JP2020107597A - Battery holder and battery module using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a battery holder effective for downsizing a battery module, and a battery module using the same.SOLUTION: A battery holder includes a body part 22 which has an outer shape of regular hexagon in plan view and also has a through holding hole 42 of circular shape in plan view, the body part 22 being fitted on the outer peripheral surface of a battery. Preferably, a plurality of the body parts 22 are connected such that one side of the regular hexagon in plan view is virtually located between adjacent holding holes 42, and configure a honeycomb structure where regular hexagons are arranged without gaps therebetween.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

The present invention relates to a battery holder that holds a battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery and a battery module using the same.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electric vehicles driven by electric power are becoming popular in place of vehicles using internal combustion engines that have a large environmental load due to waste gas. An electric vehicle is equipped with a large-capacity secondary battery (battery) that stores electric power used during traveling (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-208617

In recent years, there has been a demand for higher capacity of the battery module used as the secondary battery, and along with this, the number of secondary batteries increases and the volume of the battery module increases. On the other hand, in order to secure a living space, it is required to reduce the size of battery modules and devise arrangements.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is effective in downsizing a battery module, and to provide a battery holder having improved strength and a battery module using the same. To aim

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

The battery holder of the present invention is a battery holder for holding a battery, and has an outer shape that is a regular hexagon in plan view and has a main body having a holding hole that is circular in plan view. It is fitted onto the outer peripheral surface.

According to the battery holder of the present invention, the outer shape of the main body portion having the holding hole is a regular hexagon in plan view. Therefore, when a plurality of main body portions are connected to hold a plurality of batteries in the holding hole, the regular hexagonal shape is used. It is possible to form a honeycomb structure in which the cells are arranged without any gap and to hold the cells in the closest arrangement. As a result, the battery module using the battery holder can be downsized.

Further, even if the size is reduced, since the honeycomb structure has the honeycomb structure, the impact force from one direction can be dispersed in the other five directions, and the damage to the battery can be reduced.

The battery holder includes a receiving portion that extends inward in the radial direction of the holding hole from the main body portion on the outer periphery of the holding hole on one side in the penetrating direction of the holding hole and receives one end of the battery. The receiving portion preferably extends inward in the radial direction so as to leave at least a part of the holding hole.

According to the above configuration, the end portion of the battery, which is inserted into the penetrating holding hole of the main body in a circular shape in plan view, can be received and stably held by the receiving portion that extends inward in the radial direction of the holding hole. it can.

Further, since the receiving portion extends inward in the radial direction so as to leave at least a part of the holding hole, the tab terminal is attached to the battery inserted in the holding hole by utilizing the at least part of the holding hole. Can be connected.

The receiving portion is configured to extend inward in the radial direction so as to leave a through hole smaller than the holding hole from the main body portion on the entire circumference of the holding hole, or the receiving portion is formed in the holding hole. It may be configured to have a plurality of projecting pieces that respectively extend so as to project inward in the radial direction from a plurality of main body portions along the circumferential direction.

According to the above configuration, the end portion of the battery is projected inward in the radial direction from the receiving portion that extends inward in the radial direction over the entire circumference of the holding hole, or in a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction of the holding hole. The battery can be held more stably by being received by the plurality of protruding pieces that are present.

In the battery holder, a plurality of main body portions having a regular hexagonal shape in plan view are connected so that one side of the regular hexagonal shape in plan view is virtually positioned between adjacent holding holes, or a flat surface. The main body having a regular hexagonal outer shape and the receiving portion extending inward in the radial direction from the main body, one side of the regular hexagon in plan view is virtually positioned between adjacent holding holes, and It is preferable that the receiving portions are connected so as to be located on the same side in the penetration direction.

According to the above configuration, a plurality of the main body portion having a regular hexagonal outer shape in plan view constitutes a honeycomb structure in which regular hexagons are concatenated and arranged without a gap, so that a plurality of main body portion holding holes have a plurality of honeycomb portions. The batteries can be arranged in a close-packed manner and held. As a result, the battery module using the battery holder can be downsized.

Further, even if the size is reduced, since the honeycomb structure has the honeycomb structure, the impact force from one direction can be dispersed in the other five directions, and the damage to the battery can be reduced.

The battery is preferably a lithium-ion secondary battery, and the battery holder is preferably formed of a sinterable silicone rubber composition.

According to the above configuration, since the battery holder is formed of the sinterable silicone rubber composition, the sinterable silicone rubber composition will be sintered even if the held lithium ion secondary battery is overheated. Therefore, the shape of the battery holder does not collapse and the holding of the lithium ion secondary battery can be maintained.

The sinterable silicone rubber composition preferably contains an organopolysiloxane and powdered silica and powdered layered silicate dispersed in the organopolysiloxane.

In the battery module of the present invention, the end portion of the battery is held in the holding hole of the battery holder of the present invention.

According to the battery module of the present invention, the battery holder of the present invention can form a honeycomb structure and can hold the batteries in the closest arrangement, so that the battery module can be miniaturized.

According to the battery holder of the present invention, the outer shape of the main body portion having the holding hole is a regular hexagon in plan view. Therefore, when a plurality of main body portions are connected to hold a plurality of batteries, the regular hexagonal shape is maintained without gaps. The cells can be arranged in a close-packed manner and held by forming a honeycomb structure in which the cells are arranged side by side. As a result, the battery module using the battery holder can be downsized.

