JP4317609B2 - Collective sealed secondary battery - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a collective sealed secondary battery in which a plurality of single cells are arranged in series to form an integrated battery case.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As this type of collective sealed secondary battery, a battery disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-85847 is known. As shown in FIG. 7, the collective sealed secondary battery 61 houses a power generation element in a battery case 63 formed in a bottomed rectangular cylindrical shape, and the opening of the battery case 63 is sealed with a lid 64. A plurality of the unit cells 62 are arranged in series, and the battery case 63 of the unit cells 62 is connected in a tightened state by the end plate 65 and the restraining band 66, and the positive terminal 67 and the negative terminal 68 of each unit cell 62 are connected. And the terminals 67 and 68 are sequentially connected in series by an electric connection bar 69.
[0003]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, in JP-A-6-215804, in a monoblock storage battery in which a plastic battery case 71 and a lid 72 are heat-welded, the outer surfaces of two opposing side walls of the battery case 71 are disclosed. A side plate 73 having a recessed space inside is thermally welded to form a cooling jacket portion 74 between the side wall of the battery case 71 and the side plate 73, and the cooling jacket portion 74 is formed on both sides of one end of the lid 72. On the other hand, an inlet orifice 75 for supplying a cooling medium and an outlet orifice (not shown) for discharging the cooling medium on both sides of the other end are projected. Reference numeral 76 denotes a connecting collar portion bulged at the upper part of both end portions of the side plate 73 so as to communicate the orifice 75 of the lid 72 and the inside of the cooling jacket portion 74. Moreover, what provided the entrance orifice and the exit orifice in the upper part of the both ends of the side plate 73 is also disclosed.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the collective sealed secondary battery disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-85847, each single battery is closely arranged and tightened. Therefore, when the ambient temperature is high or when charging / discharging with a large current, Is not sufficiently dissipated, and there is a problem that the battery temperature rises and the battery life decreases.
[0005]
On the other hand, in the storage battery of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-215804, since both side surfaces of the battery case 71 are cooled by the water cooling jacket portion 74, the temperature rise can be suppressed and applied to the collective sealed secondary battery. However, since the inlet orifice 75 and the outlet orifice for supplying and discharging the cooling medium to and from the water cooling jacket portion 74 protrude on the lid 72, any obstruction or the like hits unexpectedly. There is a problem that the cooling medium may leak and the cooling medium may leak and become uncoolable.
[0006]
In view of the above-described conventional problems, the present invention eliminates the possibility of damage to the orifice that supplies and discharges the cooling medium to and from the cooling medium passage, and does not prevent cooling due to leakage of the cooling medium. It aims to provide a battery.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The collective sealed secondary battery according to the present invention includes a plurality of single cells each having a power generation element housed in a bottomed rectangular tube-shaped battery case, and the single cells are integrally joined to each other and an opening thereof. In the collective sealed secondary battery sealed with an integrated lid, a cooling medium passage is provided on both sides of the unit cell arrangement direction, and a cooling medium is supplied to the cooling medium passage. The discharge inlet orifice and outlet orifice are arranged in the recess formed in the lid so as not to protrude outside the lid body, and the orifice does not protrude from the lid body, so it will be damaged unexpectedly by hitting an obstacle. There is almost no fear, and it is possible to eliminate the possibility of cooling impossible due to leakage of the cooling medium.
[0008]
In addition, when the connection ports of the inlet orifice and the outlet orifice are arranged in the horizontal direction, the connection pipe connecting the orifices can be horizontally arranged when a plurality of secondary batteries are arranged in parallel, and does not protrude on the lid body. Piping work is easy and the piping is compact and there is no risk of damage.
[0009]
In addition, the inlet orifice and the outlet orifice are composed of a J-shaped box piece having a substantially J-shaped planar opening with a connecting port projecting from the tip of the short side so as not to protrude from the tip of the long side. When this J-shaped box piece is joined to the bottom surface of the concave portion of the lid and a communication opening for the cooling medium passage is formed at a position corresponding to the tip of the long side of the bottom surface of the concave portion, the J-shaped box piece is formed on the bottom surface of the concave portion. By joining, an orifice whose connection port is protected at the long side of the J-shaped box piece can be arranged in the lid, and the communication opening to the cooling medium passage is located at the tip of the long side, so connection Both the opening and the communication opening can be positioned at both ends of the secondary battery, and the entire secondary battery can be configured compactly.
