JP2012243689A - Power supply device, vehicle including the same, and bus bar - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To absorb a change due to displacement of electrode terminals caused by expansion or the like of battery cells, while achieving a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A power supply device comprises: a plurality of battery cells 1 with electrode terminals 1a; and a metal bus bar 6 having a plurality of connection holes 6a opened therein in order that the electrode terminals 1a of the battery cells 1 are electrically connected to each other with the battery cells 1 stacked one upon another. A surface of the bus bar 6 in which the connection holes 6a are opened can be flushed and formed in the shape of a wave in a plan view. Thereby, the shape of the bus bar can be in a substantially planar shape, and a protrusion in a height direction thereof can be reduced to maintain downsizing, and the wave-shaped part can be deformed. Even when the electrode terminals of the battery cells cause displacement in a horizontal direction, the amount of change due to the displacement can be absorbed by the deformation of the wave-shaped part of the bus bar. This produces an advantage of stably retaining connection states of the battery cells.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply device in which a plurality of battery cells are connected by a bus bar, a vehicle including the power supply device, and a bus bar, and more particularly, a power source for a motor that drives an electric vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, an electric vehicle, and an electric motorcycle. The present invention relates to a power supply device that is optimal for a large-current power supply device used for power storage for home use, household use, factory use, and the like, and a vehicle including the power supply device and a bus bar.

  The power supply device can connect a large number of battery cells in series to increase the output voltage, and can be connected in parallel to increase the charge / discharge current. Therefore, a high-current, high-output power supply device used for the power supply of a motor that runs an automobile or the like has a plurality of battery cells connected in series to increase the output voltage. Since the power supply device used for this kind of application is charged and discharged with a large current, a plurality of battery cells are connected by a bus bar made of a metal plate having a small electric resistance.

  The bus bar connects the electrode terminals of the battery cells. In general, a plurality of battery cells are stacked and fastened with a bind bar or the like to form a battery stack, and electrode terminals of adjacent battery cells are inserted into round holes opened in the bus bar and fixed by welding.

  However, in the battery stack, the battery cell may expand due to charging / discharging with a large current, and as a result, the position of the electrode terminal may shift. As a result, there is a possibility that the connection between the electrode terminal and the bind bar is disconnected, or a load is applied to the attachment position between the electrode terminal and the outer can or sealing plate of the battery cell, and this portion may be damaged. In particular, when the battery cell is a square battery, the electrode terminal mounting portion is not necessarily strong enough, and if a strong stress is applied to the electrode terminal, there is a possibility that damage occurs inside the outer can. For this reason, if the electrode terminal is firmly fixed with a rigid bus bar, the electrode terminal cannot follow the deformation of the battery cell, and the electrical connection of the electrode terminal may be impaired. Further, not only the deformation of the battery cell but also the absorption of the error in the attachment position when the bus bar is attached to the electrode terminal of the battery cell due to tolerances at the time of manufacturing the outer can etc. becomes a problem.

  On the other hand, a bind bar corresponding to deformation and external force of the battery stack has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 15, this power storage module can absorb a change due to deformation of the bind bar itself even if the electrode terminal is displaced by using a corrugated bind bar. Specifically, as a pressing means for pressing the flange portion 152 provided in the power storage module 151 against the support base portion 153, a corrugated washer 154 having a spring property extending in the X-axis direction, and the corrugated washer 154 are attached to the flange portion 152. A pressing plate 155 extending in the X-axis direction that is pressed against the upper surface is used. As a result, even if the battery stack moves up and down due to vibration or external force and some battery cells protrude in the middle of the battery stack, the vertical movement can be absorbed by the deformation of the bind bar.

  However, in this configuration, it is necessary to use two metal plates of the corrugated washer 154 and the holding plate 155 as the bus bar, the number of parts of the bus bar increases, the configuration becomes complicated, the number of assembly steps increases, and the cost also increases. In addition, since the thickness of the bind bar constituent portion is increased by the corrugation, there is a problem that the mounting position is increased and the size of the battery module is increased. Particularly in recent years, the space for installing the power supply device is limited, and thus downsizing of the device is strongly demanded.