Further, even if the size is reduced, since the honeycomb structure has the honeycomb structure, the impact force from one direction can be dispersed in the other five directions, and the damage to the battery can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery holder according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the battery holder of FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a battery module using the battery holder of FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a battery holder according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the battery holder of FIG. FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a battery module using the battery holder of FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a battery holder according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a battery module using the battery holder of FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a battery holder according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a plan view of the battery holder of FIG. FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the battery holder of FIG. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a battery module using the battery holder of FIG. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a battery holder according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a plan view of the battery holder of FIG. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the battery holder of FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a battery module using the battery holder of FIG. FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a battery holder according to another embodiment of the present invention. 22 is a plan view of the battery holder of FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE of FIG. FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a battery module using the battery holder of FIG. FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a battery holder according to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a battery holder according to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a part of a battery module using the battery holder of FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a part of a battery module using the battery holder of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a perspective view of a battery holder according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

The battery holder 1 according to this embodiment holds the cylindrical lithium ion secondary battery 6 shown in FIG. The lithium-ion secondary battery 6 is, for example, 18650 type or 2170 type. The 18650 type has a cylindrical shape with a diameter of 18 mm and a height of 65 mm, and the 2170 type has a cylindrical shape with a diameter of 21 mm and a height of 70 mm.

The battery holder 1 includes a main body 2 made of an insulating material and having a regular hexagonal outer shape in a plan view, and a receiving portion 3 for receiving one end of the lithium ion secondary battery 6.

The main body part 2 has a holding hole 4 penetrating in its height direction (vertical direction in FIG. 3) and having a circular shape in plan view. The side) is a regular hexagonal annular body (square tubular body) in plan view. One end of the lithium ion secondary battery 6 is inserted into the holding hole 4 of the main body 2. That is, the main body 2 is fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of the lithium-ion secondary battery 6.

The receiving portion 3 is connected to the lower surface of the main body portion 2, which is one side in the height direction of the main body portion 2, that is, one side in the penetrating direction of the holding hole 4. The receiving portion 3 extends inward in the radial direction of the holding hole 4 from the entire circumference of the holding hole 4 having a circular shape in plan view. The receiving portion 3 does not close the entire surface of the holding hole 4, but leaves at least a part of the holding hole 4, in this example, a through hole 5 that is smaller than the holding hole 4 and has a circular shape in a plan view. It extends inward. The circular holding hole 4 and the through hole 5 are concentric with each other. Further, the center of the regular hexagon of the main body 2 in plan view and the centers of the holding hole 4 and the through hole 5 coincide with each other.

The battery holder 1 includes a main body portion 2 which is a rectangular tube body having a holding hole 4, and a receiving portion 3 which is connected to one end side of the holding hole 4 so as to close the holding hole 4 and forms a bottom portion. It has a bottomed rectangular tube. The outer shape of the battery holder 1 including the receiving portion 3 is a regular hexagonal shape in plan view similar to the outer shape of the main body portion 2.

The inner diameter of the holding hole 4 shown in FIG. 3 (L _H), the outer diameter of the lithium ion secondary battery 6 cylindrical, i.e., smaller is than the same or the diameter (L _E) shown in FIG. 4 ing.

The inside diameter _{(L H),} in order to stably hold the lithium ion secondary battery 6, the diameter of the lithium ion secondary battery 6 _{(L E)} of the 4/9 × _{L E} above, the diameter _{(L E)} below There, preferably 9/10 × _{L E} or more and 99/100 × _{L E} below.

For example, for a lithium ion secondary battery 18650 type, the inner diameter (L _H ) is 8.0 mm or more and 18.0 mm or less, preferably 16.2 mm or more and 17.8 mm or less. Specifically, the inner diameter (L _H ) is 17.6 mm, 17.7 mm, and 17.8 mm.

For example, for a lithium secondary battery 2170 type, the inner diameter (L _H ) is 9.4 mm or more and 21.0 mm or less, and preferably 18.9 mm or more and 20.8 mm or less. Specifically, the inner diameter (L _H ) is 20.6 mm, 20.7 mm, and 20.8 mm.

The thickness of each part of the main body 2 is preferably 3 mm or less from the viewpoint of heat dissipation of the lithium ion secondary battery 6, and from the viewpoint of retention of the lithium ion secondary battery 6 after sintering, which will be described later. , And preferably 0.3 mm or more.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper and lower surfaces of the receiving portion 3 connected to the lower surface of the main body portion 2 are flat surfaces, and the upper surface of the lithium ion secondary battery 6 inserted into the holding hole 4 is a flat surface. Receiving the one end surface, the lithium ion secondary battery 6 is stably held. Further, the lower surface of the receiving portion 3 is used as the bottom surface of the battery holder 1, and the lithium ion secondary battery 6 can be stably placed in the upright state.

The distance from the upper surface of the main body portion 2 to the upper surface of the receiving portion 3, that is, the depth of the battery holder 1 is preferably 0.2 mm or more from the viewpoint of the retainability of the lithium ion secondary battery 6, and the lithium From the viewpoint of heat dissipation of the ion secondary battery 6, the length is preferably 1/2 or less, and more preferably 1/3 or less, of the length of the lithium ion secondary battery 6. Quantitatively, for example, for 18650 type, it is preferably 32.5 mm or less, more preferably 21.6 mm or less, and for 2170 type, preferably 35 mm or less, more preferably 23 mm or less. It is less than or equal to 0.3 mm.