[0010]
Further, when a concave portion is formed on one side of the lid, and the J-shaped box piece is disposed so that the long side portion is located outside and the short side portion located inside, the J-shaped box is provided on one side of the secondary battery. Even if the piece is placed, the connection port is protected by the long side, the electrode terminal can be placed on the other side of the lid, and the single-cell safety valve can be placed in the center. Can be configured compactly.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the collective sealed secondary battery of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0012]
The collective sealed secondary battery 1 of the present embodiment is a nickel-hydrogen secondary battery that can be suitably used as a drive power source for an electric vehicle. As shown in FIGS. They are arranged in series and joined together to form an integrated battery case, end plates 6 are joined to both ends of the unit cell row, and flat spaces are formed on both sides of the unit cells 2 and end plates 6 with respect to the arrangement direction. A plate-shaped cooling jacket member 3 formed in a recess is joined, a single lid body 5 is joined thereon, each cell 2 and the end plate 6 are sealed, and a restraint band 7 is provided between the end plates 6 and 6. The structure is tightened. Reference numeral 8 denotes a terminal mounting hole formed in the lid body 5 so that a positive electrode terminal or a negative electrode terminal protruding upward from the unit cell 2 at one end and the other end penetrates, and 9 denotes a lid body 5 corresponding to each unit cell 2. It is a safety valve mounting hole formed in the through hole. Reference numerals 10 and 11 denote an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice for the cooling medium, which are integrally attached to both ends of the lid 5. The unit cell 2, the cooling jacket member 3, the lid 5, the end plate 6, the inlet orifice 10, the outlet orifice 11 and the like are made of synthetic resin such as PP / PPE alloy and are integrally joined to each other by welding. . Moreover, the adjacent unit cells 2 and 2 are electrically connected by the connection body 12, as shown in FIG. 2, FIG.
[0013]
Hereinafter, in detail, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the unit cell 2 is configured by housing a power generation element 15 in a bottomed rectangular cylindrical battery case 14, and arranging the unit cells 2 in series. In this state, a large number of protrusions 17 that are in contact with each other are formed in a matrix on the opposing wall surface 16 of the battery case 14 facing each other, and a space formed between the opposing wall surfaces 16 and 16 by these protrusions 17. A cooling medium passage 18 is formed between the battery cases 14 and 14. An end plate 6 is applied to and joined to the opposing wall surface 16 outside the unit cells 2 at both ends of the unit cell array, and a cooling medium passage 18 is also formed between the end plate 6 and the opposing wall surface 16. Yes. In addition, a plurality of (17 in the illustrated example) projections 17 at appropriate locations are formed with a large diameter, and engagement projections 19a and engagement recesses 19b that are fitted and engaged with each other are formed on the end surfaces of the projections 17 to each other. Positioning has been made. Further, a joining edge portion 20 that protrudes from the upper end of the battery case 14 at an appropriate distance below and the lower end edge protrudes from each other. Then, the unit cells 2 are integrally joined as an integrated battery case by welding the protrusions 17 and the joining edge portions 20 that are in contact with each other in a state where the unit cells 2 are arranged in series.
[0014]
Cooling medium passages 21 on both sides communicating with the cooling medium passage 18 are formed in a space formed between the single cells 2 and the inner side surface of the cooling jacket member 3 on both sides with respect to the arrangement direction of the single cells 2. ing. Further, a distribution header forming rod 22 for distributing the cooling medium (water) is formed on the upper edge of the end plate 6 so as to communicate with the cooling medium passages 21 on both sides.
[0015]
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, adjacent unit cells 2 are electrically connected to the upper frame 26 above the joint edge 20 above the battery case 14 of each unit cell 2 that is an integrated battery case. The substantially triangular cutouts 13 for arranging the connection bodies 12 to be connected to each other are formed in a staggered manner, and the connection bodies 12 are integrally joined to the battery case 14 and the lid body 5 in a sealed state while being arranged in the cutouts 13. Has been.
