JP2015207341A - Power unit, electric vehicle with power unit, and power storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently perform assembly work.SOLUTION: A power unit includes: a battery laminate 2 which is formed by laminating a plurality of square batteries 1; a pair of end plates 3 disposed in both ends of the battery laminate 2; and a bind bar 4 of which both the end portions are connected to the end plates 3 and which is formed by fixing the plurality of square batteries 1 while pressurizing them in a direction of lamination. In the bind bar 4, connecting parts 4P provided in both ends are connected to corners of the end plates 3 and further, the connecting part 4P of the bind bar 4 connects a horizontal part 4X and a vertical part 4Y at the right angle to obtain an L-shaped cross-sectional shape and connects an end face plate 4T covering an outer side face of the end plate 4 to edges of the horizontal part 4X and the vertical part 4Y. Further, in the end plate 3, a locking protrusion 5 is provided in the corner opposite to the end face plate 4T and in the bind bar 4, a locking hole 6 for locking the locking protrusion 5 is opened on the end face plate 4T and the connecting part 4P is connected to the end plate 3 in a lock structure.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply device in which a plurality of secondary battery cells are stacked, a vehicle including the power supply device, and a power storage device, and more particularly, to be mounted on an electric vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, an electric vehicle, and an electric motorcycle. The present invention relates to a power supply device for a motor, or a power supply device for supplying power to a power source for large current used for household or factory power storage applications, an electric vehicle including the power supply device, and a power storage device.

In order to increase the electric power supplied to the motor that drives the vehicle, the power supply device for the vehicle increases the output voltage by connecting a large number of rechargeable secondary battery cells in series. As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 15, this power supply device has a configuration in which a plurality of rectangular battery cells 201 are stacked, end plates 203 are arranged on end surfaces, and end plates 203 are fastened together by a bind bar 304. In this case, fixing screws 205 and rivets are generally used for fixing the bind bar 204 and the end plate 203. However, in such fixing, extra time is required for the parts themselves and the number of assembly steps. The cost was high.
Further, in the structure in which the bind bar 204 is fixed with the fixing screw 205, since the screw head of the fixing screw 205 protrudes outside the fixing portion, there is a disadvantage that the outer shape of the power supply device becomes larger by the thickness of the screw head. It was.

JP 2011-023301 A

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems. A main object of the present invention is to provide a power supply device that can efficiently perform assembly work, an electric vehicle including the power supply device, and a power storage device.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

In order to achieve the above object, according to the power supply device of the first aspect of the present invention, a battery laminate 2 formed by laminating a plurality of prismatic batteries 1 and arranged at both ends of the battery laminate 2 are arranged. A pair of end plates 3 and a binding bar 4 in which both end portions are connected to the end plate 3 and a plurality of prismatic batteries 1 are fixed in a pressurizing state in the stacking direction. The binding bar 4 has connecting parts 4P provided at both ends thereof connected to the corners of the end plate 3, and the connecting part 4P of the bind bar 4 has a horizontal part 4X and a vertical part 4Y at right angles. The end plate 4T which covers the outer surface of the end plate 4 is connected to the end edges of the horizontal portion 4X and the vertical portion 4Y. Further, the end plate 3 is provided with locking projections 5 at the corners facing the end surface plate 4T, and the bind bar 4 is engaged with the end surface plate 4T to lock the locking projections 5. A stop hole 6 is opened, and the connecting portion 4P is connected to the end plate 3 by a locking structure.
With the above configuration, the binding bar can be fixed to the end plate by locking the locking projection in the locking hole, and the fixing work of the binding bar can be simplified by omitting operations such as screwing and riveting, There is an advantage that the cost of the member can be omitted and manufacturing can be performed at low cost. Further, when the binding bar is fixed, the binding bar can be positioned at a predetermined position by locking the locking projection in the locking hole, and the assembly workability is improved. Furthermore, since the bind bar is fixed to the end plate without using a set screw as in the prior art, the outer shape of the power supply device can be reduced and made compact.

According to the power supply device of the second aspect of the present invention, the end plate 3 is a quadrangular plate having a predetermined thickness, and the locking projections 5 are provided at the four corners of the quadrangle, and at the four corners. The connecting portion 4P of the bind bar 4 can be connected.
In the power supply device described above, four bind bars are connected to the four corners of the square end plate, so that the end plate can be fixed in an ideal state with the bind bar.

According to the power supply device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the bind bar 3 has a main body portion 4Q facing the battery stack 2 between the connecting portions 4P provided at both ends. The main body 4Q has a horizontal section 4X and a vertical section 4Y connected to each other at a right angle to form an L-shaped cross section, and the L-shaped main body 4Q is disposed at the four corners of the rectangular battery 1, The vertical part 4Y of the main body part 4Q is on both sides of the rectangular battery 1 to prevent horizontal movement, and the horizontal part 4X of the main body part 4Q is above and below the rectangular battery 1 to move in the vertical direction. Can be blocked.
The power supply device described above has a feature that vibration resistance strength can be further improved because the binding bar can prevent relative movement of the rectangular battery in the vertical and horizontal directions.

According to the power supply device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the planar shape of the locking projection 5 is formed in a cross shape extending vertically and horizontally, and the locking hole 6 is any of a circle, an ellipse, and an oval. Can be formed.
With the above-described configuration, the horizontal and vertical directions can be reliably positioned while easily guiding the locking projections having a cross-shaped planar shape to the circular locking holes. In addition, the cross-shaped locking projections extending in the vertical and horizontal directions are positioned in the horizontal direction by bringing the left and right end surfaces into contact with the inner surface of the locking hole, and the upper and lower end surfaces are in contact with the inner surface of the locking hole. Can be positioned vertically.

According to the power supply device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the battery stack 2 is provided with the fixing plate 9 on which the battery stack 2 is mounted and fixed, and the end plate 3 is fixed via the fixing bolt 23. A first through hole 3a fixed to the plate 9 is provided so as to pass through from the upper surface to the lower surface in the vertical direction, and the connecting portion 4P of the bind bar 4 connected to the upper and lower sides of the end plate 3 includes the end plate 3 The second through hole 4a is provided at a position that covers the opening of the first through hole 3a provided in the first through hole 3a and that is inserted through the fixing bolt 23 inserted into the first through hole 3a. The fixing bolt 23 fixed to the fixing plate 9 is inserted into the second through hole 4a provided in the bind bar 4 and the first through hole 3a provided in the end plate 3, and the fixing bolt 23 in front Securing the bind bar 4 to the end plate 3, it is possible to fix the end plate 3 and the bind bar 4 on the fixed plate.
With the above configuration, the power supply device can be easily and easily assembled and fixed to the fixing plate. In addition to connecting the connecting part of the bind bar to the end plate with the engaging structure of the engaging hole and the engaging convex part, the above power supply device is fixedly inserted into the through hole of the bind bar and the end plate. This is because the bolt can be screwed into the fixing plate, the bind bar can be fixed to the end plate, and both can be fixed to the fixing plate. According to this configuration, a feature is also realized in which the interval between the pair of end plates is kept constant over a long period of time, and the deterioration of the electrical characteristics due to the expansion of each rectangular battery over time can be effectively prevented. This is because the above power supply device is fixed to the fixing plate with a long fixing bolt that penetrates the end plate up and down.
Further, the above power supply apparatus is not fixed by screwing the fixing bolt into the female screw hole of the end plate and screwing it. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide a female screw on the inner surface of the first through hole, and it is not required to have a strength to engage with the female screw and strongly connect it. Therefore, the fixing bolt can be thickened by increasing the inner diameter of the first through hole. Since the force of the binding bar and the end plate acts in a well-balanced manner on the entire thick fixing bolt, there is a feature that the end plate interval can be kept constant with a strong fixing bolt.