In the holding hole 4 into which one end of the lithium ion secondary battery 6 is inserted, the end surface of the lithium ion secondary battery 6 is exposed from the through hole 5 of the receiving portion 3, and the exposed portion is used to make the lithium ion secondary battery. The tab terminals of the battery 6 are connected.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a battery module 7 using the battery holder 1 according to this embodiment.

In this battery module 7, both ends of the lithium ion secondary battery 6 are held by the pair of battery holders 1 and 1.

As described above, in the battery holder 1 of the present embodiment, the end portion of the lithium ion secondary battery 6 can be stably held, and the lithium ion secondary battery 6 is erected with the receiving portion 3 of one battery holder 1 as the bottom surface. It can be placed in a stable condition.

The battery holder 1 according to the present embodiment is formed by molding an insulating material such as a resin composition or a rubber composition, and the thermoplastic resin composition and the rubber composition are preferable because they can be injection-molded. Specifically, by forming the sinterable silicone rubber composition, even if the lithium-ion secondary battery that holds the battery is undesirably subjected to thermal runaway, the battery holder is not burned out and can be maintained. It is suitable. Since the rubber composition is a rubber composition, the inner diameter of the holding hole of the battery holder is made smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical lithium ion secondary battery, so that when the cylindrical lithium ion secondary battery is inserted into the battery holder, the elastic force of the rubber composition is increased. Thus, it becomes possible to hold the lithium ion secondary battery more firmly.

Here, the above-mentioned "sinterable silicone rubber composition" means that when it is continuously or intermittently heated at a high temperature, or when it is burned at one time, it solidifies and sinters like a ceramic. It is a silicone rubber composition having properties.

Since the battery holder 1 according to the present embodiment is formed of the sinterable silicone rubber composition, even if the held lithium ion secondary battery 6 undesirably undergoes thermal runaway and ignites, the sinterable silicone Sintering of the rubber composition progresses, so that the shape of the battery holder 1 does not collapse, and the lithium-in secondary battery 6 can be retained. Therefore, even if the lithium ion secondary battery 6 undesirably undergoes thermal runaway and ignites, the damage can be suppressed from spreading to the surroundings.

The silicone rubber composition forming the battery holder 1 preferably has thermal expansibility from the viewpoint of enhancing the retention of the lithium ion secondary battery 6 when the lithium ion secondary battery 6 is thermally runaway.

The silicone rubber composition forming the battery holder 1 preferably contains an organopolysiloxane, and powdery silica and powdery layered silicate dispersed in the organopolysiloxane.

Examples of the organopolysiloxane include, for example, average unit formula: R _a SiO _(4-a)/2 (wherein R is a hydrocarbon group or a halogenated alkyl group. a is 1.95 or more and 2.05). The following are shown). Examples of R of the hydrocarbon group include alkyl groups such as methyl group, ethyl group and propyl group; alkenyl groups such as vinyl group and allyl group; cycloalkyl groups such as cyclohexyl; aralkyl groups such as β-phenylethyl group; Examples thereof include aryl groups such as a phenyl group and a tolyl group. Examples of R of the halogenated alkyl group include a 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl group and a 3-chloropropyl group. Organopolysiloxane has a structure in which at least two hydrogen atoms are present in a molecule when the hydrogen peroxide bonded to a silicon atom in the molecule is crosslinked with an organic peroxide and/or a platinum catalyst as a curing agent. It is preferable to have an alkenyl group bonded to the silicon atom. Examples of the alkenyl group include a vinyl group, an allyl group, a propenyl group, a hexenyl group and the like. The molecule of the organopolysiloxane may be linear or branched.

Examples of the powdery silica include dry process silica such as fumed silica and wet process silica such as precipitated silica. Examples of the powdery silica include those obtained by subjecting the surface of dry process silica or wet process silica to a hydrophobic treatment with organochlorosilane, organoalkoxysilane, hexaorganodisilazane, organosiloxane oligomer and the like. The powdery silica preferably contains one or more of these, and from the viewpoint of increasing the sinterability and maintaining the retention of the lithium ion secondary battery 5, a hydrophobic dry silica is used. It is more preferable to include.

The specific surface area of the powdery silica measured by the multipoint nitrogen adsorption method (BET method) of JIS K6430:2008 is preferably 50 m ² /g or more. The primary median diameter of powdery silica measured by a laser diffraction/scattering particle size distribution analyzer is preferably 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less. The content of the powdery silica in the silicone rubber composition is 10 parts by mass or more and 100 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the organopolysiloxane, from the viewpoint of enhancing the sinterability and maintaining the retention of the battery B. Is preferred.

As the layered silicate, for example, mica, montmorillonite, smectite, illite, sepiolite, allervaldite, amesite, hectorite, talc, fluorohectorite, saponite, beidellite, nontronite, stevensite, bentonite, vermiculite, Examples thereof include fluoro vermiculite and halloysite. The layered silicate preferably contains one or more of these, and more preferably contains mica from the viewpoint of enhancing the sinterability and maintaining the retention of the lithium ion secondary battery 5. Examples of mica include muscovite, biotite and phlogopite. The median diameter of the layered silicate measured by a laser diffraction/scattering type particle size distribution measuring device is preferably 1 μm or more and 100 μm or less. The median diameter of the layered silicate is preferably larger than the primary median diameter of powdered silica. The content of the layered silicate in the silicone rubber composition is from 10 parts by mass to 150 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the organopolysiloxane, from the viewpoint of enhancing the sinterability and maintaining the retention of the lithium ion secondary battery 5. The following is preferable. The content of the layered silicate in the silicone rubber composition is preferably higher than the content of the powdery silica from the viewpoint of enhancing the sinterability and maintaining the retention of the lithium ion secondary battery 5.