[0016]
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the connection body 12 includes a connection shaft 27 made of metal (such as nickel) and a support body 28 made of synthetic resin, and the connection shaft 27 holds the support body 28. The tube portion 29 is penetrated in a press-fit state, and is completely sealed by an O-ring 31 interposed between the flange portion 27a of the connection shaft 27 and the inner periphery of the holding tube portion 29. Further, a pair of triangular wings 30 project from the holding cylinder 29 on the support 28 and are configured to be joined to the upper frame 26 when the connecting body 12 is disposed in the notch 13. .
[0017]
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the cover 5 has an individual frame 32 formed on the inner surface so as to correspond to the upper frame 26 of each battery case 14, and an inverted L-shaped cross section on the outer periphery. The outer peripheral frame 33 hangs down, and sealing ridges 34 are formed on both ends in the longitudinal direction, which are joined to the upper end of the distribution header forming rod 22 to form the distribution header 35 in a sealed manner.
[0018]
A terminal mounting hole 8 is formed on the bottom surface of the recess 40 formed on one side of both ends of the lid 5. Further, a joining protrusion 36 for joining the inlet orifice 10 and the outlet orifice 11 is provided on the bottom surface of the recessed portion 41 formed on the other side of both ends of the lid 5, and these orifices 10, 11 are located in the recessed portion 41. The lid 5 is arranged so as not to protrude outside the outer shape of the lid 5. Further, the orifices 10 and 11 are configured such that the connection port 38 protrudes from the tip of the short side portion of the J-shaped box piece 37 whose plane shape is substantially J-shaped and whose lower surface is open. A communication opening 39 that communicates with the distribution header 35 is formed in a portion of the lid 5 that faces the tip of the long side of the J-shaped box piece 37.
[0019]
In the collective sealed secondary battery 1 having the above configuration, when the cooling medium is supplied from the inlet orifice 10, it flows into the cooling medium passages 21 on both sides through the distribution header 35, and the inside of the cooling medium passage 21 is made downstream. And flows between the cooling medium passages 21 and 21 on both sides through the cooling medium passage 18 between the unit cells 2, and all the sides including the opposing wall surface 16 of the battery case 14 of the unit cell 2 are the cooling medium. And the cooling medium is then discharged from the outlet orifice 11. Therefore, the four side surfaces of all the unit cells 2 are effectively cooled by the cooling medium.
[0020]
In addition, since the unit cells 2 are welded and integrally joined to each other to form an integrated battery case, and the integrated lid 5 is welded and sealed to the opening, the number of parts and assembly man-hours are reduced. The integrated sealed secondary battery 1 can be obtained as an integrated battery case, and the protrusions 17 are formed on the opposing wall surface 16 of the battery case 14 of each unit cell 2 so that the protrusions 17 are brought into contact with each other. Since it is welded, the cooling medium passage 18 over the substantially entire surface between the opposing wall surfaces 16 and 16 can be formed easily and inexpensively.
[0021]
Further, since the cooling medium passage 21 is formed by joining the compact plate-like cooling jacket members 3 to both sides of the unit cell row, it is possible to reduce the weight.
[0022]
In addition, an inlet orifice 10 and an outlet orifice 11 for supplying and discharging the cooling medium to and from the cooling medium passage 21 are arranged at both ends in the unit cell arrangement direction, and the cooling medium passages 21 on both sides via the distribution header 35 are arranged. Therefore, it is possible to effectively cool the entire circumference of all the unit cells 2 in combination with the above-described configuration through a single cooling medium path.
[0023]
Since the inlet orifice 10 and the outlet orifice 11 are disposed in the recess 41 so as not to protrude outside the outer shape of the lid 5, there is almost no risk of accidentally hitting an obstacle and causing damage due to leakage of the cooling medium. The fear of becoming impossible can be eliminated. In addition, since the connection ports 38 of the inlet orifice 10 and the outlet orifice 11 are arranged in the horizontal direction, the connecting pipe connecting the orifices 10 and 11 can be arranged horizontally when a plurality of secondary batteries are arranged in parallel. Therefore, it does not protrude on the lid body 5 and the piping work is easy and the piping is compactly accommodated and there is no risk of damage.
[0024]
Further, in the present embodiment, the concave portion 41 in which the orifices 10 and 11 are disposed is formed in the side portion instead of the center at both end portions of the lid body 5, but the long side portion of the J-shaped box piece 37 is short on the outer side. Since the portion is arranged so as to be located on the inner side, the connection port 38 is protected by the long side portion of the J-shaped box piece 37, and there is no risk of damage.
