JP2013196865A - Battery pack - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery pack in which wiring resistance can be limited by shortening the wiring between a single cell and a current control apparatus.SOLUTION: In a battery pack 100, one face of a hexahedron formed by a battery module group 101 constitutes the terminal arrangement surface S1 of a virtual battery module group where the connection terminals of single cells being connected with a current control apparatus are located. The terminal arrangement surface S1 of a battery module group is a vertical surface adjoining the installation surface S2 of a virtual current control apparatus where the foundation of a current control apparatus is installed, and is a surface parallel with the terminal extension surfaces S3, S4 of the virtual current control apparatus passing through the connection terminals of the current control apparatus and parallel with the projection direction thereof.

Description

  The present invention relates to an assembled battery in which a plurality of unit cells are connected to be energized.

  Conventionally, an assembled battery described in Patent Document 1 is known. According to Patent Document 1, a service plug that electrically connects two adjacent cell batteries of an assembled battery is disclosed. This service plug has a conductive plate directly connected to the connection terminals of the two cell batteries, and a fixed part attached to the case, and electrical connection and release of the conductive plate by detaching from the fixed part A connection release unit capable of

  The fixing portion is composed of two conductive plates, a pedestal that supports the conductive plates, a cover that covers the conductive plates, and an insertion receptacle to which the connection release portion can be attached. The connection release part incorporates a conductor covered with an insulator, and is attached to the insertion receptacle of the fixed part so that the conductive plate is electrically connected by the conductor and is removed from the insertion receptacle. Is configured to be electrically cut off. The two conductive plates are connected at one end to one positive terminal and the other negative terminal of two adjacent unit cells, and the other ends are electrically connected to each other by a conductor of a disconnection unit. The

  Each conductive plate is formed into a crank shape that is bent at a substantially right angle a plurality of times from one end side connected to the terminal of the unit cell to the other end and conforms to the shape of the case. The terminals of the unit cells that are electrically connected by the two conductive plates are arranged on the side surface of the assembled battery extending in the vertical direction. The connection release portion is disposed above the upper surface of the assembled battery so as to form an installation surface extending in the vertical direction.

JP 2011-8954 A

  According to the conventional assembled battery of Patent Document 1 described above, the installation surface of the connection release portion of the service plug is parallel to the side surface of the assembled battery where the electrical connection portion with the terminal of the unit cell exists. Since it is formed and the conductive plate is bent into a crank shape a plurality of times, the creepage distance between one end and the other end of the conductive plate is increased. Therefore, the conventional technology has a problem that the length of the wiring related to the service plug, which is an example of the current control device, becomes long and the wiring resistance increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide an assembled battery that can shorten the wiring between the unit cell and the current control device and suppress the wiring resistance. It is.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following technical means. That is, the present invention relating to an assembled battery is a box that is composed of at least one battery module (1, 2, 3, 4) formed by stacking a plurality of unit cells connected to be energized to form a hexahedron. Battery module group (101), current control devices (5, 6) for connecting energized between predetermined connection terminals of single cells included in the battery module group, predetermined connection terminals and current control of single cells Wiring portions (53, 54, 62, 63) for connecting the connection terminals (51, 52, 64, 65) of the device,
One surface of the hexahedron formed by the battery module group constitutes a terminal arrangement surface (S1) of the virtual battery module group in which the connection terminal of the unit cell connected to the current control device is located,
The terminal arrangement surface (S1) of the battery module group is a vertical surface adjacent to the virtual current control device installation surface (S2) on which the base (5a, 60) of the current control device is installed or projected. In addition, it is a plane parallel to the terminal extending surface (S3, S4) of the virtual current control device passing through the connection terminal of the current control device and parallel to the protruding direction of the connection terminal.

  According to this invention, the terminal extending surface (S3, S4) of the current control device is set to a plane parallel to the terminal arrangement surface (S1) of the battery module group, and further the terminal arrangement surface (S1) of the battery module group. Since the installation surface (S2) of the current control device is an adjacent surface and is in a perpendicular relationship, it is possible to realize an arrangement in which the current control device and a predetermined connection terminal of the unit cell are brought close to each other. Thereby, since the distance of a current control apparatus and the predetermined | prescribed connection terminal of a cell can be shortened, the length of the wiring part which connects both can be set short. Therefore, it is possible to provide an assembled battery that can suppress the wiring resistance by shortening the wiring between the single battery and the current control device.

