JP2019186043A - Terminal component - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a terminal component capable of contributing to miniaturization of a battery pack.SOLUTION: The terminal component according to the present invention includes: a terminal member 411 having a connecting portion 411a connected to an external component; a support portion 414a supporting the terminal member 411 so that the connection portion 411a is exposed; and a pair of fixing portions 414b connected to the support portion 414a and fixed to a case. One of the pair of fixing portions 414b is disposed at a corner portion 315 of the case. Positions of fixing points of the pair of fixing portions 414b in an extending direction of each of a pair of sides constituting the corner portion 315 of the case are different from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

  The present invention relates to a terminal component.

  Conventionally, a chargeable / dischargeable assembled battery having a plurality of battery cells is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an assembled battery in which a circuit board and an electrical component are arranged on an end surface of a battery stack composed of a plurality of laminated thin battery cells.

JP 2011-175743 A

  Such an assembled battery requires a terminal component for transmitting electrical energy between the battery module housed inside and the outside. In recent years, there is a strong demand for miniaturization of an assembled battery from the viewpoint of convenience, and an efficient layout of terminal parts in the assembled battery is inevitably required. However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, an efficient layout of terminal parts that can contribute to the miniaturization of the assembled battery has not been sufficiently considered.

  An object of the present invention made in view of such problems is to provide a terminal component that can contribute to downsizing of an assembled battery.

In order to solve the above problems, a terminal component according to an embodiment of the present invention is
A terminal member having a connecting portion to be connected to an external component;
A support part supporting the terminal member so that the connection part is exposed;
A pair of fixing parts connected to the support part and fixed to the case;
With
One of the pair of fixed portions is disposed at a corner of the case,
The positions of the fixing points of the pair of fixing portions in the extending directions of the pair of sides constituting the corner portion of the case are different from each other.

  The terminal component according to the embodiment of the present invention can contribute to the downsizing of the assembled battery.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structural example of the assembled battery which concerns on one Embodiment. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the structural example of the assembled battery which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a top view of a battery cell. It is a side view of a battery cell. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structural example of a battery module. It is the schematic diagram which showed the typical 1st process of assembling a battery module. It is the schematic diagram which showed the typical 2nd process of assembling a battery module. It is the schematic diagram which showed the typical 3rd process of assembling a battery module. It is the schematic diagram which showed the typical 4th process of assembling a battery module. It is the schematic diagram which showed the typical 5th process of assembling a battery module. It is the schematic diagram which showed the typical 6th process of assembling a battery module. It is the schematic diagram which showed the typical 7th process of assembling a battery module. It is the schematic diagram which showed the typical 8th process of assembling a battery module. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structural example of an auxiliary machine module. It is a perspective view which shows the assembly example of a battery module and an auxiliary machine module. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structural example of an upper case. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example by which the battery module is accommodated in the lower case. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is an enlarged view of the broken-line enclosure part of FIG. It is the disassembled perspective view which showed each component of the plus output terminal and the plus output terminal bus bar. It is the disassembled perspective view which showed each component of the minus output terminal and the minus output terminal bus bar. It is a top view when a battery module and an auxiliary machine module are accommodated in a lower case.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, front and rear, left and right, and up and down directions are based on the directions of arrows in the drawing. In one embodiment, as an example, the stacking direction of the plurality of battery cells 10 is described as being in the vertical direction, but is not limited thereto. The stacking direction of the plurality of battery cells 10 may be any other direction.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration example of an assembled battery 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a configuration example of the assembled battery 1 according to an embodiment.

  In one embodiment, the assembled battery 1 may be used by being mounted on a vehicle such as a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine or a hybrid vehicle capable of traveling with the power of both the internal combustion engine and the electric motor. The assembled battery 1 may be mounted under a vehicle seat, for example. The assembled battery 1 may be mounted, for example, in the center console of the vehicle. The assembled battery 1 is not limited to a vehicle, and may be used for other purposes.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the assembled battery 1 includes a battery module 100, an auxiliary machine module 200, a lower case 300, and an upper case 400. The lower case 300 and the upper case 400 are engaged with each other by, for example, a fastening structure such as screwing or a fitting structure such as a claw or a clip. Thereby, a space is formed inside the assembled battery 1. The lower case 300 and the upper case 400 are collectively referred to simply as a case. Battery module 100 and auxiliary machine module 200 are located in a space formed by lower case 300 and upper case 400. The battery module 100 is located on the lower case 300 side. The accessory module 200 is located on the upper case 400 side. That is, the auxiliary machine module 200 is positioned above the battery module 100. The lower case 300 and the upper case 400 are made of, for example, a metal material, but may be made of a resin material.

  The battery module 100 includes a restraint plate 60 positioned above the battery cells 10 stacked in the vertical direction. The restraint plate 60 has a convex portion 62 that protrudes downward toward the battery cell 10. The lower case 300 has a bottom surface 310 located below. The bottom surface 310 has a convex portion 312 that protrudes upward toward the battery cell 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the assembled battery 1 includes a positive output terminal 410, a negative output terminal 420, a connector 430, and a gas discharge unit 440 in the upper case 400. The plus output terminal 410 and the minus output terminal 420 are electrically connected to the electrode tab 12 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) of the battery cell 10 included in the battery module 100. The connector 430 is electrically connected to a relay 220 (see FIG. 6) included in the accessory module 200. The gas discharge unit 440 discharges the gas generated from the battery cell 10 inside the case to the outside of the assembled battery 1.

  3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating a configuration example of the battery cell 10 alone. FIG. 3A is a top view of the battery cell 10. FIG. 3B is a side view of the battery cell 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the battery cell 10 includes a pair of exterior members 16 that hold the electrolyte solution, cell electrodes, and the like of the battery cell 10 inside, and a front side and a rear side of the battery cell 10. Negative electrode tab 12n and positive electrode tab 12p. The battery cell 10 may have a flat plate shape as a whole. A portion in which the electrolyte solution, the cell electrode, and the like are held inside by the exterior member 16 is also referred to as a holding portion 18. The portion sealed so as to prevent leakage of contents such as the electrolytic solution by bonding, crimping, or welding the exterior member 16 is also referred to as a sealing portion 19. The thickness of the sealing part 19 in the vertical direction is smaller than the thickness of the holding part 18 in the vertical direction.

