JP2018067477A - Battery module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery module which allows a temperature sensor to be surely pressed against a temperature-measuring cell.SOLUTION: A battery module 10 comprises: a plurality of battery cells 11 having an upper face 54A and an electrode terminal provided on the upper face 54A, and laminated along a first direction; a plurality of holders 21 holding the plurality of battery cells 11 respectively; end plates 12A, 12B constraining the plurality of battery cells 11 along the first direction; a thermistor 91 provided on the upper face 54A of the battery cell 11C; and a first cover 61 opposed to the upper face 54A so as to cover at least two battery cells 11 adjacent to each other, including the battery cell 11C which is the battery cell 11 provided with the thermistor 91. The first cover 61 has: a pressing part 70 for pressing the thermistor 91 against the battery cell 11C; and a positioning part 80 for positioning to the holder 21 holding the battery cell 11C in the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery module.

  In Patent Document 1, a power storage device group having a plurality of power storage devices arranged in one direction, a pair of restraining members disposed on both sides of the power storage device group, and a power storage device group are disposed above the power storage device group. A power storage device module is described that includes a cover that is fixed to a pair of restraining members and a temperature sensor that is placed on the top surface of the power storage device and detects the temperature of the power storage device. In this power storage device module, an expansion absorbing portion that absorbs expansion of the power storage device is disposed on one side of the pair of restraining members. The cover is assembled with a pressing portion that holds the temperature sensor against the power storage device.

JP 2006-122575 A

  In the above power storage device module, the distance from the opposite end of the expansion absorbing portion to the pressing portion in the temperature sensor is such that the power storage device on which the temperature sensor is mounted moves to the expansion absorbing portion side due to the expansion of the plurality of power storage devices. Has been longer than the amount. Thereby, in this power storage device module, even if the temperature sensor moves to the expansion absorption unit due to expansion of the power storage device, the temperature sensor is kept pressed against the power storage device by the pressing unit. Thus, in the above technical field, it is desired that the temperature sensor is reliably pressed against the temperature measuring cell that is the battery cell provided with the temperature sensor, regardless of the expansion of the battery cell.

  An object of this invention is to provide the battery module which can press a temperature sensor reliably with respect to a temperature measuring cell.

  The battery module according to the present invention has a main surface and electrode terminals provided on the main surface, and a plurality of battery cells stacked on each other along the first direction, and a plurality of battery cells individually holding the battery cells A holder, a restraining portion that restrains a plurality of battery cells along the first direction, a temperature sensor provided on the main surface of at least one battery cell, and a temperature measuring cell that is a battery cell provided with the temperature sensor A first cover disposed to face the main surface so as to cover at least two battery cells adjacent to each other, the first cover pressing the temperature sensor against the temperature measuring cell And a positioning unit that performs positioning in the first direction with respect to the holder that holds the temperature measuring cell.

  In this battery module, the first cover has a pressing portion for pressing the temperature sensor against the temperature measuring cell, and a positioning portion for positioning in the first direction with respect to the holder that holds the temperature measuring cell. . Thereby, when expansion | swelling arises in a battery cell, the holder and 1st cover which hold | maintain a temperature-measurement cell move integrally about a 1st direction. For this reason, relative movement between the pressing portion of the first cover and the temperature sensor on the temperature measuring cell side is suppressed. As a result, the state where the temperature sensor is pressed against the temperature measuring cell by the pressing portion of the first cover is maintained. That is, according to this battery module, the temperature sensor can be reliably pressed against the temperature measuring cell.

  In the battery module according to the present invention, the holder that holds the temperature measuring cell includes a first intersecting surface that intersects the first direction, and the first cover includes a second intersecting surface that intersects the first direction, and is positioned. The part may be positioned by abutment between the first intersecting surface and the second intersecting surface. In this case, since the first intersecting surface of the holder and the second intersecting surface of the first cover abut each other in the first direction, the first cover can be positioned in the first direction with respect to the holder holding the temperature measuring cell. Become.

