JP3934900B2

JP3934900B2 - Power supply

Info

Publication number: JP3934900B2
Application number: JP2001291884A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 悟己増田; 智洋池田
Original assignee: Yazaki Corp
Current assignee: Yazaki Corp
Priority date: 2001-09-25
Filing date: 2001-09-25
Publication date: 2007-06-20
Anticipated expiration: 2021-09-25
Also published as: JP2003100273A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、複数の電池が直列に接続されて得られかつ内燃機関と電動機との双方の動力で走行可能なハイブリット車や電気自動車などに搭載される電源装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
内燃機関と電動機との双方の動力で走行可能なハイブリット車や電気自動車などには、電源装置が搭載される。電源装置は、複数の電池と、保持部材１００（図９に示す）を備えている。
【０００３】
電池は、それぞれ一端に正の電極（以下正極と呼ぶ）を設け、他端に負の電極（以下負極と呼ぶ）を設けている。また、電池には、充電及び放電時に発生するガスを外部に排出するためのガス逃がし孔が設けられている。電池は、前記正極と負極とが互いに隣り合う状態で重ねられている。
【０００４】
保持部材１００は、板状に形成されており、前記電池に重ねられる。保持部材１００は、前記電池に重ねられると、前記ガス逃がし孔と相対する。保持部材１００は、図９に示すように、板状の部材本体１０１と、電池収容部１０２と、ガス排出部１０３と、を備えている。電池収容部１０２は、前記部材本体１０１の電池に相対する表面１０１ａから凸の壁１０４を複数備えている。電池収容部１０２は、互いに隣り合う壁１０４間に各電池の端部を収容する。
【０００５】
ガス排出部１０３は、ダクト部材１０５と、複数のシール部材１０６と、を備えている。ダクト部材１０５は、筒状に形成されている。ダクト部材１０５は、前記電池が並べられた方向に長手方向が沿った状態で、前記部材本体１０１の表面１０１ａに取り付けられる。ダクト部材１０５には、各電池のガス逃がし孔に対応したガス通し孔１０７が複数設けられている。ガス通し孔１０７は、それぞれ対応するガス逃がし孔と相対する。
【０００６】
シール部材１０６は、それぞれ、ゴムなどの弾性変形自在な合成樹脂からなり、輪状に形成されている。シール部材１０６は、ガス通し孔１０７の外縁部に取り付けられる。シール部材１０６は、ガス通し孔１０７を囲んだ格好即ち内側にガス通し孔１０７を収容した格好で、部材本体１０１の表面１０１ａに取り付けられている。シール部材１０６は、保持部材１００に各電池が取り付けられると、前記ガス逃がし孔の外縁部に接触する。シール部材１０６は、ガス逃がし孔とガス通し孔１０７の内側を気密に保つ。
【０００７】
前述した構成の電源装置は、保持部材１００にダクト部材１０５を取り付け、該ダクト部材１０５にシール部材１０６を取り付けた後、保持部材１００の電池収容部１０２に各電池を収容する。すると、シール部材１０６がガス逃がし孔の外縁部に接触する。そして、充電及び放電時に各電池から発生するガスは、シール部材１０６などによって、電池とシール部材１０６との間などから漏れない。そして、前記ガスは、前記ガス逃がし孔とシール部材１０６の内側とガス通し孔１０７とダクト部材１０５の内側などを通って、電源装置の外部に排出される。
【０００８】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
前述した構成の電源装置を組み立てる際には、前記シール部材１０６を一つずつ前記ダクト部材１０５に取り付ける必要があった。このため、組立にかかる手間や工数が増加して、電源装置のコストの高騰を招く虞があった。
【０００９】
したがって、本発明の目的は、コストの高騰を抑制できる電源装置を提供することにある。
【００１０】
【課題を解決するための手段】
課題を解決し目的を達成するために、請求項１に記載の本発明の電源装置は、一端に正の電極、他端に負の電極を設けた電池を複数備えた電池集合体と、前記電池集合体に取り付けられる保持部材と、各電池から充放電時に発生するガスを排出する排出経路と、を備えた電源装置において、前記排出経路は、前記電池それぞれに設けられた前記ガスを外部に排出するためのガス逃がし孔と、前記保持部材に取り付けられるダクト部と、各電池のガス逃がし孔それぞれに対応して設けられた輪状のシール部と、を備えたシール部材と、前記保持部材に着脱自在であるとともに前記保持部材に取り付けられると前記シール部材を前記電池集合体に向かって押す押圧部材と、によって区画されて、構成され、前記シール部材が前記保持部材に取り付けられかつ保持部材が前記電池集合体に取り付けられると、前記シール部が対応する電池のガス逃がし孔の外縁部に接触して、ガス逃がし孔と前記シール部と前記ダクト部との内側が気密に保たれるとともに、前記保持部材は、前記シール部それぞれに対応して設けられかつ内側に前記シール部を通すことのできる通し孔を複数備えており、前記通し孔にシール部を通して、前記シール部材が前記保持部材に取り付けられ、シール部材が取り付けられた保持部材が電池集合体に取り付けられると、各シール部が前記ガス逃がし孔の外縁部に接触することを特徴としている。
【００１３】
請求項２に記載の本発明の電源装置は、請求項１に記載の電源装置において、前記保持部材に取り付けられると、前記シール部材のダクト部と前記押圧部材とが接触して、これらのシール部材と前記押圧部材との内側が気密に保たれることを特徴としている。
【００１４】
請求項１に記載された本発明によれば、シール部材に、ダクト部とシール部とが一体に形成されている。ダクト部にシール部を一つずつ取り付けることなく、シール部材を保持部材に取り付けて、該保持部材に電池集合体を取り付けると、電池のガス逃がし孔からダクト部に亘って気密に保つことができる。