JP 2009-283193 A

  The present invention has been made to solve such conventional problems. A main object of the present invention is to provide a power supply device, a vehicle including the power supply device, and a bus bar that can absorb changes in displacement of electrode terminals due to expansion of battery cells and the like while having a simple configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the power supply device of the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of battery cells 1 having electrode terminals 1a and the battery cells 1 in a stacked state. In order to electrically connect the electrode terminals 1a to each other, a power supply device including a metal bus bar 6 having a plurality of connection holes 6a opened therein, the bus bar 6 having a surface with the connection holes 6a opened. Can be formed in a wave shape in a plan view. Thereby, even if the electrode terminal of the battery cell is displaced in the horizontal direction by deforming the corrugated part while maintaining the miniaturization by suppressing the protrusion in the height direction by making the shape of the bus bar substantially flat. This change can be absorbed by the deformation of the corrugated portion of the bus bar, and the advantage that the connection state of the battery cells can be stably maintained is obtained.

  Moreover, according to the power supply device which concerns on a 2nd side surface, the waveform part of the said bus-bar 6 can be formed in the longitudinal direction of the said bus-bar 6 at equal intervals.

  Furthermore, according to the power supply device which concerns on a 3rd side surface, the waveform part of the said bus-bar 6 can be formed in the U-shape U.

  Furthermore, according to the power supply device which concerns on a 4th side surface, the said bus bar 6 can form the notch C between the said connection holes 6a in the side surface along the longitudinal direction of the said bus bar 6. FIG. Thereby, since the cut portion is easily bent, the interval between the connection holes in the horizontal plane of the bus bar can be adjusted by deformation of the cut portion.

  Furthermore, according to the power supply device which concerns on a 5th side surface, the protrusion part P can be provided in the side surface facing the site | part which provided the said cut | notch C in the side surface along the longitudinal direction of the said bus-bar 6. FIG. Thereby, it can avoid that the site | part which provided the notch becomes narrow, and can suppress that the resistance value of a bus-bar rises in this site | part.

  Furthermore, according to the power supply device according to the sixth aspect, the cuts C can be alternately formed on the side surfaces along the longitudinal direction of the bus bar 6. Thereby, it is possible to avoid the bending of the cut portion being distributed to the left and right, and the deformation of the bus bar being biased.

  Furthermore, according to the power supply device according to the seventh aspect, the bus bar 6 is composed of a flat plate portion 6b having the connection hole 6a opened, and a connection portion 6c connecting the flat plate portions 6b. The connecting portion 6c can be formed to be narrower than the flat plate portion 6b. Thereby, the change of the position of a connection hole can be absorbed by deforming a connection part.

  Furthermore, according to the power supply device according to the eighth aspect, the connection portion 6c can be formed thicker than the flat plate portion 6b. Thereby, it is possible to avoid an increase in the resistance value at the narrow connection portion by increasing the thickness.

  Furthermore, the said power supply device can be utilized for the vehicle provided with the power supply device which concerns on a 9th side surface.

  Furthermore, according to the bus bar according to the tenth aspect, in order to electrically connect the electrode terminals 1a of the battery cells 1 with the battery cells 1 having the electrode terminals 1a stacked, It is a metal bus bar having a connection hole 6a opened, and the surface with the connection hole 6a opened can be formed in the same plane, and the plan view can be formed in a wave shape. Thereby, even if the electrode terminal of the battery cell is displaced in the horizontal direction by deforming the corrugated part while maintaining the miniaturization by suppressing the protrusion in the height direction by making the shape of the bus bar substantially flat. This change can be absorbed by the deformation of the corrugated portion of the bus bar, and the advantage that the connection state of the battery cells can be stably maintained is obtained.