The silicone rubber composition forming the battery holder 1 may further contain a quartz filler, a flame retardant of a metal hydroxide such as aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide, or the like.

Further, the silicone rubber composition may contain an organic peroxide that functions as a curing agent for the organopolysiloxane or a platinum catalyst.

The silicone rubber composition may also contain a metal oxide as a heat resistance improver. Examples of the metal oxide include iron oxide, silica, titanium oxide, zinc oxide and the like, but titanium oxide is preferable. The amount of the metal oxide compounded is preferably 0.5 part by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less, more preferably 1.0 part by mass or more and 10.0 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the organopolysiloxane. It is below the mass part. If the compounding amount is less than 0.5 parts by mass, it tends to be difficult to impart sufficiently high heat resistance to the cured rubber, and if it exceeds 20.0 parts by mass, the flame retardancy of the obtained rubber decreases. It becomes a tendency. As the heat resistance improver, graphite, aluminum or the like may be used together with the metal oxide.

10 parts by mass or more and 100 parts by mass or less of powdered silica, 10 parts by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less of layered silicate, and 0.5 parts by mass or more and 20 parts by mass of titanium oxide based on 100 parts by mass of organopolysiloxane. Hereinafter, a cured product of a silicone rubber composition containing a curing agent in an amount of 4.0 parts by mass or more and 14.0 parts by mass or less of a platinum-based catalyst (curing condition: primary vulcanization condition: 100° C. or more and 150° C. or less is 10 Min., secondary vulcanization condition: 200° C. for 4 hours), the surface hardness of the lithium ion secondary battery measured by using a type A durometer is 50 or more and 90 or less based on JIS K6253. It is preferable that the battery holder is not easily damaged or deformed when the battery holder is externally fitted. If the hardness is less than 50, the lithium ion secondary battery tends to be damaged when the battery holder is externally fitted, and if the hardness exceeds 90, the lithium ion secondary battery is externally fitted to the lithium ion secondary battery. It tends to deform.

In addition, the cured product of the above silicone rubber composition preferably has a tensile strength of 4 MPa or more and 10 MPa or less, because it is unlikely to be damaged or deformed when the battery holder is externally fitted to the lithium ion secondary battery. It is preferably 5 MPa or more and 8 MPa or less.

If the tensile strength is less than 4 MPa, the lithium ion secondary battery tends to be damaged when the battery holder is externally fitted, and if the tensile strength exceeds 10 MPa, the lithium ion secondary battery is externally fitted with the battery holder. When it does, it tends to deform.

When the cured product of the above silicone rubber composition has an elongation at break of 80% or more and 500% or less, the battery holder is attached to the lithium ion secondary battery after the battery holder is externally fitted to the lithium ion secondary battery. It is preferable in terms of adhesion, and more preferably the elongation at break is 100% or more and 350% or less.

If the elongation at break is less than 80%, the battery holder tends to be damaged when the battery holder is externally fitted to the lithium ion secondary battery, and if the elongation at break exceeds 500%, the lithium ion secondary battery is removed from the battery holder. Batteries tend to fall out.

In the battery holder 1 according to this embodiment, a liquid uncrosslinked silicone rubber composition containing a curing agent is injected into a cavity of a mold, and heat treatment is performed at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time so that the molecules of the organopolysiloxane are separated from each other. It can be produced by crosslinking and curing. It is preferable that the heat treatment is divided into a low-temperature and short-time primary treatment and a high-temperature and long-time secondary treatment. The processing temperature of the primary processing is, for example, 100° C. or more and 150° C. or less, and the processing time is, for example, 5 minutes or more and 15 minutes or less. The processing temperature of the secondary processing is, for example, 150° C. or more and 250° C. or less, and the processing time is, for example, 3 hours or more and 5 hours or less.

(Embodiment 2)
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the battery holder 1 ₁ according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a plan view thereof, FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 6, the above-mentioned Parts corresponding to those of the first embodiment are designated by corresponding reference numerals.

Battery holder 1 ₁ according to this embodiment, (six in the drawing) the battery holder 1 according to the first embodiment more collected, plan view which has bound their edges to each other to be integrated is spread two-dimensionally Are formed in a honeycomb structure.

Battery holder 1 ₁ of this embodiment, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 6, the main body portion 2 ₁ and the radial direction of the holding hole 4 ₁ from one end side of the main body portion 2 ₁ having a plan view regular hexagonal outer shape A plurality of the inwardly extending receiving portions 3 ₁ are arranged at an intermediate position between adjacent holding holes 4 ₁ and 4 _{1 so} that one side L of the regular hexagon is virtually positioned and each receiving portion of each main body portion 2 ₁ is received. part 3 _1, so as to be positioned on the lower surface of the main body portion 2 ₁ of the same side in the height direction of the main body portion 2 _1, is obtained by concatenation. Each receiving unit 3 _1, as in Embodiment 1, extend to the entire circumference of the circular shape in plan view of the holding hole 4 ₁ leave through holes 5 ₁ inward in the radial direction of the holding hole 4 ₁ ..