According to the power supply device of the sixth aspect of the present invention, the end face plate 4T engages with the inner surface of the engagement hole 6 in a state where the engagement protrusion 5 is engaged with the engagement hole 6. A gap 16 can be provided between the outer surface of the convex portion 5 and the vertical direction.
With the above configuration, by providing a gap in the vertical direction between the inner surface of the locking hole and the outer surface of the locking projection, the locking projection can be quickly guided to the locking hole and easily assembled. In addition, in the state where the fixing bolt that penetrates the binding bar and the end plate is screwed into the fixing plate, the gap between the locking hole and the locking projection is compressed to bring the upper and lower binding bars closer together. Since it can be fastened, it is possible to absorb misalignment or manufacturing tolerance in the vertical direction. Moreover, each square battery which comprises a battery laminated body can be hold | maintained more reliably by the upper and lower bind bars, and the earthquake resistance with respect to the vibration of an up-down direction can be improved. In particular, in the power supply apparatus described above, the square battery is fixed by the bind bar fixed to the end plate via the fixing bolt while the lateral displacement of the square battery is restricted by the bind bar locked to the end plate. By regulating the positional deviation in the vertical direction, the positional deviation in the vertical and horizontal directions of the plurality of rectangular batteries can be reliably prevented.

According to the power supply device of the seventh aspect of the present invention, the planar shape of the locking projection 5 is formed in a cross shape extending vertically and horizontally, and the locking hole 6 is long, elliptical or long in the vertical direction. It is formed in a circular shape, and a gap 16 can be provided between the end surface of the cross-shaped vertical direction and the inner surface of the locking hole 6.
With the above-described configuration, the locking convex portion having a cross shape in the plane can be easily guided and positioned in the elliptical or oval locking hole. Also, the cross-shaped locking projections extending in the vertical and horizontal directions make sure that the horizontal ends are positioned with the left and right end faces abutting the inner surfaces of the locking holes, and the upper and lower end faces are in contact with the inner surfaces of the locking holes. The upper and lower bind bars can be fixed closer to each other by the gap provided between them.

According to the power device of the eighth aspect of the present invention, the bottom surface 2B of the battery stack 2 is placed on the top surface of the fixed plate 9 as a fixed surface of the power device, and the bind bar 4 is connected to the battery stack. An upper bind bar 4A disposed at a corner on the upper surface side of the body 2 and a lower bind bar 4B disposed at a corner on the lower surface side of the battery stack 2 can be provided. The end plate 4T of the upper bind bar 4A is provided with a gap 16 between the inner surface of the locking hole 6 and the outer surface of the locking projection 5, and the end plate 4T of the lower bind bar 4B is The outer surface of the locking projection 5 is locked in close contact with the inner surface of the locking hole 6 without providing a gap between the inner surface of the locking hole 6 and the outer surface of the locking projection 5. Can be made.
With the above configuration, with the locking hole locked in a close contact state and the lower binding bar connected via the locking projection as a reference position, the battery stack is fixed to the fixing plate, and the gap between the vertical direction is fixed. The battery stack can be stably fixed by absorbing misalignment and tolerance by the upper bind bar connected through the locking hole provided with the locking protrusion and the locking projection.

  According to the electric vehicle including the power supply device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a traveling motor 93 that is supplied with power from the power supply device 100, and the vehicle main body on which the power supply device 100 and the motor 93 are mounted. 90 and a wheel 97 that is driven by the motor 93 and causes the vehicle body 90 to travel.

  According to the power storage device including the power supply device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the power storage device 84 includes the power supply controller 84 that controls charging / discharging of the power supply device 100. The prismatic battery 1 is allowed to be charged, and the prismatic battery 1 is controlled to be charged.

It is a perspective view of the power supply device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the power supply device shown in FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the power supply device shown in FIG. It is a partially expanded front view of the power supply device shown in FIG. It is a partially expanded VV sectional view taken on the line of the power supply device shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of the power supply device illustrated in FIG. 1. It is the disassembled perspective view which decomposed | disassembled the bind bar of the power supply device shown in FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the laminated structure of a square battery and a spacer. It is a perspective view of a bind bar. It is an expanded view of a lower bind bar It is an expanded view of the upper bind bar It is a block diagram which shows the example which mounts a power supply device in the hybrid car which drive | works with an engine and a motor. An example of mounting a power supply device on an electric vehicle that runs only with a motor It is a block diagram which shows the example which uses a power supply device for an electrical storage apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective view of the conventional power supply device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below exemplifies a power supply device, an electric vehicle including the power supply device, and a power storage device for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the present invention includes the power supply device and the power supply device. The electric vehicle and power storage device provided are not specified as follows. Further, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the constituent members described in the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to the extent that there is no specific description. It is just an example. Note that the size, positional relationship, and the like of the members shown in each drawing may be exaggerated for clarity of explanation. Further, in the following description, the same name and reference sign indicate the same or the same members, and detailed description will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, each element constituting the present invention may be configured such that a plurality of elements are constituted by the same member and the plurality of elements are shared by one member, and conversely, the function of one member is constituted by a plurality of members. It can also be realized by sharing. In addition, the contents described in some examples and embodiments may be used in other examples and embodiments.
(Embodiment 1)

  Hereinafter, an example applied to a power supply device mounted on a vehicle as an embodiment of the power supply device will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 includes a battery stack 2 in which a plurality of rectangular batteries 1 are stacked, a pair of end plates 3 disposed at both ends in the stacking direction of the battery stack 2, and both ends. Are connected to a pair of end plates 3, and a bind bar 4 that fixes a plurality of prismatic batteries 1 in a pressurizing state in the stacking direction is provided. Furthermore, the power supply device shown in the figure includes a fixing plate 9 on which the battery stack 2 is placed and fixed, and includes a fixing bolt 23 that fixes the bind bar 4 and the end plate 3 to the fixing plate 9. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 8, the prismatic battery 1 is a square battery that is wider than the thickness, in other words, is thinner than the width, and is stacked in the thickness direction to form a battery stack 2. The prismatic battery 1 is a non-aqueous electrolyte battery having a battery case 10 as a metal case. The rectangular battery 1 which is a non-aqueous electrolyte battery is a lithium ion secondary battery. However, the square battery may be a secondary battery such as a nickel metal hydride battery or a nickel cadmium battery. The rectangular battery 1 shown in the figure is a battery having a rectangular main surface 1A, which is both wide surfaces, and a battery stack 2 is formed by laminating each main surface 1A so as to face each other.