It is a disassembled perspective view of a power supply device provided with the power supply device which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the assembled battery of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the state which removed the cooling plate from the battery laminated body of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the state which removed the cover part from the battery laminated body of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the battery laminated body of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the bus bar shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the bus-bar which concerns on a modification. FIG. 8A is a plan view showing the bus bar according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a plan view showing a state where the bus bar of FIG. 8A is deformed. It is a perspective view which shows the bus-bar which concerns on another modification. It is a perspective view which shows the bus-bar which concerns on another modification. It is a perspective view which shows the bus-bar which concerns on another modification. It is a block diagram which shows the example which mounts a power supply device in the hybrid vehicle which drive | works with an engine and a motor. It is a block diagram which shows the example which mounts a power supply device in the electric vehicle which drive | works only with a motor. It is a block diagram which shows the example applied to the power supply device for electrical storage. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the conventional electrical storage module.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below exemplifies a power supply device, a vehicle equipped with the power supply device, and a bus bar for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the present invention is a vehicle equipped with the power supply device and the power supply device. In addition, the bus bar is not specified as follows. Moreover, the member shown by the claim is not what specifies the member of embodiment. In particular, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the constituent members described in the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to the description unless otherwise specified. It is just an example. Note that the size, positional relationship, and the like of the members shown in each drawing may be exaggerated for clarity of explanation. Further, in the following description, the same name and reference numeral indicate the same or the same members, and detailed description will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, each element constituting the present invention may be configured such that a plurality of elements are constituted by the same member and the plurality of elements are shared by one member, and conversely, the function of one member is constituted by a plurality of members. It can also be realized by sharing. In addition, the contents described in some examples and embodiments may be used in other examples and embodiments.
Example 1

1 to 5 illustrate an example in which the power supply device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied to an in-vehicle power supply device. In these drawings, FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the power supply device 100, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the battery stack 5 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view with the cooling plate 61 removed from the battery stack 5 of FIG. 4 and 4 are exploded perspective views showing a state in which the cover 24 is removed from the battery stack 5 in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of the battery stack 5 in FIG. This power supply device 100 is mainly mounted on an electric vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, and is used as a power source for supplying electric power to a traveling motor of the vehicle and causing the vehicle to travel. However, the power supply device of the present invention can be used for vehicles other than hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles, and can also be used for applications requiring high output other than electric vehicles.
(Power supply device 100)

As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 1, the external appearance of the power supply device 100 is a box shape whose upper surface is rectangular. In the power supply device 100, a box-shaped outer case 70 is divided into two, and a plurality of assembled batteries 10 are accommodated therein. The exterior case 70 includes a lower case 71, an upper case 72, and end plates 73 connected to both ends of the lower case 71 and the upper case 72. The upper case 72 and the lower case 71 have a flange portion 74 protruding outward, and the flange portion 74 is fixed with a bolt and a nut. The outer case 70 has a flange 74 disposed on the side surface of the outer case 70. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 1, two battery stacks 5 are housed in the lower case 71 in total, two in the longitudinal direction and two in the lateral direction. Each battery stack 5 is fixed at a fixed position inside the outer case 70. The end surface plate 73 is connected to both ends of the lower case 71 and the upper case 72 and closes both ends of the exterior case 70.
(Battery 10)

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, the assembled battery 10 includes four battery stacks 5. That is, two battery stacks 5 are connected in the stacking direction of the rectangular battery cells 1 to form one battery stack continuous body 10B, and two battery stack continuous bodies 10B in such a connected state are arranged in parallel, The assembled battery 10 is configured.

The perspective view of each battery laminated body 5 which comprises the assembled battery 10 is shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 5, the battery stack 5 includes a plurality of prismatic battery cells 1, a separator 2 that interposes a plurality of prismatic battery cells 1 on the surface where the plurality of prismatic battery cells 1 are stacked, and a battery 2. A pair of end plates 3 disposed on an end surface in the stacking direction of the stacked body 5 and a covering case 16 that houses a battery stacked body 5 in which a plurality of rectangular battery cells 1 and separators 2 are stacked alternately are provided.
(Battery laminate 5)

  As shown in FIG. 5, the battery stack 5 has a plurality of prismatic battery cells 1 stacked with insulating separators 2 interposed therebetween. Further, a pair of end plates 3 are arranged on both end faces of the battery stack 5. In this way, a battery stack 5 in which a plurality of prismatic battery cells 1 and separators 2 are alternately stacked by interposing a separator 2 that insulates adjacent prismatic battery cells 1 on a stacking surface of the prismatic battery cells 1. Yes.