The battery holder 1 ₁ profile has a gap without lined contour the same plan view a regular hexagon and articulated body portion 2 ₁ of the outline.

The number of main body portions 21 connected to _each other is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 2 or more and 500 or less, for example.

Wall thickness between the body portion 2 ₁ adjacent to each other, from the viewpoint of heat dissipation of the lithium ion secondary battery, preferably at 0.3mm or more, and the retention of the lithium ion secondary battery after sintering From the viewpoint, it is preferably 3 mm or less.

Further, the thinnest portion of the main body portion 2 _1, i.e., the thickness at the midpoint portion of each side in plan view a regular hexagon in order to place the lithium ion secondary battery of the plurality of closely packed, 0.3 mm or more It is preferably 3.0 mm or less.

Material composition of the battery holder 1 ₁ of this embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, it is more preferable to be formed by the sintering silicone rubber composition.

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a battery module 7 ₁ using the battery holder 1 ₁ according to the present embodiment.

In the battery module _71, using a pair of battery holders 1 ₁ according to the present embodiment, each of the holding holes 4 of _a plurality of main body portion 2 ₁ of the battery holder 1 _1, cylindrical lithium ion Each one end of the secondary battery 6 is inserted and held.

Battery holder 1 ₁ of this embodiment, the outer shape is formed by concatenating a plurality of planar view regular hexagonal body portion 2 _1, since a honeycomb structure arranged without gaps regular hexagon, a plurality of holding holes 4 ₁ Can be arranged most densely. Therefore, the plurality of lithium ion secondary batteries 6 can be arranged and held in the closest packing. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the size of the battery module 7 _1. Further, since it has a honeycomb structure, the impact force from one direction can be dispersed in the other five directions, so that the damage to the lithium ion secondary battery 6 can be reduced, and the lithium ion secondary battery 6 can be reduced. It is possible to reduce the factors of thermal runaway.

The battery holder 1 ₁ is, by forming the above sintered silicone rubber composition, even when one of the lithium ion secondary battery 6 is thermal runaway undesirably firing, sintering silicone rubber composition sintering the object progresses, not collapse the shape of the battery holder 1 ₁ according to the present embodiment, the holding of the lithium ion secondary battery 6 is maintained. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the ignited lithium-ion secondary battery 6 comes into contact with another adjacent lithium-ion secondary battery 6 to induce heat generation, ignition, or explosion.

In particular, in a honeycomb structure in which regular hexagons are arranged without gaps, the thickness of the corners of the regular hexagon is larger than the thickness of the sides of the regular hexagon, which is effective in suppressing burnout.

As another embodiment of the present invention, the battery holder 1 _2, as shown in FIG. 9, no receiving unit 3 _1, six in the plurality (figure outer shape in plan view a regular hexagon body part 2 ₂ ) May be integrally connected to form a honeycomb structure in which regular hexagons are arranged without any gap.

Each body part 2 ₂ of the battery holder 1 ₂ of this embodiment has a holding hole 4 ₂ that penetrates the circular shape in plan view, the receiving portion 3 ₁ is not provided.

The holding hole 4 ₂ penetrating the battery holder 1 _2, as shown in FIG. 10, and externally fitted to the lithium ion secondary battery 6 is inserted, and holds the intermediate portion of the lithium ion secondary battery 6 cell to configure the module _{7 2.}

(Embodiment 3)
11 is a perspective view of a battery holder according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, FIG. 12 is a plan view thereof, FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 12, and FIG. 14 is a bottom view. It is a figure. In these figures, the parts corresponding to those in the first embodiment are designated by the corresponding reference numerals.

Battery holder 1 ₃ according to this embodiment includes a main body 2 ₃ plan view having an outer shape of regular hexagon, three protrusions constituting a receiving portion for receiving one end portion of the lithium ion secondary battery 6 as shown in FIG. 15 and a single _{3 3.}

Body part 2 _3, as in Embodiment 1, the height direction has a circular shape in plan view of the holding hole 4 ₃ penetrating in the (vertical direction in FIG. 13), the inner shape (inner peripheral side) It is a circular body in plan view, and the outer shape (outer peripheral side) is a regular hexagonal annular body in plan view (square tubular body).

In this embodiment, the receiving portion, the protruding pieces 3 a plurality of respectively extend so as to protrude radially inward of the holding hole 4 ₃ (three in this example) for receiving one end portion of the lithium ion secondary battery 6 _It is composed of _three . These protruding pieces 3 _3, the height direction of the main body 2 _3, i.e., being connected to the lower surface of the main body portion 2 ₃ which is one side of the through direction of the holding hole 4 _3. The projecting piece 3 ₃ extend respectively so as to protrude from the main body 2 ₃ 3 places along the circumferential direction of the circular shape in plan view of the holding hole 4 ₃ radially inward of the holding hole 4 ₃ at equal intervals.

The number of projecting pieces 3 ₃ projecting inward in the radial direction of the holding hole 4 is preferably 2 or more 6 or less, more preferably 3 or more 4 or less, 3 being most preferred. The plurality of projecting pieces 3 ₃ are preferably formed at intervals along the circumferential direction of the holding hole 4 _3, as in this embodiment, it is more preferably formed at equal intervals.

By thus forming the protruding pieces 3 _3, when holding a plurality of lithium ion secondary battery 6, in the case of connecting the lithium ion secondary battery 6 which are adjacent to each other in the tab terminal, degrees of freedom to connect And the lithium ion secondary battery 6 can be stably held.