  In the prismatic battery 1, an electrode body (not shown) is accommodated in a metal battery case 10 having a rectangular outer shape and filled with an electrolytic solution. The battery case 10 made of a metal case can be made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The battery case 10 includes an outer can 10A in which a metal plate is pressed into a cylindrical shape that closes the bottom, and a sealing plate 10B that airtightly closes an opening of the outer can 10A. The sealing plate 10B is a flat metal plate, and its outer shape is the shape of the opening of the outer can 10A. The sealing plate 10B is laser-welded and fixed to the outer peripheral edge of the outer can 10A to airtightly close the opening of the outer can 10A. The sealing plate 10 </ b> B fixed to the outer can 10 </ b> A has positive and negative electrode terminals 13 fixed to both ends thereof, and a gas discharge port 12 is provided between the positive and negative electrode terminals 13. A discharge valve 11 that opens at a predetermined internal pressure is provided inside the gas discharge port 12. The battery stack 2 shown in FIG. 3 has a plurality of prismatic batteries 1 stacked in such a manner that the surfaces on which the discharge valves 11 are provided are positioned substantially on the same surface, and the discharge valves 11 of the respective square batteries 1 are placed on the first surface. 2A. In the illustrated battery stack 2, a plurality of rectangular batteries 1 are stacked in a posture in which the sealing plate 10 </ b> B provided with the discharge valve 11 is an upper surface. The battery stack 2 is placed and fixed on the upper surface of a fixed plate with the bottom surface 2B as a fixed surface.

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

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

  In the battery stack 2 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, twelve prismatic batteries 1 are stacked on each other via spacers 7, and these prismatic batteries 1 are connected in three rows and four in a straight line. In the illustrated battery stack 2, three adjacent prismatic batteries 1 are arranged in the same direction and connected in parallel, and three prismatic batteries 1 connected in parallel are arranged in opposite directions and connected in series. The prismatic batteries 1 connected in parallel and in series have the electrode terminals 13 adjacent on both sides thereof connected by a bus bar 14. The bus bar 14 shown in the figure connects three adjacent prismatic batteries 1 in parallel, and connects three prismatic batteries 1 connected in parallel to each other in series, so that six prismatic batteries 1 are connected in parallel in three rows. Connected to. Further, on the output side of the battery stack 2, three rectangular batteries 1 are connected in parallel by the output side bus bar 14 </ b> A, and one end of the output side bus bar 14 </ b> A is connected to the output terminal 18. However, the present invention does not specify the number of prismatic batteries constituting the battery stack and the connection state thereof. In the battery block, the number of square batteries connected in parallel and in series can be variously changed, or all the square batteries can be connected in series or in parallel.

  Further, in the illustrated power supply device, the end plate 3 is disposed outside the prismatic battery 1 disposed at both ends of the battery stack 2 via a spacer 7 and an insulating sheet 17. This structure can increase the reliability by reliably insulating the outer surface of the metal battery case 10 of the prismatic battery 1 disposed at both ends of the battery stack 2. Further, while the end plate is made of metal, a rectangular battery with a battery case made of metal can be insulated and laminated with an insulating sheet.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the battery stack 2 has a spacer 7 sandwiched between the stacked rectangular batteries 1. The spacer 7 insulates the adjacent rectangular batteries 1. The spacer 7 shown in the figure has a sheet shape as a whole. These spacers 7 are made of an insulating material such as plastic, and are interposed between the adjacent rectangular batteries 1 to insulate the adjacent rectangular batteries 1. The spacer 7 shown in the figure is formed by plastic in a sheet shape, and the overall shape is a rectangular frame shape that follows the outer shape of the prismatic battery 1, and has a rectangular ring shape with curved corner portions. In the illustrated spacer 7, a through hole 7 </ b> A is opened at the center of the opposing surface that faces the main surface 1 </ b> A of the prismatic battery 1. The prismatic battery 1 is in a state where the outer can 10A is expanded in the thickness direction due to expansion, but the separator 7 is provided with a through hole 7A in the central portion of the opposing surface facing the main surface 1A of the rectangular battery 1. Therefore, the expansion of the rectangular battery 1 can be effectively absorbed. Furthermore, the spacer 7 shown in the drawing has a facing surface facing the prismatic battery 1 as a joint 7B, and the joint 7B is joined to the outer peripheral portion of the main surface 1A of the prismatic battery 1. Such a sheet-like spacer 7 can be stacked to adjust the thickness.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, the spacer 7 has a quadrangular shape that follows the outer shape of the prismatic battery 1, but has a smaller outer shape than the main surface 1 </ b> A of the prismatic battery 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the spacer 7 is interposed between the adjacent rectangular batteries 1, and a non-joint portion 27 is formed outside the outer peripheral edge where the adjacent rectangular batteries 1 do not contact each other. In this structure, when a plurality of prismatic batteries 1 and spacers 7 are stacked and firmly sandwiched from both end faces, non-joint portions 27 formed on the outer sides of the spacers 7 allow the outside of the adjacent prismatic batteries 1 to be separated. It can prevent that peripheral parts are pressed strongly. For this reason, it can avoid that the outer peripheral part of the square battery 1 is strongly pressed and stress concentrates, and it can prevent that the outer peripheral part of the square battery 1 is damaged or deform | transformed.

  As described above, the spacer 7 having a sheet shape as a whole can be fixed to a fixed position on the main surface 1 </ b> A of the prismatic battery 1 by being adhered with an adhesive or an adhesive tape. As described above, the spacer 7 having a plate shape or a sheet shape as a whole can be reduced in thickness. Therefore, the entire length of the battery stack 2 is shortened in a state where the spacer 7 is interposed between the plurality of prismatic batteries 1 and stacked. Can be made compact.

  However, the spacer can also be formed of plastic as a whole plate. The plate-like spacer can be formed in a rectangular shape having an outer shape substantially equal to the main surface of the prismatic battery. This spacer can be provided with a recess in which the central part of the opposing surface facing the main surface of the prismatic battery is recessed so as to absorb the expansion of the prismatic battery stacked oppositely, or the prismatic battery. In order to cool the battery effectively, grooves can be provided on both sides or one side, and a cooling gap through which a cooling gas such as air can pass can be provided between the rectangular battery and the battery.

  As described above, in the prismatic battery 1 that is insulated and stacked by the spacer 7, the outer can can be made of a metal such as aluminum. However, it is not always necessary for the battery stack to interpose a spacer between the rectangular batteries. For example, spacers can be formed by insulating rectangular batteries that are adjacent to each other by, for example, forming a rectangular battery outer can with an insulating material, or covering the outer periphery of the rectangular battery outer can with an insulating sheet or insulating paint. It is because it can be made unnecessary. Furthermore, the battery stack without interposing a spacer between the square batteries is a method of directly cooling using a refrigerant or the like without adopting an air-cooling method in which cooling air is forced between the square batteries to cool the square batteries. Can be used to cool the prismatic battery.

  The end plate 3 is connected to the bind bar 4 and fixed at a constant interval. The end plate 3 is manufactured by molding plastic into a plate shape. As shown in the drawing, the plastic end plate 3 can be reinforced as a whole while being lightweight and low-cost by providing a plurality of reinforcing ribs 3A on the outer surface. However, the end plate 3 can be manufactured by processing a metal such as aluminum into a plate having a predetermined thickness. Also, the overall strength can be increased by using a laminated structure of metal and plastic, or by inserting a metal plate into the plastic.

