination of these same materials or a combination of different materials. The exhaust duct 90 may be fixed to only one end plate 81 and not fixed to the other end plate 82, and may block the exhaust path 2.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the assembled battery C, when the electrodes 15 and 16 are installed in an upright posture in which the electrodes 15 and 16 are positioned up and down, the cooling air in the front-rear direction (horizontal direction) flows through the cooling space 1, and each cell A Cool down. In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, when the assembled battery C is installed in a recumbent posture in which the electrodes 15 and 16 are positioned forward and backward, the cooling air in the vertical direction (vertical direction) flows through the cooling space 1, and each unit cell Cool A.

  Moreover, even if the assembled battery C is installed in any posture, any of the cells A becomes abnormal and the safety valve 17 is opened, so that the gas released from the case 10 is exhausted. 2 is discharged from the exhaust port 92 of the exhaust duct 90 in the desired direction. When a flame retardant is placed in the exhaust path 2, the gas discharged from the exhaust port 92 is flame retardant.

  Therefore, in the apparatus provided with the assembled battery C, the gas released from the inside of the case flows toward the monitoring unit on the case and does not damage the monitoring unit. Further, the monitoring unit detects an abnormality of the unit cell A and controls the assembled battery C, so that the abnormality can be prevented from spreading to other unit cells A.

[Embodiment 2]
A second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the battery module B, as shown in FIG. 10, the unit cells A provided with the safety valve 17 are arranged and connected only to one end plate portion 13 of the case body 19. In the battery module B, the exhaust path 2 is naturally provided only on the side where the safety valve 17 is provided. In addition, although the rod support part 40 is not shown by FIG. 10, it is good also as what provided the rod support part 40 also in this single battery A and the battery module B. FIG.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, the battery module B can assemble an assembled battery C that is arranged and connected so that end plate portions 13 that are not provided with the safety valve 17 are joined to each other. In this assembled battery C, the exhaust path 2 is provided only on the end panels on both sides where the battery modules B of each row are exposed. Therefore, the exhaust duct 90 provided in the assembled battery C also has an intake port 91 that is continuous with both the exhaust paths 2.

  Further, in this assembled battery C, the interval between the adjacent battery module B and the side plate portion 12 of the case main body 19 of the battery module B is wider than the interval between the side plate portions 12 of the adjacent case main body 19 in the battery module B. The lid 30 is formed to the length of the exhaust path 2 of each battery module B. The exhaust path 2 and the exhaust path 2 of the adjacent battery modules B are connected by a cylindrical joint 100. This joint 100 is formed, for example, with insertion ports 101 inserted at the ends of the exhaust passage 2 at both ends. Further, a flame retardant may be placed in the joint 100.

  In the assembled battery C shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the exhaust path 2 may be connected by the joint 100 shown in FIG. Further, the battery module B may be configured such that the flame retardant is not allowed to enter the exhaust path 2 depending on the usage situation.

[Embodiment 3]
A third embodiment of a cell A according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The unit cell A is characterized in that the frame-shaped seat portion 20 and the pair of rod support portions 40 are integrated by the intermediate joint portion 24, and the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. The intermediate portion 24 shown in FIG. 12 is formed in a plate shape. The plate-shaped intermediate portion 24 reinforces the rod support portion 40 and the ridge portion 21 by integrating them substantially over the entire length.

  13 is formed in a hollow shape by a pair (two) of rod-shaped members 24a, and the frame-shaped seat portion 20 and the pair of rod support portions 40 are connected to each other. Alternatively, although not shown, the intermediate portion 24 may be formed as a hollow shape by three or more rod-shaped members, or the frame-shaped seat portion 20 and the pair of rod support portions 40 may be coupled by one rod-shaped member. .

  Since the intermediate portion 24 does not overlap the end plate portion 13 of the case body 19 over the entire surface, it does not hinder heat dissipation from the end plate portion 13, that is, between the frame-shaped seat portion 20 and the rod support portion 40. A cooling effect can be ensured by contacting the end plate portion 13 exposed from the air with the air.

  In any of the intermediate portions 24 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, when the resin molding is performed, the frame-shaped seat portion 20 and the pair of rod support portions 40 can be integrally molded. The number of times of pouring into the substrate can be set to one, which is less than in the case of separate molding, and productivity can be improved.

