JP2014102968A - Battery pack and manufacturing method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery pack and a manufacturing method therefor, capable of avoiding the fusion of a thermal fuse at manufacturing and meeting a desire of a thin and flat formation with reduced manufacturing cost.SOLUTION: In a circuit unit 11, connection terminals 111-114 are respectively connected to a control unit 115. In a conduction path connecting between the connection terminal 114 and an external terminal 119, there is inserted a fuse module 116 constituted by thermal fuses 1161, 1162 and a heating resistor 1163. In a signal path between the heading resistor 1163 and the control unit 115, there are provided two lands 122, 123, which are disposed mutually apart and one of which is electrically connected to the control unit 115 while the other is electrically connected to the heating resistor 1163. An electric connection between the two lands 122, 123 is formed only by a connection body 124 formed of solder.

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery pack and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly to a battery pack in which a circuit unit includes a thermal fuse and a manufacturing method thereof.

Battery packs are often used in notebook personal computers (hereinafter referred to as “notebook personal computers”), vehicles, power storage systems, and the like. An example of a battery pack according to the prior art will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 10, the battery pack is formed by connecting a battery unit 90 having unit cells 901 and 902 and a circuit unit 91. In the battery unit 90, the unit cell 901 and the unit cell 902 are connected in series, and a negative electrode terminal 9031 and a positive electrode terminal 9033 are provided. Further, an intermediate terminal 9032 is provided at a connection location between the unit cell 901 and the unit cell 902.

  On the other hand, the circuit unit 91 includes connection terminals 911 to 913 provided for connection to the battery unit 90 and external terminals 919 and 920. The connection terminal 911 and the external terminal 919, and the connection terminal 911 and the external terminal 920 are connected to each other. Each has an electrically conductive path. In the circuit unit 91, a fuse module 916, a charging switching element 917, and a discharging switching element 918 are inserted in a positive-side conductive path connecting the connection terminal 913 and the external terminal 919. The fuse module 916 includes a combination of two temperature fuses 9161 and 9162 connected in series and a heating resistor 9163 having one end connected to the connection point. The other end of the heating resistor 9163 is connected to a ground-side conductive path connecting the connection terminal 911 and the external terminal 920 via the heating resistance switching element 921.

  In the circuit unit 91, the connection terminals 911 to 913 are respectively connected to the control unit 915, and the control unit 915 monitors the voltage of each of the unit cells 901 and 902. In addition, the control unit 915 is also connected to the gate of the heating resistance switching element 921, and when the voltage of the unit cells 901 and 902 is determined to be higher, the heating resistance switching element 921 is turned on to The resistor 9163 is heated so that the thermal fuses 9161 and 9162 are blown.

  Here, in the battery pack having the conventional structure, when the battery unit 90 and the circuit unit 91 in the manufacture are connected, the negative terminal 9031 to the intermediate terminal 9032 and the positive terminal 9033 in the battery unit 90 are increased from the low potential side. It is necessary to connect to the circuit unit 91 in order of the potential side. If the order of connection is not observed, a situation may occur in which the control unit 915 malfunctions when an abnormality is detected during manufacturing, and the temperature fuses 9161 and 9162 of the fuse module 915 are blown out.

  To solve such a problem, as shown in FIG. 11A, the connection terminals 911 to 913 in the circuit unit 91 are provided so as to surround the through hole 913a provided in the substrate and the inner edge thereof in a donut shape. As shown in FIG. 11B, there is a gap 913b between the inserted terminals 9031 to 9033 (only the negative terminal 9031 is shown in FIG. 11B) and the land. It is conceivable to adopt such a configuration. Then, it is conceivable to adopt a method in which the terminals 9031 to 9033 are inserted into the through holes 913a of the connection terminals 911 to 913 and the terminals 9031 to 9033 and the lands are soldered in order from the low potential side. .

However, the method as shown in FIG. 11 cannot sufficiently meet the demand for flattening the package. That is, when adopting such a connection form, it is necessary to bend the terminals 9031 to 9033 at locations apart from the substrate (folded portion 9031a). For this purpose, the height in the Z-axis direction is set to some extent. It is necessary to secure.
For this reason, when proceeding with thinning and thinning of the package, for example, when a flat terminal (lead) is placed on the land in the circuit unit, an insulating sheet or the like is temporarily sandwiched between the terminals and the low potential The method of removing this insulating sheet in order from the side and welding the land and the terminal (series spot welding) must be employed.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 12, in Patent Document 2, as another method for connection, each terminal from the battery unit is connected to the connector 922 and attached to the connector 921 provided in the circuit unit 92. Is disclosed. In this technique, the connector pins of the connector 921 are not uniform in length, the low-potential side pin 9211 is the longest, and then the low-potential pin 9212 is connected based on the order of connection. A technique for reducing labor during connection by defining the length of the connection is disclosed.