  In addition, the code | symbol etc. in the parenthesis as described in a claim and said each means is an example which shows a corresponding relationship with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later, and does not limit the content of invention.

It is a perspective view which shows the positional relationship of each part about the assembled battery which concerns on 1st Embodiment to which this invention is applied. It is a top view which shows the positional relationship of each part about the assembled battery of 1st Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the positional relationship of each part about the assembled battery of 1st Embodiment. It is a front view of a service plug It is a bottom view when the service plug of FIG. 4 is seen in the arrow direction. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of a service plug, a cover, and a fixing tool about the assembled battery which concerns on 2nd Embodiment to which this invention is applied. It is a top view which shows the positional relationship of a service plug, a cover, and a fixing tool about the assembled battery of 2nd Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the state which pulled out the service plug. It is a top view which shows the state which removed the cover. It is a top view which shows the positional relationship of a service plug, a cover, and a fixing tool about the assembled battery of 3rd Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the positional relationship of a service plug, a cover, a plate member, and a plate fixing tool about the assembled battery of 4th Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the state which pulled out the service plug.

  A plurality of modes for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, parts corresponding to the matters described in the preceding embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted. When only a part of the configuration is described in each mode, the other modes described above can be applied to the other parts of the configuration. Not only combinations of parts that clearly show that combinations are possible in each embodiment, but also combinations of the embodiments even if they are not explicitly stated unless there is a problem with the combination. Is also possible.

(First embodiment)
A battery pack 100 according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the upper case 9 is not illustrated among the cases for housing the battery module group 101. In FIG. 1, a current control device is illustrated above the battery module group 101, and a battery management unit (BMU: Battery Management Unit) 80 and a blower 81 are not illustrated.

  The assembled battery 100 includes a box-shaped battery module group 101 that forms a hexahedron. The assembled battery 100 is mounted on, for example, a hybrid vehicle using a traveling drive source by combining an internal combustion engine and a motor driven by electric power charged in the battery, an electric vehicle using a motor as a traveling drive source, and the like. The battery module group 101 includes at least one battery module formed by stacking a plurality of unit cells connected to be energized. In the battery module group 101 of the first embodiment, four battery modules 1, 2, 3, and 4 are electrically connected in series using bus bars and wires to form a box shape.

  The cell is, for example, a nickel hydrogen secondary battery, a lithium ion battery, or an organic radical battery. The unit cell includes, for example, an outer case that forms an outer shell such as an aluminum can, and includes an electrode terminal including a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal that protrude upward from one end surface of the rectangular parallelepiped outer case. In each battery module 1, 2, 3, and 4, a plurality of single cells are connected in series by connecting the electrode terminals of the adjacent single cells by a bus bar. Each of the battery modules 1, 2, 3, and 4 is accommodated in a synthetic resin case such as polypropylene. The cases are assembled together by a fixing tool such as a bolt and nut to form a battery module group 101. These integrated cases form a hexahedron having a front part, a back part, a left side part, a right side part, a flat part, and a bottom part as the battery module group 101.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a junction box 5, a service plug 6, a battery management unit 80, a battery cooling fan 81 and the like are mounted on the upper surface of the battery module group 101. A blower 81 illustrated by a two-dot chain line is a blower that forcibly blows cooling air to a plurality of single cells when the battery temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. The battery management unit 80 illustrated by a two-dot chain line has a function as a monitoring unit that monitors a battery state, and a function as a calculation unit that calculates a change in voltage, a variation in voltage, and a movement amount of charges.

  The battery management unit 80 includes an input circuit, a microcomputer, and an output circuit, like the vehicle ECU. In the storage means of the microcomputer, the battery state is stored as data as needed. The stored battery state data includes, for example, the battery voltage, charge / discharge current, battery temperature, and the like of the assembled battery 100. The battery management unit 80 detects a battery voltage between predetermined parts of the assembled battery 100 based on a signal input via a voltage detection line (not shown). The battery management unit 80 detects the battery temperature of a predetermined part of the assembled battery 100 based on a signal input via a temperature detection line (not shown). The battery management unit 80 calculates and records information such as a state of charge (SOC) associated with a change in the discharge current of the battery pack 100 using the input and stored data, and stores battery temperature, unit cell voltage, all batteries Various information such as variations in voltage and battery voltage is transmitted to the vehicle ECU.