  The exterior member 16 may include a laminate film. The outermost layer of the exterior member 16 may include a resin material for ensuring electrical insulation. In other words, the battery cell 10 may have an insulating member on its surface layer. The exterior member 16 may include an insulating layer.

  The battery cell 10 has a first outer surface 11 on each of the front and rear sides. The battery cell 10 has a second outer surface 13 on each of the left side and the right side. The first outer surface 11 and the second outer surface 13 may be configured as end portions of the exterior member 16. The battery cell 10 has a third outer surface 14 on each of the upper side and the lower side of the holding unit 18. The third outer surface 14 may be configured as the outermost layer of the exterior member 16. Surfaces obtained by extending the first outer surface 11, the second outer surface 13, and the third outer surface 14 intersect each other.

  The negative electrode tab 12n and the positive electrode tab 12p are collectively referred to as the electrode tab 12. The negative electrode tab 12n and the positive electrode tab 12p may protrude from the front and rear first outer surfaces 11, respectively. The negative electrode tab 12n and the positive electrode tab 12p may be interchanged. The negative electrode tab 12n and the positive electrode tab 12p may protrude in opposite directions. The negative electrode tab 12n and the positive electrode tab 12p may protrude in the same direction. In one embodiment, it is assumed that the battery cell 10 is stacked in the vertical direction in a state where the pair of positive electrode tabs 12p and the negative electrode tab 12n are arranged along the front-rear direction.

  The electrode tab 12 may protrude from the center of the first outer surface 11. The electrode tab 12 may protrude substantially parallel to the front-rear direction. The electrode tab 12 may have a tab side surface 17 along the protruding direction. The electrode tab 12 may be flat.

  FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example of the battery module 100.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the battery module 100 includes a plurality of battery cells 10 stacked in the vertical direction. The number of battery cells 10 is not limited to 6, and may be 5 or less, or 7 or more. The stacked battery cells 10 may be bonded by an adhesive layer 15 located between the battery cells 10. The battery module 100 may have a heat sink 70 between the stacked battery cells 10. The heat sink 70 may be bonded to the battery cell 10 by the adhesive layer 15.

  The adhesive layer 15 may be provided on the third outer surface 14 of the battery cell 10. The adhesive layer 15 may be provided on one of the upper and lower third outer surfaces 14 of the battery cell 10. The adhesive layer 15 may include an adhesive or a pressure-sensitive adhesive such as a double-sided tape or hot melt. The adhesive layer 15 may be formed by, for example, a method of applying an adhesive to the third outer surface 14 of each battery cell 10 or other various methods. The number of the adhesive layers 15 positioned between the components is not limited to two illustrated in FIG. 4, and may be one or three or more. The shape of the adhesive layer 15 is not limited to the rectangle illustrated in FIG. 4, and may be other various shapes.

  The battery module 100 further includes a first cell case 20 and a second cell case 30. A configuration in which the first cell case 20 and the second cell case 30 are combined is simply referred to as a cell case. The first cell case 20 and the second cell case 30 are located on the left side and the right side of the stacked battery cells 10, respectively. The first cell case 20 and the second cell case 30 house the stacked battery cells 10 in an engaged state. More specifically, the cell case supports the stacked battery cells 10 inside and arranges the electrode tabs 12. Each of the first cell case 20 and the second cell case 30 may have partition plates 23 and 33 that protrude inward from the side surfaces. The partition plates 23 and 33 are located between the sealing portions 19 of the battery cells 10 in a state where the first cell case 20 and the second cell case 30 are engaged.

  The shape of the first cell case 20 is a substantially rectangular frame shape when viewed from above, and is a shape in which the right side is open. In other words, the shape of the first cell case 20 is substantially U-shaped with the right side open. The shape of the second cell case 30 is a substantially rectangular frame shape as viewed from above, and the left side is open. In other words, the shape of the second cell case 30 is substantially U-shaped with the left side open. The 1st cell case 20 and the 2nd cell case 30 become a rectangular frame-like structure seeing from the upper direction by engaging in each open side. It can be said that the shape of the configuration in which the first cell case 20 and the second cell case 30 are engaged is a substantially square shape when viewed from above. The cell case accommodates the stacked battery cells 10 in a frame-like configuration. The portions corresponding to the inside of the frame when viewed from above are the opening 22 and the opening 32 in the first cell case 20 and the second cell case 30, respectively. The first cell case 20 has openings 22 at both ends in the stacking direction of the battery cells 10. The second cell case 30 has openings 32 at both ends in the stacking direction of the battery cells 10.

  The first cell case 20 and the second cell case 30 may be engaged with each other by, for example, an engagement claw provided on one side and an engagement hole provided on the other side. For example, the first cell case 20 and the second cell case 30 each have an engaging portion protruding from an arbitrary surface, and the protruding engaging portion is engaged by being sandwiched by an elastic member such as a clip. May be. The first cell case 20 and the second cell case 30 may be engaged by various fastening structures such as screwing, for example. The first cell case 20 and the second cell case 30 are not limited to these examples, and may be engaged by various methods. By doing in this way, the assembled battery 1 can be assembled easily. As a result, the reliability of the product can be improved.

  The first cell case 20 and the second cell case 30 may include a material having a relatively high rigidity. The 1st cell case 20 and the 2nd cell case 30 may be comprised by the metal material or resin material etc. to which the electrically insulating material, such as PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) resin, was given to the surface, for example.

  The 2nd cell case 30 has the slit 34 in each front-back direction. In a state where the battery cell 10 is accommodated in the cell case, the electrode tab 12 of the battery cell 10 passes through the slit 34 and protrudes to the outside of the cell case. The number of slits 34 corresponds to the number of battery cells 10.

  The battery module 100 further includes an inter-tab bus bar 40, a total plus bus bar 41, and a total minus bus bar 42 that electrically connect the electrode tabs 12 protruding outward from the cell case. The inter-tab bus bar 40, the total plus bus bar 41, and the total minus bus bar 42 are simply referred to as a bus bar.