JP 2000-340267 A JP 2011-243426 A

However, the above-described prior art cannot sufficiently meet the demand for thinning and flattening the entire battery pack, has a problem in reducing the cost, and requires complicated work for manufacturing the battery pack. End up. Specifically, when the connection form as shown in FIG. 11 is adopted, as described above, it can be an obstructive factor in promoting the flattening of the battery pack.
In addition, the method of placing the terminal on the land with an insulating sheet inserted and welding while removing the insulating sheet in order from the low potential side requires complicated work to connect the battery unit and the circuit unit. In addition, there is a possibility that it becomes an obstacle to advance automation.

Furthermore, when the connection form shown in FIG. 12 is employed, there may be problems such as an increase in component costs of the connectors 921 and 921 and an increase in man-hours for connecting each lead and the like to the connectors 921 and 922.
The present invention provides a battery pack and a method of manufacturing the same that can meet the demand for thinning and flattening and can reduce the manufacturing cost while avoiding the melting of the thermal fuse during the manufacturing. The purpose is to provide.

Therefore, the battery pack according to the present invention employs the following configuration.
The battery pack according to the present invention includes a battery unit and a circuit unit connected to the battery unit.
(Battery unit) A unit cell is included and has at least a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal.
(Circuit Unit) A first connection terminal and a second connection terminal electrically connected to each of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal in the battery unit, each of the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal, the first conductive path, and A first external terminal and a second external terminal connected through each of the second conductive paths, a thermal fuse inserted in one of the first conductive path and the second conductive path, and thermally coupled to the thermal fuse And a control unit that outputs a signal for supplying a current to the heating element according to the state of the battery unit, and blows the thermal fuse by the heat generation of the heating element.

The battery pack according to the present invention has two conductive lands arranged in a state of being separated from each other in the signal transmission path between the control unit and the heating element or in the current supply path to the heating element. The two conductive lands are electrically connected only by the connecting portion.
Note that the “connecting portion” in the above may be made of a conductive material such as solder or may be inserted with a switch. An electrical connection state can be established by closing the switch. The switch can be a transistor element such as an FET element.

The battery pack manufacturing method according to the present invention employs the following method.
The battery pack manufacturing method according to the present invention includes the following first to third steps.
(First Step) A battery unit and a circuit unit are prepared.
Here, the battery unit includes a unit cell and has at least a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal.

  In addition, the circuit unit includes a first external terminal connected to the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal, the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal, respectively, via the first conductive path and the second conductive path. A terminal and a second external terminal; a thermal fuse interposed in one of the first conductive path and the second conductive path; a heating element thermally coupled to the thermal fuse; and a state of the connected battery unit A signal for supplying current to the heating element in response to the heating element, and a control unit that blows the thermal fuse with the heat generated by the heating element, and signal transmission between the control unit and the heating element In the path or the current supply path to the heating element, there are two conductive lands arranged apart from each other.

(Second Step) The positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal in the battery unit are connected to the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal in the circuit unit, respectively.
(Third Step) After performing the second step, the two conductive lands are electrically connected by a connecting portion made of a conductive material.

  The battery pack according to the present invention has two conductive lands arranged in a state of being separated from each other in a signal transmission path between the control unit and the heating element or in a current supply path to the heating element. The two conductive lands are electrically connected only by the connecting portion. For this reason, even when the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal of the battery unit are simultaneously connected to each of the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal of the circuit unit (when the connection order is not observed), If the connection is in a state before the connection between the two conductive lands by the connecting portion, even if the control portion malfunctions, a signal related to heat generation is not transmitted to the heating element, or the heating element. Since no current is supplied to the heating element, the heating element does not generate heat and the thermal fuse can be avoided from being blown. Then, after the connection between the terminals is completed, the two conductive lands may be connected by a connecting portion.

In the configuration of the battery pack according to the present invention, the thermal fuse does not blow even if the connection order is not observed with respect to the connection between the terminals. Therefore, even if the configuration as shown in FIG. Well, it can meet the demands for flattened packages.
Further, in the present invention, it is not necessary to use a connector as shown in FIG. 12 in order to comply with the connection order with respect to the connection between terminals while ensuring workability, so that it is possible to suppress an increase in parts cost and manufacturing cost. it can.