【００１５】
通し孔にシール部を通すことができるので、シール部材を保持部材に取り付けて、該保持部材に電池集合体を取り付けると、電池のガス逃がし孔から前記ダクト部に亘ってより確実に気密に保つことができる。
【００１６】
押圧部材が保持部材に取り付けられると、シール部材を電池集合体に向かって押す。このため、シール部材のシール部とガス逃がし孔の外縁部とがより確実に気密状態で接触する。
【００１７】
請求項２に記載された本発明によれば、押圧部材とシール部材を保持部材に取り付けることによって、シール部材のダクト部と押圧部材の内側が気密に保たれる。
【００１８】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の第１の実施形態にかかる電源装置を、図１ないし図６を参照して説明する。第１の実施形態にかかる図１に示す電源装置１は、内燃機関と電動機との双方の駆動力で走行可能なハイブリッド車や、電動機の駆動力によって走行可能な電気自動車に搭載される。
【００１９】
電源装置１は、図１に示すように、電池集合体２と、電池保持部３と、を備えている。電池集合体２は、複数の電池４を備えている。電池４は、方体状の電池本体５と、正の電極（以下正極と呼ぶ）６と、負の電極（以下負極と呼ぶ）７と、を備えている。
【００２０】
正極６は、電池本体５の一端に設けられている。負極７は、電池本体５の他端に設けられている。正極６と負極７とは、棒状に形成されており、前記電池本体５の一つの外壁（図６などに示す）８から同方向に突出している。正極６と負極７とは、互いに並行（平行）であるとともに、外周面にねじ溝が形成されている。
【００２１】
複数の電池４は、正極６と負極７とが互いに隣り合いかつ前記外壁８が互いに同一平面上に位置する状態で、一方向（図１中の矢印Ｈ）に沿って並べられている。互いに隣り合う電池４同士は、正極６と負極７とが互いに隣り合っている。即ち、複数の電池４は、正極６と負極７とが交互に逆向きとなる状態で重ねられている。なお、矢印Ｈは、前記電池４が重ねられる方向をなしている。
【００２２】
また、各電池４には、外壁８を貫通したガス逃がし孔１０（図６に示す）が設けられている。ガス逃がし孔１０は、前記正極６と負極７との中央に設けられている。ガス逃がし孔１０は、充電及び放電時（以下充放電時と呼ぶ）に各電池４から発生するガスを、該電池４外に排出するためのものである。ガス逃がし孔１０は、前記電池４が前述したように重ねられると、前記矢印Ｈに沿って並ぶ。
【００２３】
電池保持部３は、保持部材としての保持板９と、バスバ２２と、シール部材１４と、押圧部材１５と、を備えている。保持板９は、絶縁性の合成樹脂からなりかつ平面形状が矩形状の板状に形成されている。保持板９には、前述したように並べられた各電池４の正極６と負極７とを通すことのできる電極通し孔１１（図２ないし図５に示す）と、バスバ収容室１２（図２及び図３などに示す）と、シール固定部１６（図２及び図３などに示す）と、が形成されている。
【００２４】
保持板９は、前記電極通し孔１１内に正極６及び負極７を通して、前記電池集合体２を構成する電池４の外壁８に重ねられる。こうして、保持板９は、電池集合体２に取り付けられる。このとき、保持板９の長手方向が、矢印Ｈと平行となる。バスバ収容室１２は、前記外壁８に重ねられた際に、保持板９の外側に露出する表面９ａに、複数設けられている。バスバ収容室１２は、図２及び図３などに示すように、前記表面９ａから立設した複数の隔壁１３によって形成されている。バスバ収容室１２には、一つの正極６を通す電極通し孔１１と、一つの負極７を通す電極通し孔１１とが開口している。すなわち、バスバ収容室１２には、電極通し孔１１を通して、互いに隣り合う電池４の正極６と負極７とが侵入する。
【００２５】
バスバ収容室１２は、前記一方向Ｈに沿って並べられた複数の電池４のうち一端に位置する一つの電池４（以下符号４ａで示す）の正極６（以下符号６ａで示す）と重なる位置と、他端に位置する他の電池４（以下符号４ｂで示す）の負極７（以下符号７ａで示す）と重なる位置と、を除いた位置に配されている。
【００２６】
また、各バスバ収容室１２には、図２及び図３に示すように、前記バスバ２２を固定するための係止爪１７が複数設けられている。係止爪１７は、隔壁１３の内面からバスバ収容室１２の内側に向かって突出している。係止爪１７は、バスバ２２の外縁に係止して、該バスバ２２をバスバ収容室１２内に固定する。
【００２７】
シール固定部１６は、保持板９の表面９ａでかつ前記保持板９の幅方向の中央に設けられている。シール固定部１６は、図１ないし図６に示すように、前記表面９ａから突出した一対の隔壁１８を備えている。隔壁１８は、保持板９の長手方向に沿って延びている。隔壁１８は、保持板９の幅方向に沿って互いに間隔をあけて配されている。隔壁１８は互いに平行である。これらの隔壁１８には、それぞれ係止爪１９が設けられている。係止爪１９は、これら一対の隔壁１８が互いに近づく方向に、各隔壁１８の表面から突出している。係止爪１９は、押圧部材１５の外縁に係止して、シール部材１４と押圧部材１５と保持板９とを固定する。
【００２８】
また、シール固定部１６には、図２、図４及び図６に示すように、複数の通し孔２０が設けられている。通し孔２０は、一対の隔壁１８間に設けられている。通し孔２０は、保持板９を貫通している。通し孔２０は、保持板９の長手方向に沿って並んでいる。それぞれの通し孔２０は、保持板９が電池集合体２の電池４の外壁８に重ねられると、ガス逃がし孔１０と重なる。
【００２９】
バスバ２２は、導電性を有する金属からなり、帯板状に形成されている。バスバ２２は、正極６と負極７とを通すことのできる孔２５を一対備えている。バスバ２２は、一対の孔２５それぞれに正極６と負極７とを通して、前記バスバ収容室１２内に収容される。バスバ２２は、隔壁１３の内面に設けられた係止爪１７に係止されて、バスバ収容室１２内に固定される。
【００３０】
