JP2017162711A - Battery module and battery pack - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery module capable of improving a cooling function of a single cell while suppressing reduction of workability in a step for assembling the battery module, and a battery pack.SOLUTION: A single cell accommodated in a battery module comprises: an electrode plate group 35 in which positive electrode plates 36 and negative electrode plates 37 are alternately laminated with separators 39 interposed therebetween; a positive electrode side collector plate 40 which includes a flange 40F in an end and to which a lead 36A of the positive electrode plate is joined; and a negative electrode side collector plate 41 which includes a flange 41F in an end and to which a lead 37A of the negative electrode plate 37 is joined. In a case 20, an opposing surface 27 opposing an adjacent battery module in constituting a battery pack includes a projection 32 and a partition wall rib 31 provided at a position corresponding to a partition wall 34. The projection 32 is abutted with a projection 32 of an adjacent battery module, the partition wall rib 31 is abutted with a partition wall rib 31 of the adjacent battery module, and a height of the projection 32 is greater than a height of the partition wall rib 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery module and an assembled battery configured by combining a plurality of battery modules.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, secondary batteries such as nickel hydride secondary batteries have been used as in-vehicle power sources for electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. These secondary batteries are configured as assembled batteries by combining, for example, battery modules in which a plurality of single cells are integrally accommodated in a rectangular case made of resin.

  By the way, since the performance of a single cell is reduced due to a temperature rise caused by charging / discharging and the like, the performance of the battery module is also lowered by the temperature rise of each single cell. Therefore, in the battery module, the temperature rise of each unit cell is suppressed.

  For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a battery module in which a current collector plate joined with electrode plates has a spring structure. The current collector plate housed in the battery case is closely attached to the battery case due to the urging force of the spring structure, so the heat generated in the single cell is transferred to the battery case via the current collector plate. Released.

JP 2000-90988 A

  However, in the above battery module, when the electrode plate group to which the current collector plate is joined is housed in the battery case, it is necessary to insert the electrode plate group into the battery case while shrinking the side part of the current collector plate. Assembling work for housing the battery in the battery case becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module and an assembled battery that can enhance a cooling function of a single cell while suppressing a decrease in workability in a process of assembling the battery module. It is to provide.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above-described problems and the effects thereof will be described.
A battery module that solves the above problem is a battery module in which one or a plurality of single cells are accommodated in a case and combined to form an assembled battery, and each battery module constituting the assembled battery is separated by a partition wall. A case having a plurality of partitioned spaces; and a unit cell accommodated in the space, wherein the unit cell includes a positive electrode plate having a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode plate having a negative electrode active material via a separator. The electrode plate group alternately stacked, a positive current collector plate having a flange portion at least on one end and a lead portion of the positive plate being joined, and a flange portion on at least one end. A negative electrode current collector plate to which a lead portion of the negative electrode plate is joined, and a protrusion and the partition wall on the facing surface of the case facing the adjacent battery module in configuring the assembled battery Compatible with A partition rib provided at a position where the protrusion is in contact with a protrusion of an adjacent battery module in the battery assembly and the partition rib is in contact with a partition rib of the adjacent battery module; The summary is that the height of the protrusion is larger than the height of the partition rib.

  In an assembled battery in which a plurality of battery modules that solve the above problems are stacked, the battery module includes a case having a plurality of spaces partitioned by partition walls, and a unit cell accommodated in the space, and the unit cell Includes a positive electrode plate having a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode plate having a negative electrode active material alternately laminated via a separator, and a flange portion at least at one end of the positive electrode plate. A positive current collector plate to which the lead portion is joined, and a negative current collector plate having a flange portion at least at one end and to which the lead portion of the negative electrode plate is joined, A facing surface facing an adjacent battery module is provided with a protrusion and a partition rib provided at a position corresponding to the partition, and the protrusion abuts the protrusion of the adjacent battery module and the partition rib is Contact contact with barrier ribs of the battery module equivalent, the height of the protrusions, the gist is larger than the height of the barrier rib.