Each battery stack 5 is covered with a covering case 16. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the covering case 16 is fixed on a cooling plate 61 for cooling it. A connection structure for fixing the battery stack 5 on the cooling plate 61 is provided.
(Square battery cell 1)

  In the rectangular battery cell 1, the outer can constituting the outer shape thereof is a rectangular shape having a thickness smaller than a width. Positive and negative electrode terminals 1a are provided on a sealing plate for closing the outer can, and a safety valve is provided between the electrode terminals 1a. The safety valve is configured to open when the internal pressure of the outer can rises to a predetermined value or more, and to release the internal gas. The increase in the internal pressure of the outer can can be stopped by opening the safety valve. The unit cell constituting the rectangular battery cell 1 is a rechargeable secondary battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery, a nickel-hydrogen battery, or a nickel-cadmium battery. In particular, when a lithium ion secondary battery is used for the prismatic battery cell 1, there is an advantage that the charge capacity with respect to the volume and mass of the entire battery cell can be increased. Furthermore, the battery cell used in the present invention is not limited to a rectangular battery cell, but may be a cylindrical battery cell or a rectangular battery cell in which an exterior body is covered with a laminate material or other shapes.

The respective square battery cells 1 that are stacked to form the battery stack 5 are connected in series by connecting adjacent positive and negative electrode terminals 1 a with a bus bar 6. The assembled battery 10 in which the adjacent rectangular battery cells 1 are connected in series can increase the output voltage and increase the output. However, an assembled battery can also connect adjacent square battery cells in parallel, or a combination of series and parallel. The rectangular battery cell 1 is manufactured with a metal outer can. In this rectangular battery cell 1, an insulating separator 2 is sandwiched between the adjacent rectangular battery cells 1 in order to prevent short-circuiting of the outer can of the rectangular battery cell 1. Note that the outer can of the rectangular battery cell can also be made of an insulating material such as plastic. In this case, since it is not necessary for the rectangular battery cell to insulate and laminate the outer can, the separator can be made of metal or the separator can be made unnecessary.
(Separator 2)

The separator 2 is a spacer for laminating adjacent rectangular battery cells 1 electrically and thermally. The separator 2 is made of an insulating material such as plastic, and is disposed between the adjacent rectangular battery cells 1 to insulate the adjacent rectangular battery cells 1.
(End plate 3)

As shown in FIG. 5, a pair of end plates 3 are arranged on both end faces of the battery stack 5 in which the prismatic battery cells 1 and the separators 2 are alternately stacked, and the battery stack 5 is formed by the pair of end plates 3. It is pinched. The end plate 3 is made of a material that exhibits sufficient strength, for example, metal. The end plate 3 has a fixing structure for fixing to the lower case 71 shown in FIG. The end plate can be manufactured from a resin material, or can be manufactured by reinforcing an end plate made of resin with a metal member.
(Coating case 16)

  The battery stack 5 is press-fitted into the covering case 16 as shown in FIG. Here, the battery cell 1 is inserted into the covering case 16 while keeping the battery cell 1 in a laminated state, that is, in a state where the battery laminated body 5 is constrained to have a certain thickness or less in the lamination direction. In Example 1, as shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 5, the covering case 16 is formed in a bottomed box shape having an open upper surface. The covering case 16 is made of metal to enhance heat dissipation and to enhance heat conduction at the joint surface with the cooling plate 61. On the other hand, the inner surface of the covering case 16 is insulated to insulate the stacked rectangular battery cells 1. Further, if necessary, the heat conductive sheet 12 having insulating properties and heat conductivity can be arranged on the bottom surface of the covering case 16. By covering the battery stack 5 with the covering case 16 in this way, a sealed structure is realized. In this example, the covering case is made of metal, but it can be made of resin or the like if sufficient strength can be maintained. Moreover, thermal conductivity can also be improved by insert-molding a metal plate in a resin-made covering case. Moreover, a fiber sheet, a mica sheet, etc. can be utilized suitably for resin.