シール部材１４は、ゴムなどの弾性を有する合成樹脂からなる。シール部材１４は、図２、図４及び図６などに示すように、ダクト部としての部材本体３０と、複数のシール突起３１とを一体に備えている。部材本体３０は、図１、図２、図４及び図６などに示すように、平面形状が矩形状の底板３２と、複数の周壁３３と、を備えて箱状に形成されている。部材本体３０は、保持板９に取り付けられる。底板３２の長手方向の長さは、保持板９の長手方向の長さと略等しい。底板３２の幅方向の長さは、前記一対の隔壁１８間の間隔と略等しい。
【００３１】
底板３２には、図１、図２、図４ないし図６に示すように、孔３４が複数設けられている。孔３４は、勿論底板３２を貫通している。孔３４は、シール部材１４が、シール固定部１６に取り付けられると、前記通し孔２０と重なる。すなわち、ガス逃がし孔１０と通し孔２０と孔３４とは、互いに重なって連通する。
【００３２】
また、シール突起３１は、本明細書に記したシール部に相当する。シール突起３１は、底板３２から周壁３３の逆向きに立設している。シール突起３１は、平面形状が輪状に形成されている。シール突起３１は、孔３４それぞれに対応して一つずつ設けられている。即ち、シール突起３１は、ガス逃がし孔１０それぞれに対応して、一つずつ設けられている。シール突起３１は、前記孔３４の外縁部に設けられている。シール突起３１は、孔３４を囲んでいる。
【００３３】
また、シール突起３１は、通し孔２０内に侵入可能である。シール突起３１は、通し孔２０内に侵入すると、図６に示すように、ガス逃がし孔１０の外縁部に位置する外壁８に接触する。シール突起３１は、外壁８との間を気密状態に保つ。シール突起３１は、外壁８に接触すると、ガス逃がし孔１０を囲む。こうして、シール突起３１がガス逃がし孔１０の外縁部に位置する外壁８に接触することを、本明細書では、シール突起３１がガス逃がし孔１０の外縁部に接触するという。このため、シール突起３１は、ガス逃がし孔１０の外縁部と、気密状態で接触する。
【００３４】
周壁３３は、底板３２の外縁に連なっており、該底板３２に対し立設している。さらに、シール部材１４の複数の周壁３３のうち、図１中手前側の位置する周壁３３には、図１ないし図５に示すように、パイプ３５が取り付けられている。パイプ３５は、シール部材１４の部材本体３０の内側と外側とを連通している。
【００３５】
押圧部材１５は、保持板９に着脱自在である。押圧部材１５は、平面形状が矩形状の板状に形成されている。押圧部材１５の長手方向の長さは、保持板９の長手方向の長さと略等しい。押圧部材１５の幅方向の長さは、前記一対の隔壁１８間の間隔と略等しい。
【００３６】
押圧部材１５は、前記シール固定部１６の一対の隔壁１８間にシール部材１４が挿入された状態で、前記一対の隔壁１８間に挿入される。すると、押圧部材１５は、シール部材１４を保持板９即ち電池集合体２に向かって押す。さらに、押圧部材１５の外縁には、前述した係止爪１９が係止する。すると、シール部材１４の周壁３３の底板３２から離れた縁部３３ａ（図６に示す）と、押圧部材１５との間が、気密状態に保たれる。
【００３７】
なお、前述した、ガス逃がし孔１０と、シール部材１４と、押圧部材１５とは、本明細書に記したガスの排出経路３６を構成している。排出経路３６は、前記ガスを電源装置１外へ排出するためのものである。
【００３８】
前述した構成の電源装置１を組み立てる際には、まず、正極６と負極７とが互いに隣り合う状態に、複数の電池４を重ねる。そして、前記正極６と負極７を電極通し孔１１内に挿入して保持板９を電池４の外壁８に重ねる。
【００３９】
孔２５内に互いに隣り合う正極６と負極７とを通したバスバ２２をバスバ収容室１２内に挿入する。係止爪１７をバスバ２２に係止させて、該バスバ２２をバスバ収容室１２内に固定する。その後、各正極６と負極７の外周にナット２６などをねじ込んで、前記電池４と保持板９とバスバ２２を固定する。
【００４０】
その後、シール突起３１を通し孔２０内に通して、一対の隔壁１８間にシール部材１４を挿入する。そして、押圧部材１５を一対の隔壁１８間に挿入する。押圧部材１５の外縁に係止爪１９を係止させる。シール突起３１が、ガス逃がし孔１０の外縁部に気密状態で接触するとともに、部材本体３０の周壁３３が押圧部材１５と気密状態で接触する。こうして、排出経路３６即ちガス逃がし孔１０とシール突起３１と部材本体３０と押圧部材１５の内側が気密状態に保たれて、前述した構成の電源装置１が組み立てられる。
【００４１】
こうして、組み立てられた電源装置１は、前記一方向Ｈの一端に位置する一つの電池４ａの正極６ａと、前記一方向Ｈの他端に位置する他の電池４ｂの負極７ａと、を除いて、前記バスバ２２により互いに隣り合う正極６と負極７が電気的に接続される。そして、電池４が互いに直列に電気的に接続される。
【００４２】
本実施形態によれば、シール部材１４は、部材本体３０とシール突起３１とを一体に形成している。部材本体３０にシール突起３１を一つずつ取り付けることなく、シール部材１４を保持板９に取り付けて、該保持板９に電池集合体２を取り付けると、電池４のガス逃がし孔１０から前記部材本体３０に亘って気密に保つことができる。このように、容易に組み立てることが可能となり、組立にかかる手間や工数を抑制できる。したがって、電源装置１のコストの高騰を抑制できる。
【００４３】
また、保持板９の通し孔２０にシール突起３１を通すことができるので、シール部材１４を保持板９に取り付けて、該保持板９に電池集合体２を取り付けると、電池４のガス逃がし孔１０から前記部材本体３０に亘ってより確実に気密に保つことができる。したがって、より容易に組み立てることができ、電源装置１のコストの高騰を抑制できる。
【００４４】
更に、保持板９に取り付けられると、押圧部材１５はシール部材１４を電池集合体２に向かって押す。このため、シール突起３１とガス逃がし孔１０の外縁部とがより確実に気密状態で接触する。このため、電池４から発生するガスの排出経路３６を確実に気密に保つことができる。
【００４５】
また、押圧部材１５とシール部材１４とが、電池４から発生するガスを排出するための排出経路３６を構成する。このため、押圧部材１５とシール部材１４を保持板９に取り付けることによって、前記排出経路３６を組み立てることができる。このように、より一層容易に組み立てることができ、電源装置１のコストの高騰をより一層抑制できる。
【００４６】