  According to the above configuration, since the height of the protrusion is larger than the height of the partition rib, when the assembled battery is assembled by bringing the partition ribs of battery modules adjacent to each other into contact with each other, the partition rib The area except for warps on the unit cell side. Moreover, since the flange part of a current collector plate is located in the outermost side in the lamination direction which is a direction which piles up an electrode plate, when the case warps to the cell side, the flange part of a current collector plate contacts a case. The heat generated by the electrode group due to charging / discharging is more easily transmitted in a direction parallel to the main surface of the electrode plate than the electrode plate adjacent to the electrode plate, and the lead portions of the electrode plates are joined. The inventors have found that heat is easily transferred from the electrode plate to the current collector plate. Accordingly, by bringing the flange portion of the current collector plate into contact with the case, a heat dissipation path capable of efficiently releasing the heat of the electrode plate group is formed, and the electrode plate group is easily cooled. In addition, when the electrode plate group joined to the current collector plate is accommodated in the case, there is no need for special work such as accommodating the electrode plate group in the case while shrinking the side of the current collector plate. The housing operation is not complicated. Therefore, the cooling performance of the battery module can be improved while suppressing a decrease in workability in the manufacturing process.

  About the said battery module, it is preferable that the flange part of the said current collection board joined to the electrode plate of the outermost layer among the said electrode group is extended to the position in which the said active material was provided among the said electrode plates.

  According to the above configuration, when the outermost electrode plate is the negative electrode plate, the negative electrode current collector plate extends to the position where the active material is provided in the negative electrode plate. Since it is the active material that generates heat due to the battery reaction in the electrode plate, the main plate direction of the electrode plate with respect to the current collector plate by bringing the current collector plate into contact with the region where the active material of the electrode plate is provided In addition, a heat dissipation path can be formed not only in the stacking direction. Moreover, since the flange part of a current collection plate contacts the active material of the same pole, a short circuit does not generate | occur | produce.

With respect to the battery module, it is preferable that the protrusions form a refrigerant flow path through which the refrigerant passes by contacting the protrusions of the adjacent battery modules.
According to the above configuration, since the refrigerant passes through a portion of the case where the protrusion is formed and the current collector plate is in contact with the protrusion, the heat transmitted to the case is easily released to the outside. Therefore, the cooling performance of the assembled battery can be further improved.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the cooling function of a cell can be improved, suppressing the workability | operativity fall of the process of assembling a battery module.

The perspective view which shows the whole perspective structure about 1st Embodiment of a battery module and an assembled battery. The perspective view which shows the perspective structure of the battery module of the embodiment. The figure which shows a part of end surface of the battery module of the embodiment. The figure which shows a part of end surface of the assembled battery of the embodiment. The figure which is a part of end surface of the assembled battery of the embodiment, and expanded the flange part of the current collecting plate. The figure which shows the end surface of the electrode group of a battery module about 2nd Embodiment of a battery module and an assembled battery. The figure which shows a part of end surface of the assembled battery of the embodiment.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the assembled battery and the battery module will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the assembled battery 10 of this embodiment includes an electric power source (which supplies electric power to an electric motor serving as a power source or auxiliary power source of an automatic carrier, a special vehicle for cargo handling, an electric vehicle, and a hybrid vehicle. Used as a power source). In the assembled battery 10, charging / discharging of power to the assembled battery 10 is managed by a battery control device (not shown).

  In the assembled battery 10, a plurality of battery modules 11 made of nickel metal hydride storage batteries, which are secondary batteries, are stacked. In the present embodiment, the assembled battery 10 is composed of nine battery modules 11 so that the required power can be supplied. The assembled battery 10 includes end plates 12 and 13 at both ends of the plurality of battery modules 11 in a direction (arrangement direction) in which the plurality of battery modules 11 are arranged adjacent to each other. The assembled battery 10 also includes a lower plate 14 that fixes a plurality of battery modules 11 and two end plates 12 and 13 sandwiching them.