[0025]
Further, in the orifices 10 and 11, the connection port 38 protrudes from the tip of the short side portion of the J-shaped box piece 37, and the communication opening 39 for the cooling medium passage is provided at the tip of the long side portion. Both the opening 38 and the communication opening 39 can be positioned at both ends of the secondary battery 1, the entire secondary battery can be configured compactly, and formed at one end of the both ends of the lid 5. Since the electrode terminal is disposed in the recessed portion 40, the orifices 10 and 11 are disposed in the recessed portion 41 formed on the other side of the lid body 5, and the single-cell safety valve is disposed in the central portion, the entire secondary battery is disposed. It can be configured more compactly.
[0026]
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the constituent members are integrally joined by welding has been described. However, the constituent members may be integrally joined by an adhesive.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
According to the collective sealed secondary battery of the present invention, as apparent from the above description, the cooling medium passages are arranged on both sides of the arrangement direction of the unit cells, and the cooling medium passages are arranged with respect to the cooling medium passages. The inlet and outlet orifices for supplying and discharging gas are arranged in the recess formed in the lid so that they do not protrude outside the outer shape of the lid. There is almost no fear of cooling, and it is possible to eliminate the possibility of cooling being impossible due to leakage of the cooling medium.
[0028]
In addition, when the connection ports of the inlet orifice and the outlet orifice are arranged in the horizontal direction, the connection pipe connecting the orifices can be horizontally arranged when a plurality of secondary batteries are arranged in parallel, and does not protrude on the lid body. The piping work is easy and the piping fits compactly and there is no risk of damage.
[0029]
In addition, the inlet orifice and the outlet orifice are formed of a J-shaped box piece having a substantially open J-shaped plane with a connection port projecting from the tip of the short side portion so as not to protrude from the tip of the long side portion. When the J-shaped box piece is joined to the bottom surface of the concave portion of the lid and the communication opening for the cooling medium passage is formed at a position corresponding to the tip of the long side of the bottom surface of the concave portion, the J-shaped box piece is joined to the bottom surface of the concave portion. Accordingly, an orifice whose connection port is protected at the long side portion of the J-shaped box piece can be disposed in the lid, and the communication opening to the cooling medium passage is located at the tip of the long side portion. Both the communication openings can be positioned at both ends of the secondary battery, and the entire secondary battery can be made compact.
[0030]
Further, when a concave portion is formed on one side of the lid and the J-shaped box piece is disposed so that the long side portion is located outside and the short side portion located inside, the J-shaped box is provided on one side of the secondary battery. Even if the piece is placed, the connection port is protected by the long side, the electrode terminal can be placed on the other side of the lid, and the single-cell safety valve can be placed in the center. Can be configured compactly.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an embodiment of a collective sealed secondary battery of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal side view of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a partially longitudinal front view of the same embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of an upper end portion of the unit cell group of the same embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the electrical connection body of the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lid according to the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a front view of a collective sealed secondary battery of a conventional example.
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a cooling jacket portion in a collective sealed secondary battery of another conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Collective sealed secondary battery 2 Single cell 5 Lid 10 Inlet orifice 11 Outlet orifice 14 Battery case 15 Power generation element 21 Cooling medium passage 37 J-shaped box piece 38 Connection port 39 Communication opening 41 Recess

Claims (2)

A plurality of unit cells each containing a power generation element in a bottomed rectangular cylindrical battery case are arranged in series, and each unit cell is integrally joined to each other and its opening is sealed with an integral lid. In collective sealed secondary batteries,
Cooling medium passages are arranged on both sides of the cell arrangement direction, and an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice for supplying and discharging the cooling medium to and from the cooling medium passage are arranged in a recess formed in the lid. ,
The inlet and outlet orifices consist of a J-shaped box piece that is open in the lower surface and has a substantially J-shaped planar shape with a connection port protruding from the tip of the short side so as not to protrude from the tip of the long side. A collective hermetic secondary battery in which a box piece is joined to a bottom surface of a concave portion of a lid, and a communication opening to a cooling medium passage is formed at a position corresponding to a tip of a long side portion of the bottom surface of the concave portion. Forming a recessed portion on one side of the lid, aggregated according to claim 1, wherein the J-box pieces the long side portion, characterized in that the short side portion to the outside is disposed so as to be positioned inside sealed secondary Next battery.

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