次に、本発明の第２の実施形態にかかる電源装置を図７及び図８を参照して説明する。なお、前述した第１の実施形態と同一構成部分には、同一符号を付して説明を省略する。
【００４７】
本実施形態では、押圧部材１５は、図７及び図８に示すように、天井壁４０と、該天井壁４０の幅方向の両縁に連なる一対の側壁４１とを備えて、断面コ字形の樋状に形成されている。押圧部材１５は、図８に示すように、天井壁４０が底板３２と間隔をあけて相対しかつ側壁４１が周壁３３の内側に位置した状態で、シール部材１４内に挿入される。そして、押圧部材１５の天井壁４０の外縁に、係止爪１９が係止して、シール部材１４と押圧部材１５とが、保持板９に固定される。
【００４８】
本実施形態においても、前述した第１の実施形態と同様に、シール部材１４は、部材本体３０とシール突起３１とを一体に形成している。このため、容易に組み立てることが可能となり、組立にかかる手間や工数を抑制できる。したがって、電源装置１のコストの高騰を抑制できる。また、保持板９の通し孔２０にシール突起３１を通すことができる。したがって、より容易に組み立てることができ、電源装置１のコストの高騰を抑制できる。
【００４９】
更に、保持板９に取り付けられると、該押圧部材１５はシール部材１４を電池集合体２に向かって押す。このため、電池４から発生するガスの排出経路３６を確実に気密に保つことができる。また、押圧部材１５とシール部材１４とが、電池４からのガスを排出するための排出経路３６を構成する。このため、押圧部材１５とシール部材１４を保持板９に取り付けることによって、前記排出経路３６を組み立てることができる。このように、より一層容易に組み立てることができ、電源装置１のコストの高騰をより一層抑制できる。
【００５０】
なお、前述した第１及び第２の実施形態では、表面９ａに対し直交する方向に沿って、押圧部材１５を保持板９に近づけて、保持板９とシール部材１４と押圧部材１５とを固定している。しかしながら、本発明では、押圧部材１５を表面９ａに沿ってスライドさせて、保持板９とシール部材１４と押圧部材１５とを固定しても良い。
【００５１】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように請求項１に記載の本発明は、シール部材に、ダクト部とシール部とが一体に形成されている。ダクト部にシール部を一つずつ取り付けることなく、シール部材を保持部材に取り付けて、該保持部材に電池集合体を取り付けると、電池のガス逃がし孔からダクト部に亘って気密に保つことができる。このように、容易に組み立てることが可能となり、組立にかかる手間や工数を抑制できる。したがって、電源装置のコストの高騰を抑制できる。
【００５２】
通し孔にシール部を通すことができるので、シール部材を保持部材に取り付けて、該保持部材に電池集合体を取り付けると、電池のガス逃がし孔から前記ダクト部に亘ってより確実に気密に保つことができる。このように、容易に組み立てることが可能となり、組立にかかる手間や工数を抑制できる。したがって、電源装置のコストの高騰を抑制できる。
【００５３】
押圧部材が保持部材に取り付けられると、シール部材を電池集合体に向かって押す。このため、シール部とガス逃がし孔の外縁部とがより確実に気密状態で接触する。このため、容易に組み立てることが可能となり、組立にかかる手間や工数を抑制でき、電源装置のコストの高騰を抑制できることにくわえ、電池から発生するガスの排出経路を確実に気密に保つことができる。
【００５４】
請求項２に記載の本発明は、押圧部材とシール部材を保持部材に取り付けることによって、シール部材のダクト部と押圧部材の内側を気密に保つことができる。このように、容易に組み立てることが可能となり、組立にかかる手間や工数を抑制できる。したがって、電源装置のコストの高騰を抑制できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施形態にかかる電源装置を分解して示す斜視図である。
【図２】図１に示された電源装置の保持板とシール部材と押圧部材とを示す斜視図である。
【図３】図２に示された保持板とシール部材と押圧部材とを互いに組み付けた状態を示す斜視図である。
【図４】図２に示された電源装置の保持板とシール部材と押圧部材とを裏側からみた斜視図である。
【図５】図４に示された保持板とシール部材と押圧部材とを互いに組み付けた状態を示す斜視図である。
【図６】図３中のＶＩ−ＶＩ線に沿った断面図である。
【図７】本発明の第２の実施形態にかかる電源装置のシール部材と押圧部材とを示す斜視図である。
【図８】本発明の第２の実施形態にかかる電源装置の要部の断面図である。
【図９】従来の電源装置の保持部材を裏側からみた斜視図である。
【符号の説明】
１電源装置
２電池集合体
４電池
６正極（正の電極）
７負極（負の電極）
９保持板（保持部材）
１０ガス逃がし孔
１４シール部材
１５押圧部材
２０通し孔
３０部材本体（ダクト部）
３１シール突起（シール部）
３６排出経路[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a power supply device that is obtained by connecting a plurality of batteries in series and is mounted on a hybrid vehicle, an electric vehicle, or the like that can run with the power of both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A power supply device is mounted on a hybrid vehicle, an electric vehicle, or the like that can travel with the power of both the internal combustion engine and the electric motor. The power supply device includes a plurality of batteries and a holding member 100 (shown in FIG. 9).