  The upper ends of the end plates 12 and 13 are fastened and fixed by bolts 17 via connecting bands 16 straddling the two end plates 12 and 13. Thereby, a predetermined pressing force is also applied to the plurality of battery modules 11 sandwiched between the end plates 12 and 13. The lower ends of the end plates 12 and 13 are fastened and fixed to the lower plate 14 with bolts.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the battery module 11 includes a horizontally long case 20. The case 20 is made of resin. A plurality of battery cases are formed in the case 20 by partitioning the internal space with partition walls. In the present embodiment, the case 20 is provided with six battery cases, and each battery case accommodates a single cell. The six single cells are arranged in one direction such that the surfaces (surfaces) having the largest surface area of the square are arranged side by side.

  The case 20 includes a housing part 21 having a space inside and an upper part opened, and a lid part 22 that closes the opening of the housing part 21. The accommodating part 21 includes a side wall part 23 extending in the longitudinal direction of the accommodating part 21, a short wall part 24 extending in the short direction of the side wall part 23, and a bottom wall part extending in the longitudinal direction of the side wall part 23. 25. A window 33 is formed in the side wall portion 23. An electrode 26 is provided on the short wall portion 24. The lid portion 22 includes a measurement portion 22A and a safety valve 22B that discharges gas in the case when the pressure in the case 20 becomes excessive.

  An outer surface of the side wall portion 23 is a facing surface 27 facing the adjacent battery module 11. Position adjustment units 30 </ b> A to 30 </ b> C are provided on the facing surface 27. The position adjustment units 30 </ b> A to 30 </ b> C protrude from the facing surface 27 and are used for alignment with the adjacent battery module 11.

  On the opposing surface 27, partition ribs 31 and protrusions 32 are provided. The partition rib 31 is formed at a position corresponding to the partition partitioning the battery case and protrudes from the facing surface 27. The partition rib 31 extends in a direction from the bottom wall portion 25 side toward the lid portion 22 side. On the facing surface 27, partition ribs 31 </ b> A disposed on both sides of the window 33 formed on the side wall portion 23, and partition ribs 31 </ b> B provided in a region without the window 33 are formed. These partition ribs 31 </ b> A and 31 </ b> B are alternately provided in the longitudinal direction of the facing surface 27.

  The protrusion 32 is provided in a region between the partition ribs 31 </ b> A and 31 </ b> B or a region between the outermost partition rib 31 </ b> A and the short wall portion 24. The protrusion 32 has a cylindrical shape having a side surface perpendicular to the facing surface 27. A plurality of protrusions 32 are formed at equal intervals in each of the above regions.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the height H <b> 1 from the base end to the tip end of the protrusion 32 is larger than the height H <b> 2 of the partition rib 31. When each battery module 11 is sandwiched between the end plates 12 and 13 and the end plates 12 and 13 are fixed to each other by the connecting band 16 or the like, the partition rib 31 of the battery module 11 and the partition rib 31 of the adjacent battery module 11 Abut. Further, the protrusion 32 of the battery module 11 and the protrusion 32 of the adjacent battery module 11 abut. The protrusion 32 forms a cooling passage by contacting the protrusion 32 of the adjacent battery module 11. When the battery module 11 is sandwiched between another adjacent battery module 11 and the end plate 12 (or the end plate 13), a cooling passage is formed by the protrusion 32 and the end plate 12 (or the end plate 13). . In this cooling passage, air as a refrigerant flows in a direction from the lower plate 14 side of the assembled battery 10 toward the connection band 16 side (see FIG. 1).

  On the other hand, a battery case 50 formed by partitioning the internal space of the case 20 with a partition wall 34 accommodates an electrode plate group 35, current collector plates 40 and 41, and an electrolytic solution. The electrode plate group 35, the current collecting plates 40 and 41, and the electrolyte constitute a unit cell 42. The electrode plate group 35 includes a plurality of positive plates 36, a plurality of negative plates 37, and a plurality of separators 39.

