JP2013171746A - Power supply device, and vehicle and power storage device having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To certainly couple an exhaust duct with a gas exhaust port of a battery cell in an air-tight state while suppressing increase in size of a power supply device.SOLUTION: A power supply device comprises: a battery lamination body 2 configured by laminating a plurality of battery cells 1 in an attitude that a first end surface 10 provided with a gas exhaust port 12 is arranged on substantially the same plane, and arranging a plurality of gas exhaust ports 12 on a first surface 2A; an end plate 3 arranged on both end surfaces of the battery lamination body 2; a coupling fixing tool 4 fixed to the end plate 3 to fasten the battery lamination body 2 in a lamination direction; and an exhaust duct 6 arranged so as to be opposed to the first surface 2A of the battery lamination body 2, and coupled with the gas exhaust ports 12 of the respective battery cells 1. The power supply device further has a sub coupling fixing tool 5 fixed to the end plate 3 so as to be arranged and opposed to the first surface 2A of the battery lamination body 2, and fastening the battery lamination body 2 in the lamination direction via the end plate 3. The exhaust duct 6 is arranged at a constant position of the battery lamination body 2 via the sub coupling fixing tool 5.

Description

  The present invention mainly relates to a power supply device for a large current used for a power source of a motor that drives a vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, or a power storage application for home use or factory use. The present invention relates to a power supply device that discharges gas discharged from a valve to the outside through a discharge duct, a vehicle including the same, and a power storage device.

  A power supply device having a large number of battery cells can be connected to battery cells in series to increase the output voltage, and thus is used for applications that are charged and discharged with a large current, such as power supply devices for hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles. . This power supply device is discharged with a very large current when accelerating the vehicle, and is charged with a considerably large current in a state such as regenerative braking. This power supply device is provided with a gas discharge valve in the battery cell in order to prevent destruction in an abnormal state in which the internal pressure increases due to overcharge or overdischarge and to ensure safety. The gas discharge valve opens and exhausts gas when the internal pressure of the battery rises abnormally. In a power supply device including a large number of battery cells, it is important to quickly exhaust the gas discharged from the battery cells to the outside. In particular, in a battery cell using a non-aqueous electrolyte such as a lithium ion battery, it is important to exhaust the exhaust gas promptly. In order to realize this, a power supply device has been developed in which a discharge duct is connected to a discharge port of a gas discharge valve of a battery cell (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-157633 A

  The power supply device of Patent Document 1 is a battery group in which a large number of rectangular battery cells having gas discharge ports are stacked and both end surfaces thereof are attached with end plates. The rectangular battery cells constituting the battery group are stacked such that the gas discharge port is positioned on the upper surface of the battery group, and a discharge duct connected to the gas discharge port is disposed on the upper surface of the battery group. Moreover, the discharge duct is comprised by the exhaust tube part which has a fitting hole fitted with the gas discharge port of a square battery cell, and the bellows-shaped hose part which has flexibility. With this configuration, it is possible to absorb misalignment of the gas discharge port due to the crossing of the rectangular battery cells constituting the battery group or the expansion of the rectangular battery cells while firmly fixing the discharge duct and the gas discharge port. Yes.

  However, since the power supply device of Patent Document 1 has a structure in which the exhaust duct and the gas discharge port are fitted, a fitting structure that fits the fitting hole formed in the exhaust tube portion is formed in the gas discharge port. There is a problem that the structure of the rectangular battery cell becomes complicated. In addition, the exhaust duct protrudes in the vertical direction by the size of the fitting structure formed at the gas discharge port, and there is a problem that hinders downsizing of the power supply device.

  As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 13, a discharge duct 194 is disposed between the battery block 192 and the upper case of the exterior case 193 as a structure for fixing the discharge duct that suppresses the enlargement of the power supply device. A structure in which 194 is fixed to the outer case 193 is conceivable. In this configuration, the discharge duct 194 is airtightly connected to the gas discharge port 195 of each battery cell 191, and the gas discharged from the gas discharge port 195 is collected in the discharge duct 194 at one end. It is guided to the outside through. According to this structure, each gas exhaust port 195 and the exhaust duct 194 are airtightly connected by interposing the packing 196 and the like. Therefore, since it is not necessary to fit the gas discharge port 195 and the discharge duct 194 individually, the discharge duct 194 can be formed smaller than the configuration of Patent Document 1.

  However, in the above configuration, the upper case is joined to the lower case to form an exterior case. However, when the exhaust duct 194 is joined to the upper case in advance, the exhaust duct 194 and the gas exhaust port 195 are joined. In order to ensure airtightness, it is necessary to secure a sufficient crushing margin for the packing 196. If the amount of protrusion of the packing 196 is large, the amount of deformation of the packing 196 increases, so that the repulsive force also increases upward. For this reason, in order to resist the repulsive force, a large force is also required for the pressing force of the upper case, and the fixing work of the upper case becomes troublesome. Further, since the packing 196 is located inside the upper case, even if the packing is displaced or unintentionally caught due to the fitting operation of the case as the upper case, confirmation from the outside cannot be performed. As described above, the fixing structure has a problem that it is not easy to reliably connect the exhaust duct 194 and the gas exhaust port 195 in an airtight state. In particular, when the number of rectangular battery cells to be stacked increases, it becomes difficult to reliably connect the exhaust duct 194 to the gas exhaust port 195 in an airtight state.

  In addition, in the structure in which the discharge duct is hermetically connected to the gas discharge port of the prismatic battery cell, when the exhaust gas is ejected vigorously from the gas discharge port, the discharge duct is brought into contact with the surface of the square battery cell by the discharge pressure of the exhaust gas. Receive a strong force in the direction away from. At this time, if the discharge duct is separated from the surface of the rectangular battery cell by the pushing-up force due to the ejection pressure, the exhaust gas leaks from this portion. In particular, if the discharge duct is lowered in order to reduce the size of the power supply device, the upper surface of the discharge duct approaches the gas discharge port of the rectangular battery cell. The airtightness is easily lost. For this reason, it is necessary to increase the height of the exhaust duct from the surface that maintains the airtightness when the exhaust gas is ejected, and to sufficiently separate the upper surface from the gas exhaust port, thereby making it impossible to reduce the size of the power supply device. There was also a problem.

  Furthermore, in a power supply device mounted on a vehicle, the battery block may be vibrated during traveling, and the rectangular battery cells stacked on each other may be vibrated up and down. At this time, the positions of the discharge duct and the gas discharge port of the battery cell are shifted and the airtightness is lost, and the exhaust gas may leak from this portion. The vibrations of the prismatic battery cells stacked on each other can be reduced by fastening the battery blocks so that they are strongly pressed. However, this structure not only makes it difficult to prevent vibrations, but also strongly presses the square battery cells. As a result, other adverse effects such as deformation of the prismatic battery cell occur.

The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving such problems, and its main purpose is to suppress the enlargement of the power supply device and to make the discharge duct airtight with the gas discharge port of the battery cell. It is to provide a power supply device that can be reliably connected, a vehicle including the same, and a power storage device.
Another important object of the present invention is to prevent the vibration of the battery cells stacked on each other and to keep the discharge duct and the gas discharge port of the battery cell in an airtight state, a vehicle including the power supply device, and a power storage device. To provide an apparatus.