  The junction box 5 is a current control device that connects predetermined connection terminals of single cells included in the battery module group 101, and relays and resistors that turn on and off the current flowing through the current lines 53 and 54 inside the insulating cover 50. It is also a junction device for storing

  The service plug 6 is a current control device that connects predetermined connection terminals of the single cells included in the battery module group 101, and the single cells connected to the current lines 62 and 63 are in a non-conductive state and a conductive state. A pull-out plug that can be used. For example, the service plug 6 is a non-energized switch that is operated at the time of maintenance. The service plug 6 can be viewed from the outside so that no current flows if the plug is removed, and the circuit of the assembled battery 100 is forcibly disconnected. Can do. In the service plug 6, the base portion 60 is fixed to the upper case 9 in such a form that a plug including a pullable handle portion 61 is exposed to the outside.

  The assembled battery 100 is disposed, for example, under a car seat, in a space between a rear seat and a trunk room, a space between a driver seat and a passenger seat, and the like. The positive terminal and the negative terminal in each of the battery modules 1 to 4 are disposed on the front side of the vehicle. Therefore, these connection terminals, current lines, and bus bars are located in the front portion on the vehicle front side of the hexahedron formed by the battery module group 101. Thereby, for example, when the vehicle collides from behind, the current line and the bus bar are prevented from being damaged, so that an external short circuit is unlikely to occur.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the battery module group 101, the junction box 5, the battery management unit 80, the blower 81 and the like are accommodated in a case including a lower case 7 and an upper case 9. Each of these cases is formed of metal or hard resin. The junction box 5, the battery management unit 80, and the blower 81 are arranged between the inner surface of the upper case 9 and the upper surface of the battery module group 101. For example, two junction boxes 5 are arranged at a predetermined interval. The plate member 70 is fixed.

  The center plate 8 is a high-strength plate member made of metal or hard resin. The upper case 9 and the lower case 7 are coupled so as to sandwich the center plate 8 from above and below. The two battery modules 1 and 2 arranged on the upper side are fixed to each other by a bracket, and the two battery modules 3 and 4 arranged on the lower side are fixed to each other by a bracket. The upper battery modules 1 and 2 are fixed to the center plate 8 via mounting legs, and the lower battery modules 3 and 4 are fixed via brackets. The mounting leg and the bracket are fastened and fixed to the center plate 8 together. As a result, the four battery modules 1 to 4 form a hexahedron as one battery module group 101 as a whole.

  As shown in FIG. 1, one of the hexahedrons formed by the battery module group 101 is a virtual surface on which connection terminals of single cells connected by current control devices (junction box 5 and service plug 6) are located. Yes, this surface is defined as a terminal arrangement surface S1 of the battery module group (hereinafter also simply referred to as a terminal arrangement surface S1). In the first embodiment, the terminal arrangement surface S <b> 1 is a front portion of the box-shaped battery module group 101.

  On the terminal arrangement surface S1, the connection terminals 10 and 11 of the battery module 1, the connection terminals 20 and 21 of the battery module 2, the connection terminals 30 and 31 of the battery module 3, and the battery module 4 A connection terminal 40 and a connection terminal 41 are arranged. The connection terminal 10 of the battery module 1 is connected to the connection terminal 51 of the junction box 5 via a current line 53. The connection terminal 11 of the battery module 1 is connected to the connection terminal 20 of the battery module 2 via the bus bar 12. The connection terminal 21 of the battery module 2 is connected to one connection terminal 65 of the service plug 6 via a current line 62.

  The connection terminal 30 of the battery module 3 is connected to the other connection terminal 64 of the service plug 6 via a current line 63. The connection terminal 31 of the battery module 3 is connected to the connection terminal 40 of the battery module 4 via the bus bar 32. The connection terminal 41 of the battery module 4 is connected to the connection terminal 52 of the junction box 5 via a current line 54. As described above, the battery module 1 and the battery module 2 are electrically connected via the bus bar 12, and the battery module 2 and the battery module 3 are electrically connected via the current lines 62 and 63 and the service plug 6. Further, the battery module 3 and the battery module 4 are conducted through the bus bar 32, and the battery module 4 and the battery module 1 are conducted through the current lines 53 and 54 and the junction box 5.