In the example of Example 1, the periphery of the battery stack 5 is covered with a resin as a buffer member. Here, in order to hold the resin on the surface of the battery stack 5, the resin is injected between the battery stack 5 and the covering case 16 by surrounding the battery stack 5 with the covering case 16. This eliminates the gap between the battery stack 5 and the covering case 16, thereby avoiding a situation where the surface of the battery stack 5 is dewed and adversely affected. In Example 1, in order to realize a waterproof structure with the end plate 3 and the covering case 16, a filler as a buffer member (not shown) is provided in the gap between the battery stack 5 and the region surrounded by the covering case 16. Filled. Thereby, a waterproof structure in which the periphery of the battery stack 5 is waterproof is obtained. Urethane resin can be suitably used as the filler. By potting with the filler as described above, a gap is eliminated, the surface of the rectangular battery cell 1 is protected, and conduction and corrosion due to condensation can be avoided. In addition, it is preferable to make the inside of a coating case into pressure reduction or a negative pressure at the time of filling with a filler so that a filler may spread over a clearance gap and generation | occurrence | production of a bubble may be avoided. Or conversely, the resin can be injected under pressure. After filling the resin, it is dried until the resin is completely cured.
(Cover 24)

  After filling with the filler, the upper surface is closed by the cover portion 24 as shown in FIG. Here, it is fixed to the upper surface of the covering case 16 via packing or the like. A gas duct 26 communicating with the safety valve of the rectangular battery cell 1 is provided on the inner surface of the cover portion 24. By connecting the gas duct 26 to the safety valve of each rectangular battery cell 1 and piping the gas duct 26 to the outside, the gas discharged when the internal pressure of the rectangular battery cell 1 rises can be safely discharged to the outside. Also, the bus bar 6 can be insert-molded in the cover portion 24, whereby the cover portion 24 is joined to the top surface of the battery stack 5, thereby connecting the electrode terminals 1 a of the respective rectangular battery cells 1 together. Is possible. A circuit board on which a control circuit for controlling the power supply device 100 is mounted is disposed on the upper surface of the cover portion 24. Further, the circuit board may be integrally provided in the cover portion.

In this way, the battery stack 5 is accommodated in the covering case 16. The covering case 16 can also seal a fitting part airtightly, using the member which comprises each surface as a fitting structure. As such a fitting structure, a packing, an O-ring, a gasket or the like can be used, and the covering case 16 can be sealed.
(Linked structure)

On the other hand, the battery stack 5 and the cooling plate 61 have a connection structure for fixing the battery stack 5 on the cooling plate 61. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the connection structure includes a connection bar 50 </ b> B. The connecting bar 50B is a U-shaped metal plate that extends in the vertical direction on the side surface of the cover portion 24, and is locked to the upper surface of the covering case 16 and to the bottom surface of the cooling plate 61, It is fixed by screwing. The cooling plate 61 is fixed to the bottom surface of the covering case 16 by the connecting bar 50B.
(Connection bar 50B)

As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 3, the connecting bar 50 </ b> B has a shape in which the strip strip is bent in a U shape in a sectional view. The strip strip is made of, for example, a metal plate so as to exhibit sufficient strength. Preferably, the strength is improved by forming a step on the surface of the strip. The length of the connecting bar 50 </ b> B is a U-shaped bent portion that is large enough to sandwich the height of the cover portion 24 on the top surface of the covering case 16 and the cooling plate 61 on the bottom surface. In this manner, the plate connecting portion can be easily added to the cooling plate 61 by using the connecting bar 50B. In particular, a coupling mechanism can be added without complicating the shape of the cooling plate 61 having a refrigerant circulation function or the like.
(Bus bar 6)

  The external shape of the bus bar 6 shown in FIG. 5 is shown in the perspective view of FIG. The bus bar 6 shown in this figure is a flat metal plate and has a plurality of connection holes 6a. By inserting and fixing the electrode terminals 1a of the rectangular battery cells 1 into the connection holes 6a, the electrode terminals 1a are electrically connected to each other. In the example of FIG. 6, the bus bar 6 has four connection holes 6 a, and the four stacked square battery cells 1 are connected in parallel, and these are connected in series.