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 in which the gas discharge port 12 having the gas discharge valve 11 is provided in the first end surfaces 10 and 60. 1 and 51 and the plurality of battery cells 1 and 51 are stacked in such a manner that the first end faces 10 and 60 are arranged on substantially the same plane, and a plurality of gas discharge ports 12 are arranged on the first surface 2A. A battery stack 2, end plates 3 disposed on both end faces of the battery stack 2, and fixed to the end plate 3, and the battery stack 2 is placed in the stacking direction via the end plates 3. The connecting fixture 4 to be fastened and the first surface 2A of the battery stack 2 are arranged opposite to each other and connected to the gas discharge ports 12 of the respective battery cells 1 and 51 constituting the battery stack 2. A power supply device comprising discharge ducts 6 and 56, The sub-connection is fixed to the end plate 3 so as to face the first surface 2A of the battery stack 2 and fastens the battery stack 2 in the stacking direction via the end plate 3 A fixing tool 5 is provided, and the discharge ducts 6 and 56 are arranged at fixed positions of the battery stack 2 via the sub-connecting fixing tool 5.

  The power supply apparatus described above has a feature that can reliably prevent gas leakage and improve safety. In particular, there is a feature that the discharge duct and the gas discharge port of the battery cell can be kept airtight while preventing vibration of the battery cells stacked on each other. That is, the power supply device described above arranges the sub-connecting fixtures facing the first surface of the battery stack, and fastens the battery stack in the stacking direction by fixing the sub-connecting fixtures to the end plate. This is because the discharge duct is arranged at a fixed position of the battery stack through the sub-connecting fixture. In this structure, since the sub-connecting fixture arranged on the first surface of the battery stack presses the discharge duct against the surface of the battery stack, the discharge duct and the battery can be used even in an environment that receives vibrations and impacts like a vehicle. It is possible to effectively prevent the relative position of the cell from deviating and to reliably prevent gas leakage.

Further, according to the power supply device according to the second aspect, the discharge ducts 6 and 56 are provided with the flange portions 6a and 56a protruding outward, and the flange portions 6a and 56a are stacked in the battery by the sub-connecting fixture 5. It can be pressed towards the first surface 2A of the body 2.
Thereby, the discharge duct can be reliably pressed and arranged on the first surface of the battery stack. In particular, since the flange provided on the outside of the discharge duct is pressed by the sub-connecting fixture, the outer periphery of the discharge duct can be pressed and placed on the first surface of the battery stack without increasing the discharge duct.

Further, according to the power supply device according to the third aspect, the sub-connecting fixture 5 includes two rows of binding portions 5A, and the two rows of binding portions 5A extend along both sides of the discharge ducts 6 and 56. The flanges 6a and 56a can be pressed by the two rows of binding portions 5A.
Thereby, it is possible to place the discharge duct at a fixed position by reliably pressing a wider area with the binding portions arranged on both sides of the discharge duct. As described above, the structure that reliably presses the discharge duct in a wider region can effectively prevent the discharge duct from being separated from the first end face of the battery cell by the pushing-up force caused by the discharge pressure of the discharge gas. For this reason, it can prevent reliably that the airtightness of the exhaust duct at the time of ejection of exhaust gas is lost, making it the structure which makes the upper surface of an exhaust duct approach the gas exhaust port of a battery cell. Therefore, the discharge duct can be designed to be low, and an increase in size of the power supply device can be suppressed.

Furthermore, according to the power supply device according to the fourth aspect, the discharge ducts 6 and 56 include first ducts 6A and 56A and second ducts 6B and 56B which are divided into upper and lower parts, and the second duct 6B and 56B. The ducts 6B and 56B are arranged between the first ducts 6A and 56A and the battery stack 2, and the first ducts 6A and 56A have groove-shaped recesses 6d and 56d inside, The second ducts 6B and 56B can be provided with connection openings 6b and 56b connected to the gas discharge ports 12 of the respective battery cells 1, and the connection openings 6b and 56b can be connected to the gas discharge ports 12. .
As a result, the connection opening provided in the second duct is connected to the gas discharge port of the battery cell so as not to leak gas, and the first duct and the second duct are connected to form a hollow discharge duct. The exhaust gas flowing into the exhaust duct from the connection opening can be exhausted outside without leaking.

Furthermore, according to the power supply device which concerns on a 5th side surface, the packing 7 which elastically deforms between the said discharge ducts 6 and 56 and the said battery laminated body 2 can be arrange | positioned.
This battery system can efficiently absorb the displacement of the relative position between the discharge duct and the battery block by elastic deformation of the packing, and can more reliably prevent gas leakage.

Furthermore, according to the power supply device of the sixth aspect, the sub coupling fixture 5 can be made of metal, and the circuit board 9 can be fixed to the upper surface of the sub coupling fixture 5.
Accordingly, the circuit board can be firmly fixed to the battery stack, and the circuit board can be shielded from the battery stack by arranging the metal sub-connecting fixture between the battery stack and the circuit board.

Furthermore, according to the power supply device according to the seventh aspect, the battery cells 51 constituting the battery stack 2 are arranged in parallel along both sides of the first surface 2A of the battery stack 2. 63, and the discharge duct 6 can be disposed between the electrode terminals 63 and inside the tip of the electrode terminals 63.
Thereby, the enlargement of a power supply device can be suppressed, without making a discharge duct protrude highly from a battery laminated body.

Furthermore, according to the power supply device according to the eighth aspect, the battery terminals 51 constituting the battery stack 2 are arranged in parallel along both sides of the first surface 2A of the battery stack 2. 63, and the battery stack 2 connects the electrode terminals 63 adjacent to each other by the bus bar 14 and covers the first surface 2A with the surface plate 68. And the partition wall 68a projecting in the projecting direction of the electrode terminal 63 is provided along the opening edge of the open window 24. , Between the partition walls 68a and inside the tip of the partition wall 68a.
Thereby, the enlargement of a power supply device can be suppressed, without making a discharge duct protrude highly from a battery laminated body.

Furthermore, according to the power supply device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the connection fixture 4 is disposed to face both side surfaces 2B different from the first surface 2A of the battery stack 2, and the battery stack is formed. 2 can be fastened in the stacking direction.
Thereby, a battery laminated body can be fastened by the 1st surface and both side surfaces, and a some battery cell can be fastened more reliably in a lamination direction.

Furthermore, according to the power supply device according to the tenth aspect, the connection fixture 4 includes the binding portion 4A having an L-shaped cross section, and the connection fixture 4 is connected to the battery stack 2. It arrange | positions along a corner part and the said battery laminated body 2 can be fastened by a corner part.
Thereby, the vertical and horizontal vibrations in the battery cells stacked on each other can be effectively suppressed while increasing the bending strength of the connection fixture.

  Furthermore, a vehicle including the power supply device according to the eleventh aspect can include any one of the power supply devices described above.

  Furthermore, a power storage device including the power supply device according to the twelfth aspect can include any one of the power supply devices described above.

It is a perspective view of the power supply device concerning one Example of this invention. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of the power supply device shown in FIG. It is a partially expanded sectional view equivalent to the III-III line cross section of the power supply device shown in FIG. It is a bottom perspective view of the power supply device shown in FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the power supply device shown in FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the electric laminated body of the power supply device shown in FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the power supply device concerning the other Example of this invention. FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the top cover shown in FIG. 5. It is a vertical cross-sectional view of a power supply device according to another embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the example which mounts a power supply device in the hybrid car 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 which uses a power supply device for an electrical storage apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the fixation structure of a discharge duct.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below exemplifies a power supply device for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, a vehicle including the power supply device, and a power storage device, and the present invention includes a power supply device, a vehicle including the power supply device, The power storage device is not specified as follows. In addition, 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's 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. Furthermore, in the following description, the same name and symbol indicate the same or the same members, and detailed description thereof 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.