Therefore, in the battery pack according to the present invention, it is possible to meet the demand for thinning and flattening, and it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost while avoiding the melting of the thermal fuse during manufacturing.
The battery pack according to the present invention can employ the following variations.

  In the battery pack according to the present invention, the heating element is a heating resistor, one end of which is connected to the thermal fuse, and the other end is connected to the other of the first conductive path and the second conductive path via the switching element. And two conductive lands are interposed in the conductive path between the heating element and the switching element or in the conductive path between the switching element and the other side of the first conductive path and the second conductive path. It is inserted, and a configuration in which the control unit outputs an ON signal to the switching element according to the state of the battery unit and heats the heating element can be employed.

  In this way, the other end of the heating element (heating resistor) is connected to the conductive path via the switching element, and when the control unit determines that the battery unit is in an abnormal state, the switching element is turned on, and the heating element generates heat. Thus, the thermal fuse can be blown. If the two conductive lands are configured to be inserted in the conductive path between the heating element and the switching element, the connection at the connection portion is not performed until the terminal connection at the time of manufacture is completed. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the situation of the melting of the temperature fuse by the malfunction of a control part can be suppressed.

In the battery pack according to the present invention, a CR circuit is connected to a conductive path between the switching element and the first conductive land on the switching element side of the two conductive lands, and the control unit includes the CR circuit. Therefore, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which it is recognized that the two conductive lands are connected by the connecting portion.
As described above, if the CR circuit is connected between the first conductive land and the switching element, and the connection detection of the two conductive lands is detected by the CR circuit, the control unit executes the reliable control. Can do. In addition, without providing a CR circuit or the like, an operator may input information regarding the connection of the two conductive lands to the control unit after the manufacture of the battery pack is completed.

  In the battery pack according to the present invention, each of the battery units includes a unit cell and includes a plurality of battery modules connected in series with each other. The battery unit includes an intermediate terminal for detecting an intermediate voltage between the battery modules. And an intermediate connection terminal electrically connected to the intermediate terminal of the battery unit, and signal transmission for inputting voltage information between the first connection terminal, the second connection terminal, and the intermediate connection terminal to the control unit. A configuration in which a path is formed can be employed.

Even when the intermediate terminal and the intermediate connection terminal are connected in this way, if the connection between the two conductive lands is not connected, the control unit may be erroneous even without considering the terminal connection order. It is possible to avoid a situation in which a thermal fuse is blown by operation.
In the battery pack according to the present invention, the heating element is a heating resistor, one end is connected to the thermal fuse, and the other end is connected to the other of the first conductive path and the second conductive path via the switching element. The control unit outputs an ON signal to the switching element according to the state of the battery unit, heats the heating element, and the two conductive lands are in the signal transmission path between the control unit and the switching element. A configuration of being inserted can be employed.

  In this way, even when two conductive lands are inserted in the signal transmission path between the control unit and the switching element, even if the control unit malfunctions due to terminal connection, In a state where no connection is made at the part, the switching element is not turned ON. Therefore, if the two conductive lands are not connected at the connection portion when the terminals are connected, it is possible to avoid a situation where the thermal fuse is blown due to a malfunction of the control portion.

In the battery pack according to the present invention, a configuration in which the connecting portion is made of solder can be employed.
Thus, when adopting a connecting portion made of solder, it is possible to easily connect the two conductive lands after the terminal connection, and to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost.
In the battery pack according to the present invention, the circuit unit includes a substrate, and each of the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal is a land formed on the main surface of the substrate, and each of the battery units includes a plate. The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead are extended, and the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead, and are electrically in contact with each of the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which they are connected to each other.

When a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal having such a structure, a first connection terminal and a second connection terminal are provided, and the above-described configuration is adopted for connection between them, as shown in FIG. Compared to the case of adopting the configuration, it is effective for flattening the thickness of the package.
Next, in the battery pack manufacturing method according to the present invention, after the second step is performed, the third step of connecting the two conductive lands with the connecting portion is performed. Even if the connection order of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal with respect to the two connection terminals is not observed, it is possible to avoid a situation where the thermal fuse is blown due to a malfunction of the control unit.

Further, in the method for manufacturing a battery pack according to the present invention, the thermal fuse does not blow even if the connection order is not observed with respect to the connection between the terminals, so the configuration as shown in FIG. It is possible to meet the demands for flattening the package.
Further, in the method of manufacturing a battery pack according to the present invention, it is not necessary to use a connector as shown in FIG. Can be suppressed.