  The positive electrode plate 36 has a plate-like base material such as foamed nickel and a positive electrode mixture supported by the base material. The substrate is made of a metal material and has a high thermal conductivity. The positive electrode mixture includes a positive electrode active material mainly composed of nickel oxide such as nickel hydroxide and nickel oxyhydroxide, a conductive agent, and the like. The base material of the positive electrode plate 36 has a lead portion 36A protruding from one end portion of the base material. The positive electrode plate 36 is accommodated in a bag-like separator 39 with the lead portion 36A protruding. The lead portion 36A protruding from the separator 39 is connected to the positive current collector plate 40. The current collector plate 40 is made of a metal plate.

  The current collector plate 40 on the positive electrode side has flange portions 40F at both ends on the side wall portion 23 side. The flange portion 40F is bent toward the lead portion 36A. The flange portion 40F is bent at an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to the portion of the current collector plate 40 excluding the flange portion 40F. The width from the proximal end to the distal end of the flange portion 40F is smaller than the width of the lead portion 36A. Further, the length L of the current collector plate 40 in the direction from the one flange portion 40F to the other flange portion 40F is smaller than the length of the battery case 50 in the same direction. Therefore, the current collector plate 40 has a size that does not require the current collector plate 40 to be shrunk when the electrode plate group 35 is accommodated in the battery case 50.

  The negative electrode plate 37 has a base material having a large number of holes, such as punching metal, and a negative electrode mixture supported by the base material. The substrate is made of a metal material and has a high thermal conductivity. The negative electrode mixture has a negative electrode active material containing a hydrogen storage alloy (MH). The base material of the negative electrode plate 37 has a lead portion 37A protruding from one end portion of the base material. The lead portion 37A is connected to the current collector plate 41 on the negative electrode side. The current collector plate 41 on the negative electrode side has the same configuration as the current collector plate 40 on the positive electrode side. That is, the current collector plate 41 on the negative electrode side is made of a metal plate and has a shape having flange portions 41F at both ends thereof. The width from the proximal end to the distal end of the flange portion 41F is smaller than the width of the lead portion 37A. Moreover, the length of the current collector plate 41 in the direction from the one flange portion 41F to the other flange portion 41F is smaller than the length of the battery case 50 in the same direction.

  The separator 39 is made of a material such as resin fiber and has a lower thermal conductivity than the positive electrode plate 36 and the negative electrode plate 37. Further, the separator 39 contains an electrolytic solution. The positive electrode plate 36 and the negative electrode plate 37 accommodated in the bag-shaped separator 39 are alternately stacked, whereby the positive electrode plate 36 and the negative electrode plate 37 are separated from each other by the separator 39. The separator 39 improves the ionic conductivity between the positive electrode plate 36 and the negative electrode plate 37 by holding an alkaline electrolyte such as a sodium hydroxide aqueous solution or a potassium hydroxide aqueous solution.

  When the unit cell 42 configured as described above is accommodated in the battery case 50, the negative electrode plate disposed on the outermost side between the flange portions 40 </ b> F and 41 </ b> F of the current collector plates 40 and 41 and the inner side surface of the case 20. A gap is formed between 37 and the inner surface of the case 20.

  Further, the unit cell 42 generates heat due to charging / discharging. The thermal conductivity in the direction parallel to the main surface, which is a surface having a large area, of the electrode plates such as the positive electrode plate 36 and the negative electrode plate 37 is transmitted in the direction from the electrode plate to the adjacent electrode plate, that is, the normal direction of the main surface Greater than thermal conductivity. For this reason, the inventors have found that the heat generated in the electrode plate is easily transmitted to the current collector plates 40 and 41 in a direction parallel to the main surface of the electrode plate.