[0003]
Each battery is provided with a positive electrode (hereinafter referred to as a positive electrode) at one end and a negative electrode (hereinafter referred to as a negative electrode) at the other end. Further, the battery is provided with a gas escape hole for discharging gas generated during charging and discharging to the outside. In the battery, the positive electrode and the negative electrode are stacked adjacent to each other.
[0004]
The holding member 100 is formed in a plate shape and is stacked on the battery. When the holding member 100 is stacked on the battery, the holding member 100 faces the gas escape hole. As shown in FIG. 9, the holding member 100 includes a plate-shaped member main body 101, a battery housing portion 102, and a gas discharge portion 103. The battery housing portion 102 includes a plurality of walls 104 that protrude from the surface 101a of the member main body 101 facing the battery. The battery accommodating part 102 accommodates the edge part of each battery between the mutually adjacent walls 104.
[0005]
The gas discharge unit 103 includes a duct member 105 and a plurality of seal members 106. The duct member 105 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The duct member 105 is attached to the surface 101a of the member body 101 in a state where the longitudinal direction is along the direction in which the batteries are arranged. The duct member 105 is provided with a plurality of gas passage holes 107 corresponding to the gas escape holes of each battery. The gas through holes 107 are opposed to the corresponding gas escape holes.
[0006]
Each of the seal members 106 is made of an elastically deformable synthetic resin such as rubber and is formed in a ring shape. The seal member 106 is attached to the outer edge portion of the gas passage hole 107. The seal member 106 is attached to the surface 101 a of the member main body 101 in such a manner that the gas passage hole 107 is enclosed, that is, the gas passage hole 107 is accommodated inside. When each battery is attached to the holding member 100, the seal member 106 contacts the outer edge of the gas escape hole. The seal member 106 keeps the gas escape hole and the inside of the gas passage hole 107 airtight.
[0007]
In the power supply device having the above-described configuration, the duct member 105 is attached to the holding member 100, the seal member 106 is attached to the duct member 105, and then each battery is accommodated in the battery accommodating portion 102 of the holding member 100. Then, the seal member 106 comes into contact with the outer edge portion of the gas escape hole. The gas generated from each battery during charging and discharging does not leak from between the battery and the sealing member 106 due to the sealing member 106 or the like. The gas is discharged to the outside of the power supply device through the gas escape hole, the inside of the seal member 106, the inside of the gas passage hole 107, the inside of the duct member 105, and the like.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When assembling the power supply device having the above-described configuration, it is necessary to attach the seal members 106 to the duct member 105 one by one. For this reason, the effort and man-hour for an assembly increase, and there exists a possibility that the cost of a power supply device may rise.
[0009]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a power supply device that can suppress an increase in cost.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the problems and achieve the object, the power supply device of the present invention according to claim 1 includes a battery assembly including a plurality of batteries each having a positive electrode at one end and a negative electrode at the other end, In a power supply device comprising: a holding member attached to a battery assembly; and a discharge path for discharging gas generated during charging / discharging from each battery, the discharge path includes the gas provided in each of the batteries to the outside. a gas escape hole for discharging, and a duct portion which is attached to the holding member, and the seal portion of the annular provided corresponding to the respective gas release holes of each battery, a sealing member having a, the holding member freely a pressing member to press said seal member and is attached to the holding member toward the battery assembly with a detachable, is defined by, is configured, with the sealing member takes the holding member When the holding member is attached to the battery assembly, the seal portion comes into contact with the outer edge portion of the corresponding gas escape hole of the battery, and the inside of the gas escape hole, the seal portion, and the duct portion is airtight. The holding member is provided with a plurality of through holes provided corresponding to the respective seal portions and through which the seal portions can be passed, and the seal members are passed through the through holes. Is attached to the holding member, and when the holding member to which the seal member is attached is attached to the battery assembly, each seal portion comes into contact with the outer edge portion of the gas escape hole .
[0013]
When the power supply device according to a second aspect of the present invention is attached to the holding member in the power supply device according to the first aspect , the duct portion of the seal member and the pressing member come into contact with each other to seal these seals. The inside of the member and the pressing member is kept airtight.
[0014]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the duct portion and the seal portion are integrally formed on the seal member. By attaching the seal member to the holding member and attaching the battery assembly to the holding member without attaching the seal portions to the duct portion one by one, the gas can be kept airtight from the gas escape hole to the duct portion. .
[0015]
It is possible to pass the seal portion through to the hole, attach the sealing member to the holding member, when mounting the battery assembly in the holding member, the more securely hermetically over the gas release hole of the battery to the duct portion Can keep.
[0016]
When pressing member is attached to the holding member and presses against the sealing member to the battery assembly. For this reason, the seal part of a sealing member and the outer edge part of a gas escape hole more reliably contact in an airtight state.
[0017]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, by attaching the pressing member and the sealing member to the holding member, the duct portion of the sealing member and the inside of the pressing member are kept airtight.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A power supply apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The power supply device 1 shown in FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment is mounted on a hybrid vehicle that can be driven by the driving force of both the internal combustion engine and the electric motor or an electric vehicle that can be driven by the driving force of the electric motor.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply device 1 includes a battery assembly 2 and a battery holding unit 3. The battery assembly 2 includes a plurality of batteries 4. The battery 4 includes a rectangular battery body 5, a positive electrode (hereinafter referred to as a positive electrode) 6, and a negative electrode (hereinafter referred to as a negative electrode) 7.
[0020]
The positive electrode 6 is provided at one end of the battery body 5. The negative electrode 7 is provided at the other end of the battery body 5. The positive electrode 6 and the negative electrode 7 are formed in a rod shape, and protrude from one outer wall (shown in FIG. 6 and the like) 8 of the battery body 5 in the same direction. The positive electrode 6 and the negative electrode 7 are parallel (parallel) to each other, and a thread groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface.