  Based on FIGS. 1-6, the example applied to the vehicle-mounted power supply device is demonstrated as a power supply device which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. In these drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the power supply device, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of the power supply device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the power supply device of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the power supply device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the battery stack. The power supply apparatus shown in these figures is most suitable for the power supply of an electric vehicle such as a hybrid car that runs with both an engine and a motor and an electric vehicle that runs with only a motor. However, the power supply device of the present invention can be used for vehicles other than hybrid cars and electric vehicles, and can also be used for applications requiring high output other than electric vehicles.

A power supply device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 includes a plurality of battery cells 1 provided with a gas discharge port 12 having a gas discharge valve 11 in a first end face 10, and these battery cells 1 are connected to a first end face. The battery stack 2 is formed by stacking a plurality of gas discharge ports 12 on the first surface 2A, and the ends disposed on both end faces of the battery stack 2. A plate 3, a connection fixture 4 fixed to the end plate 3 and fastening the battery stack 2 in the stacking direction via the end plate 3, and a first surface 2 </ b> A of the battery stack 2 are arranged opposite to each other. And a discharge duct 6 connected to the gas discharge port 12 of each battery cell 1 constituting the battery stack 2. Further, the power supply device is fixed to the end plate 3 so as to face the first surface 2A of the battery stack 2, and the battery stack 2 is placed in the stacking direction via the end plate 3. The sub coupling fixture 5 to be fastened is provided, and the discharge duct 6 is arranged at a fixed position of the battery stack 2 through the sub coupling fixture 5.
(Battery stack 2)

In the power supply device of FIGS. 1 to 6, a plurality of battery cells 1 having a rectangular outer shape are stacked to form a battery stack 2. The battery cell 1 has a rectangular outer can and is provided with a gas discharge valve 11 for discharging gas generated inside the outer can. The battery cell 1 is provided with a gas discharge port 12 for discharging gas from the gas discharge valve 11 on the surface of the outer can. In the battery stack 2 shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of battery cells 1 are stacked in a posture in which the first end face 10 is arranged on substantially the same plane, and a plurality of gas discharge ports 12 are arranged on the first surface 2A. ing. In the illustrated battery stack 2, a plurality of battery cells 1 are stacked in a posture in which the first end face 10 provided with the gas discharge valve 11 is an upper surface.
(Battery cell 1)

  As shown in FIG. 6, the battery cell 1 is a rectangular battery having a width wider than the thickness, in other words, a rectangular battery thinner than the width, and is stacked in the thickness direction to form a battery stack 2. The battery cell 1 is a lithium ion secondary battery. However, the battery cell may be a secondary battery such as a nickel metal hydride battery or a nickel cadmium battery. The battery cell 1 in FIG. 6 is a battery having a rectangular shape with both wide surfaces, and is laminated so that both surfaces face each other to form a battery laminate 2. In the illustrated battery cell 1, positive and negative electrode terminals 13 are provided so as to protrude from both end portions of the first end surface 10 that is the upper surface, and a gas discharge port 12 of a gas discharge valve 11 is provided in the center portion. The rectangular battery cell 1 has the opening part of the outer can which press-processes the metal plate in the cylinder shape which obstruct | occludes the bottom, and is sealed with the sealing plate. The sealing plate used as the first end face 10 is a flat metal plate, and its outer shape is the shape of the opening of the outer can. The sealing plate is laser welded and fixed to the outer peripheral edge of the outer can so as to hermetically close the opening of the outer can. The sealing plate fixed to the outer can has positive and negative electrode terminals 13 fixed to both ends thereof, and a gas discharge port 12 is provided between the positive and negative electrode terminals 13. A gas discharge valve 11 is provided inside the gas discharge port 12.

  The gas discharge valve 11 is opened when the internal pressure of the battery cell 1 becomes higher than the set pressure, thereby preventing the internal pressure from increasing. The gas discharge valve 11 incorporates a valve body (not shown) that closes the gas discharge port 12. The valve body is a thin film that is destroyed at a set pressure, or a valve that is pressed against the valve seat by an elastic body so as to open at the set pressure. When the gas discharge valve 11 is opened, the inside of the battery cell 1 is opened to the outside through the gas discharge port 12, and the internal gas is discharged to prevent the internal pressure from increasing.

  The plurality of battery cells 1 to be stacked are connected in series and / or in parallel with each other by connecting positive and negative electrode terminals 13. The power supply device connects positive and negative electrode terminals 13 of adjacent battery cells 1 to each other in series and / or in parallel via a bus bar 14. A power supply device that connects adjacent battery cells in series can increase the output voltage by increasing the output voltage, and can connect adjacent battery cells in parallel to increase the charge / discharge current.

  In the battery stack 2 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, twelve battery cells 1 are stacked on each other via a separator 15, and these battery cells 1 are connected in series. In the illustrated battery stack 2, adjacent battery cells 1 are arranged in opposite directions, and electrode terminals 13 adjacent on both sides thereof are connected by a bus bar 14 to connect two adjacent battery cells 1 in series. All battery cells 1 are connected in series. However, the present invention does not specify the number of battery cells constituting the battery stack and the connection state thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the battery stack 2 has a separator 15 sandwiched between stacked battery cells 1. The separator 15 insulates adjacent battery cells 1. The separator 15 shown in the figure is an insulating sheet. As this insulating sheet, for example, a plastic sheet can be used. Since the separator 15 made of a plastic insulating sheet can be made thin, the total length of the battery stack 2 can be shortened to make the whole compact. However, as the separator, a plastic molded into a plate shape can be used. This separator can be laminated so that adjacent battery cells are not displaced as a shape in which the battery cells are fitted and arranged at a fixed position. Moreover, the separator shape | molded with a plastic can also cool a battery cell by providing the surface with the cooling clearance gap which allows cooling gas, such as air, to pass through. With this structure, air can be forcedly blown into the cooling gap to directly and efficiently cool the outer can of the battery cell. Furthermore, the separator formed of a plastic material having a low thermal conductivity has an effect of effectively preventing thermal runaway of adjacent battery cells.

As described above, in the battery cell 1 that is insulated and stacked by the separator 15, the outer can can be made of metal such as aluminum. However, the battery stack does not necessarily need to interpose a separator between battery cells. For example, by separating the battery cells adjacent to each other by a method such as forming the battery cell outer can with an insulating material or coating the outer periphery of the battery cell outer can with an insulating sheet or insulating paint, etc. It is because it can be made unnecessary. Furthermore, the battery stack without interposing separators between the battery cells is a method of directly cooling using a refrigerant or the like without adopting an air cooling method in which cooling air is forced between the battery cells to cool the battery cells. Can be used to cool the battery cell.
(end plate)

  A pair of end plates 3 are arranged on both end faces of the battery stack 2, and the battery stack 2 is fastened by being sandwiched from both ends by the pair of end plates 3. The end plate 3 is a quadrangle having the same shape and dimensions as the outer shape of the battery cell 1 and sandwiches the stacked battery stack 2 from both end faces. The end plate 3 of FIG. 5 is manufactured by molding the whole with plastic. The plastic end plate can be reinforced by fixing the reinforcing metal fittings. However, the end plate can be entirely made of metal.

  The end plate 3 shown in the drawing is provided with fitting recesses 3A and 3B for the connection fixture 4 and the sub connection fixture 5 on the outer surface so that the connection fixture 4 and the sub connection fixture 5 can be fixed in place. Yes. The end plate 3 shown in the figure has a coupling recess for fitting coupling portions 4B provided at both ends of the coupling fixture 4 to the corners of the four corners of the outer surface in order to fix the coupling fixture 4 in place. 3A is provided. In the end plate shown in the figure, the shape of the three fitting recesses 3 </ b> A is such that the connecting portion 4 </ b> B of the connecting fixture 4 can be fitted. Further, the end plate 3 is fitted to fit the connecting portions 5B provided at both ends of the sub-connecting fixture 5 to the upper end portion of the outer surface in order to fix the sub-connecting fixture 5 in place. A recess 3B is also provided. In the end plate 3 shown in the figure, the shape of the fitting recess 3B is such that the connecting portion 5B of the sub-connecting fixture 5 can be fitted.