Therefore, in the battery pack manufacturing method according to the present invention, the thermal fuse can be blown by a malfunction of the control unit at the time of manufacture while being able to meet the demand for thinning and flattening and reducing the manufacturing cost. Can be avoided.
In the battery pack manufacturing method according to the present invention, the following variation methods can be employed.

  In the battery pack manufacturing method according to the present invention, each battery unit includes a unit cell and includes a plurality of battery modules connected in series with each other, and has an intermediate terminal for detecting an intermediate voltage between the battery modules. Employing a method in which the circuit unit includes an intermediate connection terminal electrically connected to the intermediate terminal in the battery unit, and in the second step, the intermediate terminal in the battery unit and the intermediate connection terminal in the circuit unit are also connected. Can do.

As described above, in the second step, even when the intermediate terminal and the intermediate connection terminal are also connected, since the two conductive lands are not connected by the connection portion, the control unit can be used without considering the terminal connection order. It is possible to avoid a situation where the thermal fuse is blown out due to the malfunction of.
In the method for manufacturing a battery pack according to the present invention, the circuit unit has a substrate, and the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal are lands formed on the main surface of the substrate, respectively. The plate-like positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead are extended, and the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead. In the second step, each of the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal It is possible to employ a method that includes a first sub-step of bringing the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal into contact with each other and a second sub-step of electrically connecting each other while maintaining the contact state.

  As described above, in the case of adopting the above-described configuration with respect to the connection between the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal, and the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal, the configuration shown in FIG. 11 is employed. This is particularly effective for manufacturing a battery pack in which the thickness of the package is thinned and flattened.

1 is a schematic plan view showing a partial configuration of a battery pack 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a part of the circuit configuration of the battery pack 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a configuration of a circuit unit 11. FIG. (A) is a schematic circuit diagram which shows the connection process of the battery module 101,102 to the circuit unit 11, (b) is a schematic top view which shows the state of the land 122,123 at that time. (A) is a schematic perspective view which shows the connection process of the battery modules 101 and 102 to the circuit unit 11, (b) is a schematic side view which shows the said connection process. (A) is a schematic circuit diagram which shows the state which connected the battery module 101,102 to the circuit unit 11, (b) is a schematic which shows land 122,123 of the state connected mutually by the connection part 124 after that. It is a top view. It is a schematic circuit diagram which shows the circuit structure of the battery pack 2 which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic circuit diagram which shows the circuit structure of the battery pack 3 which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a schematic circuit diagram which shows the circuit structure of the battery pack 4 which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a schematic circuit diagram which shows the circuit structure as an example of the battery pack which concerns on a prior art. (A) is a model perspective view which shows the connection process of each lead 9031-9033 of the battery unit to the circuit unit 91 in manufacture of the battery pack based on a prior art, (b) is the arrow E It is a schematic plan view when seen from the direction of. It is a model perspective view which shows the connection process of the battery unit and circuit unit 92 using the connectors 921 and 922 in manufacture of the battery pack which concerns on a prior art.

Below, the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated using drawing. In addition, the specific example shown below is an example used for easily explaining the configuration of the present invention and the operations and effects exerted from the configuration, and the present invention is not limited to the components essential to the invention. The following specific examples are not limited at all.
[Embodiment 1]
1. Configuration of Battery Pack 1 The configuration of the battery pack 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, a part of the configuration of the battery pack 1 is extracted and drawn, and for example, an exterior body or the like is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the battery pack 1 according to the present embodiment includes a battery unit 10 and a circuit unit 11. The battery unit 10 includes a battery module 101 and a battery module 102 that are arranged on the left and right sides in the X-axis direction with the circuit unit 11 interposed therebetween. The battery module 101 is formed by connecting two unit cells 1011 and 1012 each having a flat rectangular shape in parallel. Similarly, the battery module 102 is formed by connecting two unit cells 1022 and 1021 each having a flat rectangular shape in parallel.

  The battery module 101 has leads 1031 and 1032 extending in the X-axis direction, and is connected to connection terminals (conductive lands) 111 and 112 formed on the left edge of the circuit unit 11 in the X-axis direction, respectively. . Similarly, the battery module 102 has leads 1033 and 1034 extending in the X-axis direction, and is connected to connection terminals (conductive lands) 113 and 114 formed on the right edge of the circuit unit 11 in the X-axis direction, respectively. Has been.