  In the battery module according to the present invention, the holder for holding the temperature measuring cell has a protrusion protruding on the first cover, the first intersecting surface is the outer surface of the protrusion, and the positioning portion is in the first direction. There may be a pair of engaging claws that engage with the protrusions from both sides of the protrusion, and the second intersecting surface may be the inner surfaces of the pair of engaging claws that face the outer surface. In this case, it is a simple structure in which the outer surface of the protrusion of the holder holding the temperature measuring cell and the inner surfaces of the pair of engaging claws of the first cover abut each other, and both sides in the first direction (opposite to the first direction and the first direction). Positioning in the direction).

  In the battery module according to the present invention, the first cover has a facing surface that faces the main surface and an opposite surface that extends along the main surface on the opposite side of the facing surface, and the protrusion contacts the opposite surface. The contact surface may be included. In this case, since the projection of the holder contacts the opposite surface of the first cover at the contact surface, the movement of the first cover that is separated from the main surface can be restricted.

  The battery module according to the present invention may further include a second cover disposed to face the main surface so as to be adjacent to the first cover along the first direction. In this case, by arranging the second cover according to the number of battery cells in the battery module, the first cover and the second cover can reliably cover and protect the battery cells.

  In the battery module according to the present invention, the first cover may have an overlapping portion overlapping the second cover along a direction intersecting the main surface. In this case, even if the holder and the first cover move along the first direction due to the expansion of the battery cell, the first cover and the first cover and the second cover are within the overlapping range of the first cover and the second cover. The state where the battery cell is covered with the second cover is maintained.

  The battery module according to the present invention may further include an elastic member restrained together with the battery cells along the first direction. In this case, even if the battery cell expands and the battery cell moves along the first direction, for example, the elastic member is crushed so that the load due to the expansion of the battery cell can be absorbed. At this time, since the movement of the battery cell along the first direction becomes relatively large, the effect of positioning the first cover by the positioning portion becomes remarkable.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the battery module which can press a temperature sensor reliably with respect to a temperature measuring cell can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a battery module according to an embodiment. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of the battery module shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the first direction of the battery cell shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the battery cell and the holder shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane orthogonal to the first direction of the battery module shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first cover shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a relative position change between the pressing portion and the thermistor in the battery module according to the comparative example. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a relative position change between the pressing portion and the thermistor in the battery module shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. The dimensional ratios in the drawings do not necessarily match those described. Further, in the description, words indicating directions such as “up” and “down” are convenient words based on the state shown in the drawings. In each figure, an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis that are orthogonal to each other are set for convenience of explanation.

  A battery module 10 according to an embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery module 10 includes a plurality of battery cells 11 such as a lithium ion secondary battery or a nickel hydride storage battery. In the present embodiment, as an example, the number of battery cells 11 is thirteen. Each of the plurality of battery cells 11 is stacked on each other along the first direction (for example, the X-axis direction) while being individually held by the plurality of holders 21. That is, the battery module 10 includes a plurality of holders 21 that individually hold the battery cells 11.

  A pair of end plates (restraining portions) 12A and 12B are provided at both ends of the stacked body of battery cells 11 in the first direction. An intermediate plate 15 is disposed between the stacked body and the end plate 12A. An elastic member 17 made of an elastic material such as rubber or sponge is disposed between the intermediate plate 15 and the end plate 12A.

  Bolts B are inserted through the pair of end plates 12 </ b> A and 12 </ b> B, the intermediate plate 15, and the holder 21. The bolt B is inserted so as to be bridged from one end plate 12A to the other end plate 12B, and is screwed to the nut N on the other end plate 12B side. Accordingly, the pair of end plates 12A and 12B restrains the plurality of battery cells 11 together with the elastic member 17 along the first direction. That is, the battery module 10 includes end plates 12A and 12B that restrain the plurality of battery cells 11 along the first direction, and an elastic member 17 that is restrained together with the battery cells 11 along the first direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the battery cell 11 is electrically connected to the electrode assembly 52, the case 51 that houses the electrode assembly 52, and the electrodes (each of the positive electrode and the negative electrode) of the electrode assembly 52. And a pair of electrode terminals 55 protruding from the case 51.