  The end plate 3 has a substantially rectangular plate shape that does not deform in a state where the bind bar 4 is connected to the four corners to fix the battery stack 2 in a pressurized state. The outer shape of the end plate 3 is substantially equal to or smaller than the outer shape of the prismatic battery 1. The end plate 3 shown in FIG. 7 is provided with step portions 3 </ b> B that are one step lower than the upper surface of the prismatic battery 1 on both sides of the upper end portion, and the outer shape thereof is smaller than the outer shape of the prismatic battery 1. Further, the end plate 3 in FIG. 7 is an end portion of the stepped portion 3B, and a corner 3 of the end plate 3 is formed to be higher than the stepped portion 3B to form a connecting base 3C for connecting the bind bars 4. The end plate 3 shown in FIG. 7 has the binding bar 4 connected to the four corners including the connecting base 3C, and is in close contact with the surface of the prismatic battery 1 in a surface contact state, so that the prismatic battery 1 is pressed with a uniform pressure. To fix. The end plate 3 pressurizes the battery stack 2 from both end surfaces to hold the prismatic battery 1 in a pressurized state.

  The end plate 3 shown in FIG. 7 is provided with a connecting recess 3s for the bind bar 4 on the outer surface so that the bind bar 4 can be fixed at a fixed position. In the illustrated end plate 3, the shape of the connecting recess 3 s is such that the connecting portion 4 </ b> P of the bind bar 4 can be fitted.

  Further, the end plate 3 to which the bind bar 4 is connected has a locking protrusion 5 guided by a locking hole 6 provided in the end face plate 4T of the connecting portion 4P at the corner of the outer surface, and a connecting recess 3s. Provided. The end plate 3 of FIGS. 4 and 7 is provided with a locking projection 5 that protrudes from the outer surface of the connection recess 3s provided at the four corners. The bind bar 4 is locked to the end plate 3 so that the lock hole 6 of the end face plate 4T is locked to the locking projection 5 of the end plate 3 so as not to come off.

  The end plate 3 in FIG. 4 has the locking projection 5 formed in a cross shape. The cross-shaped latching convex part 5 is made into the shape which cross | intersects the convex line extended in the up-down and left-right direction in the middle. The locking convex portion 5 is guided to a locking hole 6 provided in the end face plate 4T of the bind bar 4, and has a shape and a protruding amount that can be locked. The locking projections 5 of this shape are positioned in the horizontal direction by bringing both end surfaces of the protruding ridges extending in the left-right direction into contact with the inner surfaces of the locking holes 6 in the horizontal direction, and the both end surfaces of the protruding ridges extending in the vertical direction. The vertical direction is positioned by contacting the inner surface of the locking hole 6 in the vertical direction. In particular, the locking projection 5 having a cross shape as a whole can be reliably positioned in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction while being easily guided to the circular locking hole 6. However, it is not always necessary that the planar shape of the locking projection is a cross shape, and the planar shape can be a circle or a polygon.

  The end plate 3 is fixed to the fixing plate 9 via fixing bolts 23. The fixing bolt 23 is also used as a bolt for fixing the bind bar 4 to the end plate 3. In order to insert the fixing bolt 23, the end plate 3 is provided through the first through hole 3a in the vertical direction from the upper surface to the lower surface. In the illustrated power supply apparatus, the bind bar 4 is connected to the four corners of the end plate 3, so the first through holes 3 a are provided on both sides of the end plate 3. The bind bar 4 is connected to both the upper surface and the lower surface of the first through hole 3 a provided on both sides of the end plate 3, and is fixed to the four corners of the end plate 3 through fixing bolts 23.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the end plate 3 is provided with an opening 3 </ b> X that exposes an intermediate portion of the fixing bolt 23 inserted through the first through hole 3 a to the surface of the end plate 3. First through holes 3a are provided on the upper and lower sides. The fixing bolt 23 is disposed in a non-contact state on the inner surface of the opening 3X. That is, a gap is provided between the inner surface of the opening 3 </ b> X and the fixing bolt 23. This is because the fixing bolt 23 exposed to the opening 3X can be observed from the outside. The opening 3X has an inner width wider than the inner diameter of the first through hole 3a. As shown in FIG. 5, the opening 3X is a groove that exposes the fixing bolt 23 to the outer surface of the end plate 3A.

  The power supply device places end plates 3 at both ends of the battery stack 2, presses the end plates 3 at both ends with a press (not shown), and holds the prismatic battery 1 in a state of pressing in the stacking direction. In this state, the bind bar 4 is fixed to the end plate 3, and the battery stack 2 is held and fixed at a predetermined tightening pressure. After the end plate 3 is connected to the bind bar 4, the pressurization state of the press machine is released.

  The bind bar 4 extends in the stacking direction of the battery stack 2, and both ends are fixed to the pair of end plates 3 to fasten the battery stack 2 in the stacking direction. The bind bar 4 shown in the figure is disposed to face the four corners of the end plate 3 and the battery stack 2. In other words, the pair of end plates 3 are fastened via the four bind bars 4. The four bind bars 4 include two upper bind bars 4A disposed at the corners on the upper surface side of the battery stack 2, and two lower bind bars disposed at the corners on the lower surface side of the battery stack 2. It consists of a bar 4B. The bind bar 4 is a metal plate having a predetermined width and a predetermined thickness along the corners of the battery stack 2. The bind bar 4 can be a metal plate such as iron, preferably a steel plate.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, 7, and 9, the bind bar 4 made of a metal plate has a main body 4 </ b> Q disposed along the surface of the battery stack 2, and both ends of the main body 4 </ b> Q. And a connecting portion 5P fixed to the end plate 3. The main body portion 4Q of the bind bar 4 has a horizontal section 4X and a vertical portion 4Y that are connected at right angles to each other and has a L-shaped cross section. The L-shaped main body portion 4Q is disposed along the four corners of the prismatic battery 1, the horizontal portion 4X is disposed to face the upper surface and the lower surface of the prismatic battery 1, and the vertical portion 4Y is disposed on the prismatic battery 1. It is located on the left and right and is arranged to face the side surface of the prismatic battery 1. The four bind bars 4 arranged at the four corners of the battery stack 2 have vertical portions 4Y of the main body portion 4Q on both sides of the rectangular battery 1 to prevent the rectangular battery 1 from moving in the horizontal direction. The horizontal portion 4X of the portion 4Q is above and below the rectangular battery 1, and prevents the rectangular battery 1 from moving in the vertical direction.

  The upper binding bar 4A shown in the drawing extends the vertical portion 5Y of the main body portion 5Q upward in order to connect the battery stack 2 and the end plate 3 having different upper surface heights. A horizontal portion 4 </ b> X that is bent at the upper end toward the battery stack portion 9 and abuts on both sides of the upper surface of the rectangular battery 1 is provided. The upper bind bar 4 </ b> A uses the upper horizontal portion 4 </ b> X as an upper surface holding portion that holds the upper surface of the battery stack 9. Further, the upper bind bar 4A is provided with a plurality of openings 4U in the extended portion 4S of the vertical portion 4Y extended upward. The opening 4U shown in the figure is a through hole provided through the vertical portion 4Y, and a plurality of openings 4U are provided, thereby reducing the cost of the upper bind bar 4A while reducing the weight. However, in a power supply device in which the upper surface of the end plate and the upper surface of the battery stack are flush with each other, the horizontal portion of the main body and the horizontal portion of the connecting portion are flush with each other without providing an extension in the vertical portion of the upper binding bar Can be provided.

