JP4837278B2 - Battery pack - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery pack in which a circuit board having a charge / discharge protection circuit is disposed at one end of a battery, and an end case accommodating the circuit board is integrally coupled with the battery.

  The battery pack in which the battery and the circuit board having the charge / discharge protection circuit are combined and integrated has a compact configuration, a low connection resistance and a high reliability of the connection part, and a high productivity of the manufacturing process. Is requested.

  A conventional battery pack has a configuration in which a battery, a protection element, and a circuit board are accommodated in a case. As a specific example, a battery is accommodated in a case having a terminal window, a protective element and a circuit board are arranged in a space provided between the battery and the case, and a lead plate for connecting the battery and the circuit board is used as a terminal window. An external terminal is known that is arranged at an opposing position (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, a protrusion is formed on the outer periphery of one end surface of the battery, a recess is provided on the inside, a terminal holder having a fitting protrusion that fits into a recess on the one end surface of the battery is provided, and a protective element is incorporated in the terminal holder. The terminal plate is fixed to the upper surface, the terminal holder is connected to the battery with adhesive tape, heat shrink film, etc., and then the lead plate for the drawer is welded to the terminal plate and the battery case, and then stored in the case or heated. A battery pack that is covered with a shrink tube or the like is known (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  Conventionally, the battery and the circuit board are mechanically and electrically connected by the lead plate while temporarily holding the circuit board to the battery by the holder, whereas the connection convex portion is provided on the battery sealing plate. There is known a structure in which the connecting convex portion is connected to a circuit board, and the battery and the circuit board are mechanically and electrically connected by the connecting convex portion (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

In addition, it is also known that a part or the whole of a battery is insert-molded so that an external connection terminal is exposed to the outside and a resin-molded part with a built-in protective element is integrally molded at one end of the battery ( For example, see Patent Document 4).
Japanese Patent No. 3244400 JP 2000-243362 A JP 2002-298809 A JP 2004-95329 A

  However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, since the space for arranging the protective element and the circuit board is provided between the case and the battery, the outer shape of the case becomes large, and when the circuit board or the protective element moves, it breaks down due to vibration. There is a risk, but there is a problem that it is difficult to secure the circuit board and protection element to the battery and case so that high reliability cannot be secured, and the connection resistance is large because it is connected with the lead plate There is a problem of becoming.

  In Patent Document 2, the protective element is fixedly attached to the battery via the terminal holder. A lead plate is welded to the battery / holder assembly and housed in a case to form a battery pack. However, there is a problem that it is difficult to ensure high productivity because the outer shape is increased, the connection resistance is increased, the number of assembling steps is increased.

  Moreover, in patent document 3, a circuit board is fixed to the sealing plate of a battery using a special sealing plate which has a connection convex part, and connection resistance can be made small by the connection structure which does not use a lead board, and an assembly man-hour However, the circuit board and the battery are housed in a case to form a battery pack, and there is a problem that the outer shape is increased accordingly.

  Moreover, in patent document 4, since a protection element and an output terminal are being fixed to the resin molding part by insert-molding a battery, a protection element, and an output terminal, it can be comprised compactly with few parts, but insert molding However, there is a problem that the equipment cost is high and it is difficult to ensure high dimensional accuracy and productivity.

  In view of the above-described conventional problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack that is compact, has low connection resistance, high reliability, and high productivity.

  The battery pack of the present invention is a battery pack comprising a battery, a circuit board having a charge / discharge safety circuit and disposed on one end surface of the battery, and an end case fitted with an external connection terminal, The circuit board is housed and arranged inside the end case, and the tip of a screw that penetrates with the head engaging with both ends of the end case is screwed and fixed to both ends of one end face of the battery.

  According to this configuration, since the end case is fixed to one end of the battery, a compact configuration can be achieved, and a connection path between the battery, the circuit board in the end case, and the external connection terminal is provided. The connection resistance can be reduced by shortening the connection, and the battery and the end case can be joined and fixed together by a simple process of screwing and fixing the tip of the screw to the end face of the battery, so high reliability and productivity are achieved. A compatible battery pack can be realized. In addition, since the end case and the battery are fixed with screws, not only the direction parallel to the one end surface of the battery (the direction in which the screw is sheared) but also the direction in which the end case is separated from the battery (the screw is pulled) In the direction in which it is applied), and a high fixing strength can be secured against external forces in all directions.