  The case 51 includes a box-shaped main body 53 that houses the electrode assembly 52 and a plate-shaped lid 54 that closes the opening of the main body 53. Electrode terminals 55 (a positive terminal and a negative terminal) are provided on the upper surface (main surface) 54 </ b> A of the lid portion 54. The electrode terminal 55 is electrically connected to the electrode assembly 52 through the conductive member 58. That is, the battery cell 11 has an upper surface 54A and an electrode terminal 55 provided on the upper surface 54A.

  The electrode assembly 52 includes a plurality of positive electrodes (not shown) and a negative electrode (not shown), and a separator (not shown) disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately stacked via separators. The stacking direction of the positive electrode and the negative electrode substantially coincides with the stacking direction of the battery cells 11 (first direction: X-axis direction).

  On the upper surface 54A of the lid portion 54, there is provided an open valve 57 that breaks and releases the internal pressure of the case 51 when the internal pressure of the case 51 rises to a threshold value. The threshold value is set so that when the internal pressure of the case 51 increases, the release valve 57 is broken before the case 51 is damaged by the internal pressure of the case 51.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the holder 21 includes a rectangular flat plate-shaped bottom wall portion 22, a side wall portion 23, a side wall portion 24, a back surface portion 25, a pair of extending portions 26, a pair of projecting portions 29, and a pair of terminals. The housing portion 31 and a pair of projecting portions 33 are provided.

  The bottom wall portion 22 is a portion that covers the bottom surface (surface opposite to the top surface 54A) of the battery cell 11 when the battery cell 11 is held. The side wall part 23 and the side wall part 24 are disposed so as to face each other at both ends of the bottom wall part 22 in a second direction (for example, the Y-axis direction) that intersects the first direction, and intersect the first direction and the second direction. It extends along the third direction (for example, the Z-axis direction). The side wall portion 23 and the side wall portion 24 are portions that cover the side surfaces (surfaces connecting the upper surface 54A and the bottom surface) of the battery cells 11 when the battery cells 11 are held. The back surface portion 25 is provided so as to connect the side wall portion 23 and the side wall portion 24 in a state where the thickness direction is along the first direction. The position of the upper end 25 </ b> A of the back surface part 25 coincides with the positions 23 </ b> A and 24 </ b> A of the upper ends of the side wall part 23 and the side wall part 24. The back surface portion 25 covers a part of the upper surface 54 </ b> A of the lid portion 54 in the battery cell 11 when holding the battery cell 11.

  The extending part 26 is provided at the positions 23A and 24A of the upper ends of the side wall part 23 and the side wall part 24, respectively. The pair of extending portions 26 are disposed so as to face each other and extend along the third direction. Protrusions 27 are provided on surfaces of the pair of extending portions 26 facing each other.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the protrusion 27 is formed at the tip end portion of the extending portion 26 from the positions 23 </ b> A and 24 </ b> A of the side wall portion 23 and the side wall portion 24. It is formed at a position separated by a distance corresponding to the height of the installation portion 61D. As an example, the protrusion 27 is formed in a triangular prism shape extending along the first direction at the distal end portion of the extending portion 26. The length of the protrusion 27 in the first direction is shorter than the length of the extending portion 26 in the first direction. The protrusion 27 includes a pair of outer surfaces 27A at both ends in the first direction. In the present embodiment, the outer surface 27A is a first intersecting surface that intersects (orthogonally) the first direction. Therefore, the holder 21 includes a first intersecting surface (outer surface 27A) that intersects the first direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the protrusion 27 protrudes from the extending portion 26 onto the first cover 61 along the second direction. Therefore, the protrusion 27 can be engaged with the standing portion 61D. When the protrusion 27 and the standing portion 61D are engaged, the contact surface 27B that is the surface of the protrusion 27 on the first cover 61 side (the upper surface 54A side) contacts the end surface 61G of the standing portion 61D. Here, the end surface 61G is an opposite surface extending along the upper surface 54A on the opposite side of the opposed surface 61S facing the upper surface 54A of the first cover 61. Accordingly, the protrusion 27 includes a contact surface 27B that contacts the opposite surface. Accordingly, the protrusion 27 restricts the movement of the first cover 61 so as to be separated from the upper surface 54A. The protrusion amount of the protrusion 27 along the second direction is, for example, equal to or greater than the thickness of the standing portion 61D. Note that the protrusion amount of the protrusion 27 along the second direction may be less than the thickness of the standing portion 61D.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the projecting portion 29 is provided at positions 23 </ b> C and 24 </ b> C of the lower end portions of the side wall portion 23 and the side wall portion 24 in the third direction. The projecting portion 29 is provided with an insertion hole 29A penetrating along the first direction. The aforementioned bolt B is inserted through the insertion hole 29A.