  The bus bar is made of a material having electrical conductivity. For example, the bus bar is made of a resin material provided with a metal material or an electrically conductive material. The metal material includes, for example, aluminum or copper. The material constituting the bus bar is determined so as to ensure weldability according to the material constituting the electrode tab 12. The surface of the bus bar may be plated to absorb laser light for laser welding that joins the bus bar and the electrode tab 12.

  The battery cells 10 are stacked such that the positive electrode tabs 12p and the negative electrode tabs 12n are alternately replaced. That is, when the positive electrode tab 12p and the negative electrode tab 12n of one battery cell 10 face forward and backward, respectively, the positive electrode tab 12p and the negative electrode tab 12n of the battery cell 10 stacked next to the battery cell 10 are respectively Facing backwards and forwards.

  The inter-tab bus bar 40 electrically connects the positive electrode tab 12 p of one battery cell 10 and the negative electrode tab 12 n of the battery cell 10 stacked next to the battery cell 10. By doing in this way, the laminated battery cells 10 are electrically connected in series. When the battery cells 10 are connected in series, the positive electrode tab 12p of the battery cell 10 positioned at the upper end or the lower end is not connected to any battery cell 10. In one embodiment, it is assumed that the positive electrode tab 12p of the battery cell 10 positioned at the upper end is not connected to any battery cell 10. The total plus bus bar 41 is connected to the positive electrode tab 12p of the battery cell 10 located at the upper end. In this case, the negative electrode tab 12n of the battery cell 10 located at the lower end is not connected to any battery cell 10. The total minus bus bar 42 is connected to the negative electrode tab 12n of the battery cell 10 located at the lower end. By doing so, a potential difference generated between the total plus bus bar 41 and the total minus bus bar 42 is output as the total voltage of the battery cells 10 electrically connected in series.

  The assembled battery 1 may further include a voltage detection unit. The voltage detection unit may be electrically connected to the electrode tab 12 via the bus bar and detect the terminal voltage of each battery cell 10.

  The battery module 100 further includes a restraint plate 60 that restrains the battery cells 10 stacked in the vertical direction from above. The restraint plate 60 is fastened to the fastening portion 66 provided in the first cell case 20 and the second cell case 30 by the restraint plate fastening member 64. The broken line in FIG. 4 shows an example of the correspondence relationship between the restraint plate fastening member 64 and the fastening portion 66.

  The constraining plate 60 may be configured to include a material having a relatively high rigidity. The restraint plate 60 may be made of only a metal material, for example. The configuration of the constraining plate 60 is not limited to this, and may be a resin material or a metal material having an electrically insulating material such as PET resin on the surface. The shape of the restraint plate 60 may be a substantially flat plate shape. The restraint plate 60 has a convex portion 62. The convex portion 62 of the restraining plate 60 pressurizes the upper surface of the battery cell 10 through the opening portions 22 and 32 of the cell case. By doing so, the stacked battery cells 10 are restrained. Therefore, the battery module 100 can be easily handled. When the restraint plate 60 pressurizes the battery cell 10 through the openings 22 and 32 of the cell case, the force that pressurizes the battery cell 10 is hardly applied to the cell case. As a result, the cell case is unlikely to deteriorate or be damaged.

  The battery module 100 may include an insulating sheet 50 between the battery cells 10 stacked in the vertical direction and the restraint plate 60. That is, the restraint plate 60 may be laminated on the battery cell 10 via the insulating sheet 50. The insulating sheet 50 may be adhered to the battery cell 10 with the adhesive layer 15. The insulating sheet 50 may contact the upper surface of the battery cell 10 positioned at the upper end of the stacked battery cells 10. The insulating sheet 50 may contact the lower surface of the battery cell 10 positioned at the lower end of the stacked battery cells 10. The insulating sheet 50 may include an electrically insulating material such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) resin. The shape of the insulating sheet 50 may be substantially flat, but is not limited thereto. The insulating sheet 50 may be adhered to the constraining plate 60 with the adhesive layer 15. By providing the insulating sheet 50, electrical insulation between the upper surface of the battery cell 10 and the restraining plate 60 can be improved. The restraint plate 60 may be bonded to the battery cell 10 by the adhesive layer 15 without using the insulating sheet 50. When the restraint plate 60 is bonded to the battery cell 10 without the insulating sheet 50 interposed therebetween, the exterior member 16 of the battery cell 10 may include an insulating member layer on the surface layer or the like. The insulating sheet 50 or the insulating member layer positioned between the restraint plate 60 and the battery cell 10 is also referred to as a first insulating layer. When the battery module 100 has the first insulating layer between the restraint plate 60 and the battery cell 10, the electrical insulation between the restraint plate 60 and the battery cell 10 can be improved.

  The first cell case 20 may have a side opening 25 on the left side surface. The second cell case 30 may have a side opening 35 on the side surface in the right direction. When the battery module 100 includes the heat dissipation plate 70, a portion protruding in the left-right direction from the heat dissipation plate 70 can protrude outside the cell case through the side opening portions 25 and 35.

  FIG. 5A to FIG. 5H are schematic views respectively showing typical first to eighth steps for assembling the battery module 100. The battery module 100 may be assembled along the procedure illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5H.

  In the step shown in FIG. 5A, a jig 90 is used to assemble the battery module 100. The jig 90 may be configured such that the battery cell 10 or the heat radiating plate 70 placed thereon is aligned.

  In the process shown in FIG. 5B, the battery cell 10 is placed on the jig 90. The jig 90 may have inner surfaces corresponding to the shapes of the first outer surface 11 and the second outer surface 13 of the battery cell 10 so that the battery cell 10 is placed in an aligned state. The jig 90 may have a shape corresponding to the electrode tab 12 protruding from the central portion of the first outer surface 11 of the battery cell 10. An adhesive layer 15 may be provided on the upper surface or the lower surface of the battery cell 10.