  The installation surface of the base portion 5 a of the junction box 5 fixed to the plate member 70 corresponds to the flat portion of the battery module group 101. Further, the projection surface of the service plug 6 below the base portion 60 corresponds to the flat portion of the battery module group 101. That is, the base part 60 fixed to the upper case 9 forms a surface parallel to the flat part of the battery module group 101. A virtual plane on which such a current control device is installed or projected is the installation surface S2 of the current control device shown in FIG. The installation surface S2 of the current control device is a surface that is adjacent to the terminal arrangement surface S1 and has a vertical relationship.

  As shown in FIG.1 and FIG.3, the connection terminals 51 and 52 of the junction box 5 each protrude in a direction (upward) perpendicular to the installation surface S2 of the current control device. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connection terminals 64 and 65 of the service plug 6 protrude in a direction (downward) perpendicular to the installation surface S2 of the current control device. That is, the terminal extension surfaces S3 and S4 of the virtual current control device that pass through the connection terminal of the current control device and are parallel to the protruding direction of the connection terminal are perpendicular to the installation surface S2 of the current control device and the terminal arrangement surface. The relationship is parallel to S1.

  With such a configuration, the current lines 53 and 54 are electrically connected to the junction box 5 at a location close to the installation surface S2 of the current control device, and therefore from the connection portion with the junction box 5 to the terminal arrangement surface S1. The distance can be set short. Moreover, since the current lines 62 and 63 are electrically connected to the connection terminals 64 and 65 of the service plug 6 at a location near the installation surface S2 of the current control device, from the contact point with the service plug 6 to the terminal arrangement surface S1. The distance can be set short.

  Furthermore, the connection terminals 51 and 52 of the junction box 5 and the connection terminals 64 and 65 of the service plug 6 are located closer to the terminal arrangement surface S1 than the back surface portion at a position facing the terminal arrangement surface S1. That is, the connection terminals 51 and 52 of the junction box 5 and the connection terminals 64 and 65 of the service plug 6 are located closer to the front part than the intermediate position between the front part and the rear part of the battery module group 101. Further, the junction box 5 and the service plug 6 are preferably located closer to the front part from the viewpoint of the length of the wiring part (current lines 53, 54, 62, 63).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the junction box 5 is connected to each of an inverter 82 and a DC / DC converter 83 arranged in front of the vehicle with respect to the assembled battery 100 by wiring. That is, the inverter 82 and the DC / DC converter 83 are arranged outside the outer case of the assembled battery 100 and are configured to be connectable via a wiring extending forward from the connection terminal of the junction box 5 to the vehicle. The inverter 82 is a device that operates a motor for driving a vehicle, for example. The DC / DC converter 83 is, for example, a device that steps down a DC voltage supplied from a battery and supplies it to an auxiliary machine, a 12V battery, or the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the service plug 6 includes a base portion 60 provided at the lower portion and fixed to the lower case 7, a handle portion 61 provided at the upper portion and rotatable by 90 degrees, and the base portion 60. Connection terminals 64 and 65 that are integrally provided and project downward from the bottom surface of the base. The base portion 60 is fastened and fixed to the upper case 9 by mounting screws 60c that are inserted through mounting holes 60a that open at the four corners.

  The plug main body including the handle portion 61 is fitted in a fitting insertion opening 60b formed in the base portion 60 when the battery module 2 and the battery module 3 are energized. In this conductive state, the plug body conducts the connection terminal 64 and the connection terminal 65, the connection terminal 64 of the service plug 6 forms a contact point with the conductive portion 63 a of the current line 63, and the connection terminal 65 is connected to the current line 62. A contact is formed with the conductive portion 62a. When the plug body is not in a state of being fitted into the insertion slot 60b of the base portion 60, that is, when the plug body is pulled out, the connection terminal 64 and the connection terminal 65 are not in conduction. The battery module 2 and the battery module 3 are electrically disconnected, and the circuit to which the assembled battery 100 is connected does not form a closed circuit.