  The terminal accommodating portions 31 are respectively provided at both ends of the upper end 25A of the back surface portion 25 in the second direction. The terminal accommodating portion 31 is provided so as to continue to the side wall portion 23 and the side wall portion 24. The terminal accommodating portion 31 is U-shaped when viewed from the third direction, and opens in the direction opposite to the first direction. The terminal accommodating portion 31 is a portion that surrounds the electrode terminal 55 of the battery cell 11 when holding the battery cell 11.

  Each of the projecting portions 33 is provided adjacent to the terminal accommodating portion 31 at the upper end 25 </ b> A of the back surface portion 25. The protruding portion 33 has a quadrangular prism shape extending along the first direction, and the length of the protruding portion 33 corresponds to the length of the bottom wall portion 22 in the first direction, for example. The projecting portion 33 is provided with an insertion hole 33A penetrating along the first direction. The aforementioned bolt B is inserted through the insertion hole 33A.

  In the holder 21, a housing portion CL that houses the battery cell 11 is formed by a space surrounded by the bottom wall portion 22, the side wall portion 23, the side wall portion 24, the back surface portion 25, and the protruding portion 33 described above. A thermistor (temperature sensor) 91 is provided on the upper surface 54A in a state where the battery cell 11 is accommodated in the accommodating portion CL.

  Here, the battery module 10 includes a plurality of thermistors 91. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the thermistor 91 includes a battery cell 11A that is the third battery cell 11 counted from the end plate 12A and a battery cell that is the third battery cell 11 counted from the end plate 12B. 11B and the battery cell 11C located in the center of the laminated body of the battery cells 11 are provided. Of the plurality of battery cells 11, the battery cell 11 </ b> C is a temperature measuring cell provided with the thermistor 91. As shown in FIG. 1, the thermistor 91 is connected to a signal line (not shown) connected to the control device 93 via a connection terminal. The detection signal of the thermistor 91 is transmitted to the control device 93 via the signal line and the connection terminal.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery module 10 includes a first cover 61, a second cover 62, and a second cover 63. The first cover 61 is provided to face the upper surface 54A. The first cover 61 is disposed to face the upper surface 54A so as to cover at least two adjacent battery cells 11 including the battery cell 11C that is the battery cell 11 provided with the thermistor 91. On the first cover 61, for example, a control device 93 including an electronic component that contributes to charging / discharging of the battery cell 11 and a battery ECU that controls the battery module 10 is placed. The first cover 61 is a resin member, for example.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first cover 61 includes a main body portion 61A, a pair of standing portions 61D, and a pair of extending portions 61E. The main body 61A is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape. The main body portion 61A has a facing surface 61S that faces the upper surface 54A, and a facing surface 61T that extends along the upper surface 54A on the opposite side of the facing surface 61S.

  The standing portions 61D are provided at both ends of the main body portion 61A in the second direction. The standing portion 61D is erected on the opposite surface 61T so as to extend along the third direction. The pair of standing portions 61D oppose each other in the second direction. The standing portion 61D extends over substantially the entire body portion 61A in the first direction.