  In the step shown in FIG. 5C, the heat radiating plate 70 is placed on the jig 90. The jig 90 may have a boss 92 and a step so that the radiator plate 70 and the like can be aligned and placed. The heat radiating plate 70 may have a protrusion and a hole 72 at the end that are used when the battery module 100 is fastened to the lower case 300. The heat radiating plate 70 may be aligned by the protrusions coming into contact with the steps of the jig 90 and the holes 72 fitting into the bosses 92 of the jig 90.

  In the step shown in FIG. 5D, an insulating sheet 50 may be further placed on the upper surface of the stacked battery cells 10. An adhesive layer 15 may be provided on the upper surface of the insulating sheet 50.

  In the step shown in FIG. 5E, the second cell case 30 is inserted into the configuration in which at least the battery cells 10 are stacked. At that time, the partition plate 33 of the second cell case 30 is inserted between the sealing portions 19 of the stacked battery cells 10. The configuration in which the battery cells 10 are stacked is aligned even when the battery cells 10 are taken out of the jig 90 by bonding the battery cells 10 to each other or the battery cell 10 and another configuration by the adhesive layer 15. Can be maintained.

  5F, the first cell case 20 is inserted from the opposite side of the second cell case 30 to the configuration in which the battery cells 10 are stacked. At that time, the partition plate 23 of the first cell case 20 is inserted between the sealing portions 19 of the stacked battery cells 10. The electrode tab 12 of the battery cell 10 protrudes from the slit 34 of the second cell case 30 to the outside.

  In the step shown in FIG. 5G, the inter-tab bus bar 40, the total plus bus bar 41, and the total minus bus bar 42 are electrically connected to the electrode tab 12. The bus bar and the electrode tab 12 may be electrically connected, for example, by welding or welding. When the positive electrode tab 12p and the negative electrode tab 12n of the adjacent battery cells 10 are joined to the inter-tab bus bar 40 by welding, the battery cells 10 are joined with high accuracy by maintaining the aligned state. sell.

  Further, the constraining plate 60 is attached from the upper surface to the configuration in which the configuration in which the battery cells 10 are stacked is accommodated in the cell case. The convex portion 62 of the restraining plate 60 abuts the upper surface of the configuration in which the battery cells 10 are stacked through the opening portions 22 and 32 of the cell case. The restraint plate 60 may be bonded to the configuration in which the battery cells 10 are stacked by the adhesive layer 15.

  5H, the restraint plate 60 may be fastened to the cell case by the restraint plate fastening member 64. When the restraint plate 60 is fastened to the cell case, the assembly of the battery module 100 is completed.

  When the battery module 100 is assembled along the processes illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5H, the positioning accuracy of the electrode tabs 12 of the battery cells 10 stacked adjacent to each other can be improved. As a result, the electrode tab 12 and the bus bar can be easily joined with high accuracy, and the reliability of the assembled battery 1 can be improved.

  Durability when the battery module 100 is subjected to vibration, impact, or the like because the stacked portions of the battery cell 10, the heat dissipation plate 70, the insulating sheet 50, the restraint plate 60, and the like are bonded by the adhesive layer 15. Can be improved. For example, when the assembled battery 1 having the battery module 100 is mounted on a vehicle, the relative displacement of each part of the battery module 100 can be reduced due to vibration or impact when the vehicle travels. By adhering each part of the battery module 100, each part is less likely to be damaged even when subjected to vibration or impact.

  Since the first cell case 20 and the second cell case 30 have the partition plates 23 and 33 positioned between the sealing portions 19 of the battery cells 10, the battery cells 10 are easily insulated from each other. For example, even when the battery cells 10 are deteriorated and deformed with time, the battery cells 10 that are stacked adjacent to each other are less likely to contact each other.

  Since the cell case is made of a metal material or a resin material having an electrically insulating material on its surface, the electrical components and the like located inside the assembled battery 1 and the battery cell 10 are electrically connected to each other. Can be insulated.

  Further, even when the lower case 300 and the upper case 400 of the assembled battery 1 are made of metal, it is possible to ensure insulation between the battery cell 10 and the electrical components and the like located outside the assembled battery 1. In addition, if the lower case 300 and the upper case 400 are made of a resin material, the battery cell 10 and the electric parts located outside the assembled battery 1 are similarly connected even if the cell case is made of a metal material. Insulation can be ensured.

  FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example of the accessory module 200.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the auxiliary machine module 200 includes an auxiliary machine base 210, a relay 220, a current sensor 230, a fuse 240, and a substrate 260. Current sensor 230 has a fastening hole 231 at its terminal, and is fastened to fastening portion 212 of auxiliary machine base 210 by fastening member 252. The fastening hole 231 at one end of the current sensor 230 is fastened together with the fastening hole 251 of the copper bus bar 250 that is electrically connected to the relay 220. Relay 220 has a fastening hole 221 at its terminal, and is fastened to fastening portion 212 of auxiliary machine base 210 by fastening member 252. The fastening hole 221 at one end of the relay 220 is fastened together with the fastening hole 251 of the copper bus bar 250 that is electrically connected to the current sensor 230. The fastening hole 221 at the other end of the relay 220 is fastened together with the fastening hole 251 of the copper bus bar 250 that is electrically connected to the fuse 240. The fuse 240 has a fastening hole 241 at its terminal, and is fastened to the fastening portion 212 of the auxiliary machine base 210 by a fastening member 252. The fastening hole 241 at one end of the fuse 240 is fastened together with the fastening hole 251 of the copper bus bar 250 that is electrically connected to the relay 220. The board 260 has fastening holes 261 at four corners, for example, and is fastened to the fastening part 214 of the auxiliary machine base 210 by fastening members 262. The auxiliary machine base 210 has a fastening hole 216. When the auxiliary module 200 is housed in the lower case 300 together with the battery module 100, the module fastening member 270 (see FIG. 7) passes through the fastening hole 216, so that the fastening portion 340 (FIG. 1) of the lower case 300 is obtained. Reference).