  In the third embodiment, as described in the second embodiment, it can also be said that the single battery A in which the safety valve 17 is provided only on one end plate portion 13 of the case main body 19 can be implemented. Not too long.

[Embodiment 4]
A fourth embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the battery module B, the exhaust path 2 of the battery module B in which the cells A are arranged and connected is provided by a cylindrical body 31. The cylindrical body 31 forms the exhaust path 2 by combining a band plate portion 31a that overlaps the end plate portion 13 of the unit cell A and a bowl-shaped partition wall portion 31b. The partition wall 31b may be formed in an arc shape other than the U-shaped end face shape as illustrated.

  In addition, a window hole portion 31c is provided in the strip plate portion 31a corresponding to the position of the safety valve 17 provided in each unit cell A. Since the safety valve 17 has a disk shape, the window hole portion 31c is also formed in a circular shape, but may be formed in a quadrilateral or other polygonal shape.

  As shown in FIG. 15, an annular groove 31d surrounding the window hole portion 31c is formed on the surface where the strip plate portion 31a overlaps the end plate portion 13 of the unit cell A, and the packing 32 is fitted into the annular groove 31d. It is. Naturally, the annular groove 31 d is formed slightly shallower than the outer diameter of the packing 32.

  And the band board part 31a closely_contact | adheres with the end plate part 13 of the cell A by the packing 32 being fitted in the annular groove 31d. Therefore, the cylindrical body 31 can improve the assembling property without rattling.

  However, since the packing 32 is slightly compressed in the radial direction, the airtightness between the end plate portion 13 and the strip plate portion 31a of the unit cell A can be enhanced. When the band plate portion 31a is formed of a material that is in close contact with the end plate portion 13 of the unit cell A, the packing 32 may be omitted and, of course, the annular groove 31d may not be formed.

  And since the exhaust path 2 is provided by the cylindrical body 31, and the strip | belt-plate part 31a of the cylindrical body 31 isolates the exhaust path 2 and the cooling space 1, the safety valve 17 opens, From inside the case 10 The released gas flows into the exhaust path 2 formed by the cylindrical body 31 without leaking toward the cooling space 1.

  A plurality of the battery modules B are also connected side by side to be used as the assembled battery C. The assembled battery C is also provided with an exhaust duct 90 (see FIGS. 7 to 9), and the end of the cylindrical body 31 is connected to the exhaust duct 90. Therefore, the gas flowing into the exhaust path 2 formed by the cylindrical body 31 is discharged out of the assembled battery C from the exhaust duct 90.

  In the battery module B shown in FIG. 14 in the fourth embodiment, the frame-shaped seat portion 20 and the rod support portion 40 are separated, but as described in the third embodiment, Even in the fourth embodiment, the frame-shaped member 20 and the rod support portion 40 may be integrated by the intermediate portion 24. Further, the cylindrical body 31 may be made of resin or metal, and when made of resin, polyphenylene glycol (PPS), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyimide, fluororesin It is preferable to form by, for example. Moreover, also in 4th Embodiment, as demonstrated in 2nd Embodiment, it can implement also about the cell A which provided the safety valve 1 only in the one end plate part 13 of the case main body 19. FIG.

[Embodiment 5]
A fifth embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 16, this single cell A is characterized in that the exhaust passage 2 is provided by a pair of rod support portions 40. Therefore, as a matter of course, the safety valve 17 is located between the pair of rod support portions 40. Moreover, the rod support part 40 is longer than the end plate part 13 of the case main body 10, and both end parts or one end part protrudes in the width direction from the end plate part 13 of the case main body 10, and this protruding part 42 is assembled. It becomes a spacer for providing the cooling space 1 in the battery module.

  That is, in the battery module B in which the unit cells A are connected side by side, the exhaust path 2 provided between the pair of rod support portions 40 is continuous and the rod support portion 40 protrudes as shown in FIG. The cooling space 1 is provided between the unit cell A and the unit cell A by the portions 42 coming into contact with each other. And although not shown in figure, an assembled battery is assembled by connecting this battery module B in multiple numbers.

  Such a sealed space in which the exhaust passage 2 is provided by spanning a lid portion (not shown) across the pair of rod support portions 40 provided in the unit cell A, the battery module B, and the assembled battery. Is formed.