  The extending portion 61E is erected on the facing surface 61S so as to extend along the third direction. The pair of extending portions 61E are disposed so as to face each other with the release valve 57 interposed therebetween in the second direction. The extending portion 61E extends over substantially the entire body portion 61A in the first direction. The extending portion 61E is in contact with the upper surface 54A. An elastic member or the like may be provided at the lower end of the extending portion 61E. Note that the extending portion 61E may not be in contact with the upper surface 54A.

  The first cover 61 has a pressing portion 70 for pressing the thermistor 91 against the battery cell 11C. The pressing portion 70 includes a protrusion 71, a spring seat portion 72, and a spring SP. As an example, the protrusion 71 is formed in a cylindrical shape so as to protrude from the facing surface 61S. The protrusion 71 is formed integrally with the first cover 61. The protrusion 71 regulates the position of the spring SP and suppresses the spring SP from coming off. The spring seat portion 72 is a portion that comes into contact with one end portion of the spring SP. The spring seat portion 72 is a part of the facing surface 61S as an example. The spring seat 72 may be formed so as to protrude from the facing surface 61S, or may be formed by recessing the facing surface 61S.

  One end of the spring SP is fitted to the protrusion 71 so as to surround the protrusion 71. The other end of the spring SP is in contact with the upper surface of the thermistor 91. The spring SP is compressed between the spring seat portion 72 and the thermistor 91, thereby pressing the thermistor 91 against the upper surface 54A of the battery cell 11C.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, the first cover 61 includes a positioning unit 80 that performs positioning in the first direction with respect to the holder 21 that holds the battery cell 11 </ b> C. The positioning unit 80 has a pair of engaging claws 81. As an example, the engaging claw 81 is a protrusion formed on the end surface 61G of the standing portion 61D. The engaging claws 81 are each formed in a right triangle shape when viewed from the second direction, and are formed so that the hypotenuse portions do not face each other.

  Each of the engaging claws 81 includes an inner surface 81A that intersects (orthogonally) the first direction. The inner surface 81A here is one surface sandwiching the right angle of the right triangle. Therefore, the inner surface 81A is a second intersecting surface that intersects (orthogonally) in the first direction. The pair of inner surfaces 81A oppose each other in the first direction so as to be separated from each other by a length equal to or longer than the length of the protrusion 27 in the first direction. Since the protrusion 27 is interposed between the pair of inner surfaces 81 </ b> A, the engaging claw 81 is engaged with the protrusion 27 from both sides in the first direction. The inner surface 81A faces the outer surface 27A of the protrusion 27 when the engaging claw 81 is engaged with the protrusion 27. The positioning portion 80 has both sides in the first direction (a direction opposite to the first direction and the first direction) by abutment between the inner surface 81A and the outer surface 27A (that is, abutment between the first intersecting surface and the second intersecting surface). Then, the first cover 61 is positioned with respect to the holder 21.

  The second cover 62 is disposed to face the upper surface 54A so as to be adjacent to the first cover 61 along the first direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the second cover 62 is fixed to the end plate 12B at one end 62F in the first direction. The second cover 63 is disposed to face the upper surface 54A so as to be adjacent to the first cover 61 on the side opposite to the second cover 62 along the first direction. The second cover 63 is fixed to the intermediate plate 15 at one end 63F in the first direction. The second covers 62 and 63 are, for example, resin members.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the first cover 61 and the second cover 62 have overlapping portions 61B and 62B that overlap each other along a direction intersecting the upper surface 54A (third direction: Z-axis direction). Each has. The overlapping part 62B is formed at the end of the second cover 62 opposite to the end 62F fixed to the end plate 12B. The first cover 61 and the second cover 63 have an overlapping portion 61C and an overlapping portion 63C that overlap each other along the direction intersecting the upper surface 54A. The overlapping part 63 </ b> C is formed at the end of the second cover 63 opposite to the end 63 </ b> F fixed to the intermediate plate 15. The overlapping portions 61B and 61C are formed at both ends of the first cover 61 in the first direction, respectively. The overlapping part 61B overlaps with the overlapping part 62B, and the overlapping part 61C overlaps with the overlapping part 63C. In other words, the first cover 61 is movable relative to the second covers 62 and 63 in the first direction in a state where they overlap each other.