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an assembly example of the battery module 100 and the auxiliary machine module 200.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the accessory base 210 of the accessory module 200 is fastened to the first cell case 20 and the second cell case 30 by a module fastening member 270. The module fastening member 270 can be fastened to the fastening portion 340 (see FIG. 1) of the lower case 300 by combining the accessory module 200 and the battery module 100. The current sensor 230 is electrically connected to the copper bus bar 250 electrically connected to the total plus bus bar 41 at a terminal different from the side electrically connected to the relay 220.

  The assembled battery 1 further includes a plus output terminal 410 and a minus output terminal 420. The fuse 240 is electrically connected to the plus output terminal bus bar 412 electrically connected to the plus output terminal 410 at a terminal different from the side electrically connected to the relay 220. That is, the plus output terminal 410 is electrically connected to the total plus bus bar 41 via the fuse 240, the relay 220, and the current sensor 230 that are connected in series. The minus output terminal 420 is electrically connected to the total minus bus bar 42 via the minus output terminal bus bar 422. The positive output terminal 410 may be fastened to the fastening portion 330 (see FIG. 1) of the lower case 300 by screwing or the like in the fastening hole 414c. The negative output terminal 420 may be fastened to the lower case 300 by screwing or the like in the fastening hole 424c.

  The assembled battery 1 may further include a bus bar cover 80 that covers the inter-tab bus bar 40, the total plus bus bar 41, and the total minus bus bar 42. By covering the bus bar with the bus bar cover 80, even if the assembled battery 1 receives an impact such as a collision, and is deformed or damaged, the electrical insulation between the bus bar and the lower case 300 is ensured. Can be raised more.

  The relay 220 functions as a switching element that connects or disconnects the battery cell 10 and the plus output terminal 410.

  The current sensor 230 detects the magnitude of the current flowing from the battery cell 10 to the positive output terminal 410. The current sensor 230 may output the detected current magnitude to the substrate 260.

  The fuse 240 may include a fuse body, an insulating resin housing that houses and holds the fuse body, and an insulating resin cover that covers the housing. The fuse 240 is blown by the overcurrent flowing.

  The substrate 260 may have a BMS (Battery Management System). BMS is also called a battery controller. The BMS may be configured including at least one processor. The BMS may be communicably connected to the current sensor 230 and may acquire a current detection result from the current sensor 230. The BMS may be communicably connected to the relay 220 and may output information for controlling the opening and closing of the relay 220. The BMS may be electrically connected to the inter-tab bus bar 40 and detect the potential of the inter-tab bus bar 40. The BMS may be communicably connected to a sensor that detects the potential of the inter-tab bus bar 40, and may acquire a detection result of the potential of the inter-tab bus bar 40. The BMS may output information on the battery cell 10 to the outside through the connector 430 (see FIG. 8).

  FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example of the upper case 400.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the upper case 400 includes a connector 430 and a gas discharge part 440. The connector 430 is communicably connected to the board 260 of the auxiliary machine module 200. The connector 430 may be connectable to an external circuit such as an ECU (Electric Control Unit) of a vehicle on which the assembled battery 1 is mounted, for example.

  The upper case 400 includes a fastening portion 450 that is fastened to the fastening portion 320 (see FIG. 9) of the lower case 300. The fastening portion 320 of the lower case 300 and the fastening portion 450 of the upper case 400 may be fastened by screwing or the like, or may be fastened by an elastic member such as a clip. A case configured by fastening the upper case 400 and the lower case 300 may protect the battery module 100 by surrounding the battery module 100.

  The battery cell 10 can deteriorate over time by repeating charge and discharge. As the battery cell 10 deteriorates with time, gas due to decomposition or volatilization of the electrolytic solution may be generated inside the battery cell 10. When the pressure of the gas inside the battery cell 10 exceeds a predetermined value, the gas can be released from a part of the sealing portion 19 of the battery cell 10 to the outside. The gas released from the inside of the battery cell 10 can accumulate in the space inside the assembled battery 1 surrounded by the lower case 300 and the upper case 400. The gas accumulated in the space inside the assembled battery 1 can be discharged to the outside of the assembled battery 1 through the gas discharge portion 440 of the upper case 400. The gas discharge unit 440 is provided on the upper surface of the upper case 400, but is not limited thereto, and may be provided on the side surface of the upper case 400, or the bottom surface 310 (see FIG. 10) or the side surface of the lower case 300. May be provided.

  The gas discharge unit 440 includes a gas cover 442 and a breather 444. The gas cover 442 can protect the breather 444 from an external impact or the like by covering the breather 444. The breather 444 has an internal pressure adjusting film having air permeability and waterproof and dustproof properties in a gas discharge path. Since the gas discharge unit 440 includes the breather 444, the gas accumulated in the space inside the assembled battery 1 is discharged to the outside of the assembled battery 1, and water, dust, or the like is discharged from the outside of the assembled battery 1 to the assembled battery. It becomes difficult to enter the inside of 1. As a result, the reliability of the assembled battery 1 can be improved.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example in which the battery module 100 is accommodated in the lower case 300.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the battery module 100 is fastened to the fastening portion 340 (see FIG. 1) of the lower case 300 while being housed in the lower case 300. When the auxiliary machine module 200 is mounted on the upper part of the battery module 100, the auxiliary machine base 210 and the cell case are collectively fastened to the fastening portion 340 of the lower case 300 by the module fastening member 270 (see FIG. 7). .

  FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a broken line in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the lower case 300 has a bottom surface 310 on the lower side. In a state where the battery module 100 is accommodated in the lower case 300, the stacked battery cells 10 are pressurized from the bottom surface 310 positioned below and the restraining plate 60 positioned above. In other words, the bottom surface 310 of the lower case 300 presses the battery cell 10 from the side opposite to the side where the restraint plate 60 presses the battery cell 10. It can be said that the stacked battery cells 10 are sandwiched between the bottom surface 310 and the restraint plate 60. The stacked battery cells 10 can be stably stored in the lower case 300 by being sandwiched. Since the bottom surface 310 of the lower case 300 has a function of pressing the battery cell 10 from the lower side, a member only for pressing the battery cell 10 from the lower side can be omitted. As a result, the assembled battery 1 can be reduced in size and weight, and the cost can be reduced, and the reliability of the holding structure of the battery cell 10 can be improved.