Each connection of the leads 1031 to 1034 to the connection terminals 111 to 114 is made, for example, by series spot welding.
2. Circuit Configuration of Battery Pack 1 The circuit configuration of the battery pack 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, a part of the circuit configuration of the battery pack 1 is extracted and drawn.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the battery module 101, the negative lead 1031 is connected to the connection terminal 111 in the circuit unit 11, and the positive lead 1032 is connected to the connection terminal 112. In the battery module 102, the negative lead 1033 is connected to the connection terminal 113, and the positive lead 1034 is connected to the connection terminal 114.
In the circuit unit 11, the connection terminal 112 and the connection terminal 113 are connected to each other, whereby the battery module 101 and the battery module 102 in the battery unit 10 are connected in series. The connection terminals 111 to 114 are connected to the control unit 115, the connection terminal 111 is connected to the external terminal 120 on the negative electrode side via a conductive path, and the connection terminal 114 is connected to the positive electrode via the conductive path. Side external terminal 119.

In the conductive path connecting the connection terminal 114 and the external terminal 119, a fuse module 116, a charging switching element 117, and a discharging switching element 118 are inserted in series. The charging switching element 117 and the discharging switching element 118 have gates connected to the control unit 115.
The fuse module 116 is composed of a combination of thermal fuses 1161 and 1162 connected in series with each other and a heating resistor 1163 connected at one end to the connection point. The other end of the heating resistor 1163 in the fuse module 116 is connected to a conductive path connecting the connection terminal 111 and the external terminal 120 via the heating resistor switching element 121. The gate of the heating resistance switching element 121 is connected to the control unit 115.

  Here, as shown by an arrow A portion in FIG. 2, in the battery pack 1, a gap is formed between the other end of the heating resistor 1163 and the heating resistance switching element 121 in the conductive path (signal path). Arranged lands 122 and lands 123 are provided. The lands 122 and 123 are electrically connected to each other by a connecting body 124. In other words, the land 122 and the land 123 are electrically connected by forming the connection body 124, and are electrically insulated before the connection body 124 is formed. ing.

  Further, as shown by an arrow B portion in FIG. 2, a CR section 125 is connected to a conductive path (signal path) between the land 123 and the heating resistance switching element 121. The CR unit 125 has one end connected to a conductive path (signal path) between the land 123 and the heating resistance switching element 121, the other end connected to the control unit 115, and one end connected to the resistor 1252. It is constituted by a combination of a capacitor 1251 connected to one end and the other end connected to a conductive path connecting the connection terminal 111 and the external terminal 120, and the land 122, 123 is connected by the connection body 124. It is used to detect that.

3. Forms of Lands 122 and 123 and Connection Forms by Connections 124 Forms of lands 122 and 123 and connection forms by the connection bodies 124 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, in the circuit unit 11, lands 122 and 123 are also formed on the main surface of the substrate on which the connection terminals 111 to 114 are formed. As shown in a portion surrounded by a two-dot chain line, the lands 122 and 123 are both metal films, and are formed with a gap d between each other. The gap d is, for example, about 0.15 [mm] to 0.30 [mm]. This is because, when the gap d is less than 0.15 [mm], it is difficult to achieve electrical insulation between the land 122 and the land 123 when they are not connected by the connection body 124. Conversely, if it exceeds 0.30 [mm], the workability in forming the connection body 124 becomes a problem. Further, when the gap d exceeds 0.30 [mm], depending on the material of the connection body 124, there is a problem that the electric resistance between the land 122 and the land 124 increases.

The connection body 124 is made of, for example, solder.
4). Manufacturing Method of Battery Pack 1 A manufacturing method of the battery pack 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, only the steps related to the connection between the battery unit 10 and the circuit unit 11 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4A, with respect to the connection terminals 111 and 112 in the circuit unit 11, the tip portion (negative electrode terminal) 1031a of the lead 1031 of the battery module 101 and the tip portion (positive electrode terminal) 1032a of the lead 1032 are respectively connected. Connecting. Similarly, the leading end portion (negative electrode terminal) 1033a of the lead 1033 of the battery module 102 and the leading end portion (positive electrode terminal) 1034a of the lead 1034 are connected to the connection terminals 113 and 114 in the circuit unit 11, respectively.

  At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, the land 122 and the land 123 in the circuit unit 11 are not electrically connected, and no current flows through the heating resistor 1163. . Therefore, in the manufacture of the battery pack 1 according to the present embodiment, the connection of the battery modules 101 and 102 to the circuit unit 11 does not require the order from the low potential side to the high potential side, and the land 122 Even if the control unit 115 malfunctions, the thermal fuses 1161 and 1162 are not blown out.