Furthermore, the end plate 3 shown in the figure has female screw holes 3a and 3b for screwing set screws 18 and 19 for fixing both ends of the connection fixture 4 and the sub-connection fixture 5 on the outer peripheral surface. The end plate 3 shown in the figure has a female screw hole 3a through which a set screw 18 for fixing a pair of connecting fixtures 4 arranged at the upper ends of both side surfaces 2B of the battery stack 2 is inserted into the upper surface of the end plate 3. It is provided at the left and right ends. The end plate 3 has female screw holes 3b through which set screws 18 for fixing the pair of connecting fixtures 4 arranged at the lower ends of the both side surfaces 2B of the battery stack 2 are formed on both side surfaces of the end plate 3. It is provided at the lower end. Furthermore, the end plate 3 has a female screw hole 3b through which a set screw 19 for fixing the sub-connecting fixture 5 arranged on the first surface 2A of the battery stack 2 is inserted at the center of the upper surface of the end plate 3. Provided. The above structure is a direction in which the axial direction of the set screws 18 and 19 screwed into the end plate 3 intersects the stacking direction of the battery stack 2. For this reason, in a state where the power supply device vibrates by receiving a force from the outside, the shearing force acting on the shaft portions of the set screws 18 and 19 screwed into the end plate 3 is reduced, and the set screws 18 and 19 are protected. A stronger connection strength can be realized. Further, there is also a feature that the set screws 18 and 19 can be more firmly connected by making the entire length of the set screws 18 and 19 larger than the thickness of the end plate 3, that is, by increasing the total length of the set screws 18 and 19.
(Connecting fixture 4)

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the connection fixture 4 extends in the stacking direction of the battery stack 2, and both ends are fixed to the end plate 3 to fasten the battery stack 2 in the stacking direction. The connecting fixture 4 shown in the figure is disposed to face both side surfaces 2B different from the first surface 2A of the battery stack 2. As described above, the structure in which the connecting fixture 4 is arranged and fastened on both side surfaces 2B of the battery stack 2 can more securely fasten the plurality of battery cells 1 in the stacking direction. However, the connecting fixtures are not necessarily arranged on both side surfaces of the battery stack. In addition to the both side surfaces of the battery stack, the connection fixture can be disposed on the top surface and the bottom surface, or can be disposed only on the top surface and the bottom surface without being disposed on both side surfaces.

  The connection fixture 4 is a metal plate having a predetermined width and a predetermined thickness along the surface of the battery stack 2. The connection fixture 4 can be a metal plate such as iron, preferably a steel plate. The connecting fixture 4 made of a metal plate is provided with connecting portions 4B that are connected to the end plate 3 at both ends of the binding portion 4A. The connecting fixture 4 shown in the drawing is bent at substantially right angles at both ends along the outer surface of the end plate 3 to provide a connecting portion 4B. In this connection fixture 4, the connection portions 4 </ b> B at both ends are connected to the end plate 3, whereby the connection portions 4 </ b> B of the connection fixture 4 are locked to the pair of end plates 3 disposed at both ends of the battery stack 2. The battery stack 2 is sandwiched from both ends so that the pair of end plates 3 are at a predetermined interval. In the connection fixture 4 of FIG. 5, the connection portion 4 </ b> B is connected to fitting recesses 3 </ b> A provided at the four corners of the end plate 3, and the pair of end plates 3 are connected by the four connection fixtures 4. Therefore, the connecting portion 4 </ b> B of the connecting fixture 4 is bent along the fitting recess 3 </ b> A of the end plate 3. Further, both ends of the connection fixture 4 are fixed to the end plate 3 with set screws 18. The connecting fixture 4 shown in the figure is provided with opening through holes into which set screws 18 are inserted at both ends of the binding portion 4A. The connecting fixture 4 is configured such that a set screw 18 is inserted into the through hole in a state where the connecting portions 4B at both ends are connected to the fitting recess 3A of the end plate 3, and the set screw 18 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the end plate 3. It is screwed into the female screw hole 3 a and fixed to the pair of end plates 3.

  According to this configuration, as described above, the axial direction of the set screws 18 and 19 to be screwed into the end plate 3 and the stacking direction of the battery stack 2 intersect each other, and the set screws 18 and 19 are protected while being stronger. In addition to this, the connection portion 4B of the connection fixture 4 is locked to the end plate 3 so that the battery stack 2 can be firmly connected in the stacking direction. Strength can be realized. Further, in this configuration, since the set screws 18 and 19 are not positioned in the stacking direction of the battery stack 2, it is possible to suppress an increase in size of the power supply device. Specifically, since the dimensions of the end plate 3 are approximately the same as the size of the outer can of the battery cell 1, the electrode terminal 13 of the battery cell 1 and a cooling plate 30 described later are disposed in the vertical direction of the end plate 3. The above-described configuration allows for an increase in the size of the power supply device.

Further, the connecting fixture 4 shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 is arranged at the corners of the four corners of the battery stack 2 with the binding section 4A having an L-shaped cross-sectional shape. 4 A of bind parts of this shape can arrange | position an inner surface in the state which follows the corner part of the battery laminated body 2, and can suppress the vibration of the battery cell 1 laminated | stacked mutually up and down and right and left. That is, the vertical portion along the side surface 2B of the battery stack 2 can prevent left-right vibration of the battery cell 1, and the horizontal portion along the top and bottom surfaces of the battery stack 2 can prevent vertical vibration of the battery cell 1. Because. Furthermore, there is also a feature that the bending strength of the binding portion 4A can be increased by making the cross-sectional shape L-shaped. However, the connecting fixture does not necessarily need to have an L-shaped cross-sectional shape for all the binding portions, only the upper connecting fixture has an L-shaped cross-sectional shape at the upper corner of the battery stack. Alternatively, only the lower connection fixture can be arranged in the lower corner portion of the battery stack with the cross-sectional shape being L-shaped. Moreover, the connection fixture does not necessarily need to be disposed along the corner portion of the battery stack, and can be disposed along both side surfaces of the battery stack or along both side surfaces and the bottom surface. Furthermore, the connection fixture can be formed in a plate shape along the side surface of the battery stack. The plate-shaped main fixture can also open the opening.
(Exhaust duct 6)

  Furthermore, the battery stack 2 is arranged with a hollow discharge duct 6 facing the first surface 2A, which is the upper surface thereof. The discharge duct 6 is disposed between the electrode terminals 13 arranged side by side along both sides of the first surface 2A of the battery stack 2. The hollow discharge duct 6 is connected to the gas discharge ports 12 of the plurality of battery cells 1. The discharge duct 6 shown in the figure is manufactured by dividing it into a first duct 6A and a second duct 6B, and the second duct 6B is disposed between the first duct 6A and the battery stack 2. doing. The first duct 6A and the second duct 6B manufactured separately are connected to each other as a discharge duct 6 having a hollow shape. The first duct 6A is formed into a shape having a groove-shaped recess 6d on the inner side, and the opening of the groove-shaped recess 6d is disposed so as to face the gas discharge port 12 of the battery cell 1. Further, the first duct 6A is provided with a flange portion 6a that protrudes outward along the opening edge of the groove-shaped recess 6d.