  The bind bar 4 connects the connecting portions 4 </ b> P provided at both ends to the end plate 3. The bind bar 4 is provided with connecting portions 4P at both ends of the main body portion 4Q that holds the battery stack 2. The connecting portion 4P connects the horizontal portion 4X and the vertical portion 4Y at a right angle and has an L-shaped cross section. Further, the connecting portion 4P of the bind bar 4 connects the end face plate 4T to the end edges of the horizontal portion 4X and the vertical portion 4Y. The end surface plate 4T is connected to the vertical portion 4Y and the horizontal portion 4X at a right angle so as to contact the outer surface of the end plate 3 in a surface contact state. The above connecting portion 4P is bent into a shape along the inner shape of the connecting recess 3s so that it can be fitted into a connecting recess 3s provided at the corner of the end plate 3. The connecting portion 4P of the bind bar 4 is connected to the corner portion of the end plate 3 with the horizontal portion 4X and the vertical portion 4Y positioned on the outer peripheral surface of the end plate 3 and the end surface plate 4T pressing the outer surface of the end plate 3. Is done.

  Further, the end face plate 4T is provided with an opening of a locking hole 6 for guiding and locking the locking projection 5 provided on the end plate 3. The end face plate 4T is provided with a locking hole 9 at a position facing the locking projection 5 provided on the end plate 3. The locking hole 6 provided in the end face plate 4T has a shape and size that can guide the locking projection 5 provided in the end plate 3. The locking holes 6 provided in the end face plate 4T can be, for example, circular, elliptical, oval, or polygonal.

  In the lower binding bar 4B shown in FIGS. 4 and 10, the inner shape of the locking hole 6B provided in the end face plate 4T of the connecting portion 4P is a circle circumscribing the outer surface of the locking convex portion 5. As described above, the locking hole 6B having a circular inner shape positions the left and right end surfaces of the cross-shaped locking convex portion 5 extending vertically and horizontally with the inner surface of the locking hole 6B and positions the horizontal direction. Then, the upper and lower end surfaces are brought into contact with the inner surface of the locking hole 6B to position in the vertical direction. In other words, the lower bind bar 4B locks the locking hole 6B of the end face plate 4T in close contact with the locking projection 5 of the end plate 3.

  Further, the upper binding bar 4A shown in FIGS. 4 and 11 is provided with a gap 16 between the inner surface of the locking hole 6A provided in the end face plate 4T of the connecting portion 4P and the outer surface of the locking projection 5 in the vertical direction. Yes. In the end face plate 4T shown in the drawing, the shape of the locking hole 6A is an elliptical shape or an oval shape that is long in the vertical direction, and the vertical end surface of the cross-shaped locking projection 5 is in contact with the inner surface of the locking hole 6A. A gap 16 is provided between them. Thus, the structure which provides the clearance gap 16 in the up-down direction of the inner surface of 6 A of latching holes, and the outer surface of the latching convex part 5 can guide the latching convex part 5 to the latching hole 6A quickly, and can assemble easily. . Further, according to this configuration, in a state where the bind bar 4 is locked to the end plate 3, the battery stack 2 fastened by the bind bar 4 is in a state where the positional deviation in the left-right direction is restricted, as described above. The gap 16 is held slidable only in the vertical direction. After that, the end plate 3 is fixed to the fixing plate 9 by the fixing bolt 23. At this time, the fixing bolt 23 fixes the upper binding bar 4A to the end plate 3, so that the upper binding bar 4A moves in the vertical direction. It is fixed to the end plate 3 in a state of being fastened. Since the upper bind bar 4A has an L-shaped cross section as described above, the upper bind bar 4A fastened in the vertical direction also regulates the positional deviation of the rectangular battery 1 in the vertical direction. . In other words, the bind bar 4 restricts the displacement of the rectangular battery 1 in the left-right direction when it is locked to the end plate 3, and the bind bar 4 is fixed to the end plate 3 by the fixing bolt 23. The positional deviation in the vertical direction is regulated. By providing the gap 16 in this way, it is possible to absorb positional deviation in the vertical direction, manufacturing tolerances, and the like. In particular, when considering the production efficiency, it is difficult to simultaneously position the rectangular battery in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in one step, and there is a problem that the work efficiency is poor and the productivity is lowered. In the above embodiment, the bind bar 4 restricts the displacement of the rectangular battery 1 in the left-right direction when it is locked to the end plate 3, and when the bind bar 4 is fixed to the end plate 3 by the fixing bolt 23, Therefore, it is not necessary to position the rectangular battery 1 constituting the battery stack 2 at the same time in the vertical direction and the work efficiency can be improved.

  The bind bar 4 having this shape can be manufactured by pressing a metal plate. However, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the protrusion 4Z is provided outside the horizontal portion 4X or the vertical portion 4Y, and the protrusion 4Z. Can be bent along a folding line indicated by a one-dot chain line in the drawing to form the end face plate 4T.

  FIG. 10 shows a development view of the connecting portion 4P of the lower bind bar 4B. The connecting portion 4P is provided with a protruding portion 4Z outside the horizontal portion 4X, and an end face plate 4T is formed by the protruding portion 4Z. The protruding portion 4Z shown in FIG. 10 includes an end face plate 4T connected to the outer edge of the horizontal portion 4X and a stacked portion 4R connected to one side of the end face plate 4T on the vertical portion 4Y side. The connecting portion 4P bends the end surface plate 4T of the protrusion 4Z at a right angle with respect to the horizontal portion 4X, and further bends the stacked portion 4R at a right angle with respect to the end surface plate 4T. 4R is fixed by welding to the vertical portion 4Y. Thus, the bind bar 4 forms an end face plate 4T in a vertical posture on the end edge. The laminated portion 4R to be welded is welded along the boundary with the vertical portion 4Y, or overlapped with the vertical portion 4Y and connected by a method such as spot welding.

  FIG. 11 is a development view of the upper bind bar 4A. The upper bind bar 4A is provided with an extension portion 4S on one side of the vertical portion 4Y forming the main body portion 4Q, and serves as a horizontal portion 4X that abuts the tip portion of the extension portion on the upper surface of the battery stack 2. Further, a protruding portion 4Z is provided outside the vertical portion 4Y, and the protruding portion 4Z forms the end face plate 4T and the horizontal portion 4X of the connecting portion 4P. The protruding portion 4Z shown in FIG. 11 includes an end surface plate 4T connected to the outer edge of the vertical portion 4Y, a horizontal portion 4X connected to one side of the end surface plate 4T on the extended portion 4S side, and the horizontal portion 4X. And a laminated portion 4R connected to an edge of the portion 4X on the main body portion 4Q side. The connecting portion 4P is formed by bending the end surface plate 4T of the projecting portion 4Z at a right angle with respect to the vertical portion 4Y, and further bending the horizontal portion 4X at a right angle with respect to the end surface plate 4T. The portion 4R is bent at a right angle with respect to the horizontal portion 3X, and the laminated portion 4R is fixed to the vertical portion 4Y by welding. Thus, the upper bind bar 4A forms an end face plate 4T in a vertical posture at the end edge.

  The bind bar 4 described above is provided with the protrusion 4Z outside the horizontal portion 4X or the vertical portion 4Y. However, the bind bar is provided with protrusions on both the horizontal portion and the vertical portion, and these protrusions are folded. In addition to bending, the bent protrusions can be stacked and welded together to provide an end face plate.