  Below, the effect which the assembled battery 100 of this embodiment brings is demonstrated. The assembled battery 100 includes a box-shaped battery module group 101 in which a hexahedron is formed by at least one battery module 1, 2, 3, 4 configured by stacking a plurality of unit cells connected to be energized, and a battery. A current control device that connects the predetermined connection terminals of the single cells included in the module group 101 so as to be energized, and current lines 53, 54, and 62 that connect the predetermined connection terminals of the single cells and the connection terminals of the current control device. , 63. One of the hexahedrons formed by the battery module group 101 constitutes a terminal arrangement surface S1 of a virtual battery module group on which a connection terminal of a unit cell connected to the current control device is located. The terminal arrangement surface S1 of the battery module group is a vertical surface adjacent to the installation surface S2 of the virtual current control device on which the base portion of the current control device is installed or projected, and the connection terminal of the current control device. This is a plane parallel to the terminal extending surfaces S3 and S4 of the virtual current control device passing through and parallel to the protruding direction of the connection terminal.

  According to this configuration, the terminal extending surfaces S3 and S4 are set in a plane parallel to the terminal arrangement surface S1, and the terminal arrangement surface S1 and the current control device installation surface S2 are adjacent and orthogonal to each other. It is in. Therefore, it is possible to provide a configuration in which the current control device and the predetermined connection terminal of the unit cell are brought closer to each other as compared with the arrangement relationship according to the related art (when the terminal extension surface and the terminal arrangement surface are not parallel). . Thereby, the distance of a current control apparatus and the predetermined | prescribed connection terminal of a cell can be shortened. Therefore, since the lengths of the current lines 53, 54, 62, and 63 connecting them can be set short, the assembled battery 100 that suppresses the wiring resistance can be obtained.

  Further, the current control device, and further, the connection terminal portion of the current control device is closer to the terminal arrangement surface S1 than the surface (back surface portion) of the hexahedron formed by the battery module group 101 that faces the terminal arrangement surface S1. Located in. According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a configuration in which the current control device and the predetermined connection terminal of the unit cell are further brought closer to each other. Thereby, the length of the current lines 53, 54, 62, and 63 can be set to be shorter, and the wiring resistance can be greatly suppressed.

  The current control device is preferably at least one of a junction box 5 to which various wirings of the battery module group 101 are connected and a service plug 6 that electrically connects the connection terminals of two predetermined single cells. . According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a configuration in which at least one of the junction box 5 and the service plug 6 and the connection terminal of the cell are close to each other. Thereby, the wiring length which connects the connection terminal of a cell and the said apparatus can be set short, and the product which reduced wiring resistance can be provided.

  Further, the current control device is preferably a junction box 5 and a service plug 6. According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a configuration in which each of the junction box 5 and the service plug 6 and the connection terminal of the unit cell are close to each other. As a result, the four wirings that connect the connection terminals of the unit cell and both devices can be set short, so that a product that significantly reduces the wiring resistance can be provided.

  The junction box 5 is connected to an inverter 82 mounted on the vehicle by wiring. In other words, the terminal arrangement surface S1 is arranged on the inverter side. According to this configuration, since the wiring length between the inverter 82 and the junction box 5 can be set short, it is possible to contribute to the provision of a product with reduced wiring resistance.

  Further, the inverter 82 is disposed in front of the vehicle with respect to the battery module group 101. According to this, the junction box 5 can be arrange | positioned in the position close | similar to the terminal arrangement | positioning surface S1 located in the front side of a vehicle. Furthermore, since it is possible to set the wiring length between the inverter 82 and the junction box 5 that can be easily mounted on the front side of the vehicle, it is possible to contribute to the provision of products with reduced wiring resistance. .

(Second Embodiment)
A battery pack 100A according to a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following embodiments, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different configurations and operational effects will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the plate-like cover 50 </ b> A that covers the upper surface of the junction box 5 is fixed to the upper case 9 at four corners by four mounting screws 50 </ b> A <b> 3 as cover fixing tools. The cover 50 </ b> A further includes a plate-like fixing portion 50 </ b> A <b> 1 that extends to the base portion 60 of the adjacent service plug 6. A through hole is formed in the fixing portion 50A1 at a position corresponding to the mounting hole 60a of the base portion 60 of the service plug 6. The fixing portion 50A1 is a base portion 60 of the service plug 6 by the mounting screw 50A2 inserted into the through hole and the mounting hole 60a of the base portion 60 in a state where the plug body of the service plug 6 is not attached to the base portion 60. At the same time, the upper case 9 is fastened and fixed. The mounting screw 50A2 that fastens the cover 50A and the base portion 60 together functions as a cover fixing tool that fixes the cover 50A to the upper case 9, similarly to the mounting screw 50A3. Further, since the conductive portion mounted inside the junction box 5 is covered with the insulating cover 50 or the like, it is not in a state where it can be touched by a person.