Next, the operation of the battery module 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
As shown in FIG. 4, the battery module 11 is configured by combining the position adjusting units 30 </ b> A to 30 </ b> C and applying a predetermined pressure by the end plates 12 and 13, thereby separating the partition ribs 31 of the adjacent battery modules 11, and The protrusions 32 come into contact with each other. A cooling passage 45 is formed by the abutting protrusion 32. Air is sent from the lower plate 14 side by a fan or the like (not shown), passes through a cooling passage provided between adjacent battery modules 11, and is discharged out of the assembled battery 10 from the lid portion 22 side of the battery modules 11. The At this time, since the protrusions 32 are formed on the case 20, the surface area of the case 20 is increased compared to the case without the protrusions 32, and the air flow between the pair of battery modules 11 is disturbed. The effect of cooling the cell 42 is enhanced. Moreover, the direction (refer FIG. 2) in which air is sent is the same as the longitudinal direction of the flange parts 40F and 41F.

  Since the protrusions 32 are designed to be higher than the partition ribs 31, as shown in FIG. 5, when the protrusions 32 come into contact with each other, the region between the partition ribs 31 in the side wall portion 23 is bent toward the unit cell 42 side. The inner side of the case 20 and the flange portions 40F and 41F of the current collector plates 40 and 41 come into contact with or approach each other. Thus, a heat dissipation path such as the positive electrode plate 36, the positive current collector 40, and the case 20 and a heat dissipation path such as the negative electrode 37, the negative current collector 41, and the case 20 are formed. As described above, the heat generated in the electrode plate is more likely to be transmitted in a direction parallel to the main surface of the electrode plate than in the stacking direction of the electrode plate, thus forming a heat dissipation path including the path in the main surface direction of the electrode plate By doing so, the electrode plate can be radiated efficiently. In FIG. 5, the battery module 11 sandwiched between the battery modules 11 is illustrated, but the protrusion 32 is also present in the battery module 11 sandwiched between the battery module 11 and the end plate 12 (or the end plate 13). Is in contact with the end plate 12, the side wall 23 is bent toward the unit cell 42.

  Further, when the case 20 is bent toward the unit cell 42, the inner side surface thereof contacts or approaches the negative electrode plate 37 disposed on the outermost side. Thereby, also in the lamination direction of the electrode plates, a heat dissipation path such as the electrode plates and the case 20 can be formed. Therefore, the amount of heat release can be increased by performing heat release through the heat dissipation path along the principal surface direction of the electrode plate and heat release through the heat dissipation path in the stacking direction. In addition, since the cooling passage 45 is formed between the protrusions 32, the air flows while changing its direction by colliding with the protrusions 32, but as a whole, from the bottom wall portion 25 of the battery module 11 to the lid portion 22. (Refer to FIG. 2). Since the flange portions 40F and 41F extend in the direction from the bottom wall portion 25 side of the battery module 11 toward the lid portion 22 side, they coincide with the overall flow of air. Therefore, the flange portions 40F and 41F are easily cooled by air.

  Furthermore, the length of the current collector plates 40, 41 in the direction from one flange portion 40F, 41F to the other flange portion 40F, 41F is smaller than the length of the battery case 50. Further, when the electrode plate group 35 joined to the current collector plates 40 and 41 is accommodated in the case 20, no special work is required such as accommodating the current collector plates 40 and 41 in the case 20 while being contracted. The operation of housing the electrode plate group 35 in the case 20 is not complicated. Therefore, the cooling performance of the battery module 11 can be enhanced while suppressing a decrease in workability in the manufacturing process.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the effects listed below can be obtained.
(1) Since the height of the protrusion 32 is larger than the height of the partition rib 31, when the assembled battery 10 is assembled by bringing the partition rib 31 of the battery modules 11 adjacent to each other into contact, the opposing surface 27 of the case 20 The region excluding the partition ribs 31 warps toward the unit cell 42 side. Further, since the flange portions 40F and 41F of the current collector plates 40 and 41 are located on the outermost side in the stacking direction, which is the direction in which the electrode plates are stacked, when the case 20 warps to the unit cell 42 side, The plates 40 and 41 come into contact. The heat generated by the electrode group due to charging / discharging is more easily transmitted in a direction parallel to the main surface of the electrode plate than the electrode plate adjacent to the electrode plate, and the lead portions of the electrode plates are joined. The inventors have found that heat is easily transmitted from the electrode plates to the current collector plates 40 and 41. Therefore, by bringing the current collector plates 40 and 41 and the case 20 into contact with each other, a heat dissipation path that can efficiently release the heat of the unit cell 42 is formed, and the unit cell 42 is easily cooled. Further, when the current collector plates 40 and 41 are accommodated in the case 20, special work such as accommodating the current collector plates 40 and 41 in the case 20 while being contracted is unnecessary, and the work is not complicated. Therefore, the cooling performance of the battery module 11 can be enhanced while suppressing a decrease in workability in the manufacturing process.