  The bind bar 4 is coupled to the end plate 3 with the above-described locking structure, and is further firmly fixed to the end plate 3 via a fixing bolt 23 that is screwed and fixed to the fixing plate 9. In order to insert the fixing bolt 23, the bind bar 4 is provided through the second through hole 4a through which the fixing bolt 23 is inserted in the horizontal portion 4X of the connecting portion 4P at both ends. The connecting portion 4P of the bind bar 4 has a fixing bolt 23 inserted into the first through hole 3a, with the horizontal portion 4X covering the opening edge of the first through hole 3a provided in the end plate 3. A second through hole 4a is provided at the insertion position. That is, in a state where the bind bar 4 is fixed to the end plate 3, the second through hole 4 a of the bind bar 4 and the first through hole 3 a of the end plate 3 are arranged in a straight line, and the fixing bolt is here. 23 is inserted.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the fixing bolt 23 passes from the second through hole 4a of the upper bind bar 4 through the first through hole 3a of the end plate 3, and further to the lower bind bar. 4 passes through the second through hole 4a and is fixed to the fixing plate 9 by screwing. The fixing plate 9 has a female screw hole 19 at a position where the fixing bolt 23 is screwed and fixed. The female screw hole 19 is provided directly in the fixed plate 9 or is provided by fixing a nut to the lower surface of the fixed plate by a method such as welding.

  In the above power supply device 100, both ends of the bind bar 4 are fixed to the pair of end plates 3, the battery stack 2 is sandwiched between the pair of end plates 3, and each rectangular battery 1 is stacked in the stacking direction with a predetermined tightening pressure. Press to fix. The pressure at which the end plate 3 pressurizes the rectangular battery 1 is preferably set to 10 MPa or more and 1 MPa or less. If the tightening pressure is too weak, the expansion of the prismatic battery 1 cannot be effectively suppressed. On the other hand, if it is too strong, the battery case 10 of the prismatic battery 1 is damaged. In particular, in the prismatic battery 1 using the battery case 10 as a metal case, the deformation amount of the battery case 10 in the stacking direction of the prismatic battery 1 is extremely small and substantially does not change. The square battery 1 cannot be reliably held in a pressurized state, and if the tightening pressure is too strong, the battery case 10 of the square battery 1 is damaged. For this reason, it is extremely important to press and fix the respective square batteries 1 in the stacking direction while keeping the tightening pressure within a predetermined range. Accordingly, the tightening pressure is set to an optimum value in consideration of the type and size of the rectangular battery 1 and the material, shape, thickness, size, and physical properties of the electrode body of the battery case 10.

  The power supply device that fixes the bind bar 4 to the end plate 3 fixes the battery stack 2 in the compressed state by the end plate 3. In this power supply device, when the rectangular battery 1 is repeatedly charged and discharged and gradually expands, the pressure at which the battery stack 2 pressurizes the end plate 3 is further increased. If the interval between the end plates 3 is widened in this state, the expansion of the prismatic battery 1 cannot be surely prevented, and adverse effects such as a decrease in electrical characteristics of the prismatic battery 1 and a shortened life occur. 1 to 6, the fixing bolts 23 inserted through the second through holes 4 a of the bind bar 4 and the first through holes 3 a of the end plate 3 are screwed into the fixing plate 9 and fixed. The interval between the end plates 3 is kept constant.

  Furthermore, the power supply device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 has a surface plate 8 disposed on the upper surface of the battery stack 2, and the end surface on the sealing plate 10 </ b> B side of the prismatic batteries 1 stacked on each other with the surface plate 8. (Upper surface in the figure) is covered. The surface plate 8 is formed in an outer shape along the upper surface of the battery stack 2. The surface plate 8 is formed of an insulating plastic such as nylon resin or epoxy resin. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the surface plate 8 is provided with an opening window 29 for exposing the electrode terminal 13 of the rectangular battery 1 and connecting it to the bus bar 14. The illustrated surface plate 8 is provided with a plurality of opening windows 29 along both side portions of the battery stack 2. The opening window 29 is sized and shaped along the outer shape of the bus bar 14 so that it can be connected to the electrode terminal 13 while guiding the bus bar 14 to a fixed position.

  Further, the surface plate 8 is provided with a bridging portion 28 in the opening window 29 so that the surface plate 8 can be fixed to the upper surface of the battery stack 2 via the bus bar 14 connected to the electrode terminal 13 of the rectangular battery 1. The surface plate 8 shown in the drawing fixes the bus bar 14 disposed in the opening window 29 in a state of straddling the bridging portion 28 and connects the surface plate 8 to the upper surface of the battery stack 2. The bus bar 14 disposed in the opening window 29 of the surface plate 8 is fixed to the electrode terminal 13 of the prismatic battery 1 and connects the plurality of prismatic batteries 1 to a predetermined connection state. Further, a cover plate 15 that covers the surface plate 8 is disposed on the upper surface of the surface plate 8. However, it is not always necessary for the battery pack to dispose a surface plate or a cover plate on the upper surface of the battery stack.

  The battery stack 2 is placed on the upper surface of the fixing plate 9, and a fixing bolt 23 penetrating the bind bar 4 and the end plate 3 is screwed to fix the battery stack 2 in a fixed position. As shown in FIG. 12, a power supply device 100 that is mounted on a vehicle and supplies electric power to a motor 93 that travels the vehicle is a frame that fixes the fixed plate 9 to the vehicle, for example, a chassis 92 of the vehicle. It can be. In this power supply device, the end plate 4T of the bind bar 4 is locked to the corner of the end plate 3, that is, the locking projection 5 of the end plate 3 is locked to the locking hole 6 of the end plate 4T. Thus, the fixing bolt 23 is placed on the chassis 92 of the vehicle, the fixing bolt 23 is inserted into the second through hole 4a of the bind bar 4 and the first through hole 3a of the end plate 3, and the tip of the fixing bolt 23 is inserted into the chassis 92. It is screwed into a female screw hole (not shown) and fixed to the chassis 92 of the vehicle. The fixing bolt 23 fixes the bind bar 4 to the end plate 3 more firmly, and firmly fixes the bind bar 4 and the end plate 3 to the chassis 92. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 12, this structure directly fixes the power supply device 100 to the vehicle by fixing the fixing bolt 23 that penetrates the bind bar 4 and the end plate 3 directly to the vehicle chassis 92. Can be fixed.

  In the power supply device 100 described above, the fixed plate 9 is the vehicle chassis 92, but the fixed plate is not necessarily specified as the vehicle chassis. The power supply device, for example, manufactures a metal base plate as the fixed plate 9 and places the battery stack on the base plate, and also includes the second through hole of the bind bar and the first through hole of the end plate. The battery stack can also be fixed to the fixing plate by screwing a fixing bolt inserted into the female screw hole of the base plate. As shown in FIG. 13, the power supply device 100 can fix the base plate, which is the fixed plate 9, to the vehicle chassis 92 and fix the base plate to the vehicle.

  That is, the power supply device includes a fixing plate on which the battery stack is placed and a fixing bolt that fixes the bind bar and the end plate to the fixing plate. The fixing bolt fixes the end plate and the bind bar together. What is necessary is just to set it as the structure fixed to a plate. For example, in a configuration including an exterior case and an exterior frame in which the power supply device is stored, both the bind bar and the end plate are fixed to the exterior case and the exterior frame via fixing bolts, and the exterior case and the exterior frame are attached to the vehicle. Can be fixed. Therefore, the fixing plate can be an outer case that is a housing that houses the battery stack or a frame of the outer case, or a base plate or frame that can be fixed by placing the battery stack on the upper surface.