  The mounting hole 60 a of the base portion 60 is located immediately below a part of the plug main body including the handle portion 61 in a state where the plug main body is attached to the base portion 60. That is, at least a part of the mounting screw 50A2 as a cover fixing tool that fixes the cover 50A is viewed from the side where the mounting screw 50A2 is operated when the cover 50A is removed, in other words, in a plan view. It is arranged so as to overlap the other side of the service plug 6 in FIG. Thus, since the mounting screw 50A2 overlaps with the service plug 6, the service plug 6 cannot get in the way to loosen the mounting screw 50A2. Therefore, the cover 50 </ b> A cannot be removed while the plug body is attached to the base portion 60 of the service plug 6.

  In the assembled battery 100A, when removing the cover 50A as necessary during maintenance or the like, first, the handle 61 of the service plug 6 is rotated from the state shown in FIG. The state in which the plug body is pulled out is as shown in the plan view of FIG. In this state, the whole mounting screw 50A2 can be seen from above without part of the mounting screw 50A2 overlapping and hiding other parts in plan view.

  Next, by operating the tool from the front side of the sheet of FIG. 8, the mounting screw 50A2 is loosened to release the fastening state. Furthermore, the cover 50A can be removed only after the other mounting screws 50A3 are also loosened to release all the fastening portions. The state in which all the mounting screws are loosened and the cover 50A is removed is as shown in the plan view of FIG. In the state shown in FIG. 9, relays, resistors and the like inside the junction box 5 are covered with an insulating cover 50. Further, when the insulating cover 50 covering the junction box 5 is removed, the components inside the junction box 5 are exposed, and it becomes possible to work from the outside.

  According to the assembled battery 100A having the above-described configuration, the mounting screw 50A2 that is a cover fixing tool is viewed from the side where the mounting screw 50A2 is operated when releasing the fixing of the cover 50A (in other words, the service plug 6 is viewed in plan view). In other words, it is disposed so as to overlap the service plug 6 in a state where the connection terminals of the unit cells are electrically connected.

  With this configuration, when removing the cover 50A of the junction box 5 during service work such as maintenance, the mounting screw 50A2 (cover fixing tool) that can be operated after the plug body of the service plug 6 is pulled out is loosened. . Since the mounting screw 50A2 cannot be operated unless the plug main body is pulled out in this way, the high voltage portion of the junction box 5 cannot be accessed without following the procedure. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to provide the assembled battery 100 </ b> A that can ensure safety during service work without being equipped with a complicated mechanism.

  In this embodiment, the junction box is covered with the insulating cover 50 in advance. However, the junction box 5 may be covered with the cover 50A without the insulating cover 50.

(Third embodiment)
The assembled battery 100B of 3rd Embodiment to which this invention is applied is demonstrated with reference to FIG. In the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and different configurations will be described.

  The assembled battery 100B is different from the assembled battery 100A of the second embodiment in that it includes a fixing piece 50B1 that is a separate component from the cover 50B. That is, the fixing piece 50B1 is configured to be fastened and fixed to the upper case 9 together with the base portion 60 by the mounting screw 50A2, and to be fastened and fixed to the cover 50B by the mounting screw 50B2. The end of the fixed piece 50B1 is bent vertically downward. The cover 50B forms a recess at a location corresponding to the bent end of the fixed piece 50B1. The bent end of the fixed piece 50B1 has a shape that enters a recess formed in the cover 50B. Thereby, the cover 50B has a structure that cannot be removed unless the fixing piece 50B1 is removed.