[0021]
The plurality of batteries 4 are arranged along one direction (arrow H in FIG. 1) in a state where the positive electrode 6 and the negative electrode 7 are adjacent to each other and the outer walls 8 are located on the same plane. In the batteries 4 adjacent to each other, the positive electrode 6 and the negative electrode 7 are adjacent to each other. That is, the plurality of batteries 4 are stacked such that the positive electrodes 6 and the negative electrodes 7 are alternately reversed. The arrow H indicates the direction in which the batteries 4 are stacked.
[0022]
Further, each battery 4 is provided with a gas escape hole 10 (shown in FIG. 6) penetrating the outer wall 8. The gas escape hole 10 is provided in the center between the positive electrode 6 and the negative electrode 7. The gas escape hole 10 is for discharging gas generated from each battery 4 during charging and discharging (hereinafter referred to as charging / discharging) to the outside of the battery 4. The gas escape holes 10 are aligned along the arrow H when the batteries 4 are stacked as described above.
[0023]
The battery holding unit 3 includes a holding plate 9 as a holding member, a bus bar 22, a seal member 14, and a pressing member 15. The holding plate 9 is made of an insulating synthetic resin and is formed in a plate shape having a rectangular planar shape. The holding plate 9 has an electrode through hole 11 (shown in FIGS. 2 to 5) through which the positive electrode 6 and the negative electrode 7 of the batteries 4 arranged as described above can pass, and a bus bar housing chamber 12 (FIG. 2). And a seal fixing portion 16 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, etc.) are formed.
[0024]
The holding plate 9 passes over the outer wall 8 of the battery 4 constituting the battery assembly 2 through the positive electrode 6 and the negative electrode 7 in the electrode through hole 11. In this way, the holding plate 9 is attached to the battery assembly 2. At this time, the longitudinal direction of the holding plate 9 is parallel to the arrow H. A plurality of bus bar accommodating chambers 12 are provided on the surface 9 a exposed to the outside of the holding plate 9 when being superimposed on the outer wall 8. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bus bar housing chamber 12 is formed by a plurality of partition walls 13 erected from the surface 9 a. The bus bar housing chamber 12 has an electrode through hole 11 through which one positive electrode 6 passes and an electrode through hole 11 through which one negative electrode 7 passes. In other words, the positive electrode 6 and the negative electrode 7 of the battery 4 adjacent to each other enter the bus bar housing chamber 12 through the electrode through hole 11.
[0025]
The bus bar housing chamber 12 overlaps the positive electrode 6 (hereinafter denoted by reference numeral 6a) of one battery 4 (hereinafter denoted by reference numeral 4a) located at one end among the plurality of batteries 4 arranged along the one direction H. And a position overlapping the negative electrode 7 (hereinafter denoted by reference numeral 7a) of another battery 4 (hereinafter denoted by reference numeral 4b) located at the other end.
[0026]
Each bus bar accommodating chamber 12 is provided with a plurality of locking claws 17 for fixing the bus bar 22 as shown in FIGS. The locking claw 17 protrudes from the inner surface of the partition wall 13 toward the inside of the bus bar housing chamber 12. The locking claw 17 is locked to the outer edge of the bus bar 22 to fix the bus bar 22 in the bus bar accommodating chamber 12.
[0027]
The seal fixing portion 16 is provided on the surface 9 a of the holding plate 9 and at the center in the width direction of the holding plate 9. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the seal fixing portion 16 includes a pair of partition walls 18 protruding from the surface 9a. The partition wall 18 extends along the longitudinal direction of the holding plate 9. The partition walls 18 are spaced apart from each other along the width direction of the holding plate 9. The partition walls 18 are parallel to each other. Each partition wall 18 is provided with a locking claw 19. The locking claw 19 protrudes from the surface of each partition wall 18 in a direction in which the pair of partition walls 18 approach each other. The locking claw 19 is locked to the outer edge of the pressing member 15 to fix the seal member 14, the pressing member 15, and the holding plate 9.
[0028]
The seal fixing portion 16 is provided with a plurality of through holes 20 as shown in FIGS. The through hole 20 is provided between the pair of partition walls 18. The through hole 20 passes through the holding plate 9. The through holes 20 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the holding plate 9. Each through hole 20 overlaps with the gas escape hole 10 when the holding plate 9 is overlapped with the outer wall 8 of the battery 4 of the battery assembly 2.
[0029]
The bus bar 22 is made of a conductive metal and has a strip shape. The bus bar 22 includes a pair of holes 25 through which the positive electrode 6 and the negative electrode 7 can pass. The bus bar 22 is accommodated in the bus bar accommodating chamber 12 through the positive electrode 6 and the negative electrode 7 through each of the pair of holes 25. The bus bar 22 is locked to a locking claw 17 provided on the inner surface of the partition wall 13 and fixed in the bus bar accommodating chamber 12.
[0030]
The seal member 14 is made of a synthetic resin having elasticity such as rubber. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 6, and the like, the seal member 14 integrally includes a member main body 30 as a duct portion and a plurality of seal protrusions 31. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 6, the member main body 30 includes a bottom plate 32 having a rectangular planar shape and a plurality of peripheral walls 33, and is formed in a box shape. The member main body 30 is attached to the holding plate 9. The length of the bottom plate 32 in the longitudinal direction is substantially equal to the length of the holding plate 9 in the longitudinal direction. The length of the bottom plate 32 in the width direction is substantially equal to the distance between the pair of partition walls 18.
[0031]
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 to 6, the bottom plate 32 is provided with a plurality of holes 34. Of course, the hole 34 penetrates the bottom plate 32. The hole 34 overlaps the through hole 20 when the seal member 14 is attached to the seal fixing portion 16. That is, the gas escape hole 10, the through hole 20, and the hole 34 are overlapped with each other and communicate with each other.