[Other Embodiments]
The cell A in the first to third embodiments is characterized by forming the exhaust path 2, and the lid 30 is not an essential component. Further, when both or one of the frame-shaped seat portion 20 and the rod support portion 40 are made of metal and separate from the case main body 19, both of them 20, 40 not only by an adhesive but also by welding or brazing. , 19 may be fixed.

A ... Batteries B ... Batteries module C ... Batteries 1 ... Cooling space 2 ... Exhaust passage 10 ... Case 11 ... Bottom plate 12 ... Side plate 13 ... End plate 17 ... Safety valve 19 ... Case body 20 ... Frame-shaped seat portion 21 ... Projection portion 21a ... Groove 22 ... Spacer portion 24 ... Intermediate portion 24a ... Rod-shaped member 30 ... Lid portion 31 ... Tube Shaped body 31a ... end plate 31c ... window hole 31d ... annular groove 32 ... packing 40 ... rod support

Claims (14)

A case body formed in a box shape by a bottom plate portion, a pair of side plate portions and a pair of end plate portions erected on the periphery of the bottom plate portion, and a safety valve is provided on one or both end plate portions. A battery,
In order to provide an exhaust path for guiding the gas released from inside the case when the safety valve is opened, a pair of the safety valve protrudes from the end plate portion of the case body so as to be positioned therebetween, and forms a closed space A frame-shaped seat portion formed in a U-shape in plan view is provided by the ridge portion and a spacer portion provided along the side plate portion of the case body from both ends of the pair of ridge portions. A single cell. A case body formed in a box shape by a bottom plate portion, a pair of side plate portions and a pair of end plate portions erected on the periphery of the bottom plate portion, and a safety valve is provided on one or both end plate portions. A battery,
An exhaust passage for guiding gas released from the inside of the case when the safety valve is opened is provided in the end plate portion of the case body, and a spacer portion protruding from the end plate portion of the case body is provided. A single cell.   The unit cell according to claim 2, wherein the spacer portion is provided by a rod support portion fixed to one or both end plate portions of the case main body. In order to provide the exhaust passage, a pair of protrusions project from the end plate portion of the case body so that a safety valve is located between them, and a pair of protrusions for forming a closed space, and from both ends of the pair of protrusions, A frame-shaped seat portion formed in a U-shape in plan view with a spacer portion provided along the side plate portion;
The unit cell according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the frame-shaped seat portion and the rod support portion are integrated by a joint portion.   The single battery according to claim 4, wherein the intermediate portion is formed by one or a plurality of rod-shaped members that connect the frame-shaped seat portion and the rod support portion.   The unit cell according to claim 1, 4 or 5, wherein the closed space is formed by covering a lid portion between a pair of protrusions. A battery module in which the single cells according to any one of claims 1 to 5 are connected side by side,
By adjoining the spacer portions of the adjacent unit cells, a cooling space is provided between the side plate portion and the side plate portion of the case body of the adjacent unit cell, and the adjacent unit cell The exhaust path is continuous,
The exhaust passage is provided by a cylindrical body having a band plate portion overlapping the end plate portions of a plurality of single cells, and the end plate portion is provided with a window hole portion corresponding to the position of the safety valve. A battery module characterized by.   The battery according to claim 7, wherein an annular groove surrounding the window hole portion is formed on a surface where the band plate portion overlaps the end plate portion of the unit cell, and a packing is fitted into the annular groove. module. A battery module in which the single cells according to claim 6 are connected side by side,
By adjoining the spacer portions of the adjacent unit cells, a cooling space is provided between the side plate portion and the side plate portion of the case body of the adjacent unit cell, and the adjacent unit cell A battery module, characterized in that an exhaust path is provided by providing a closed space.   The battery module according to claim 9, wherein the lid portion is formed to be longer than the length of the protruding portion.   The battery module according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein one or a plurality of flame retardants are placed in the exhaust passage. An assembled battery in which the battery modules according to claim 7 or 8 are connected side by side,
The assembled battery, wherein the cylindrical body is formed longer than a length of the battery module. An assembled battery in which the battery modules according to claim 9 are connected side by side,
By adjoining the spacer portions of the adjacent unit cells, a cooling space is provided between the side plate portion and the side plate portion of the case body of the adjacent unit cell, and the adjacent unit cell An assembled battery characterized in that an exhaust path is provided by providing a closed space.   The assembled battery according to claim 13, wherein the lid portion is formed longer than a length of the battery module.

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