  (2) Since the coolant passes through a portion of the case 20 where the protrusion 32 is formed and the current collector plates 40 and 41 are in contact with the protrusion 32, the heat transmitted to the case 20 is easily released to the outside. Therefore, the cooling performance of the assembled battery 10 can be further improved.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, since 2nd Embodiment is the structure which changed a part of 1st Embodiment battery module, it attaches | subjects the same code | symbol about the same part, and abbreviate | omits the detailed description.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the electrode plate group 35 has a configuration in which the positive electrode plates 36 and the negative electrode plates 37 are alternately stacked, and the electrode plate arranged on the outermost side is the negative electrode plate 37. The current collector plate 41 on the negative electrode side includes a flange portion 41F formed by bending both end portions of the metal plate. The width W of the flange portion 41F is such that the tip of the flange portion 41F reaches the region of the negative electrode plate 37 where the negative electrode active material, that is, the negative electrode mixture is provided. The width W of the flange portion 41F is preferably larger than the width of the lead portion 37A of the negative electrode plate 37, and is preferably at least half the width of the entire negative electrode plate 37. In the present embodiment, the tip of the flange portion 41F is the same as or slightly shorter than the tip of the negative electrode plate 37. The flange portion 41 </ b> F is in contact with the side surface of the negative electrode plate 37 disposed on the outermost side in a state of being accommodated in the battery case 50 or not being accommodated in the battery case 50. Since the current collector plate 41 on the negative electrode side is in contact with the negative electrode plate 37, a short circuit does not occur.

  In the positive current collector plate 40, the width of the flange portion 40 </ b> F is smaller than the width of the lead portion 36 </ b> A of the positive electrode plate 36. That is, the tip of the flange portion 40F of the current collector plate 40 on the positive electrode side does not reach the position on the positive electrode plate 36 where the positive electrode mixture containing the active material is provided. That is, since the current collector plate 40 on the positive electrode side is not in contact with the negative electrode plate 37, a short circuit does not occur.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the cooling passage 45 is formed by the partition ribs 31 and the protrusions 32 of the adjacent battery modules 11 coming into contact with each other. Further, when the protrusions 32 are in contact with each other, the region between the partition ribs 31 in the side wall portion 23 is bent toward the unit cell 42 side, and the inside of the case 20 and the flange portions 40F and 41F of the current collector plates 40 and 41 are contacted. Touch. Thus, a heat dissipation path such as the positive electrode plate 36, the positive current collector 40, and the case 20 and a heat dissipation path such as the negative electrode 37, the negative current collector 41, and the case 20 are formed. In particular, on the negative electrode side, since the flange portion 41F of the current collector plate 41 extends to the vicinity of the tip of the negative electrode plate 37, the contact area between the flange portion 41F and the case 20 is large. As described above, since the contact area between the flange portion 41F and the case 20 is increased, the heat resistance of the heat dissipation path is reduced, so that heat generated in the electrode plate is easily released. Moreover, the flange part 41F becomes a part of the heat radiation path in the stacking direction of the electrode plates.