[0032]
Further, the seal protrusion 31 corresponds to the seal portion described in this specification. The seal protrusion 31 is erected from the bottom plate 32 in the direction opposite to the peripheral wall 33. The seal protrusion 31 is formed in a ring shape in plan view. One seal protrusion 31 is provided corresponding to each of the holes 34. That is, one seal protrusion 31 is provided corresponding to each gas escape hole 10. The seal protrusion 31 is provided on the outer edge portion of the hole 34. The seal protrusion 31 surrounds the hole 34.
[0033]
Further, the seal protrusion 31 can enter the through hole 20. When the seal protrusion 31 enters the through hole 20, it comes into contact with the outer wall 8 located at the outer edge of the gas escape hole 10 as shown in FIG. 6. The seal protrusion 31 keeps an airtight state between the seal protrusion 31 and the outer wall 8. The seal protrusion 31 surrounds the gas escape hole 10 when it comes into contact with the outer wall 8. In this specification, the seal projection 31 is in contact with the outer edge portion of the gas escape hole 10 when the seal projection 31 comes into contact with the outer wall 8 located at the outer edge portion of the gas escape hole 10. For this reason, the seal protrusion 31 contacts the outer edge of the gas escape hole 10 in an airtight state.
[0034]
The peripheral wall 33 continues to the outer edge of the bottom plate 32, and stands upright with respect to the bottom plate 32. Further, among the plurality of peripheral walls 33 of the seal member 14, a pipe 35 is attached to the peripheral wall 33 located on the front side in FIG. 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. The pipe 35 communicates the inside and the outside of the member main body 30 of the seal member 14.
[0035]
The pressing member 15 is detachable from the holding plate 9. The pressing member 15 is formed in a plate shape having a rectangular planar shape. The length of the pressing member 15 in the longitudinal direction is substantially equal to the length of the holding plate 9 in the longitudinal direction. The length of the pressing member 15 in the width direction is substantially equal to the interval between the pair of partition walls 18.
[0036]
The pressing member 15 is inserted between the pair of partition walls 18 in a state where the seal member 14 is inserted between the pair of partition walls 18 of the seal fixing portion 16. Then, the pressing member 15 presses the seal member 14 toward the holding plate 9, that is, the battery assembly 2. Further, the aforementioned locking claw 19 is locked to the outer edge of the pressing member 15. Then, the space between the edge 33a (shown in FIG. 6) of the peripheral wall 33 of the seal member 14 away from the bottom plate 32 and the pressing member 15 is kept in an airtight state.
[0037]
The gas escape hole 10, the seal member 14, and the pressing member 15 described above constitute the gas discharge path 36 described in this specification. The discharge path 36 is for discharging the gas out of the power supply device 1.
[0038]
When assembling the power supply device 1 having the above-described configuration, first, the plurality of batteries 4 are stacked such that the positive electrode 6 and the negative electrode 7 are adjacent to each other. Then, the positive electrode 6 and the negative electrode 7 are inserted into the electrode through hole 11, and the holding plate 9 is overlaid on the outer wall 8 of the battery 4.
[0039]
A bus bar 22 that passes through the positive electrode 6 and the negative electrode 7 adjacent to each other in the hole 25 is inserted into the bus bar accommodating chamber 12. The locking claw 17 is locked to the bus bar 22, and the bus bar 22 is fixed in the bus bar accommodating chamber 12. Thereafter, a nut 26 or the like is screwed into the outer periphery of each positive electrode 6 and negative electrode 7 to fix the battery 4, the holding plate 9 and the bus bar 22.
[0040]
Thereafter, the seal projection 31 is passed through the hole 20 and the seal member 14 is inserted between the pair of partition walls 18. Then, the pressing member 15 is inserted between the pair of partition walls 18. The locking claw 19 is locked to the outer edge of the pressing member 15. The seal protrusion 31 contacts the outer edge of the gas escape hole 10 in an airtight state, and the peripheral wall 33 of the member main body 30 contacts the pressing member 15 in an airtight state. Thus, the inside of the discharge path 36, that is, the gas escape hole 10, the seal protrusion 31, the member main body 30, and the pressing member 15 is kept airtight, and the power supply device 1 having the above-described configuration is assembled.
[0041]
Thus, the assembled power supply device 1 is different from the positive electrode 6a of one battery 4a located at one end in the one direction H and the negative electrode 7a of another battery 4b located at the other end in the one direction H. The positive electrode 6 and the negative electrode 7 which are adjacent to each other are electrically connected by the bus bar 22. The batteries 4 are electrically connected in series with each other.
[0042]
According to the present embodiment, the seal member 14 integrally forms the member main body 30 and the seal protrusion 31. When the seal member 14 is attached to the holding plate 9 without attaching the seal protrusions 31 to the member main body 30 one by one, and the battery assembly 2 is attached to the holding plate 9, the member main body is released from the gas escape hole 10 of the battery 4. It can be kept airtight over 30. Thus, it becomes possible to assemble easily and the effort and man-hour concerning an assembly can be suppressed. Therefore, an increase in the cost of the power supply device 1 can be suppressed.
[0043]
Further, since the seal protrusion 31 can be passed through the through hole 20 of the holding plate 9, if the seal member 14 is attached to the holding plate 9 and the battery assembly 2 is attached to the holding plate 9, the gas escape hole of the battery 4 is obtained. 10 to the member main body 30 can be more reliably kept airtight. Therefore, it can assemble more easily and the rise of the cost of the power supply device 1 can be suppressed.
[0044]
Further, when attached to the holding plate 9, the pressing member 15 pushes the sealing member 14 toward the battery assembly 2. For this reason, the seal protrusion 31 and the outer edge portion of the gas escape hole 10 are more reliably brought into contact with each other in an airtight state. For this reason, the discharge path 36 of the gas generated from the battery 4 can be reliably kept airtight.