  5A, the connection terminals 111 to 114 (only the connection terminals 113 and 114 are shown in FIG. 5A) are metal films formed on the main surface of the substrate. Each tip portion of the leads 1031 to 1034 (only the leads 1033 and 1034 are shown in FIG. 5A) is placed on and joined to the leads (see FIG. 5B). Therefore, if the configuration of the battery pack 1 according to the present embodiment is adopted, the height in the Z-axis direction can be suppressed lower than the connection form as shown in FIG. It becomes possible.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6A, after the battery modules 101 and 102 (also the battery unit 10) are connected to the circuit unit 11, the land 122 and the circuit unit 11 are connected as shown in FIG. The land 123 is connected by a connecting body 124. As described above, the connection body 124 is, for example, solder, and thereby, a signal path is formed between the control unit 115 and the heating resistor 1163 via the heating resistance switching element 121.

Note that the control unit 115 recognizes that the land 122 and the land 123 are connected by the connecting body 124 using the CR unit 125 (see FIG. 2).
As described above, the connection between the battery unit 10 and the circuit unit 11 is completed. Various other techniques can be employed for other processes relating to the manufacture of the battery pack 1.
5. Effect In the battery pack 1 according to the present embodiment, two lands 122 and 123 are arranged in a signal path between the control unit 115 and the heating resistor 1163 with a gap d therebetween (FIG. 2). 4), and the lands 122 and 123 are electrically connected only by the connecting portion 124. The connection between the lands 122 and 123 is after the connection between the battery unit 10 and the circuit unit 11 is completed, as shown in FIG. Therefore, when connecting to the battery unit 10 to the circuit unit 11, it is not necessary to observe the connection order based on the potential level. That is, even if the control unit 115 malfunctions by not observing the connection order, a signal related to heat generation is not transmitted to the heating resistor 1163 and the thermal fuses 1161 and 1162 are prevented from being blown. can do.

Further, in the configuration of the battery pack 1 according to the present embodiment, the thermal fuses 1161 and 1162 are not blown without observing the connection order based on the level of the potential, so the configuration as shown in FIG. It is possible to meet the demand for flattening of the package.
Further, in the battery pack 1 according to the present embodiment, since it is not necessary to use a connector as shown in FIG. 12 in order to comply with the connection order while ensuring workability, an increase in parts cost and manufacturing cost is suppressed. be able to.

[Embodiment 2]
The configuration of the battery pack 2 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the battery pack 2 includes five unit cells 201 to 205 in which the battery unit 20 is connected in series. The battery unit 20 is provided with a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal, which are connected to connection terminals 214 and 211 in the circuit unit 21, respectively. The connection terminals 211 and 214 are connected to the external terminals 120 and 119 and to the control unit 215.

Other configurations are the same as those of the battery pack 1 according to the first embodiment.
Also in the battery pack 2 according to the present embodiment, in the signal path between the control unit 215 and the heating resistor 1163, two lands 122 and 123 are arranged in a state of being spaced apart from each other. 123 are electrically connected only by the connecting portion 124. Also in this embodiment, the connection between the lands 122 and 123 is after the connection between the battery unit 20 and the circuit unit 21 is completed, and the temperature can be maintained even if the connection order based on the potential level is not observed. It is possible to avoid the fuses 1161 and 1162 from being blown.

Further, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to meet the demand for flattening and thinning, and it is also possible to suppress an increase in parts cost and manufacturing cost.
[Embodiment 3]
The configuration of battery pack 3 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the locations where the lands 322 and 323 are formed, which are the differences from the first embodiment, will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the battery pack 3 according to the present embodiment, in the circuit unit 31, lands 322 and 323 are inserted in a signal path between the control unit 315 and the gate of the heating resistance switching element 321. (Arrow C part). The point that the land 322 and the land 323 are formed with a gap therebetween is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the lands 322 and 323 are electrically connected only by the connection body 324. The point is the same.

  Further, in the battery pack 3 according to the present embodiment, the CR portion for detecting that the lands 322 and 323 are connected by the connecting body 324 is omitted. Not only the CR unit but also a configuration for detecting that the lands 322 and 323 are connected can be added. Further, after the worker connects the lands 322 and 323 with the connecting body 324, a signal indicating that may be input to the control unit.