Further, the bus bar 6 is formed in a corrugated shape in plan view while being entirely plate-shaped. The corrugations are formed at substantially equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the bus bar 6. Such a corrugated portion is formed, for example, by providing a cut C between the connection holes 6 a on the side surface along the longitudinal direction of the bus bar 6. By providing the cut portion, the bus bar 6 is easily bent at this portion, and the interval between the connection holes 6a in the horizontal plane of the bus bar 6 can be adjusted by deformation of the cut portion. The cuts C are not provided on the same surface on the side surfaces along the longitudinal direction of the bus bar 6 but are formed alternately. Thereby, it is possible to avoid the bending of the cut portion being distributed to the left and right and the deformation of the bus bar 6 being biased. In the example of FIG. 6, incisions C are provided between three connection holes 6 a, in the figure, at one place in the center on the upper side of the bus bar 6 and two places on the left and right sides on the lower side of the bus bar 6.
(Modification)

Moreover, you may provide the protrusion part P in the side facing the position where the cut | notch C was provided. Such an example is shown as a modification in the perspective view of FIG. Here, on the side surface along the longitudinal direction of the bus bar 6B, the protruding portion P is provided on each side surface facing the portion where the cut C is provided. The protrusion P is preferably protruded into a shape corresponding to the recess shape of the notch C. In other words, the bus bar is provided with a protrusion P having substantially the same area as the cut-out cross section. By doing so, the width of the bus bar can be maintained substantially constant even in the cut portion, and it is possible to prevent the resistance value from increasing due to the plate-shaped bus bar being partially narrowed.
(Example 2)

In the above example, an example in which four connection holes are opened in one bus bar has been described, but the number of connection holes is not limited thereto, and may be three or less or five or more. The number and length of the connection holes of the bus bar are appropriately selected according to the connection form such as series / parallel connection of the rectangular battery cells, the thickness of the rectangular battery cells, and the like. FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of a bus bar 6C in which the number of connection holes 6a is two as the second embodiment. The bus bar 6C shown in this figure is provided with a slit SL as a notch between the connection holes 6a as one form of the waveform shape. As shown in FIG. 8B, the bus bar 6C is deformed so that the slit SL is narrowed, so that the distance between the connection holes 6a can be shortened from D before bending to D ′ after bending. Conversely, by deforming the bus bar 6C so that the slit SL becomes wider, the distance between the connection holes 6a can be increased. The bus bar 6C includes a flat plate portion 6b having a connection hole 6a and a connection portion 6c that connects the flat plate portions 6b. Since the connecting portion 6c is formed to be narrower in plan view than the flat portion 6b, the bus bar 6C can be easily deformed at this portion. On the other hand, the resistance value of the connecting portion 6c having a narrow width is relatively high. Therefore, like the bus bar 6D shown in the modified example of FIG. 9, it is preferable to form the connection portion 6c thicker than the flat plate portion 6b. Since the resistance value can be relatively reduced by increasing the thickness in this way, the resistance component that increases by narrowing can be offset, and the increase in the resistance value as a whole can be suppressed. Such a bus bar 6D can constitute a flat plate-like portion 6b by hitting both ends of a round bar, for example.
(Modification)

  As another example, the waveform portion may be formed in a U shape. For example, the connection portion 6c that is more easily deformed can be formed by making the connection portion 6c into a U-shape U that protrudes continuously from the slit SL as in the bus bar 6E shown in the modification of FIG. Thereby, the change of the position of the connection hole 6a can be absorbed by the deformation of the connection portion 6c.

  Such a bus bar is made of a material having excellent conductivity. For example, a metal plate such as copper or aluminum can be used. The bus bar is preferably made of a material that is easily elastically deformed. For example, as a bus bar 6F shown in FIG. 11, it can be easily bent as a laminated body in which thin metal plates are laminated. The shape is not limited to a plate shape, and may be a mesh shape. Thus, the bus bar which is easily elastically deformed can easily absorb the change in the position of the connection hole. Moreover, since the load on the connection terminal fixed to the connection hole can be reduced, it is advantageous for protecting the connection terminal and the rectangular battery cell. The bus bar and the electrode terminal are fixed by screwing, soldering, welding, caulking, or the like.

  In this way, by adopting a configuration in which the bus bar is easily elastically deformed, the bus bar has elasticity in the stacking direction of the rectangular battery cells, and can cope with a change in the thickness direction of the rectangular battery cells. That is, the bus bar is deformable so as to be retractable, and the variation in the distance between the electrode terminals of the rectangular battery cell can be absorbed. In particular, even if the electrode terminals of the rectangular battery cells are displaced in the horizontal direction by deforming the corrugated part while maintaining the miniaturization by suppressing the protrusion in the height direction by making the shape of the bus bar substantially flat. This change can be absorbed by deformation of the corrugated portion of the bus bar, and the advantage that the connected state of the rectangular battery cells can be stably maintained is obtained.