  The 2nd duct 6B is plate shape arrange | positioned along the 1st surface 2A of the battery laminated body 2, and the level | step difference recessed part 6c which fits the collar part 6a of the 1st duct 6A is provided in the surface. In the second duct 6B, the flange portion 6a of the first duct 6A is fitted into the stepped recess 6c, and the first duct 6A and the second duct 6B are connected to each other to form a hollow discharge duct 6 It is said. The discharge duct 6 can be hermetically fixed by vibration welding, ultrasonic welding, or adhesion of the first duct 6A and the second duct 6B. However, the first duct and the second duct do not necessarily need to be fixed by welding or bonding, and a packing (not shown) is arranged at the boundary between the stepped recess and the flange, and the packing is sandwiched. The first duct and the second duct can be connected in an airtight manner by being connected in a state.

  Further, the second duct 6 </ b> B is provided with a connection opening 6 b connected to the gas discharge port 12 of each battery cell 1, and the connection opening 6 b is connected to the gas discharge port 12. The second duct 6 </ b> B in the figure is provided with a rectangular connection opening 6 b at a position facing the gas discharge port 12 of the battery cell 1. However, the connection opening may be an oval shape or an elliptical shape along the gas discharge port of the battery cell.

  The discharge duct 6 including the first duct 6A and the second duct 6B is formed of insulating plastic. The insulating plastic is a plastic such as nylon resin or epoxy resin. Even if the 2nd duct formed by an insulating plastic contacts the surface of a battery cell, it does not short-circuit the outer can of a battery cell. However, the first duct can be made of a high heat resistance material. The first duct can be made of, for example, a metal plate, or made of plastic such as nylon resin or epoxy resin in which glass fiber or carbon fiber is embedded and reinforced.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the discharge duct 6 is provided with a discharge portion 6 x that discharges the gas inside the discharge duct 6 to the outside at one end. The discharge duct 6 shown in the drawing is formed as a discharge portion 6x by connecting a hollow pipe projecting from the upper surface to a cylindrical pipe communicating with the inside. In the discharge duct 6 shown in FIG. 3, an external duct 36 is connected to the discharge portion 6x to discharge the gas flowing in from the discharge duct 6 to the outside.
(Surface plate)

  Further, in the power supply device shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the surface plate 8 is disposed on the first surface 2 </ b> A of the battery stack 2, and the battery cells 1 stacked on each other by the surface plate 8. The first end face 10 is covered. The surface plate 8 is formed in an outer shape along the upper surface of the battery stack 2. Here, in the power supply device shown in the figure, the surface plate 8 is also used as the second duct 6 </ b> B of the discharge duct 6. That is, the surface plate 8 shown in the drawing is provided with a plurality of connection openings 6b by using a portion facing the plurality of gas discharge ports 12 arranged at the center of the battery stack 2 as the second duct 6B. . Therefore, the surface plate 8 is formed of an insulating plastic such as nylon resin or epoxy resin.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the surface plate 8 is provided with an opening window 24 for disposing the bus bar 14 at a position facing the electrode terminal 13 of the battery cell 1. The surface plate 8 in the figure is provided with a plurality of opening windows 24 along both sides of the battery stack 2 on both sides of the central portion constituting the second duct 6B. The opening window 24 is sized and shaped along the outer shape of the bus bar 14 so that it can be connected to the electrode terminal 13 while guiding the bus bar 14 to a fixed position. The bus bar 14 disposed in the opening window 24 of the surface plate 8 is fixed to the electrode terminal 13 of the battery cell 1 by welding such as laser welding, and connects the plurality of battery cells 1 to a predetermined connection state. However, the power supply device does not necessarily need to arrange the surface plate on the first surface of the battery stack. The above surface plate 8 is fixed to the first surface of the battery stack 2 via the sub-connecting fixture 5 that connects the discharge duct 6 to the battery stack 2.

  As described above, the structure in which the surface plate 8 disposed on the first surface 2A of the battery stack 2 is also used as the discharge duct 6 can reduce the number of components and can be easily and inexpensively disposed. . Further, the structure in which the surface plate 8 is also used as the second discharge duct 6B is connected to the first discharge duct 6A in the state where the battery stack 2 is fastened in advance through the connection fixture 4 in the assembly process of the power supply device. Therefore, the first discharge duct 6A can be more reliably connected to the second discharge duct 6B in an airtight state. However, the power supply device of the present invention can also be disposed on the first surface of the battery stack without using the surface plate as the discharge duct, with the discharge duct as a separate member.

In the power supply device shown in FIG. 7, a through hole 58 </ b> A extending in the stacking direction of the battery cells 1 is opened at the center of the surface plate 58, and the discharge duct 56 is arranged in the through hole 58 </ b> A. The discharge duct 56 of FIG. 7 is divided into a first duct 56A and a second duct 56B. The first duct 56A and the second duct 56B are connected to each other, and the inside is hollow. The first duct 56A is provided with a groove-shaped recess 56d having a lower opening in the drawing, and a flange 56a that projects outward along the opening edge of the groove-shaped recess 56d. . The second duct 56 </ b> B is provided with a connection opening 56 b connected to the gas discharge port 12 of each battery cell 1, and connects the connection opening 56 b to the gas discharge port 12. The first duct 56A and the second duct 56B described above are hermetically fixed by vibration welding, ultrasonic welding, or adhesion to form the discharge duct 56. However, the discharge duct does not necessarily have to be divided into the first duct and the second duct, but is formed as one cylinder, and a plurality of connection openings are provided on one surface of the cylinder, and the connection openings are used as the gas of the battery cell. It can also be connected to the outlet.
(Packing)

  Further, in the power supply device, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 7, a packing 7 is disposed between the discharge ducts 6 and 56 and the battery stack 2. The packing 7 is a rubber-like elastic body, and is disposed between a sealing plate, which is the first end face 10 of the plurality of battery cells 1 constituting the battery stack 2, and the discharge ducts 6 and 56. 56 and the battery cell 1 are airtightly closed. The packing 7 made of a rubber-like elastic body is sandwiched between the battery stack 2 and the discharge ducts 6 and 56 and elastically deforms. That is, in a state where the sub-connecting fixture 5 presses the discharge ducts 6 and 56 against the battery stack 2, the packing 7 is sandwiched and crushed between the discharge ducts 6 and 56 and the battery stack 2, and the discharge ducts 6 and 56. And the battery cell 1 are reliably closed. Thus, the elastically deformable packing 7 hermetically closes the space between the discharge ducts 6 and 56 and the battery cell 1, and does not leak the exhaust gas ejected from the gas discharge port 12 to the discharge ducts 6 and 56. Inflow and exhaust to the outside.

  The packing 7 shown in the drawing is an elongated plate shape extending in the stacking direction of the battery stack 2, and has a through hole 7 b at a position facing the gas discharge port 12 of each battery cell 1. The through-hole 7b is located at a position facing the connection openings 6b and 56b opened in the second ducts 6B and 56B, and allows the gas passing through the through-hole 7b to flow into the discharge ducts 6 and 56. In this structure, the through-hole 7b of the packing 7 is arranged in a state facing the gas discharge port 12 of the battery cell 1 to close the battery cell 1 and the discharge ducts 6 and 56, so that the gas is discharged from the gas discharge port 12. It is possible to reliably prevent leaking gas. The packing 7 shown in the figure is provided with a rectangular through hole 7b extending along the inner shape of the connection openings 6b and 56b opened in the second ducts 6B and 56B, and this through hole 7b is formed in the gas discharge port 12 of the battery cell 1. It is connected. However, the through hole can be formed in an oval shape or an elliptical shape along the gas discharge port of the battery cell.