  The side wall 23 of the case 20 bends more largely at the center of the side wall 23 (near the middle point of each partition rib 31) than around the partition rib 31. Therefore, in the flange portion 41 </ b> F having a large width W, even if the periphery of the partition rib 31 is not in contact, a heat dissipation path can be formed if the contact is made at the center portion of the side wall portion 23. On the other hand, since the flange part 40F of the current collector plate 40 on the positive electrode side has a small width, it is necessary to bring the flange part 40F into contact with the vicinity of the partition rib 31 having a small amount of bending. Accordingly, by making the length L1 of the current collector plate 40 on the positive electrode side longer than the length L2 of the current collector plate 41 on the negative electrode side, the flange portion 40F is located near the partition rib 31 in the side wall portion 23 of the case 20. You may make it easy to contact. For example, the length L1 of the current collector plate 40 on the positive electrode side is equal to the length L2 of the current collector plate 41 on the negative electrode side, and the flange portion 40F of the current collector plate 40 on the positive electrode side and the case 20 are brought into contact with each other. If it does so, the center part of the electrode plate group 35 will be pushed by the thickness of the flange part 41F on the negative electrode side, and the electrode plate group 35 itself will bend. When the length L1 of the positive current collector plate 40 is made longer than the length L2 of the negative current collector plate 41, both the flange portions 40F and 41F are in contact with the case 20 while the electrode plate group 35 itself is in contact. Deflection can be suppressed.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects (1) and (2) described in the first embodiment, the effects listed below can be obtained.
(3) The current collector plate 41 on the negative electrode side extends to a position on the negative electrode plate 37 where the active material is provided. Since it is the active material that generates heat by the battery reaction among the electrode plates, by bringing the current collector plate 41 into contact with the region where the active material of the negative electrode plate 37 is provided, not only the direction of the main surface of the electrode plate. A heat dissipation path can also be formed in the stacking direction. Moreover, since the flange part of a current collection plate contacts the active material of the same pole, generation | occurrence | production of a short circuit can be prevented.

In addition, each said embodiment can also be suitably changed and implemented as follows.
In each of the above embodiments, the protrusion 32 has a cylindrical shape, but may have a shape other than this, such as a prismatic shape or a dome shape.

  In each of the above embodiments, the battery module 11 includes the position adjustment units 30A to 30C and the window 33. However, these may be omitted or the shape thereof may be changed. Moreover, the shape of the partition rib 31 can also be changed as appropriate. That is, the uneven structure of the facing surface 27 of the battery module 11 can be changed according to conditions such as the amount of heat generated by the unit cells and the number of unit cells.

  The flange portion 41F of the current collector plate 41 in the second embodiment is formed by bending both end portions of a metal plate that is a material of the current collector plate 41. That is, the flange portion 41F has a flat plate shape, but may have a shape other than this.

  In the second embodiment, the current collector plate 41 on the negative electrode side is extended to the position where the negative electrode mixture is provided in the negative electrode plate 37. In addition to this, after sandwiching an insulating material between the current collector plate 40 on the positive electrode side and the negative electrode plate 37 on the outermost layer, the flange portion 40F of the current collector plate 40 is connected to the width of the lead portion 36A of the positive electrode plate 36. It is good also as width exceeding.

  In the second embodiment, the case where the outermost layer of the electrode group 35 is the negative electrode plate 37 has been described. When the outermost layer of the electrode plate group 35 is the positive electrode plate 36, the flange portion 40 </ b> F of the current collector plate 40 on the positive electrode side may be extended to the position where the positive electrode mixture is provided in the positive electrode plate 36. .

  In each of the above embodiments, the entire flow of air as the refrigerant is in the direction from the lower plate 14 side toward the lid portion 22 side of the battery module 11. Not only this but the direction which goes to the lower plate 14 side from the cover part 22 side of the battery module 11 may be sufficient. Alternatively, the end plates 12 and 13 may be omitted, and air may flow in a direction from one short wall portion 24 side of the battery module 11 toward the other short wall portion 24 side.