End of the outer side of the plurality of projecting pieces 3 _3, the holding hole 4 ₃ in the radial direction, that is, the outer peripheral side of the projecting piece 3 ₃ has a peripheral surface flush of the main body portion 2 _3. Therefore, the outer shape of the battery holder 1 ₃ comprising a plurality of protruding pieces 3 ₃ is the same plan view a regular hexagon as the outer shape of the main body portion 2 _3.

Holding hole 4 ₃ having an inner diameter (L _H) is the same as the first embodiment, is formed smaller identical or than the diameter of the lithium ion secondary battery 6 (L _E).

Upper and lower surfaces of the protruding pieces 3 ₃ which is connected to the lower surface of the main body portion 2 _3, as shown in FIG. 13, has a flat surface at its upper surface, a lithium ion secondary which is inserted into the holding hole 4 ₃ Receiving the end surface on one side of the secondary battery 6, the lithium ion secondary battery 6 is stably held. Further, the lower surface of the plurality of projecting pieces 3 ₃ as the bottom surface of the battery holder 13 can be stably placed on the lithium ion secondary battery 6 in an upright state. The thickness t of the projecting piece 3 ₃ includes a positive electrode, a tab terminal connected to the negative electrode, a thickness of an extent that does not protrude from the battery holder, the contact tab terminals and other components (especially, electrical contact) to The thickness is such that it can be prevented. Specifically, for example, it is preferably 0.3 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less.

Distance from the upper surface of the main body portion 2 ₃ to the upper surface of the projecting piece 3 _3, i.e., the height of the main body portion 2 _3, from the viewpoint of retention of the lithium ion secondary battery 6, is preferably 0.2mm or more, From the viewpoint of heat dissipation of the lithium-ion secondary battery 6, it is preferably 1/2 or less, and more preferably 1/3 or less, of the length of the lithium-ion secondary battery 6. Quantitatively, for example, for 18650 type, it is preferably 32.5 mm or less, more preferably 21.6 mm or less, and for 2170 type, preferably 35 mm or less, more preferably 23 mm or less. It is less than or equal to 0.3 mm.

The shape of the protruding piece 3 ₃ in the holding hole 4 in _3, as shown in FIG. 12, when a portion of the circumference of the holding hole 4 ₃ assumes one side, a substantially triangular in plan view. Here, the substantially triangular shape includes a triangle and a shape similar to a triangle, and includes, for example, a triangle with rounded corners.

In this embodiment, one corner of the substantially triangular, has a shape toward the central direction of the holding hole 4 _3. Each protruding piece 3 ₃ plan view triangle, a height h which protrudes toward the imaginary center O of the holding hole 4 ₃ from the inner circumferential surface of the holding hole 4 ₃ is a plan view a circular holding hole 4 ₃ radius ( _½ ×L _H ), for example, 1/8×(1/2×L _H )≦h≦1/3×(1/2×L _H ).

The shape of the protruding pieces 3 ₄ in the holding hole 4 in ₃ is not particularly limited, is not limited to the above plan view triangle, when a part of the circumference of the holding hole 4 was assumed side, for example, It may be a substantially square in a plan view or a trapezoid in a plan view.

In the holding hole 4 ₃ one end of the lithium ion secondary battery 6 is inserted, the end surface of the lithium-ion secondary battery is exposed in a region other than the protruding piece 3 ₃ 3 points, by utilizing the exposed portion, lithium The tab terminals of the ion secondary battery 6 are connected.

Figure 15 is a perspective view showing a battery module 7 ₃ using the battery holder 1 ₃ according to the present embodiment.

In the battery module 7 _3, by a pair of the battery holder 1 _3, 1 _3, and holds the both ends of the lithium ion secondary battery 6.

In the battery holder 1 ₃ of the present embodiment, the end portion of the lithium ion secondary battery 6 is possible stably retain, by a plurality of protrusions 3 _3, stable while being erected, a lithium ion secondary battery 6 And can be placed.

Material composition of the battery holder 1 ₃ of this embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, it is more preferable to be formed by the sintering silicone rubber composition.

(Embodiment 4)
16 is a perspective view of the battery holder 14 according to the _fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 17 is a plan view thereof, FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. Is a bottom view, and parts corresponding to the above-described third embodiment are denoted by corresponding reference numerals.

Battery holder 1 ₄ according to this embodiment, (six in the drawing) a plurality of battery holder 1 ₃ according to the embodiment 3 were collected, plane by integrating them spread two-dimensionally by combining their edges to each other The view is formed in a honeycomb structure.

Battery holder 1 ₄ of this embodiment, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 17, a plurality of protruding pieces 3 ₄ projecting from the main body portion 2 ₄ and the main body 2 ₄ having a plan view regular hexagonal outer shape, in an intermediate position between the holding hole 4 _4, 4 ₄ adjacent, together with the regular hexagon side L are located virtually, a plurality of projecting pieces 3 ₄ projecting from the main body portion 2 _4, the main body portion 2 ₄ of so as to be positioned on the lower surface of the main body portion 2 ₄ is the height direction of the same side, is obtained by integrally connected to.