  The packing 7 shown in the drawing is disposed at a fixed position on the lower surface of the second ducts 6B and 56B, that is, the surface facing the battery stack 2, and the through hole 7b is disposed at a position facing the connection openings 6b and 56b. ing. The second duct 6B shown in FIG. 2 is integrally formed with a rib 6e extending along the outer periphery of the packing 7 protruding from the lower surface, and the packing 7 is guided inside the rib 6e and arranged at a fixed position. However, the packing can also be disposed at a fixed position of the battery stack by adhesion or the like.

The above packing has a plate shape as a whole and opens a plurality of through-holes. However, the packing may be formed in a ring shape facing each connection opening. This structure arrange | positions the packing divided | segmented into plurality in each connection opening of a 2nd duct, and prevents the gas leak of a gas exhaust port and a battery cell. However, it is not always necessary to sandwich packing between the discharge duct and the battery cell. It is also possible to connect the connection opening to the gas discharge port so as not to leak gas by pressing the discharge duct toward the first surface of the battery stack and bringing the facing surfaces of the discharge duct and the battery cell into close contact with each other. Because it can.
(Sub-connecting fixture 5)

  The discharge ducts 6 and 56 described above are disposed so as to face the gas discharge port 12 of the battery stack 2, and are fixed in position via the sub-connecting fixture 5 disposed on the first surface 2 </ b> A of the battery stack 2. Fixed to. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the sub-connecting fixture 5 is disposed so as to face the first surface 2 </ b> A of the battery stack 2, and the discharge ducts 6 and 56 are disposed at fixed positions of the battery stack 2. doing. Both ends of the sub-connecting fixture 5 are also fixed to the end plate 3, and the battery stack 2 is fastened with the first surface 2A. The sub coupling fixture 4 is a metal plate having a predetermined width and thickness, and a metal plate such as iron, preferably a steel plate can be used. The sub coupling fixture 4 made of a metal plate is provided with coupling portions 5B coupled to the outer surface of the end plate 3 at both ends of the binding portion 5A.

  The sub coupling fixture 5 shown in the drawing includes two rows of binding portions 5A and a coupling portion 5B formed by coupling both ends of these binding portions 5A. Two rows of binding portions 5 </ b> A are arranged along both sides of the discharge ducts 6 and 56. The two rows of binding portions 5A are arranged at predetermined intervals so that the flange portions 6a, 56a provided on both sides of the discharge ducts 6, 56 can be pressed. The sub-connecting fixture 5 is fixed to the end plate 3 with the discharge ducts 6 and 56 disposed between the two rows of binding portions 5A, and presses the flange portions 6a and 56a with the two rows of binding portions 5A. Yes. The two rows of binding portions 5A are connected at both ends by connecting portions 5B, and the connecting portions 5B are bent at substantially right angles and connected to the end plate 2. The sub-connecting fixture 5 connects the battery stack 2 from both ends by connecting the connecting portions 5B at both ends to the fitting recesses 3B provided on the end plate 3, with the pair of end plates 3 being set at a predetermined interval. . Furthermore, the both ends of the sub coupling fixture 5 are fixed to the end plate 3 with set screws 19. The sub-connecting fixture 5 shown in the figure is provided with opening through holes into which set screws 19 are inserted at both ends of the binding portion 5A. The sub-connecting fixture 5 is configured such that a set screw 19 is inserted into the through hole in a state in which the connecting portions 5B at both ends are connected to the fitting recess 3B of the end plate 3, and the set screw 19 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the end plate 3. Screwed into the female screw holes 3b and fixed to the pair of end plates 3.

  The sub-connecting fixture 5 shown in the figure integrally forms the two rows of binding portions 5A and the connecting portions 5B at both ends, but the sub-connecting fixture can also be divided into two. Although not shown in the drawing, the sub-connecting fixtures divided into two parts are arranged along both sides of the discharge duct, and the binders press the claws along the flanges protruding from both sides of the discharge duct at the respective binding parts. be able to.

Furthermore, although not shown in the drawings, the sub-connecting fixture can also connect two rows of binding portions with a bridging portion provided in the middle and arrange the bridging portion on the upper surface of the discharge duct. The sub-connecting fixture can be arranged at a fixed position on the first surface of the battery stack by pressing the upper surface of the discharge duct at the bridge portion. Furthermore, although not shown in the drawing, the sub-connecting fixture includes a row of bind portions, and the upper surface of the discharge duct is pressed by the bind portion, and the discharge duct is disposed at a fixed position on the first surface of the battery stack. You can also
(Circuit board)

  Further, the power supply device shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 includes a circuit board 9 connected to the battery stack 2, and the circuit board 9 is located above the discharge duct 6 and between the top cover 20. Is arranged. The top cover 20 shown in the drawing is provided with a storage recess 21 for storing the circuit board 9 on the upper surface side, and the circuit board 9 is stored in the storage recess 21. The circuit board 9 is mounted with an electronic component (not shown) that implements a protection circuit for the battery cell 1. The circuit board 9 is mounted with a voltage detection circuit that detects the cell voltage connected to each battery cell 1, a temperature detection circuit that detects the temperature of the battery cell 1, etc. 1 is controlled so as to prevent overcharging and overdischarging, or charging / discharging is controlled so as to prevent an abnormal temperature rise of the battery cell 1. Electronic components that realize these circuits are arranged on the circuit board 9 and stored in the storage recess 21.

The circuit board 9 shown in the figure is arranged at a fixed position on the upper surface of the discharge duct 6 via the sub-connecting fixture 5. 2, 3, and 5, a plurality of nuts 26 are fixed to the upper surface of the binding portion 5 </ b> A in order to fix the circuit board 9. In the illustrated power supply apparatus, a set screw 25 penetrating the circuit board 9 is screwed into a nut 26 provided in the sub-connecting fixture 5, and the circuit board 9 is disposed at a fixed position on the upper surface of the discharge duct 6. In this power supply device, the sub-connecting fixture 5 made of a metal plate is disposed between the circuit board 9 and the battery stack 2, so that the circuit board 9 is attached to the battery stack 2 with the metal plate of the sub-connecting fixture 5. Can shield from. The battery stack 2 is charged and discharged with a large current, and is charged and discharged with a particularly large pulse current, so that pulse noise is emitted. The metal plate of the sub-connecting fixture 5 is located between the circuit board 9 and the battery stack 2, shields the circuit board 9 from pulsed induction noise radiated from the battery stack 2, and induces the circuit board 9. There is a feature that can prevent malfunction due to noise. In particular, the induction noise from the battery stack 2 can be more effectively shielded by connecting the sub-connecting fixture, which is a metal plate, to the earth line.
(Top cover)

  2 and 3 has a top cover 20 on the top surface. The top cover 20 covers the upper surface of the surface plate 8 and covers and protects the bus bar 14 and the circuit board 9 connected to the battery stack 2. Therefore, the top cover 20 has an outer shape capable of covering the upper surface of the surface plate 8 and is molded of plastic into a shape having a space in which the circuit board 9 can be accommodated. The top cover 20 shown in FIGS. 2 and 8 is formed into a shallow container shape with a lower opening as a whole, and the central portion is formed one step deeper than the surroundings to form a storage recess 21 for storing the circuit board 9. Provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the top cover 20 is provided with a notch 22 at one end for projecting the discharge part 6x of the discharge duct 6 to the outside. As shown in FIG. 1, the top cover 20 causes the discharge portion 6 x to be exposed to the outside from the cutout portion 22 in a state of being connected to the upper surface of the battery stack 2. Furthermore, the top cover 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 has output terminal windows 23 at both ends. In the battery stack 2, output terminal plates 16 are connected to the electrode terminals 13 of the battery cells 1 arranged at both ends. The top cover is provided with terminal windows 23 opened at both ends for exposing these output terminal plates 16 to the outside.