  The second covers 62 and 63 are the first except for the point provided with the configuration of the end portions 62F and 63F and the configuration of the overlapping portions 62B and 63C described above, and not including the positioning portion 80 (described later). The cover 61 has the same configuration. Therefore, the description which overlaps with the structure of the 1st cover 61 about the 2nd covers 62 and 63 is abbreviate | omitted.

  Next, the operation of the battery module 10 of the present embodiment will be described. The battery cell 11 may expand with repeated charge / discharge or deterioration. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the battery module 10, the plurality of battery cells 11 are constrained by end plates 12A and 12B. In the battery module 10, an elastic member 17 is disposed between the end plates 12A and 12B. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when expansion occurs in the battery cell 11, the battery cell 11 moves along the first direction toward the elastic member 17. The load due to the expansion of the battery cell 11 is absorbed by the elastic member 17 being crushed.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a relative position change between the pressing portion and the thermistor in the battery module according to the comparative example. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a relative position change between the pressing portion 70 and the thermistor 91 in the battery module 10 shown in FIG. In the battery module shown in FIG. 7, the engaging claw 81 is not formed on the first cover 61, and the first cover 61 is positioned in the first direction with respect to the holder 21 that holds the battery cell 11C. Absent.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the battery cell 11 expands, the holder 21 that holds the battery cell 11C moves by a distance D1 in the direction away from the end plate 12B (the right direction shown in FIG. 7). In connection with this, the 1st cover 61 may move only the distance D2 along the 1st direction, for example. In the example of FIG. 7, since the positioning is not performed, the distance D1 and the distance D2 generally do not match. Therefore, in this case, the expansion of the battery cell 11 may cause the pressing portion 70 to move relative to the thermistor 91 in the first direction, and the position at which the pressing portion 70 presses the thermistor 91 may shift.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, when the positioning unit 80 performs positioning in the first direction with respect to the holder 21 that holds the battery cell 11 </ b> C (that is, the engaging claw 81 is formed on the first cover 61. When the battery cell 11 expands, the holder 21 moves by a distance D1 in a direction away from the end plate 12B (right direction shown in FIG. 8). Accordingly, the first cover 61 moves by a distance D3 along the first direction. In this case, since the positioning is performed, the first cover 61 is moved integrally with the holder 21 in the first direction. Therefore, the distance D1 and the distance D3 are substantially the same. Therefore, in this case, due to the expansion of the battery cell 11, the relative movement of the pressing portion 70 in the first direction with respect to the thermistor 91 is suppressed.

  As described above, in the battery module 10, the first cover 61 performs positioning in the first direction with respect to the pressing portion 70 for pressing the thermistor 91 against the battery cell 11C and the holder 21 that holds the battery cell 11C. Part 80. Thereby, when expansion | swelling arises in the battery cell 11, the holder 21 holding the battery cell 11C which is a temperature measuring cell, and the 1st cover 61 move integrally about a 1st direction. For this reason, relative movement between the pressing portion 70 of the first cover 61 and the thermistor 91 on the battery cell 11C side is suppressed. As a result, the state where the thermistor 91 is pressed against the battery cell 11C by the pressing portion 70 of the first cover 61 is maintained. That is, according to the battery module 10, the thermistor 91 can be more reliably pressed against the battery cell 11C provided with the thermistor 91.

  In the battery module 10, the holder 21 that holds the battery cell 11 </ b> C includes a first intersecting surface that intersects (orthogonally) in the first direction. The first cover 61 includes a second intersecting surface that intersects (orthogonally) in the first direction. The positioning unit 80 performs positioning by abutting the first intersecting surface and the second intersecting surface. Thereby, the 1st crossing surface of the holder 21 and the 2nd crossing surface of the 1st cover 61 collide with each other in the 1st direction, and about the 1st direction of the 1st cover 61 to holder 21 holding battery cell 11C. Positioning is possible.