Even in the battery pack 3 having the above-described configuration, since it is before the formation of the connection body 324 even if the connection order of the terminals based on the height of the battery is not observed, the control unit 315 switches the heating resistance switching element. The signal to 321 is not input, and the thermal fuses 1161 and 1162 in the fuse module 116 are not blown.
Further, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to meet the demand for flattening and thinning, and it is also possible to suppress an increase in parts cost and manufacturing cost.

[Embodiment 4]
The configuration of battery pack 4 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the locations where the lands 422 and 423 are formed, which are the differences from the first embodiment, will be mainly described.
As shown in FIG. 9, in the battery pack 4 according to the present embodiment, in the circuit unit 41, the lands 422 and 423 are electrically connected to the heating resistance switching element 421 and the ground side conductive path (the connection terminal 111 and the external terminal 120. Is inserted in the current supply path between the first and second paths (arrow D portion). The point that the land 422 and the land 423 are formed with a gap therebetween is the same as in the first embodiment and the like, and the lands 422 and 423 are electrically connected only by the connection body 424. The point is the same.

  Also in the battery pack 4 according to the present embodiment, the CR unit for detecting that the lands 422 and 423 are connected by the connecting body 424 is omitted as in the third embodiment. Also in this embodiment, it is possible to add a configuration for detecting that the lands 422 and 423 are connected. After the operator connects the lands 422 and 423 with the connecting body 424, the control unit Then, a signal to that effect may be input.

  Even in the battery pack 4 having the above-described configuration, since the connection body 424 is not formed even when the connection order of the terminals based on the height of the battery is not observed, the control unit 415 switches the heating resistance switching element. Even when an ON signal is input to the gate of 421, no current flows to the heating resistor 1163, and the thermal fuses 1161 and 1162 in the fuse module 116 are not blown.

Further, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to meet the demand for flattening and thinning, and it is also possible to suppress an increase in parts cost and manufacturing cost.
[Other matters]
In the first, third, and fourth embodiments, with respect to the configuration of the battery unit 10, two battery modules 101 and 102 are connected in series, and each battery module 101 and 102 has two unit cells 1011, 1012, 1021, and 1022 in parallel. In the second embodiment, the battery unit 20 in which the five unit cells 201 to 205 are connected in series is used as an example. However, in the present invention, the configuration of the battery unit is adopted. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even when a battery unit composed of one unit cell is adopted, the same effect can be obtained by adopting the above configuration, and conversely, in a form different from the above-described first, third, and fourth embodiments. Even when a battery unit having a plurality of connected unit cells is employed, the same effect can be achieved by adopting the above configuration.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, in Embodiments 1 to 4 described above, a flat rectangular battery (for example, a lithium ion battery) is employed as the unit cell, but the external shape and type of the unit cell are limited thereto. It is not a thing. For example, the external shape of the unit cell may be a cylindrical shape or a form including a laminate outer package. Moreover, about the kind of unit cell, alkaline secondary batteries, such as a nickel cadmium battery and a nickel hydride battery, can also be employ | adopted.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the lands 122, 123, 322, 323, 422, and 423 are metal films (lands) formed on the substrate. It can also be a lead. Further, the lead wires may be arranged at intervals.
In the first to fourth embodiments, the lands 122, 123, 322, 323, 422, and 423 are electrically connected by the connecting bodies 124, 324, and 424 made of solder. The material is not limited to this, and bonding with a wire may be used. If the material of the wire is also conductive, gold or silver can be used.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the lands 122, 123, 322, 323, 422, and 423 are electrically connected by the connecting bodies 124, 324, and 424 made of solder. The ON / OFF switch may be switched from OFF to ON after the battery module 101, 102 (also the battery unit 10) is connected to the circuit unit 11 using a connection body by an OFF switch between the lands. Good.

  Further, transistor elements such as FET elements are inserted between the lands 122, 123, 322, 323, 422, and 423, and the battery modules 101 and 102 (also the battery unit 10) are connected to the circuit unit 11. Later, the transistor element may be switched from OFF to ON.

  The present invention is useful for realizing a battery pack having a configuration capable of realizing high productivity without requiring a complicated operation when connecting the battery unit and the circuit unit.