  The above top cover 20 is fixed to the discharge duct 6 via a set screw 27. The discharge duct 6 shown in FIG. 5 is provided with a connecting boss 28 integrally formed on the upper surface in order to fix the top cover 20 in a fixed position. The connecting bosses 24 in FIG. 5 are provided so as to protrude from the upper surfaces of both end portions of the discharge duct 6. The top cover 20 has a through hole 29 at a position facing the connecting boss 28, and a set screw 27 inserted into the through hole 29 is screwed into the connecting boss 28 of the discharge duct 6 to form the battery stack 2. Fixed in place. The power supply device provided with the top cover 20 can prevent the connection portion between the battery cells 1 having a high voltage, the circuit board 9 and the like from being exposed. For example, the battery is inadvertently used during maintenance. It is possible to prevent the circuit from being short-circuited by contacting the connection portion between the cells 1 or the circuit board 9 or the like. Also, a simple waterproof effect can be obtained.

  By the way, in order to suppress the enlargement of the power supply device, it is effective to reduce the volume of the discharge duct. However, when the volume of the discharge duct is reduced, the gas is discharged from the battery cell by that amount. In addition, the pressure applied to the exhaust duct increases. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the discharge duct 6 is pressed by the sub-connecting fixture 5, so that the discharge duct 6 is brought into close contact with the first surface 2A of the battery stack 2 and firmly fixed. Therefore, the volume of the discharge duct 6 is relatively small, that is, the height of the discharge duct 6 can be reduced. For this reason, the power supply apparatus can arrange | position a discharge duct or a circuit board inside the front-end | tip of the electrode terminal of a battery cell, for example, and suppresses the enlargement of a power supply apparatus by setting it as such a structure. be able to. An example of such a power supply device is shown in FIG.

  In the power supply device shown in FIG. 9, the electrode terminal 63 provided on the first end surface 60 of the battery cell 51 is protruded from the upper surface in the form of a rod having a male screw on the outer peripheral surface. The electrode terminal 63 is inserted into the through hole of the bus bar 14 and a nut 67 is screwed to fix the bus bar 14 in a fixed position. For this reason, the battery cell 51 has a shape in which the electrode terminal 63 protrudes from the first end face 60 of the battery cell 51 so that the nut 67 can be screwed. In the battery laminate 2 formed by laminating the battery cells 1, electrode terminals 63 are arranged along both sides of the first surface 2A, and a discharge duct 6 is arranged between the electrode terminals 63. . The discharge duct 6 is formed to have a low height. In other words, the discharge duct 6 is disposed in a state where the upper surface is brought close to the gas discharge port 12 of the battery cell 51, and is disposed inside the tip of the electrode terminal 63. Here, the inner side of the tip of the electrode terminal 63 means the first end surface 10 side of the line connecting the tips of the electrode terminals 63 located at both ends of the first end surface 10 of the battery cell 1. To do. That is, the discharge duct 6 is disposed inside the line connecting the tips of the electrode terminals 63 located at both ends of the battery cell 1 and does not protrude from the line. Thereby, the enlargement of a power supply device is suppressed, without making the discharge duct 6 protrude from the battery laminated body 2 highly.

  Further, in the power supply device shown in the figure, the circuit board 9 is arranged between the electrode terminals 63 arranged on both sides of the discharge duct 6, and the circuit board 9 is also arranged more than the tip of the electrode terminal 63. Arranged inside. While this power supply device has a structure in which the circuit board 9 is disposed on the first surface 2 </ b> A side of the battery stack 2, an increase in size of the power supply device can be suppressed. Furthermore, the area of the circuit board can be increased. This is because the enlargement of the power supply device can be suppressed even if the circuit board is enlarged. A circuit board having a large area can be arranged in an ideal state while simplifying the wiring pattern provided on the surface and taking into consideration the heat dissipation of the electronic components to be mounted.

Furthermore, the power supply device shown in FIG. 9 includes a surface plate 68 that covers the first surface 2 </ b> A of the battery stack 2, and has an opening window 24 in which the bus bar 14 is disposed along both sides of the surface plate 68. I have. Furthermore, the surface plate 68 shown in the drawing is provided with a partition wall 68a protruding in the protruding direction of the electrode terminal 63 along the opening edge of the opening window. Since this structure can protect the electrode terminal 63 and the bus bar protruding from the battery cell with the partition wall 68a, it can effectively prevent a short circuit or the like from coming into contact with the electrode terminal or the bus bar 14 of the battery cell 1 during maintenance. Can be prevented. Further, in the power supply device shown in the figure, the discharge duct 6 and the circuit board 9 arranged between the electrode terminals 63 are arranged on the inner side of the tip of the partition wall 68a. Here, the inside of the tip of the partition wall 68a means the first surface 2A side with respect to the line connecting the tips of the partition walls 68a provided on both sides of the surface plate 68. That is, the discharge duct 6 and the circuit board 9 are disposed inside the line connecting the tips of the partition walls 68a provided on both sides of the surface plate 68, and do not protrude from the line. Thereby, the enlargement of the power supply device is suppressed without causing the discharge duct 6 and the circuit board 9 to protrude highly from the battery stack 2.
(Cooling plate)

  Further, in the power supply device shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the battery stack 2 formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells 1 is arranged on the surface of the cooling plate 30 in a thermally conductive state. This power supply device forcibly cools the cooling plate 30 to dissipate heat generated by each battery cell 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cooling plate 30 is provided with a refrigerant passage 31 therein, supplies the liquefied refrigerant to the refrigerant passage 31, vaporizes the refrigerant in the refrigerant passage 31, and heats vaporization of the refrigerant. The battery cell 1 is cooled by forcibly cooling. Although not shown, a cooling mechanism that forcibly cools the cooling plate 30 with the heat of vaporization of the refrigerant is not shown, a compressor that pressurizes the refrigerant in a gaseous state, a condenser that cools and liquefies the gas pressurized by the compressor, And an expansion valve that supplies the refrigerant liquefied by the condenser to the refrigerant passage 31 of the cooling plate 30. This cooling mechanism supplies the liquefied refrigerant to the cooling plate 30 via the expansion valve, vaporizes the supplied refrigerant inside the cooling plate 30, and cools the cooling plate 30 with heat of vaporization. The vaporized refrigerant is pressurized by the compressor, supplied to the condenser, liquefied by the condenser, and circulated to the refrigerant passage 31 of the cooling plate 30 via the expansion valve to cool the cooling plate 30. The refrigerant passage 31 provided inside the cooling plate 30 is connected to the cooling mechanism via a connecting portion 32 protruding outward.

  The cooling plate is not necessarily cooled by the heat of vaporization of the refrigerant. For example, the cooled plate can be cooled by circulating the cooled liquid inside. Further, the cooling plate can be cooled by providing a cooling gas passage inside and forcibly blowing the gas cooled in this passage.

  In the above embodiment, the battery stack 2 is formed by stacking 12 battery cells 1. However, the battery cells to be stacked are 11 or less, or 13 or more. It can also be connected in series and / or in parallel. In particular, when the number of battery cells to be stacked increases, it becomes difficult to maintain the airtightness of the discharge duct and the gas discharge port. However, according to the configuration of the present invention, the discharge duct is stacked by the sub-connecting fixture. Since it is configured to be pressed toward the body, the airtightness of the discharge duct and the gas discharge port can be maintained even when the number of battery cells is large.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although an electrode terminal is arrange | positioned at the upper surface side of a battery laminated body, and a cooling plate is arrange | positioned at the lower surface side of a battery laminated body, an electrode terminal and a cooling plate are battery laminated bodies depending on the structure of a power supply device. It may be provided on the side surface side. In such a case, a set screw for fixing the connection fixture may be fixed to the side surface of the end plate. According to this configuration, the position of the set screw can be made to correspond to the position of the electrode terminal or the cooling plate, and an increase in size of the power supply device can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, in addition to the connection fixture for fastening the battery stack, the battery stack is configured to include the sub connection fixture for holding the discharge duct and fastening the battery stack. It is possible to disperse the load resulting from the fastening between the connecting fixture and the sub-connecting fixture. For this reason, compared with the structure which fastens a battery laminated body only with a connection fixture, the intensity | strength of a connection fixture can be lowered | hung. Therefore, for example, since the thickness of the connecting fixture can be reduced, the size of the power supply device can be reduced.