  Further, the fixed plate can be a cooling plate. Although not shown, the fixed plate, which is a cooling plate, is disposed on the bottom surface of the battery stack 2 in a thermally coupled state, and cools the rectangular battery constituting the battery stack from the bottom surface. The cooling plate can be cooled by providing heat radiating fins (not shown) on the surface, or can be forcibly cooled by circulating a cooling refrigerant or coolant inside.

The above power supply apparatus is assembled in the following steps.
(1) A battery stack 2 is formed by stacking a predetermined number of prismatic batteries 1 in the thickness direction of the prismatic battery 1 with a spacer 7 interposed therebetween. At this time, the plurality of rectangular batteries 1 stacked on each other are stacked in a predetermined direction so as to be connected in parallel and in series.
(2) The end plates 3 are arranged at both ends of the battery stack 2, and the pair of end plates 3 are pressed from both sides with a press machine (not shown), and the end plates 3 are used to hold the battery stack 2 in a predetermined manner. Pressurize with pressure.
(4) The bind bar 4 is connected to the end plate 3 in a state where the battery stack 2 is compressed and pressed by the pair of end plates 3. At this time, in the bind bar 4, the horizontal portion 4X and the vertical portion 4Y are disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the end plate 3, the end surface plate 4T is disposed on the outer surface of the end plate 3, and the end surface plate 4T is locked. The locking projection 5 of the end plate 3 is guided to the hole 6. In this state, in the battery stack 2, the horizontal positions of the plurality of rectangular batteries 1 are specified by the left and right bind bars 4.
(5) Further, in this state, the press state of the end plate 3 by the press machine is released, and the end surface plate 4T is brought into close contact with the outer surface of the end plate 3 in a surface contact state. In this state, the locking projection 5 of the end plate 3 is fitted into the locking hole 6 of the end face plate 4T, and the connecting portion of the bind bar is connected to the corner of the end plate with a locking structure.
In this state, the battery stack 2 is held at a predetermined clamping pressure via a pair of end plates 3 held at a predetermined interval by the bind bar 4.
(6) The surface plate 8 is disposed at a fixed position on the upper surface of the battery stack 2, and the electrode terminals 13 facing each other of the rectangular batteries 1 adjacent to each other are connected by the bus bar 14 on both sides of the battery stack 2. The bus bar 14 is disposed in the opening window 29 of the surface plate 8 and connects the electrode terminals 13 exposed from the opening window 29 to each other. The bus bar 14 connects the square batteries 1 in series or in series and parallel. The bus bar 14 is screwed to the electrode terminal 13 or welded to the electrode terminal 13.
(7) The battery stack 2 is disposed and fixed on the upper surface of the fixing plate 9. The battery stack 2 is fixed to the fixing plate 9 via a fixing screw 23 that passes through the horizontal portion 4X of the bind bar 4 and the end plate 3. The upper bind bar 4A shown in FIG. 4 is provided with a gap 16 between the locking hole 6A and the locking projection 5 in the vertical direction, so that the fixing bolt 23 penetrating the bind bar 4 and the end plate 3 is fixed to the fixing plate. In the state of being screwed into 9, the connecting portion 4P of the upper binding bar 4A is pressed against the upper surface of the end plate 3, thereby compressing the gap 16 between the locking hole 6A and the locking projection 5, and the upper and lower binding bars 4 can be fixed in a closer state. In this state, in the battery stack 2, the vertical positions of the plurality of rectangular batteries 1 are specified by the upper and lower bind bars 4.

  The above power supply apparatus is most suitable for a power supply apparatus that supplies electric power to a motor that runs an electric vehicle. However, the present invention does not specify the use of the power supply device as a power supply device mounted on an electric vehicle. For example, the power supply device can be used as a power supply device that stores natural energy such as solar power generation or wind power generation, and stores midnight power. Like a power supply device such as a power supply device, it can be used for all purposes for storing large power.

  A power supply device for a vehicle is mounted on an electric vehicle and supplies electric power to a motor that runs the electric vehicle. As an electric vehicle equipped with a power supply device, an electric vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle that runs with both an engine and a motor, or an electric vehicle that runs only with a motor can be used, and used as a power source for these electric vehicles. Is done.

(Power supply device for hybrid vehicles)
FIG. 12 shows an example in which a power supply device is mounted on a hybrid vehicle that runs with both an engine and a motor. A vehicle HV equipped with the power supply device shown in this figure has an engine 96 and a traveling motor 93 for traveling the vehicle HV, a power supply device 100 for supplying power to the motor 93, and power generation for charging a square battery of the power supply device 100. A vehicle body 90 on which a machine 94, an engine 96, a motor 93, a power supply device 100, and a generator 94 are mounted, and wheels 97 driven by the engine 96 or the motor 93 to drive the vehicle body 90. . The power supply apparatus 100 is connected to a motor 93 and a generator 94 via a DC / AC inverter 95. The vehicle HV travels by both the motor 93 and the engine 96 while charging and discharging the prismatic battery of the power supply device 100. The motor 93 is driven to drive the vehicle when the engine efficiency is low, for example, during acceleration or low-speed driving. The motor 93 is driven by power supplied from the power supply device 100. The generator 94 is driven by the engine 96 or is driven by regenerative braking when the vehicle is braked to charge the prismatic battery of the power supply device 100.

(Power supply for electric vehicles)
FIG. 13 shows an example in which a power supply device is mounted on an electric vehicle that runs only with a motor. A vehicle EV equipped with the power supply device shown in FIG. 1 is a motor 93 for running the vehicle EV, a power supply device 100 that supplies power to the motor 93, and a generator that charges a square battery of the power supply device 100. 94, a vehicle main body 90 on which the motor 93, the power supply device 100, and the generator 94 are mounted, and wheels 97 that are driven by the motor 93 and run the vehicle main body 90. The power supply apparatus 100 is connected to a motor 93 and a generator 94 via a DC / AC inverter 95. The motor 93 is driven by power supplied from the power supply device 100. The generator 94 is driven by the energy used when the vehicle EV is regeneratively braked, and charges the prismatic battery of the power supply device 100.

(Power supply device for power storage device)
Furthermore, this power supply apparatus can be used not only as a power source for a moving body but also as a stationary power storage facility. For example, as a power source for home and factory use, a power supply system that is charged with sunlight or midnight power and discharged when necessary, or a streetlight power supply that charges sunlight during the day and discharges at night, or during a power outage It can also be used as a backup power source for driving signals. Such an example is shown in FIG. The power supply apparatus 100 shown in this figure forms a battery unit 82 by connecting a plurality of battery blocks 81 in a unit shape. Each battery block 81 has a plurality of prismatic batteries 1 connected in series and / or in parallel. Each battery block 81 is controlled by a power supply controller 84. The power supply apparatus 100 drives the load LD after charging the battery unit 82 with the charging power supply CP. For this reason, the power supply apparatus 100 includes a charging mode and a discharging mode. The load LD and the charging power source CP are connected to the power supply device 100 via the discharging switch DS and the charging switch CS, respectively. ON / OFF of the discharge switch DS and the charge switch CS is switched by the power supply controller 84 of the power supply apparatus 100. In the charging mode, the power supply controller 84 switches the charging switch CS to ON and the discharging switch DS to OFF to permit charging from the charging power supply CP to the power supply apparatus 100. Further, when the charging is completed and the battery is fully charged, or in response to a request from the load LD in a state where a capacity of a predetermined value or more is charged, the power controller 84 turns off the charging switch CS and turns on the discharging switch DS to discharge. The mode is switched to permit discharge from the power supply apparatus 100 to the load LD. Further, if necessary, the charge switch CS can be turned on and the discharge switch DS can be turned on to supply power to the load LD and charge the power supply device 100 at the same time.