1, 2, 3, 4. Battery pack 10,20. Battery unit 11, 21, 31, 41. Circuit unit 101,102. Battery modules 111-114, 211, 214. Connection terminal 122,123,322,323,422,423. Land 115,215,315,415. Control unit 116. Fuse module 117. Charging switching element 118. Switching element for discharge 121,321,421. Heating resistance switching element 119,120. External terminals 124, 324, 424. Connection body 125. CR section 201-205, 1011, 1012, 1021, 1022. Unit cells 1031-1034. Leads 1031a to 1034a. Module terminals 1161, 1162. Thermal fuse 1163. Heating resistance 1251. Capacitor 1252. resistance

Claims (10)

A battery unit including a unit cell and having at least a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal;
A first connection terminal and a second connection terminal connected to the battery unit and electrically connected to each of a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal in the battery unit, and each of the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal And a first external terminal and a second external terminal connected through the first conductive path and the second conductive path, respectively, and a thermal fuse inserted in one of the first conductive path and the second conductive path A heating element thermally coupled to the temperature fuse, and a signal for supplying a current to the heating element according to the state of the connected battery unit, and the temperature generated by the heat generation of the heating element A circuit unit having a control unit for fusing the fuse;
With
Two conductive lands disposed in a state of being separated from each other in a signal transmission path from the control unit for instructing the heating element to supply the current or in a current supply path to the heating element Have
The battery pack, wherein the two conductive lands are electrically connected only by a connecting portion. The heating element is a heating resistor, one end is connected to the thermal fuse, and the other end is connected to the other of the first conductive path and the second conductive path via a switching element,
The two conductive lands are in a conductive path between the heating element and the switching element, or in a conductive path between the switching element and the other side of the first conductive path and the second conductive path. Is inserted,
2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the control unit outputs an ON signal to the switching element according to a state of the connected battery unit to cause the heating element to generate heat. A CR circuit is connected to a conductive path between the first conductive land on the switching element side of the two conductive lands and the switching element,
The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the control unit recognizes that the two conductive lands are connected by the connection unit by the CR circuit. Each of the battery units includes a unit cell and includes a plurality of battery modules connected in series with each other, and has an intermediate terminal for detecting an intermediate voltage between the battery modules.
The circuit unit includes an intermediate connection terminal electrically connected to the intermediate terminal in the battery unit,
The signal path for inputting voltage information between each of the first connection terminal, the second connection terminal, and the intermediate connection terminal is formed for the control unit. The battery pack according to claim 3. The heating element is a heating resistor, one end is connected to the thermal fuse, and the other end is connected to the other of the first conductive path and the second conductive path via a switching element,
The control unit outputs an ON signal to the switching element according to the state of the connected battery unit, heats the heating element,
The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the two conductive lands are inserted in a signal transmission path between the control unit and the switching element. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the connection portion is made of solder. The circuit unit has a substrate,
The first connection terminal and the second connection terminal are lands formed on the main surface of the substrate, respectively.
In the battery unit, each of the plate-like positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead is extended,
The positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead, and are electrically connected in contact with the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal, respectively. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: A battery unit including a unit cell and having at least a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal;
The first connection terminal and the second connection terminal, the first external terminal and the second external terminal connected to the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal, respectively, through the first conductive path and the second conductive path, respectively. A thermal fuse inserted in one of the first conductive path and the second conductive path, a heating element thermally coupled to the thermal fuse, and the heating element according to the state of the connected battery unit Outputs a signal for supplying a current to the heating element and blows off the thermal fuse by the heat generation of the heating element, in a signal transmission path between the control part and the heating element, or the heating A circuit unit having two conductive lands arranged apart from each other in a current supply path to the body;
A first step of preparing
A second step of connecting the positive terminal and the negative terminal in the battery unit, and the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal in the circuit unit, respectively;
After performing the second step, a third step of electrically connecting the two conductive lands with a connecting portion made of a conductive material;
A method of manufacturing a battery pack, comprising: Each of the battery units includes a unit cell and includes a plurality of battery modules connected in series with each other, and has an intermediate terminal for detecting an intermediate voltage between the battery modules.
The circuit unit includes an intermediate connection terminal electrically connected to the intermediate terminal in the battery unit,
The battery pack manufacturing method according to claim 8, wherein in the second step, the intermediate terminal in the battery unit is also connected to the intermediate connection terminal in the circuit unit. The circuit unit has a substrate,
The first connection terminal and the second connection terminal are lands formed on the main surface of the substrate, respectively.
In the battery unit, each of the plate-like positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead is extended,
The positive terminal and the negative terminal are the positive lead and the negative lead,
In the second step, the first sub-step of bringing the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal into contact with the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal, respectively, while maintaining the contact state The battery pack manufacturing method according to claim 8, further comprising: a second sub-process for electrical connection.

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