  In each of the above embodiments, the assembled battery 10 has a configuration in which the plurality of battery modules 11 are fastened by the end plates 12 and 13, the lower plate 14, the connection band 16, and the like, but may have other configurations. . For example, the structure which laminates | stacks by accommodating the some battery module 11 in a box-shaped case may be sufficient.

  In the above embodiments, the flange portions 40F and 41F are formed at both ends of the current collector plate 40 and both ends of the current collector plate 41. However, the flange portion 40F may be formed at one end portion of the current collector plate 40 on the positive electrode side. Further, the flange portion 41F may be formed at one end portion of the current collector plate 41 on the negative electrode side.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the unit cell of the battery module 11 is a nickel-metal hydride storage battery is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be another secondary battery, for example, a lithium ion storage battery.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the assembled battery including the plurality of battery modules 11 is mounted on the vehicle is illustrated. Such vehicles include electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, as well as gasoline vehicles and diesel vehicles equipped with batteries. If the battery is required as a power source, the battery may be used as a mobile body other than an automobile, a fixed power source, or a power source other than a motor. For example, power sources other than automobiles include moving bodies such as railways, ships, airplanes, and robots, and power supplies for electrical products such as information processing apparatuses.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Battery assembly, 11 ... Battery module, 12, 13 ... End plate, 14 ... Lower plate, 20 ... Case, 21 ... Housing part, 22 ... Cover part, 23 ... Side wall part, 27 ... Opposing surface, 30A-30C ... Position adjusting part 31, 31A, 31B ... partition rib, 32 ... projection, 33 ... window, 34 ... partition, 35 ... electrode plate group, 36 ... positive electrode plate, 36A ... lead part, 37 ... negative electrode plate, 37A ... lead part , 39 ... separator, 40 ... current collector plate, 40F ... flange portion, 41 ... current collector plate, 41F ... flange portion, 45 ... cooling passage, 50 ... battery case.

Claims (4)

A battery module in which one or a plurality of unit cells are housed in a case and combined to form an assembled battery,
Each battery module constituting the assembled battery has a case having a plurality of spaces partitioned by partition walls, and a single cell accommodated in the space,
The unit cell has a positive electrode plate having a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode plate having a negative electrode active material alternately laminated via a separator, and has a flange portion at least at one end. A positive current collector plate to which the lead portion of the positive electrode plate is joined; and a negative current collector plate to which the lead portion of the negative electrode plate is joined at least at one end portion of the flange portion;
In the case, on the facing surface facing the adjacent battery module in constituting the assembled battery, a protrusion and a partition rib provided at a position corresponding to the partition are provided, and the protrusion connects the assembled battery. The battery is characterized in that it is in contact with a protrusion of an adjacent battery module and the partition rib is in contact with a partition rib of the adjacent battery module, and the height of the protrusion is larger than the height of the partition rib. module. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein a flange portion of the current collector plate joined to an outermost electrode plate of the electrode plate group extends to a position where the active material is provided in the electrode plate. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion forms a refrigerant flow path through which the refrigerant passes by contacting the protrusion of the adjacent battery module. In an assembled battery in which a plurality of battery modules are stacked,
The battery module includes a case having a plurality of spaces partitioned by a partition wall, and a unit cell accommodated in the space,
The unit cell has a positive electrode plate having a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode plate having a negative electrode active material alternately laminated via a separator, and has a flange portion at least at one end. A positive current collector plate to which the lead portion of the positive electrode plate is joined; and a negative current collector plate to which the lead portion of the negative electrode plate is joined at least at one end portion of the flange portion;
A protrusion and a partition rib provided at a position corresponding to the partition are provided on an opposing surface of the case facing the adjacent battery module, and the protrusion contacts the protrusion of the adjacent battery module and the partition rib. Is in contact with the partition rib of an adjacent battery module, and the height of the protrusion is larger than the height of the partition rib.