  The bottom surface 310 may come into contact with the lower surface of the battery cell 10 via the insulating sheet 50. The insulating sheet 50 may be bonded to the bottom surface 310 by the adhesive layer 15. By providing the insulating sheet 50, electrical insulation between the lower surface of the battery cell 10 and the bottom surface 310 of the lower case 300 can be improved. The bottom surface 310 may be bonded to the battery cell 10 by the adhesive layer 15 without using the insulating sheet 50. When the bottom surface 310 is bonded to the battery cell 10 without the insulating sheet 50 interposed therebetween, the exterior member 16 of the battery cell 10 may include an insulating member layer on the surface layer or the like. The insulating sheet 50 or the insulating member layer positioned between the bottom surface 310 and the battery cell 10 is also referred to as a second insulating layer. When the battery module 100 has the second insulating layer between the bottom surface 310 and the battery cell 10, electrical insulation between the battery cell 10 and the lower case 300 can be improved.

  The bottom surface 310 has a convex portion 312 that protrudes upward. The convex portion 312 can contact a predetermined range including the center of the lower surface of the battery cell 10 through the openings 22 and 32 of the cell case. The convex portion 62 of the restraint plate 60 positioned above the battery module 100 can contact a predetermined range including the center of the upper surface of the battery cell 10 through the openings 22 and 32 of the cell case. The convex part 62 may contact the upper surface of the battery cell 10 through another configuration such as the insulating sheet 50. In a state where the battery module 100 is housed in the lower case 300, the stacked battery cells 10 are sandwiched between the convex portion 312 located below and the convex portion 62 located above. The stacked battery cells 10 are firmly restrained by being sandwiched from both the upper and lower sides. The stacked battery cells 10 are pressed by the convex portions 62 and the convex portions 312 in a predetermined range including the center of each of the upper and lower surfaces. The battery cell 10 can be pressed with a larger force in the central portion than the peripheral portion close to the sealing portion 19 among the upper surface and the lower surface of the holding portion 18.

  The battery cell 10 can deteriorate over time by repeating charge and discharge. As the battery cell 10 deteriorates with time, gas due to decomposition or volatilization of the electrolytic solution may be generated inside the battery cell 10. The gas generated inside the battery cell 10 can expand the battery cell 10. The stacked battery cells 10 are less likely to expand in the direction in which the battery cells 10 are stacked by being pressed from above and below by the convex portions 62 of the restraint plate 60 and the convex portions 312 of the bottom surface 310.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the second cell case 30 includes a housing portion 36 in which a pair of electrode tabs 12 connected to the inter-tab bus bar 40 are disposed. More specifically, the inter-tab bus bar 40 and a pair of positive electrode tab 12p and negative electrode tab 12n connected to the inter-tab bus bar 40 are arranged in the accommodating portion 36. The second cell case 30 includes an insulating portion 37 that separates the pair of electrode tabs 12 disposed in the housing portion 36 from the other electrode tabs 12 adjacent to each other. The insulating portion 37 electrically insulates the pair of electrode tabs 12 disposed in the accommodating portion 36 from the adjacent other electrode tabs 12 along the arrangement direction of the electrode tabs 12, that is, the vertical direction.

  FIG. 12A is an exploded perspective view showing each component of the plus output terminal 410 and the plus output terminal bus bar 412. FIG. 12B is an exploded perspective view showing the components of the negative output terminal 420 and the negative output terminal bus bar 422.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, the plus output terminal 410 includes, as large components, a terminal member 411 that is connected to an external component including a harness and the like, and a terminal block 414 that supports the terminal member 411.

  The terminal member 411 is made of a material having electrical conductivity. For example, the terminal member 411 is made of a resin material provided with a metal material or an electrically conductive material. The terminal member 411 has a connection portion 411a that connects to an external component. The connection part 411a includes a fastening structure such as screwing. The terminal member 411 has a chamfered portion 411b formed at the lower portion of the connecting portion 411a. The chamfered portion 411b has four planes that are formed by cutting out four sides of the side surface of the cylinder. The four planes include two pairs of opposing planes. The plane constituting one pair and the plane constituting the other pair are orthogonal to each other. The terminal member 411 has a flange portion 411c formed at the lower portion of the chamfered portion 411b. The collar portion 411c is substantially circular in a plan view as viewed from the up-down direction, and has a larger diameter than the chamfered portion 411b. The terminal member 411 has a bus bar connection part 411d formed at the lower part of the flange part 411c. The bus bar connection portion 411d includes a fastening structure such as screwing, and is fixed to the positive output terminal bus bar 412 that is electrically connected to the battery module 100.