Further, as shown in the bottom view of FIG. 19, the projecting piece 3 ₄ adjacent to each other even for a plurality of protruding pieces 3 ₄ are integrally connected to. The protruding pieces 3 _4, the end portion of the outer side in the radial direction of the holding hole 4 _4, the articulated part connected to the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 2 _4, an end portion of the outer side, articulated body part 2 ₄ has a peripheral surface flush. Therefore, the outer shape of the battery holder 1 ₄ including a plurality of protruding pieces 3 ₄ has a gap without lined contour the same plan view a regular hexagon and articulated body part 2 ₄ profile.

Shape of protruding pieces 3 ₄ in the holding hole 4 in the _fourth embodiment, as in Embodiment 3, when a part of the circumference of the holding hole 4 ₄ was assumed side, substantially triangular in plan view Is.

The number of body portion 2 ₄ which connects is not particularly limited, and is preferably for example, about 2 or more and 500 or less.

Wall thickness between the main body portion 2 ₄ adjacent to each other, from the viewpoint of heat dissipation of the lithium ion secondary battery, preferably at 0.3mm or more, and the retention of the lithium ion secondary battery after sintering From the viewpoint, it is preferably 3 mm or less.

Further, the thinnest portion of the main body portion 2 _4, i.e., the thickness at the midpoint portion of each side in plan view a regular hexagon in order to place the lithium ion secondary battery 6 a plurality of closely packed, 0.3 mm It is preferably not less than 3.0 mm and not more than 3.0 mm.

Material composition of the battery holder 1 ₄ of this embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, it is more preferable to be formed by the sintering silicone rubber composition.

Figure 20 is a perspective view showing a battery module 7 ₄ with battery holder 1 ₄ according to the present embodiment.
In the battery module 7 _4, using a pair of battery holders 1 ₄ according to the present embodiment, each of the holding holes 4 ₄ of a plurality of body portions 2 ₄ of the battery holder 1 _4, a cylindrical lithium ion Each one end of the secondary battery 6 is inserted and held.

Battery holder 1 ₄ of this embodiment, the outer shape is formed by concatenating a plurality of planar view regular hexagonal body portion 2 _4, since a honeycomb structure arranged without gaps regular hexagon, a plurality of holding holes 4 ₄ The lithium ion secondary batteries 6 can be arranged closest to each other, so that the plurality of lithium ion secondary batteries 6 can be arranged closest to each other and held. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the size of the battery module 7 _4. Further, since it has a honeycomb structure, the impact force from one direction can be dispersed in the other five directions, so that the damage to the lithium ion secondary battery 6 can be reduced, and the lithium ion secondary battery 6 can be reduced. It is possible to reduce the factors of thermal runaway.

The battery holder 1 _4, by forming the above sintered silicone rubber composition, even when one of the lithium ion secondary battery 6 is thermal runaway undesirably firing, sintering silicone rubber composition sintering proceeds things, not collapse the shape of the battery holder 1 ₄ according to the present embodiment, the holding of the lithium ion secondary battery 6 is maintained. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the ignited lithium-ion secondary battery 6 comes into contact with another adjacent lithium-ion secondary battery 6 to induce heat generation, ignition, or explosion.

In particular, in a honeycomb structure in which regular hexagons are arranged without gaps, the thickness of the corners of the regular hexagon is larger than the thickness of the sides of the regular hexagon, which is effective in suppressing burnout.

(Embodiment 5)
21 is a perspective view of a battery holder 15 according to a _fifth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 22 is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. Parts corresponding to mode 1 are designated by corresponding reference numerals.

Body part 2 ₅ of the battery holder 1 ₅ of this embodiment, the outer shape and the first body portion 2 _{5 a} plan view a regular hexagon, the through direction of the first body section 2 _{5 a} of the holding hole 4 ₅ other The second main body portion 2 ₅ b is connected to the side and has an outer shape that is smaller than the regular hexagon and is circular in plan view.

Body part 2 _5, which has a holding hole 4 ₅ in plan view a circular penetrating (vertical direction in FIG. 23) its height direction, the receiving part ₃₅ is located on one side of the through-direction of the holding hole 4 ₅ is connected to the first body part 2 _{5 a} is a lower surface of the main body portion 2 _5. The receiving portion ₃₅ is, as in Embodiment 1, extend from the entire circumference of the circular shape in plan view of the holding hole 4 ₅ inwardly in the radial direction of the holding hole 4 _5. The receiving unit _35, instead of blocking the entire surface of the holding hole 4 _5, which is part of the holding hole 4 _5, the through hole 5 ₅ small circular shape in plan view than the holding hole 4, leaving the central portion Thus, it extends inward in the radial direction. A circular shape in plan view of the holding hole 4 ₅ and the through hole 5 ₅ has a concentric. The center of the plan view a regular hexagon of the first body part 2 _{5 a,} and the center of the holding hole 4 ₅ and the through hole 5 ₅ are consistent.

Figure 24 is a perspective view showing a battery module 7 ₅ using battery holder 1 ₅ according to the present embodiment.

In the battery module 7 _5, by a pair of the battery holder 1 _5, 1 _5, holds the two ends of the lithium ion secondary battery 6.

In the battery holder 1 ₅ of the present embodiment, together with the end portion of the lithium ion secondary battery 6 can be stably held, the receiving portion ₃₅ of one battery holder 1 ₅ as bottom, a lithium ion secondary battery 6 It can be stably placed in a standing state.

In the battery holder 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, each outer surface of the main body 2 having a regular hexagonal shape in plan view is a smooth surface. For this reason, when the above-mentioned "sinterable silicone rubber composition" or the like is used as a material and is manufactured by an injection molding machine, the mold may not be smoothly released from the mold.