The above power supply apparatus can be used as a vehicle-mounted power supply. As a vehicle equipped with a power supply device, an electric vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle that runs with both an engine and a motor, or an electric vehicle that runs only with a motor can be used, and it is used as a power source for these vehicles. .
(Power supply for hybrid vehicles)

FIG. 12 shows an example in which a power supply device is mounted on a hybrid vehicle that runs with both an engine and a motor. A vehicle HV equipped with the power supply device shown in this figure includes an engine 96 and a travel motor 93 that travel the vehicle HV, a power supply device 100 that supplies power to the motor 93, and a generator that charges a battery of the power supply device 100. 94. The power supply apparatus 100 is connected to a motor 93 and a generator 94 via a DC / AC inverter 95. The vehicle HV travels by both the motor 93 and the engine 96 while charging / discharging the battery of the power supply device 100. The motor 93 is driven to drive the vehicle when the engine efficiency is low, for example, during acceleration or low-speed driving. The motor 93 is driven by power supplied from the power supply device 100. The generator 94 is driven by the engine 96 or is driven by regenerative braking when the vehicle is braked to charge the battery of the power supply device 100. Note that the power supply device 100 can be charged using an external charging device (not shown).
(Power supply for electric vehicles)

FIG. 13 shows an example in which a power supply device is mounted on an electric vehicle that runs only with a motor. A vehicle EV equipped with the power supply device shown in this figure includes a traveling motor 93 for traveling the vehicle EV, a power supply device 100 that supplies power to the motor 93, and a generator 94 that charges a battery of the power supply device 100. And. The motor 93 is driven by power supplied from the power supply device 100. The generator 94 is driven by energy when regeneratively braking the vehicle EV and charges the battery of the power supply device 100. Note that the power supply device 100 can be charged using an external charging device (not shown).
(Power storage device for power storage)

  Furthermore, this power supply apparatus can be used not only as a power source for a moving body but also as a stationary power storage facility. For example, as a power source for households and factories, a power supply system that is charged with solar power or midnight power and discharged when necessary, or a street light that is charged with solar power during the day and discharged at night It can also be used as a backup power source for traffic lights that are driven in the event of a power failure. Such an example is shown in FIG. The power supply apparatus 100 shown in this figure forms a battery unit 82 by connecting a plurality of battery packs 81 in a unit shape. Each battery pack 81 has a plurality of rectangular battery cells 1 connected in series and / or in parallel. Each battery pack 81 is controlled by a power controller 84. The power supply apparatus 100 drives the load LD after charging the battery unit 82 with the charging power supply CP. For this reason, the power supply apparatus 100 includes a charging mode and a discharging mode. The load LD and the charging power source CP are connected to the power supply device 100 via the discharging switch DS and the charging switch CS, respectively. ON / OFF of the discharge switch DS and the charge switch CS is switched by the power supply controller 84 of the power supply apparatus 100. In the charging mode, the power supply controller 84 switches the charging switch CS to ON and the discharging switch DS to OFF to permit charging from the charging power supply CP to the power supply apparatus 100. Further, when the charging is completed and the battery is fully charged, or in response to a request from the load LD in a state where a capacity of a predetermined value or more is charged, the power controller 84 turns off the charging switch CS and turns on the discharging switch DS to discharge. The mode is switched to permit discharge from the power supply apparatus 100 to the load LD. Further, if necessary, the charge switch CS can be turned on and the discharge switch DS can be turned on to supply power to the load LD and charge the power supply device 100 at the same time.

  A load LD driven by the power supply apparatus 100 is connected to the power supply apparatus 100 via a discharge switch DS. In the discharge mode of the power supply apparatus 100, the power supply controller 84 switches the discharge switch DS to ON, connects to the load LD, and drives the load LD with the power from the power supply apparatus 100. As the discharge switch DS, a switching element such as an FET can be used. ON / OFF of the discharge switch DS is controlled by the power supply controller 84 of the power supply apparatus 100. The power controller 84 also includes a communication interface for communicating with external devices. In the example of FIG. 14, the host device HT is connected according to an existing communication protocol such as UART or RS-232C. Further, if necessary, a user interface for the user to operate the power supply system can be provided.