  In the battery module 10, the holder 21 that holds the battery cell 11 </ b> C has a protrusion 27 that protrudes on the first cover 61. The first intersecting surface is the outer surface 27 </ b> A of the protrusion 27. The positioning portion 80 has an engaging claw 81 that engages with the protrusion 27 from both sides of the protrusion 27 in the first direction. The second intersecting surface is the inner surface 81A of the engaging claw 81 that faces the outer surface 27A. Thereby, the outer surface 27A of the holder 21 that holds the battery cell 11C and the inner surface 81A of the first cover 61 are in a simple structure that abut each other, and both sides in the first direction (directions opposite to the first direction and the first direction). Positioning at can be performed.

  In the battery module 10, the first cover 61 includes a facing surface 61S that faces the upper surface 54A, and an end surface 61G that is an opposite surface extending along the upper surface 54A on the opposite side of the facing surface 61S. The protrusion 27 includes a contact surface 27B that contacts the end surface 61G. Thereby, since the protrusion 27 contacts the end surface 61G at the contact surface 27B, the movement of the first cover 61 that is separated from the upper surface 54A can be restricted.

  The battery module 10 includes second covers 62 and 63 disposed to face the upper surface 54A so as to be adjacent to the first cover 61 along the first direction. Thereby, the 2nd covers 62 and 63 are arranged according to the number of battery cells 11 in battery module 10, and 1st cover 61 and 2nd covers 62 and 63 cover battery cell 11 reliably, and are protected. Can do.

  In the battery module 10, the first cover 61 includes overlapping portions 61 </ b> B and 61 </ b> C that overlap with the second covers 62 and 63 along the direction intersecting the upper surface 54 </ b> A. Thereby, even if the holder 21 and the first cover 61 move along the first direction due to the expansion of the battery cell 11, the overlapping portions 61B, 62B, Within the range where 61C and 63C overlap, the state where the battery cell 11 is covered by the first cover 61 and the second covers 62 and 63 is maintained.

  The battery module 10 includes an elastic member 17 restrained along with the battery cells 11 along the first direction. Thereby, even if the battery cell 11 expand | swells and the battery cell 11 moves along the 1st direction, the load by expansion | swelling of the battery cell 11 can be absorbed, for example by the elastic member 17 being crushed. At this time, since the movement of the battery cell 11 along the first direction becomes relatively large, the positioning effect of the first cover 61 by the positioning portion 80 becomes remarkable.

  As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. Various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  The battery module 10 of the above embodiment includes the three covers (the first cover 61 and the second covers 62 and 63) that are adjacent to each other in the stacking direction (first direction) of the battery cells 11, but is not limited thereto. . The battery module 10 only needs to include at least one first cover 61.

  In the above embodiment, the engaging claw 81 that positions the first cover 61 in the first direction with respect to the holder 21 that holds the battery cell 11 </ b> C is illustrated as the positioning portion 80. However, the positioning unit 80 holds the other battery cell 11B provided with the thermistor 91 by, for example, forming an engaging claw in the second cover 62 and releasing the fixing of the second cover 62 to the end plate 12B. You may position the 2nd cover 62 about the 1st direction with respect to the holder 21 to do. Further, the positioning unit 80 holds the other battery cell 11A provided with the thermistor 91 by, for example, forming an engaging claw in the second cover 63 and releasing the fixation of the second cover 63 to the intermediate plate 15. You may position the 2nd cover 63 about the 1st direction with respect to the holder 21 to do.