  The terminal block 414 is made of an electrically insulating material. For example, the terminal block 414 is made of a metal material provided with a resin material or an electrically insulating material. The terminal block 414 is integrally formed with the terminal member 411 by insert molding so that at least the connection portion 411a is exposed. The terminal block 414 includes a support portion 414a that supports the terminal member 411 so that the connection portion 411a is exposed. The support portion 414a is integrally formed by insert molding with a part of the chamfered portion 411b and the entire flange portion 411c of the terminal member 411, for example. Further, the support portion 414a may be integrally formed with a portion where the bus bar connection portion 411d and the plus output terminal bus bar 412 are fixed. At this time, a part of the chamfered portion 411b, the entire flange portion 411c, and a portion where the bus bar connecting portion 411d and the plus output terminal bus bar 412 are fixed may be embedded in the support portion 414a. The thickness of the support portion 414a is determined so that, for example, sufficient durability can be obtained with respect to torque generated when an external component is attached to the terminal member 411. The terminal block 414 includes a pair of fixing portions 414 b that are connected to the support portion 414 a and are fixed to the lower case 300. Of the pair of fixing portions 414b, the front surface of the fixing portion 414b located on the right side has an R shape. The fixing portion 414b is provided with the fastening hole 414c described above penetrating the fixing portion 414b in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the terminal member 411 is fixed to the plus output terminal bus bar 412 on the opposite side of the connecting portion 411a, that is, on the lower side with respect to the support portion 414a. The plus output terminal bus bar 412 is bent in a substantially crank shape, and the portion of the plus output terminal bus bar 412 on the auxiliary machine module 200 side is positioned one step higher than the portion on the plus output terminal 410 side. Therefore, the portion where the terminal member 411 and the plus output terminal bus bar 412 are fixed is located on the opposite side of the connecting portion 411a from the other fixing point of the plus output terminal bus bar 412 on the auxiliary equipment module 200 side, that is, below the connecting portion 411a. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 12B, the minus output terminal 420 is configured similarly to the plus output terminal 410. The negative output terminal 420 includes, as large components, a terminal member 421 that is connected to an external component including a harness and the like, and a terminal block 424 that supports the terminal member 421. Similar to the terminal member 411, the terminal member 421 includes a connecting portion 421a, a chamfered portion 421b, a flange portion 421c, and a bus bar connecting portion 421d. Similar to the terminal block 414, the terminal block 424 includes a support portion 424a, a fixing portion 424b, and a fastening hole 424c. It should be understood that the above description and the following description regarding each component of the plus output terminal 410 also apply to each component of the corresponding minus output terminal 420. Hereinafter, when the positive output terminal 410 and the negative output terminal 420 are not distinguished from each other, they are collectively referred to as terminal components. Similarly, when the positive output terminal bus bar 412 and the negative output terminal bus bar 422 are not distinguished, each is collectively referred to as a terminal bus bar.

  FIG. 13 is a top view when the battery module 100 and the accessory module 200 are housed in the lower case 300.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the terminal block 414 of the plus output terminal 410 is disposed at the corner 315 of the lower case 300. More specifically, one fixing portion 414b of the terminal block 414 is in contact with the corner portion 315 along the corner portion 315 of the lower case 300 formed as an R shape. At this time, the front surface of the fixing portion 414b having the R shape is in contact with the inner surface of the corresponding corner portion 315 having the R shape. The support portion 414 a of the terminal block 414 is disposed inside the lower case 300 along the left-right direction so as to be adjacent to the corner portion 315. The other fixed portion 414b of the terminal block 414 is disposed further inside than the support portion 414a.

  The positions of the fixing points of the pair of fixing portions 414b in the extending direction of the pair of sides constituting the corner portion 315 of the lower case 300 are different from each other. More specifically, the fixing points of the pair of fixing portions 414b, that is, the positions of the fastening holes 414c in the left-right direction are different from each other. Similarly, the positions in the front-rear direction of the fastening holes 414c of the pair of fixing portions 414b are different from each other. Thus, the terminal block 414 is fixed to the corner portion 315 of the lower case 300 so that the pair of fixing points are offset.

  As illustrated in FIG. 13, the positive output terminal 410 may further include a shielding member 415 that shields the inside of the lower case 300 from the outside. The shielding member 415 may be attached to the attachment groove 416 that is recessed in the surface of the support portion 414a on the connection portion 411a side, that is, the upper surface. The shielding member 415 includes any one of an O-ring, a sealing agent, an adhesive, and the like. When the lower case 300 and the upper case 400 are engaged, the shielding member 415 seals the inside of the assembled battery 1 from the outside by sealing a portion where the terminal member 411 is exposed from the upper case 400. Similarly, the negative output terminal 420 may further include a shielding member 425 and a mounting groove 426.

  According to the terminal component according to the embodiment as described above, it is possible to contribute to downsizing of the assembled battery 1. More specifically, by being fixed to the corners 315 of the lower case 300 so that the pair of fixing points are offset, the layout of the terminal components in the assembled battery 1 is improved. That is, the terminal components are arranged using the space in the assembled battery 1 efficiently. In addition, the durability of the terminal component is improved with respect to an excessive load applied when an external component is attached or when a vibration or impact caused by traveling of the vehicle is received. More specifically, the corner portion 315 is a portion having high rigidity in the lower case 300. By arranging the terminal component using such a corner portion 315, damage to the terminal component is suppressed even for an excessive load. Therefore, the terminal component is appropriately protected. Since the fixing portions 414b and 424b are in contact with the corner portions 315 along the corner portions 315 of the lower case 300 formed as an R shape, the above-described effect becomes more remarkable. In addition, in this case, for example, durability against torque is improved even when the external component is attached to the terminal component while rotating.

  By fixing the fixed portions between the terminal members 411 and 421 and the terminal bus bar in the electrical insulating material by insert molding, the insulation in the vicinity of the terminal bus bar is improved. As a result, the terminal parts can be arranged close to other parts, so that the layout of the terminal parts in the assembled battery 1 is further improved, and the assembled battery 1 is further miniaturized.

  Since the positive output terminal bus bar 412 is bent in a substantially crank shape, durability against twisting when being fixed to the terminal member 411 is improved. Since the fixing point of the terminal member 411 and the plus output terminal bus bar 412 is located below the other fixing point on the auxiliary machine module 200 side, the height of the lower case 300 is reduced, and as a result, the assembled battery 1 Low profile.

  Since the shielding members 415 and 425 are respectively attached to the attachment grooves 416 and 426, the airtightness and watertightness inside the assembled battery 1 are improved. For example, when the shielding members 415 and 425 include any of an O-ring, a sealing agent, and an adhesive, workability regarding such a sealing operation is improved.

  Since the terminal component has the chamfered portions 411b and 421b, the effect of preventing the rotation of the terminal members 411 and 421 when attaching the external component is improved. Since the terminal component has the flange portions 411c and 421c, the removal preventing effect of the terminal members 411 and 421 when the external component is removed is improved.

  The restraint plate 60 and the bottom surface 310 pressurize the stacked battery cells 10 through the openings 22 and 32 of the cell case. That is, the cell case is not directly pressurized by the restraint plate 60 and the bottom surface 310. Since the cell case is not pressurized, the cell case becomes difficult to bend. As a result, the cell case is hardly damaged.