  Each battery pack 81 includes a signal terminal and a power supply terminal. The signal terminals include a pack input / output terminal DI, a pack abnormality output terminal DA, and a pack connection terminal DO. The pack input / output terminal DI is a terminal for inputting / outputting signals from other pack batteries and the power supply controller 84, and the pack connection terminal DO is for inputting / outputting signals to / from other pack batteries which are child packs. Terminal. The pack abnormality output terminal DA is a terminal for outputting the abnormality of the battery pack to the outside. Furthermore, the power supply terminal is a terminal for connecting the battery packs 81 in series and in parallel.

  The power supply device, the vehicle including the power supply device, and the bus bar according to the present invention are suitably used as a power supply device for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, an electric vehicle, or the like that can switch between the EV traveling mode and the HEV traveling mode. it can. Also, a backup power supply device that can be mounted on a rack of a computer server, a backup power supply device for a wireless base station such as a mobile phone, a power storage device for home use and a factory, a power supply for a street light, etc. Also, it can be used as appropriate for applications such as a backup power source such as a traffic light.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Power supply device 1 ... Square battery cell; 1a ... Electrode terminal 2 ... Separator 3 ... End plate 5 ... Battery laminated body 6, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F ... Bus bar 6a ... Connection hole; 6b ... Flat plate part; 6c ... Connection part 10 ... Battery pack 10B ... Battery stack continuum 12 ... Heat conduction sheet 16 ... Cover case 24 ... Cover part 26 ... Gas duct 50B ... Connection bar 61 ... Cooling plate 70 ... Outer case 71 ... Lower case 72 ... Upper case 73 ... end face plate 74 ... collar part 81 ... battery pack 82 ... battery unit 84 ... power supply controller 85 ... parallel connection switch 93 ... motor 94 ... generator 95 ... DC / AC inverter 96 ... engine 151 ... power storage module 152 ... flange part 153 ... Support base 154 ... Wavy washer 155 ... Presser plate C ... Incision; SL ... Slit P ... Protrusion; U ... U-shaped V, HV ... Vehicle LD ... Load; CP ... Charging power supply; DS ... Discharge switch; CS ... Charge switch OL ... Output line; HT ... Host equipment DI ... Pack input / output terminal; DA ... Pack abnormal output terminal; Connecting terminal

Claims (10)

A plurality of battery cells (1) having electrode terminals (1a);
In the state where the battery cells (1) are stacked, in order to electrically connect the electrode terminals (1a) of the battery cells (1), a metal bus bar (6a) having a plurality of connection holes (6a) opened. )When,
A power supply device comprising:
The bus bar (6) is formed in a wavy shape in plan view, with the surface where the connection hole (6a) is opened being the same plane. The power supply device according to claim 1,
The power supply device, wherein the corrugated portions of the bus bar (6) are formed at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the bus bar (6). The power supply device according to claim 1,
The power supply device, wherein the corrugated portion of the bus bar (6) is formed in a U-shape (U). The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The power supply device, wherein the bus bar (6) is formed with a cut (C) between the connection holes (6a) on a side surface along the longitudinal direction of the bus bar (6). The power supply device according to claim 4,
A power supply device comprising: a protruding portion (P) provided on a side surface of the bus bar (6) along a longitudinal direction opposite to a portion provided with the cut (C). The power supply device according to claim 4 or 5,
The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the cuts (C) are alternately formed on side surfaces along the longitudinal direction of the bus bar (6). The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The bus bar (6)
A plate-like portion having the connection hole (6a) opened;
Consists of a connecting portion (6c) that connects the flat plate-like portions (6b),
The power supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a width of the connection portion (6c) is narrower than a width of the flat plate portion (6b). The power supply device according to claim 7,
The power supply device, wherein the connection portion (6c) is formed to be thicker than the flat plate portion (6b).   A vehicle comprising the power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. In a state where a plurality of battery cells (1) having electrode terminals (1a) are laminated, a plurality of connection holes (6a) are provided to electrically connect the electrode terminals (1a) of the battery cells (1). An open metal bus bar,
A bus bar, wherein the connection hole (6a) is formed in a wave shape in a plan view while the surfaces having the connection holes (6a) are made the same plane.

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