  In the said embodiment, although the engaging claw 81 engaged with the processus | protrusion 27 was illustrated as the positioning part 80, a positioning part is not limited to this. For example, it may be a positioning unit that performs positioning by forming a hole in one of the holder 21 and the first cover 61 and inserting a protrusion formed on the other of the holder 21 and the first cover 61 into the hole. . In addition, for example, a positioning unit that performs positioning by forming holes in corresponding positions of the holder 21 and the first cover 61 and inserting a pin through each of the holes may be used. That is, the positioning part 80 can be in any form capable of positioning by abutment of surfaces intersecting the first direction. Furthermore, the plane intersecting the first direction may be a flat surface or a curved surface such as the surface of a cylindrical protrusion.

  In the above embodiment, one battery cell 11C provided with the thermistor 91 is held by one holder 21, and the positioning unit 80 positions the first cover 61 in the first direction with respect to the holder 21. One holder may hold a plurality of battery cells 11 including, for example, the battery cell 11 provided with the thermistor 91. In this case, the positioning unit 80 may perform positioning of the first cover 61 in the first direction with respect to the one holder.

  In the above embodiment, the elastic member 17 is disposed between the one end plate 12A and the intermediate plate 15, but the elastic member 17 only needs to be constrained with the battery cell 11 along the first direction. You may arrange | position in another position.

  In the above-described embodiment, the pressing unit 70 presses the thermistor 91 against the battery cell 11C with the spring SP. However, the thermistor 91 may be pressed against the battery cell 11C with another elastic member such as rubber. In the above embodiment, one thermistor 91 is provided for each of the three battery cells 11A, 11B, and 11C, and the battery module 10 includes three thermistors 91. However, as the number of thermistors 91, Other numbers may be used. At this time, for example, the thermistor 91 may be provided in the battery cell 11 where the temperature tends to increase.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Battery module, 11 ... Battery cell, 11C ... Battery cell (temperature measuring cell), 12A, 12B ... End plate (restraint part), 17 ... Elastic member (elastic member), 21 ... Holder, 27 ... Projection, 27A ... Outer surface (first intersecting surface), 27B ... contact surface, 54A ... upper surface (main surface), 55 ... electrode terminal, 61 ... first cover, 61S ... opposite surface, 61T ... opposite surface, 62, 63 ... second cover, 61B, 62B, 61C, 63C ... overlapping portion, 70 ... pressing portion, 80 ... positioning portion, 81 ... engaging claw, 81A ... inner surface (second intersecting surface), 91 ... thermistor (temperature sensor).

Claims (7)

A plurality of battery cells having a main surface and electrode terminals provided on the main surface, and stacked with each other along the first direction;
A plurality of holders for individually holding the battery cells;
A restraining portion for restraining the plurality of battery cells along the first direction;
A temperature sensor provided on the main surface of at least one of the battery cells;
A first cover disposed to face the main surface so as to cover at least two battery cells adjacent to each other including a temperature measuring cell that is the battery cell provided with the temperature sensor;
The first cover includes a pressing portion for pressing the temperature sensor against the temperature measuring cell, and a positioning portion that performs positioning in the first direction with respect to the holder that holds the temperature measuring cell. ,
Battery module. The holder for holding the temperature measuring cell includes a first intersecting surface intersecting the first direction;
The first cover includes a second intersecting surface that intersects the first direction,
The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the positioning unit performs the positioning by abutting the first intersecting surface and the second intersecting surface. The holder for holding the temperature measuring cell has a protrusion protruding on the first cover;
The first intersecting surface is an outer surface of the protrusion;
The positioning portion has a pair of engaging claws that engage with the protrusion from both sides of the protrusion in the first direction,
The second intersecting surface is an inner surface of the pair of engaging claws facing the outer surface.
The battery module according to claim 2. The first cover has a facing surface that faces the main surface, and an opposite surface that extends along the main surface on the opposite side of the facing surface,
The protrusion includes a contact surface that contacts the opposite surface,
The battery module according to claim 3. A second cover disposed opposite to the main surface so as to be adjacent to the first cover along the first direction;
The battery module as described in any one of Claims 1-4. The first cover has an overlapping portion overlapping the second cover along a direction intersecting the main surface.
The battery module according to claim 5. An elastic member restrained together with the battery cells along the first direction;
The battery module as described in any one of Claims 1-6.

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