  When the restraint plate 60 is made of a metal material, the rigidity of the restraint plate 60 can be improved. As a result, the battery cell 10 is less likely to expand in the direction in which the battery cells 10 are stacked, and the vertical position of the battery cell 10 can be regulated. When the restraint plate 60 includes a metal material provided with a resin material or an electrically insulating material, the electrical insulating property can be improved. When the restraint plate 60 is made of a resin material, the assembled battery 1 can be reduced in weight and manufactured at low cost.

  When the battery cell 10 is pressurized near the center of the upper surface and the lower surface of the holding portion 18, the gas generated inside the battery cell 10 can be collected in a peripheral portion near the sealing portion 19. When the pressure of the gas generated inside the battery cell 10 exceeds a predetermined value, the gas can be released from the sealing portion 19 to the outside of the battery cell 10. When the gas is collected in a peripheral portion close to the sealing portion 19, the gas is easily released to the outside of the battery cell 10. That is, when the battery cell 10 is pressurized near the center of the upper surface and the lower surface of the holding portion 18, the gas is easily released to the outside of the battery cell 10. As a result, the reliability of the battery cell 10 can be improved.

  Since the battery module 100 includes the insulating sheet 50, electrical insulation between the restraint plate 60 and the internal battery cell 10 can be ensured.

  Since the positive electrode tab 12p and the negative electrode tab 12n of the battery cell 10 protrude in opposite directions along the front-rear direction, the symmetry of the cell case can be improved. By doing in this way, a cell case can be formed with sufficient balance.

  It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be realized in other predetermined forms other than the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, the foregoing description is illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Some of all changes that fall within the equivalent scope shall be included therein.

  For example, the shape, arrangement, number, and the like of each component described above are not limited to the contents illustrated in the above description and drawings. The shape, arrangement, number, and the like of each component may be arbitrarily configured as long as the function can be realized.

  For example, the method for assembling the battery module 100 is not limited to the method described above. The battery module 100 may be assembled by any method as long as the battery module 100 can be assembled so that its function is exhibited. For example, the steps in the method for assembling the battery module 100 described above can be rearranged so as not to be logically contradictory, and a plurality of steps can be combined into one or divided.

  As long as the insulating properties of the fixed portions between the terminal members 411 and 421 and the terminal bus bar are ensured, the fixed portions may not be integrally formed with the support portions 414a and 424a, respectively.

  The engagement direction between the first cell case 20 and the second cell case 30 is not limited to the left-right direction. As long as the 1st cell case 20 and the 2nd cell case 30 engage so that the function may be exhibited, you may engage along arbitrary directions.

  A restraint plate 60 may also be disposed on the lower surface side of the battery module 100. Thereby, since the battery cell 10 is pinched by the restraint plate 60 with high rigidity from both the upper and lower directions, the pressure holding property is further improved.

1 assembled battery 10 battery cell 11 first outer surface 12 (12p, 12n) electrode tab (positive electrode tab, negative electrode tab)
13 Second outer surface 14 Third outer surface 15 Adhesive layer 16 Exterior member 17 Tab side surface 18 Holding portion 19 Sealing portion 20 First cell case 22 Opening portion 23 Partition plate 25 Side surface opening portion 30 Second cell case 32 Opening portion 33 Partition plate 34 Slit 35 Side opening 36 Housing portion 37 Insulating portion 40 Inter-tab bus bar 41 Total plus bus bar 42 Total minus bus bar 50 Insulating sheet 60 Restraining plate 62 Convex portion 64 Constraining plate fastening member 66 Fastening portion 70 Heat radiation plate 72 Hole 80 Bus bar cover 90 Jig 92 Boss 100 Battery module 200 Auxiliary machine module 210 Auxiliary machine bases 212 and 214 Fastening part 216 Fastening hole 220 Relay 221 Fastening hole 230 Current sensor 231 Fastening hole 240 Fuse 241 Fastening hole 250 Copper bus bar 251 Fastening hole 252 Fastening member 260 Substrate 261 Fastening Hole 262 Fastening member 270 Module fastening Connecting member 300 Lower case 310 Bottom surface 312 Protruding portion 315 Corner portions 320, 330, 340 Fastening portion 400 Upper case 410 Plus output terminal (terminal component)
411 Terminal member 411a Connection part 411b Chamfering part 411c ridge part 411d Bus bar connection part 412 Plus output terminal bus bar (terminal bus bar)
414 Terminal block 414a Support portion 414b Fixing portion 414c Fastening hole 415 Shield member 416 Mounting groove 420 Negative output terminal (terminal component)
421 Terminal member 421a Connection part 421b Chamfering part 421c ridge part 421d Bus bar connection part 422 Negative output terminal bus bar (terminal bus bar)
424 Terminal block 424a Support portion 424b Fixing portion 424c Fastening hole 425 Shield member 426 Mounting groove 430 Connector 440 Gas discharge portion 442 Gas cover 444 Breather 450 Fastening portion

Claims (7)

A terminal member having a connecting portion to be connected to an external component;
A support part supporting the terminal member so that the connection part is exposed;
A pair of fixing parts connected to the support part and fixed to the case;
With
One of the pair of fixed portions is disposed at a corner of the case,
The positions of the fixing points of the pair of fixing portions in the extending direction of each of the pair of sides constituting the corner portion of the case are different from each other;
Terminal parts. The terminal member is fixed to each other on the opposite side of the connection portion with respect to the support portion and a terminal bus bar electrically connected to the battery module housed in the case.
The terminal component according to claim 1. The portion to which the terminal member and the terminal bus bar are fixed is formed integrally with the support portion.
The terminal component according to claim 2. The portion to which the terminal member and the terminal bus bar are fixed is located on the opposite side of the connection portion from the other fixing point of the terminal bus bar.
The terminal component according to claim 2 or 3. A shielding member that shields the inside of the case from the outside;
The support portion has a mounting groove that is recessed in the surface on the connection portion side and to which the shielding member is mounted.
The terminal component according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The shielding member includes any of an O-ring, a sealing agent, and an adhesive.
The terminal component according to claim 5. The fixing portion contacts the corner portion along the corner portion of the case formed as an R shape.
The terminal component according to any one of claims 1 to 6.