  In addition, the battery has an electrode terminal having one polarity in the battery case, an electrode terminal having a polarity different from that of the battery case on one end surface, and a first connection bracket having a rising portion on one end surface of the battery case. A connecting plate that overlaps the rising portion of the first connection bracket and partially connected to the circuit board is disposed inside the one side wall of the end case, and is disposed on a portion facing the rising portion of the one side wall of the end case. When the rising portion and the connection plate are welded through the formed work opening, the connection path is short and the connection resistance can be reduced, and the connection can be made with good workability and high productivity can be secured.

  In addition, the battery has an electrode terminal with one polarity on the battery case, an electrode terminal with a polarity different from that of the battery case on one end surface, and one end of the safety protection element connected to the electrode terminal on one end surface of the battery case, If the other end of the safety protection element is connected to the circuit board, a safety protection element such as a thermal fuse or PTC is brought into contact with or placed close to one end surface of the battery using the space on the side of the electrode terminal. It can be interposed between the terminal and the circuit board, and the current can be cut off when the abnormal temperature of the battery rises, and the safety can be improved with a compact configuration.

  Further, the second and third connection brackets having rising portions overlapping each other are fixed to the other end of the safety protection element and the circuit board, and the second and third connection brackets are passed through the working holes opened in the end case. When the rising portion is welded, the circuit board and the safety protection element can be connected with high productivity by welding through the work hole of the end case through the second and third connection brackets.

  In addition, when the external connection terminal attached to the end case is one that connects / disconnects by connecting / disconnecting the connection terminal of the connection partner, the portable electronic device that stores and installs the battery pack in the battery arrangement space For example, the stability of the power supply is greatly improved compared to the case where the other electrode terminal is brought into contact with the flat external connection terminal, and it is reliable even in an environment subject to vibration or impact. High power supply can be realized, and even this type of external connection terminal can be easily and compactly attached to the end case.

  According to the battery pack of the present invention, since the end case is fixed to one end of the battery, a compact configuration can be achieved, and between the battery, the circuit board in the end case, and the external connection terminal. The connection path of the battery can be shortened to reduce the connection resistance, and the battery and the end case can be integrally coupled and fixed with a simple process of screwing and fixing the tip of the screw to one end of the battery. And a battery pack that achieves both productivity.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a battery pack of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a rectangular battery having a flat cross-sectional shape, or a rounded rectangular or oval rectangular battery. The battery 1 is composed of a lithium ion battery, and an electrode plate group and an electrolytic solution as power generation elements are accommodated in a battery case 2. The electrode plate group is configured to be laminated in multiple layers by winding with a separator interposed between a belt-like positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate. The positive electrode plate is made by applying and drying a positive electrode mixture to a core material made of aluminum foil, and the negative electrode plate is made by applying and drying a negative electrode mixture to a core material made of copper foil, and the separator is microporous. It is composed of a conductive polypropylene film.

  An electrode terminal 4 protrudes from the center of the one end surface 3 of the battery case 2. The electrode terminal 4 seals and penetrates the one end surface 3 of the battery case 2 in an insulated state, and constitutes a negative electrode terminal of the battery 1. The positive electrode terminal of the battery 1 is constituted by a battery case 2.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes a circuit board disposed on the one end face 3 of the battery case 2 and is provided with a charge / discharge safety circuit. Reference numeral 6 denotes an end case fixed on the one end surface 3 of the battery case 2 in a state where the circuit board 5 is accommodated therein. The end case 6 is mounted with three external connection terminals 7 built therein. These external connection terminals 7 are for connecting / disconnecting by connecting / disconnecting connection terminals of connection partners, and are opened at one end side of the end case 6 at appropriate intervals and over the upper surface and side surfaces of one side corner portion. Two connecting windows 8 are arranged. Each external connection terminal 7 has a pair of connection legs 7a protruding downward, and the circuit board 5 is provided with a connection hole 9 for inserting and soldering the connection legs 7a. Of the three external connection terminals 7, two are positive and negative external connection terminals, and the remaining one is a connection terminal for identification resistance detection.

  The battery pack 10 is mainly configured by integrally fixing the above battery 1 and an end case 6 in which the circuit board 5 is housed and arranged. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, mounting holes 11 having stepped portions 11 a in the vicinity of the lower ends and penetrating in the vertical direction are provided at both ends of the end case 6, and inserted into the mounting holes 11. The front end portion of the screw 12 is engaged with the step portion 11 a and the tip end portion is screwed into both end portions of the one end surface 3 of the battery case 2 so as to be integrally fixed.