  Therefore, in the assembled battery 100B, when removing the cover 50B as necessary during maintenance or the like, first, the handle portion 61 of the service plug 6 is rotated from the state shown in FIG. Next, by operating the tool from vertically above, the mounting screws 50A2 and 50B2 are loosened to release the fastening state, and the fixing piece 50B1 is removed. Furthermore, the cover 50B can be removed only after the other mounting screws 50A3 are also loosened to release the fastening state. The assembled battery 100B has the same effects as the above-described assembled battery 100A.

(Fourth embodiment)
A battery pack 100C according to a fourth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. In the fourth embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and different configurations will be described.

  The assembled battery 100C is different from the assembled battery 100A of the second embodiment in that it includes a plate member 90 that covers a mounting screw 50C1 that fixes the cover 50C. As shown in FIG. 11, the plate member 90 is a separate component from the cover 50C, and is fastened and fixed to the upper case 9 together with the base portion 60 by a mounting screw 90a that is a fixture, and is fixed by the mounting screw 90a. The cover 50C has a configuration that covers the mounting screw 50C1.

  A through hole is formed in the plate member 90 at a position corresponding to the mounting hole 60 a of the base portion 60 of the service plug 6. The plate member 90 is connected to the upper case 9 together with the base portion 60 by the mounting screw 90a inserted through the through hole and the mounting hole 60a of the base portion 60 in a state where the plug body of the service plug 6 is not attached to the base portion 60. Fastened and fixed to. In the state shown in FIG. 11, the cover 50 </ b> C cannot be removed unless the plate member 90 is removed. Further, since the conductive portion inside the junction box 5 is covered by an insulating cover or the like whose upper surface is covered by the cover 50C, it is not in a state where it can be touched by a person.

  The mounting screw 90 a is located directly below a part of the plug body including the handle 61 in a state where the plug body is attached to the base portion 60. That is, at least a part of the mounting screw 90a as a fixing tool fixing the plate member 90 is viewed from the side where the mounting screw 50C1 is operated when removing the cover 50C, in other words, in a connected state in a plan view. It is arranged so as to overlap the other side of the service plug 6 in FIG. As described above, since the mounting screw 90a overlaps the service plug 6, the service plug 6 cannot obstruct the mounting screw 90a. Therefore, the cover 50 </ b> C cannot be removed in a state where the plug body is attached to the base portion 60 of the service plug 6.

  In the assembled battery 100C, when the cover 50C is removed during maintenance or the like, first, the handle 61 of the service plug 6 is rotated from the state shown in FIG. The state in which the plug body is pulled out is as shown in the plan view of FIG. In this state, the entire mounting screw 90a can be seen from above without part of the mounting screw 90a overlapping and hiding other parts in plan view.

  Next, by operating the tool from the front side of the sheet of FIG. 12, the mounting screw 90a is loosened to release the fastening state. Then, the plate member 90 is removed. In this state, there is no member covering the mounting screw 50C1 of the cover 50C. Furthermore, the cover 50C can be removed only after the remaining mounting screws 50C1 of the cover 50C are loosened to release all the fastening portions. In this state, it is possible to work on the junction box 5 from the outside. Further, by removing the insulating cover that covers the junction box 5, the conductive parts such as internal relays and resistors are exposed, and the conductive parts are exposed to the outside only for the first time.

  The assembled battery 100 </ b> C having the above configuration includes an attachment screw 50 </ b> C <b> 1 for fixing the cover 50 </ b> C, a plate member 90 that covers a part of the cover 50 </ b> C and the attachment screw 50 </ b> C <b> 1, and an attachment screw 90 a as a plate fixture for fixing the plate member 90. Prepare. The mounting screw 90a is electrically connected between the connection terminals of the unit cells when viewed from the side where the mounting screw 50C1 is operated when releasing the cover 50C (in other words, when the service plug 6 is viewed in plan). It is arranged so as to overlap the other side of the service plug 6 that is in the state of being.

  With this configuration, when removing the cover 50C of the junction box 5 during service work such as maintenance, the mounting screw 90a (plate fixing tool) that can be operated after the plug body of the service plug 6 is pulled out is loosened, and the plate The member 90 will be removed. Thus, since the plate member 90 cannot be removed unless the plug body is pulled out, the high voltage portion of the junction box 5 cannot be accessed without following the procedure. Therefore, according to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to provide an assembled battery 100 </ b> C that can ensure safety during service work without being equipped with a complicated mechanism.