[0045]
Further, the pressing member 15 and the sealing member 14 constitute a discharge path 36 for discharging the gas generated from the battery 4. For this reason, the discharge path 36 can be assembled by attaching the pressing member 15 and the seal member 14 to the holding plate 9. Thus, it can assemble more easily and the increase in the cost of the power supply device 1 can be further suppressed.
[0046]
Next, the power supply device concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated with reference to FIG.7 and FIG.8. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
[0047]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the pressing member 15 includes a ceiling wall 40 and a pair of side walls 41 connected to both edges in the width direction of the ceiling wall 40, and has a U-shaped cross section. It is formed in a bowl shape. As shown in FIG. 8, the pressing member 15 is inserted into the seal member 14 with the ceiling wall 40 facing the bottom plate 32 with a space therebetween and the side wall 41 positioned inside the peripheral wall 33. Then, the locking claw 19 is locked to the outer edge of the ceiling wall 40 of the pressing member 15, and the sealing member 14 and the pressing member 15 are fixed to the holding plate 9.
[0048]
Also in the present embodiment, the seal member 14 integrally forms the member main body 30 and the seal protrusion 31 as in the first embodiment described above. For this reason, it becomes possible to assemble easily and the effort and man-hour concerning an assembly can be suppressed. Therefore, an increase in the cost of the power supply device 1 can be suppressed. Further, the seal protrusion 31 can be passed through the through hole 20 of the holding plate 9. Therefore, it can assemble more easily and the rise of the cost of the power supply device 1 can be suppressed.
[0049]
Further, when attached to the holding plate 9, the pressing member 15 pushes the seal member 14 toward the battery assembly 2. For this reason, the discharge path 36 of the gas generated from the battery 4 can be reliably kept airtight. Further, the pressing member 15 and the sealing member 14 constitute a discharge path 36 for discharging the gas from the battery 4. For this reason, the discharge path 36 can be assembled by attaching the pressing member 15 and the seal member 14 to the holding plate 9. Thus, it can assemble more easily and the increase in the cost of the power supply device 1 can be further suppressed.
[0050]
In the first and second embodiments described above, the pressing member 15 is brought close to the holding plate 9 along the direction orthogonal to the surface 9a, and the holding plate 9, the seal member 14, and the pressing member 15 are fixed. is doing. However, in the present invention, the pressing member 15 may be slid along the surface 9a to fix the holding plate 9, the seal member 14, and the pressing member 15.
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the first aspect of the present invention, the duct portion and the seal portion are integrally formed on the seal member. By attaching the seal member to the holding member and attaching the battery assembly to the holding member without attaching the seal portions to the duct portion one by one, the gas can be kept airtight from the gas escape hole to the duct portion. . Thus, it becomes possible to assemble easily and the effort and man-hour concerning an assembly can be suppressed. Therefore, an increase in the cost of the power supply device can be suppressed.
[0052]
It is possible to pass the seal portion through to the hole, attach the sealing member to the holding member, when mounting the battery assembly in the holding member, the more securely hermetically over the gas release hole of the battery to the duct portion Can keep. Thus, it becomes possible to assemble easily and the effort and man-hour concerning an assembly can be suppressed. Therefore, an increase in the cost of the power supply device can be suppressed.
[0053]
When pressing member is attached to the holding member and presses against the sealing member to the battery assembly. For this reason, a seal part and the outer edge part of a gas escape hole more reliably contact in an airtight state. For this reason, it becomes possible to assemble easily, the labor and man-hours required for assembly can be suppressed, the increase in the cost of the power supply device can be suppressed, and the discharge path of the gas generated from the battery can be reliably kept airtight. .
[0054]
In the second aspect of the present invention, the duct portion of the seal member and the inside of the press member can be kept airtight by attaching the press member and the seal member to the holding member. Thus, it becomes possible to assemble easily and the effort and man-hour concerning an assembly can be suppressed. Therefore, an increase in the cost of the power supply device can be suppressed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a power supply device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a holding plate, a seal member, and a pressing member of the power supply device shown in FIG.
3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the holding plate, the seal member, and the pressing member shown in FIG. 2 are assembled together. FIG.
4 is a perspective view of a holding plate, a seal member, and a pressing member of the power supply device shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the back side.
5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the holding plate, the seal member, and the pressing member shown in FIG. 4 are assembled together.
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a sealing member and a pressing member of a power supply device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a power supply device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a holding member of a conventional power supply device as viewed from the back side.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power supply device 2 Battery assembly 4 Battery 6 Positive electrode (positive electrode)
7 Negative electrode (negative electrode)
9 Holding plate (holding member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Gas escape hole 14 Seal member 15 Press member 20 Through hole 30 Member main body (duct part)
31 Seal protrusion (seal part)
36 Discharge route

Claims

A battery assembly comprising a plurality of batteries each having a positive electrode at one end and a negative electrode at the other end;
A holding member attached to the battery assembly;
In a power supply device comprising a discharge path for discharging gas generated during charging and discharging from each battery,
The discharge route is
A gas escape hole for discharging the gas provided to each of the batteries to the outside ;
A seal member including a duct portion attached to the holding member, and a ring-shaped seal portion provided corresponding to each of the gas escape holes of each battery ;
A pressing member that is detachably attached to the holding member and that pushes the seal member toward the battery assembly when attached to the holding member.
When the seal member is attached to the holding member and the holding member is attached to the battery assembly, the seal portion comes into contact with the outer edge portion of the corresponding battery gas escape hole, and the gas escape hole and the seal portion While the inside of the duct part is kept airtight ,
The holding member is provided corresponding to each of the seal portions and includes a plurality of through holes through which the seal portion can pass.
The seal member is attached to the holding member through the seal portion through the through hole,
When the holding member to which the seal member is attached is attached to the battery assembly, each seal portion comes into contact with the outer edge portion of the gas escape hole.

When attached to the holding member, wherein a duct portion of the sealing member pressing member and is in contact, according to claim 1, wherein the inner and the pressing member and these seal members are characterized by being kept hermetically Power supply.