In contrast, in the battery holder 1 ₅ of this embodiment, a first body portion 2 _{5 a,} at the boundary between the second body section 2 _{5 b} is smaller outer shape as compared with the first body part 2 _{5 a} is Since the step 8 is formed on the outer surface, the mold can be smoothly released from the mold in injection molding.

In this way, since it is sufficient that a step is formed at the boundary between the first main body portion 2 ₅ a and the second main body portion 2 ₅ b, the second main body portion 2 ₅ b can be separated from the first main body portion 2 ₅ a. However, the outer shape is not limited to a circular shape in plan view, and may be a regular hexagon in plan view, a regular quadrangle in plan view, or any other shape.

(Other embodiments)
Above in the embodiments 1 to 5, battery holder _{1,1 1,} 1 _2, 1 _3, 1 4, _{1 5} of the main body _{2, 2 1,} 2 _2, 2 _3, 2 4, ₂ height of ₅ Although relatively low, for example, FIG 11, to increase the battery holder ₁ 3, _{1 4} the height of the corresponding body part ₂ 3 a as shown in FIG. 25 and 26, _{2 4} a in FIG. 16 May be. In this case, the thickness of the protruding pieces 3 ₃ a and 3 ₄ a may be increased. In this way, the heights of the main body portions 2 ₃ a and 2 ₄ a may be increased to more stably hold the end portion of the lithium ion secondary battery 6 as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, for example. ..

In each of the above-described embodiments, the battery module is configured by providing the battery holders at both ends in the length direction of the lithium ion secondary battery, but the invention is not particularly limited to this, and the length of the lithium ion secondary battery is not limited to this. The battery holder may be provided only at one end in the vertical direction and the other end may be a free end, or the other end may be held by another holding means to configure the battery module.

In Embodiments 1 and 3 described above, a battery holder that holds one lithium-ion secondary battery and a battery module including the battery holder are described as one embodiment. In Embodiments 2 and 4, six lithium-ion secondary batteries are used. Although the battery holder for holding the battery and the battery module having the battery holder have been described as one embodiment, the present invention is not limited to these. For example, a plurality of the battery holders of the first and third embodiments may be arranged and used so as to be closest to each other, or a plurality of the battery holders of the second and fourth embodiments may be used in combination.

For example, although not shown, recessed upper side of one convex portion of the battery holder 1 ₄ of the main body portion 2 ₄ which projects above the upper center, lower center of another battery holder _1-4 19 body the combination as fitting the recessed portion of part 2 ₄ may be used.

_{1,1 1 ~1 5, 1 3 a} , 1 4 a battery holder _{2,2 1 ~2 5, 2 3 a} , 2 4 a main body portion _{3,3 1 ~3 5, 3 3 a} , 3 4 a receiving part 4,4 _{1-4 5} holding hole 5,5 _{1, 5 5} through hole 6 lithium ion secondary battery _{7,7 1 ~7 5, 7 3 a} , 7 4 a battery module

Claims (13)

A battery holder for holding a battery,
The outer shape is a regular hexagon in plan view, and the main body section has a penetrating holding hole that is circular in plan view,
The main body is externally fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the battery,
Battery holder. On one side in the penetrating direction of the holding hole, a receiving portion that extends inward in the radial direction of the holding hole from the main body portion on the outer periphery of the holding hole and receives one end of the battery is provided.
The receiving portion extends inward in the radial direction so as to leave at least a part of the holding hole,
The battery holder according to claim 1. The receiving portion extends inward in the radial direction from the main body portion around the entire circumference of the holding hole so as to leave a through hole smaller than the holding hole.
The battery holder according to claim 2. The receiving portion has a plurality of projecting pieces each extending so as to project inward in the radial direction from the main body portion at a plurality of locations along the circumferential direction of the holding hole,
The battery holder according to claim 2. The holding hole that is circular in plan view and the through hole that is circular in plan view are concentric,
The battery holder according to claim 3. The plurality of projecting pieces respectively project inward in the radial direction at equal intervals from three positions of the main body along the circumferential direction of the holding hole,
The battery holder according to claim 4. The main body portion is connected to the first main body portion having an outer shape of the regular hexagon in plan view and the other side in the penetrating direction of the holding hole of the first main body portion, and the outer shape is smaller than the regular hexagonal shape. 2 main body section,
The battery holder according to claim 2, 3, or 5. A plurality of the main body portion having a regular hexagonal shape in plan view is connected so that one side of the regular hexagon in plan view is virtually positioned between adjacent holding holes,
The battery holder according to claim 1. The main body having a regular hexagonal shape in plan view and the receiving portion extending inward in the radial direction from the main body, one side of the regular hexagon in plan view is virtually positioned between adjacent holding holes, The receiving portion is connected so as to be located on the same side in the penetration direction,
The battery holder according to any one of claims 2 to 7. The inner diameter of the holding hole is 8.0 mm or more and 21 mm or less,
The battery holder according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The battery is a lithium-ion secondary battery,
The battery holder is formed of a sinterable silicone rubber composition,
The battery holder according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The sinterable silicone rubber composition contains an organopolysiloxane, and powdered silica and powdered layered silicate dispersed in the organopolysiloxane.
The battery holder according to claim 11. An end portion of the battery is held in the holding hole of the battery holder according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
Battery module.

Images