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

  Each battery block 81 includes a signal terminal and a power supply terminal. The signal terminals include an input / output terminal DI, an abnormal output terminal DA, and a connection terminal DO. The input / output terminal DI is a terminal for inputting / outputting a signal from the other battery block 81 or the power supply controller 84, and the connection terminal DO is a terminal for inputting / outputting a signal to / from the other battery block 81. . The abnormality output terminal DA is a terminal for outputting abnormality of the battery block 81 to the outside. Furthermore, the power supply terminal is a terminal for connecting the battery blocks 81 in series and in parallel. The battery units 82 are connected to the output line OL via the parallel connection switch 85 and are connected in parallel to each other.

  The power supply device of the present invention is optimally used for a power supply device that supplies power to a motor of a vehicle that requires a large amount of power, or a power storage device that stores natural energy or midnight power.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Power supply device 1 ... Square battery 1A ... Main surface 2 ... Battery laminated body 2A ... 1st surface
2B ... Bottom 3 ... End plate 3A ... Reinforcement rib
3B ... Stepped part
3C ... Connecting stand
3a ... 1st through-hole
3s ... Connection recess
3X: Opening 4: Bind bar 4A: Upper bind bar
4B ... Lower bind bar
4P ... Connecting part
4Q ... Body part
4T ... End plate
4R ... Laminated part
4S ... Extension
4U ... opening
4X Horizontal part
4Y ... Vertical section
4Z ... Projection
4a ... 2nd through-hole 5 ... Locking convex part 6 ... Locking hole 6A ... Locking hole
6B ... Locking hole 7 ... Spacer 7A ... Through hole
7B ... Joint part 8 ... Surface plate 9 ... Fixed plate 10 ... Battery case 10A ... Exterior can
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10B ... Sealing plate 11 ... Exhaust valve 12 ... Gas exhaust port 13 ... Electrode terminal 14 ... Bus bar 14A ... Output side bus bar 15 ... Cover plate 16 ... Gap 17 ... Insulation sheet 18 ... Output terminal 19 ... Female screw hole 23 ... Fixing screw 27 ... Non-joint part 28 ... Bridge part 29 ... Open window 81 ... Battery block 82 ... Battery unit 84 ... Power supply controller 85 ... Parallel connection switch 90 ... Vehicle main body 92 ... Chassis 93 ... Motor 94 ... Generator 95 ... DC / AC inverter 96 ... Engine 97 ... Wheel 201 ... Battery cell 203 ... End plate 204 ... Bind bar 205 ... Fixing screw EV ... Vehicle HV ... Vehicle LD ... Load CP ... Power supply for charging DS ... Discharge switch CS ... Charge switch OL ... Output line HT ... Host equipment DI ... I / O terminal DA ... Abnormal output terminal DO ... Connection terminal

Claims (10)

A battery laminate formed by laminating a plurality of prismatic batteries;
A pair of end plates arranged at both ends of the battery stack;
A power supply device comprising a bind bar having both ends connected to the end plate and a plurality of prismatic batteries fixed in a stacked state in a pressurized state,
The binding bar has a connecting portion provided at both ends connected to a corner of the end plate,
Further, the connecting portion of the bind bar connects the horizontal portion and the vertical portion at a right angle to form an L-shaped cross section, and covers the outer surface of the end plate at the edge of the horizontal portion and the vertical portion. End plate is connected,
Further, the end plate is provided with a locking projection at a corner facing the end surface plate, and the bind bar opens a locking hole for locking the locking projection on the end surface plate. Thus, the connecting portion is connected to the end plate 3 by a locking structure. The power supply device according to claim 1,
The end plate is a quadrangular plate having a predetermined thickness, the engaging projections are provided at the four corners of the quadrangle, and the connecting portions of the bind bar are coupled to the four corners. apparatus. The power supply device according to claim 1 or 2,
The bind bar has a main body portion facing the battery stack between the connecting portions provided at both ends, and the main body portion has a horizontal cross section by connecting a horizontal portion and a vertical portion at a right angle. The shape is L-shaped, L-shaped main body portions are arranged at the four corners of the rectangular battery, and the vertical portions of the main body portion are on both sides of the rectangular battery, preventing horizontal movement, A power supply apparatus, wherein a horizontal portion of a main body portion is located above and below the rectangular battery and prevents vertical movement. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A power supply device, wherein the planar shape of the locking projection is formed in a cross shape extending vertically and horizontally, and the locking hole is formed in a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or an oval shape. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Comprising a fixed plate on which the battery stack is mounted and fixed;
The end plate is provided with a first through hole that is fixed to the fixing plate via a fixing bolt, penetrating in a vertical direction from the upper surface to the lower surface,
The connecting portion of the bind bar connected to the top and bottom of the end plate is in a position that covers the opening of the first through hole formed in the end plate, and is fixed to be inserted into the first through hole. A second through hole is provided at a position where the bolt is inserted,
A fixing bolt fixed to a fixing plate is inserted into a second through hole provided in the bind bar and a first through hole provided in the end plate, and the bind bar is provided with the fixing bolt. Is fixed to the end plate, and the bind bar and the end plate are fixed to the fixed plate. The power supply device according to claim 5,
The end face plate is formed with a gap between the inner surface of the locking hole and the outer surface of the locking projection in the vertical direction with the locking projection locked in the locking hole. Power supply. The power supply device according to claim 6,
A planar shape of the locking projection is formed in a cross shape, and the locking hole is formed in an elliptical shape or an oval shape that is long in the vertical direction, and at the end surface in the vertical direction of the cross shape, A power supply device characterized in that a gap is provided between the inner surface and the inner surface. The power supply device according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
While placing the bottom surface of the battery stack as a fixed surface of the power supply device on the upper surface of the fixed plate,
The bind bar includes an upper bind bar disposed at a corner on the upper surface side of the battery stack, and a lower bind bar disposed at a corner on the lower surface side of the battery stack,
The end plate of the upper binding bar is provided with a gap between the inner surface of the locking hole and the outer surface of the locking convex portion,
The end plate of the lower binding bar has the outer surface of the locking projection on the inner surface of the locking hole without providing a gap between the inner surface of the locking hole and the outer surface of the locking projection. A power supply device characterized by being locked in close contact. An electric vehicle comprising the power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A traveling motor powered by the power supply device;
A vehicle body on which the power supply device and the motor are mounted;
An electric vehicle comprising: wheels driven by the motor to cause the vehicle body to travel. A power storage device comprising the power supply device according to claim 1,
A power supply controller for controlling charging and discharging of the power supply device;
A power storage device, wherein the power supply controller controls the prismatic battery to be charged while external battery power is allowed to be charged.

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