(Other embodiments)
The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The structure of the said embodiment is an illustration to the last, Comprising: The scope of the present invention is not limited to the range of these description. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the description of the scope of claims, and further includes meanings equivalent to the description of the scope of claims and all modifications within the scope.

  In the above embodiment, the terminal arrangement surface S1 of the battery module group is a vertical surface adjacent to the installation surface S2 of the current control device and parallel to the terminal extension surfaces S3 and S4 of the current control device. Although described as a plane, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the relationship between these virtual planes being strictly “vertical” and “parallel”. That is, it is only necessary to have a relationship that can achieve the effect of achieving the object of the present invention.

  In the said embodiment, although the terminal arrangement surface S1 of a battery module group is located in the vehicle front side, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the terminal arrangement surface S1 arranged at this position.

  In the above-described embodiment, the battery module group 101 is composed of four battery modules. However, the number of battery modules may be one or more, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to four battery modules. .

1, 2, 3, 4 ... Battery module 5 ... Junction box (junction device, current control device)
6. Service plug (current control device)
51, 52, 64, 65 ... connection terminals 53, 54, 62, 63 ... current lines (wiring sections)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 ... Battery module group S1 ... Terminal arrangement surface of battery module group S2 ... Installation surface of current control device S3, S4 ... Terminal extension surface of current control device

Claims (7)

A box-shaped battery module group (101) formed of at least one battery module (1, 2, 3, 4) formed by laminating a plurality of unit cells connected to be energized to form a hexahedron;
A current control device (5, 6) that connects the predetermined connection terminals of the unit cells included in the battery module group so as to be energized;
Wiring portions (53, 54, 62, 63) for connecting the predetermined connection terminals of the unit cells and the connection terminals (51, 52, 64, 65) of the current control device;
With
One of the hexahedrons formed by the battery module group constitutes a virtual terminal arrangement surface (S1) of the battery module group where the connection terminal of the unit cell connected to the current control device is located,
The terminal arrangement surface (S1) of the battery module group is adjacent to a virtual current control device installation surface (S2) on which a base (5a, 60) of the current control device is installed or projected. In addition to being a vertical surface, the surface is parallel to the virtual terminal extending surface (S3, S4) of the current control device passing through the connection terminal of the current control device and parallel to the protruding direction of the connection terminal. A battery pack characterized by that.   The connection terminal (51, 52, 64, 65) of the current control device (5, 6) is more than the surface of the hexahedron formed by the battery module group at a position facing the terminal arrangement surface (S1). 2. The assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the assembled battery is located closer to the terminal arrangement surface (S <b> 1) of the battery module group.   The current control device is a service plug that electrically connects between a junction device (5) to which various wirings of the battery module group are connected and connection terminals of two predetermined unit cells included in the battery module group. The assembled battery according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the battery pack is at least one of (6).   The current control device includes a service plug (5) for electrically connecting a junction device (5) to which the wiring of the battery module group is connected and a connection terminal of two predetermined unit cells included in the battery module group. The assembled battery according to claim 2, wherein 6). The current control device includes a junction device (5) to which various wires of the battery module group are connected,
The terminal arrangement surface (S1) of the battery module group is located on the inverter (82) side mounted on the vehicle,
The assembled battery according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the junction device (5) is connected to the inverter (82) by wiring. The current control device includes a junction device (5) to which various wires of the battery module group are connected,
A cover (50A, 50B) that covers the junction device, and a cover fixture (50A2) that fixes the cover;
The cover fixing tool (50A2) is disposed so as to overlap the other side of the service plug in the electrically connected state when viewed from the side where the cover fixing tool is operated when releasing the fixing of the cover. The assembled battery according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the assembled battery is provided. The current control device includes a junction device (5) to which various wires of the battery module group are connected,
A cover (50C) that covers the junction device, a cover fixture (50C1) that fixes the cover, a plate member (90) that covers a part of the cover fixture, and a plate fixture that fixes the plate member ( 90a),
The plate fixing member (90a) is disposed so as to overlap with the other side of the service plug in the electrically connected state when viewed from the side where the cover fixing member is operated when releasing the fixing of the cover. The assembled battery according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the assembled battery is provided.

Images