  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 is used as a power source for these vehicles. .

(Power supply for hybrid vehicles)
FIG. 10 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.

(Power supply for electric vehicles)
FIG. 11 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 power supply apparatus 100 is connected to a motor 93 and a generator 94 via a DC / AC inverter 95. 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.

(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 home and factory use, a power supply system that is charged with sunlight or midnight power and discharged when necessary, or a streetlight power supply that charges sunlight during the day and discharges at night, or during a power outage It can also be used as a backup power source for driving signals. 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 battery cells 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. 12, the host device HT is connected in accordance with 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 apparatus according to the present invention can be suitably used as a power supply apparatus 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. In addition, a backup power supply that can be mounted on a rack of a computer server, a backup power supply for a wireless base station such as a mobile phone, a power supply for home use, a power supply for a factory, a power supply for a street light, etc. It can also be used as appropriate for applications such as backup power supplies for devices and traffic lights.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Power supply device 1 ... Battery cell 2 ... Battery laminated body; 2A ... 1st surface; 2B ... Side surface 3 ... End plate; 3A ... Insertion recessed part; 3B ... Insertion recessed part 3a ... Female screw hole; 4A ... Binding portion; 4B ... Connection portion 5 ... Sub-connection fixing device; 5A ... Binding portion; 5B ... Connection portion 6 ... Exhaust duct; 6A ... First duct; 6B ... Second duct 6a ... flange part; 6b ... connecting opening; 6c ... step recess; 6d ... groove-like recess 6e ... rib; 6x ... discharge part 7 ... packing; 7b ... through hole 8 ... surface plate 9 ... circuit board 10 ... first end face DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Gas exhaust valve 12 ... Gas exhaust port 13 ... Electrode terminal 14 ... Bus bar 15 ... Separator 16 ... Output terminal board 18 ... Set screw 19 ... Set screw 20 ... Top cover 21 ... Storage recessed part 22 ... Notch part 23 ... Terminal window 24 ... Open window 25 ... Nut 26 ... Set screw 2 ... Set screw 28 ... Connection boss 29 ... Through hole 30 ... Cooling plate 31 ... Refrigerant passage 32 ... Connection part 36 ... External duct 51 ... Battery cell 56 ... Discharge duct; 56A ... First duct; 56B ... Second duct 56a ... 56b ... Connection opening; 56d ... Groove-shaped recess 58 ... Surface plate; 58A ... Through hole 60 ... First end face 63 ... Electrode terminal 67 ... Nut 68 ... Surface plate; 68a ... Partition wall 81 ... Battery pack 82 ... Battery unit 84 ... Power supply controller 85 ... Parallel connection switch 93 ... Motor 94 ... Generator 95 ... DC / AC inverter 96 ... Engine 191 ... Square battery cell 192 ... Battery stack 193 ... Exterior case 194 ... Exhaust duct 195 ... Gas exhaust Exit EV, HV ... Vehicle LD ... Load CP ... Charging power source DS ... Discharge switch CS ... Charge switch OL ... Output line HT ... Host Equipment DI ... pack input and output terminals DA ... pack abnormal output terminal DO ... pack connection terminal

Claims (12)

A plurality of battery cells (1; 51) provided with a gas discharge port (12) having a gas discharge valve (11) in the first end face (10; 60);
The plurality of battery cells (1; 51) are stacked in a posture in which the first end faces (10; 60) are arranged on substantially the same plane, and a plurality of gas discharge ports (12) are formed on the first surface (2A). Battery stack (2) arranged in a),
End plates (3) disposed on both end faces of the battery stack (2),
A connection fixture (4) fixed to the end plate (3) and fastening the battery stack (2) in the stacking direction via the end plate (3);
The battery stack (2) is disposed to face the first surface (2A) and is connected to the gas discharge port (12) of each battery cell (1; 51) constituting the battery stack (2). A power supply comprising a discharge duct (6; 56),
Further, the battery laminate is fixed to the end plate (3) so as to be opposed to the first surface (2A) of the battery laminate (2), and the battery laminate is interposed via the end plate (3). A sub-connecting fixture (5) for fastening (2) in the stacking direction, and the discharge duct (6:56) is fixed to the battery stack (2) via the sub-connecting fixture (5). A power supply device arranged at a position. The power supply device according to claim 1,
The discharge duct (6; 56) includes a flange (6a; 56a) protruding outward, and the battery stack (2) is connected to the flange (6a; 56a) by the sub-connecting fixture (5). A power supply device that is pressed toward the first surface (2A). The power supply device according to claim 2,
The sub-connecting fixture (5) includes two rows of binding portions (5A), and the two rows of binding portions (5A) are arranged along both sides of the discharge duct (6; 56), A power supply device, wherein the flange portion (6a; 56a) is pressed by two rows of binding portions (5A). The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The discharge duct (6; 56) includes a first duct (6A; 56A) and a second duct (6B; 56B) which are divided into upper and lower parts, and the second duct (6B; 56B) is the first duct (6B; 56B). 1 duct (6A; 56A) and the battery stack (2),
The first duct (6A; 56A) has a groove-shaped recess (6d; 56d) inside,
The second duct (6B; 56B) is provided with a connection opening (6b; 56b) connected to the gas discharge port (12) of each battery cell (1; 51), and the connection opening (6b; 56b). ) Is connected to the gas discharge port (12). The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A power supply device comprising a packing (7) that is elastically deformed between the discharge duct (6; 56) and the battery stack (2). The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A power supply device comprising: the sub coupling fixture (5) made of metal, and a circuit board (9) fixed to an upper surface of the sub coupling fixture (5). The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The battery cell (51) constituting the battery stack (2) has electrode terminals (63) arranged in parallel along both sides of the first surface (2A) of the battery stack (2),
The power supply apparatus, wherein the discharge duct (6) is disposed between the electrode terminals (63) and inside the tip of the electrode terminals (63). The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The battery cell (51) constituting the battery stack (2) has electrode terminals (63) arranged in parallel along both sides of the first surface (2A) of the battery stack (2). And
The battery stack (2) connects the electrode terminals (63) adjacent to each other with a bus bar (14) and covers the first surface (2A) with a surface plate (68),
The surface plate (68) includes an opening window (24) for disposing the bus bar (14) along both sides, and the electrode terminal (63) protrudes along the opening edge of the opening window (24). A partition wall (68a) protruding in the direction is provided,
The power supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge duct (6) is disposed between the partition walls (68a) and inside the tip of the partition wall (68a). The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The connection fixture (4) is arranged to face both side surfaces (2B) different from the first surface (2A) of the battery stack (2), and the battery stack (2) is placed in the stacking direction. A power supply device characterized by being fastened. The power supply device according to claim 9,
The connection fixture (4) has a binding portion (4A) having an L-shaped cross section, and is disposed along a corner portion of the battery stack (2), so that the battery stack A power supply device characterized in that (2) is fastened at a corner portion.   A vehicle comprising the power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.   A power storage device comprising the power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Images