  The details of the screw fixing will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 2B. The battery case 2 is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy including the one end face 3, and the thickness of the one end face 3 is, for example, 0. A circular recess 3a as a screw hole is formed by press molding for screwing the screw 12 into both ends of the one end surface 3 while forming a female screw. Has been. For example, when a metric thin screw having a screw outer diameter of 1.2 mm is used as the screw 12, the thread height is 0.13 mm, the screw pitch is 0.25 mm, the inner diameter of the circular recess 3 a is 0.9 mm, and the depth is When the thickness is 1.4 mm, about 4 threads of the screw 12 are screwed into the circular recess 3a, and the end surface 3 is made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. Can be obtained.

  The specific example of the screw 12 is an example, and the screw 12 that is usually used is a fine screw having an outer diameter of 1.0 to 2.0 mm and a screw pitch of 0.2 to 0.4 mm. Correspondingly, the circular recess 3a has an inner diameter of about 0.6 to 1.7 mm and a depth of about 0.8 to 1.6 mm.

  Next, an electrical connection configuration in the battery pack 10 will be described. The positive battery case 2 is connected to the circuit board 5 via a first connection bracket 13 and a connection plate 14. The first connection bracket 13 is fixed to one end surface of the battery by welding, and has a rising portion 13a on one side. As shown in FIG. 3A, the rising portion 13 a extends upward in contact with the inside of one side wall of the end case 6. The connection plate 14 is disposed on the circuit board 5 so as to overlap the inside of the rising portion 13a of the first connection bracket 13, and a connection leg 14a protruding downward from the lower end is provided on one side of the circuit board 5. The connecting portion 15 is recessed and formed, and is soldered to a connecting electrode formed on the lower surface of the connecting portion 15. The end case 6 is provided with a support wall 6b that supports the connection plate 14 from the inside. In addition, a work opening 6 a is formed at a portion of the side wall of the end case 6 that faces the rising portion 13 a. The pair of welding electrodes are pressed against the rising portion 13a of the first connection bracket 13 through the work opening 6a and a welding current is passed between them, so that the rising portion 13a and the connecting plate 14 are welded to each other electrically. Connected.

  The negative electrode terminal 4 is connected to the circuit board 5 via a safety protection element 16 such as a thermal fuse or a PTC element. In detail, the connection piece 16a at one end of the safety protection element 16 is connected to the electrode terminal 4 by welding, and the second connection bracket has a rising portion 17a on one side to the connection piece 16b at the other end of the safety protection element 16. 17 is fixed by welding, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3B, a third connection bracket 18 having a rising portion 18a overlapping the inner surface of the rising portion 17a is fixed to the circuit board 5 by welding, The rising portions 17a and 18a of the connection brackets 17 and 18 are welded through working holes 19 that are formed so as to penetrate the end case 6 in the width direction so as to correspond to the rising portions 17a and 18a. Thus, the negative electrode terminal 4 is connected to the circuit board 5 via the safety protection element 16 and the connection brackets 17 and 18.

  In FIG. 1, the 1st insulating board 20 is arrange | positioned between the end surface 3 of the battery case 2, and the safety protection element 16, and it adheres and fixes with the adhesive provided in the lower surface. The first insulating plate 20 has a through-opening 21 through which the electrode terminal 4 is inserted in the center, and the element portion is provided on the one end surface 3 of the battery case 2 at a position corresponding to the element portion of the safety protection element 16. A heat transfer opening 22 is formed, and an adhesive 23 is provided on the upper surface of the other end corresponding to the connection piece 16b at the other end. As shown in FIG. 4B, the heat transfer opening 22 is filled with silicon 24 so that the heat of the battery 1 is effectively transferred to the element portion. A second insulating plate 25 is disposed on the upper surface of the safety protection element 16 and is adhered to the safety protection element 16 with an adhesive provided on the lower surface, thereby ensuring insulation between the safety protection element 16 and the circuit board 5. Has been.

  Next, an assembly process of the battery pack 10 having the above configuration will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 4A, the first insulating plate 20 is disposed and bonded on the one end surface 3 of the battery 1. Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, safety protection is achieved by filling the heat transfer opening 22 of the first insulating plate 20 with silicon 24 and welding the second connection bracket 17 to the connection piece 16b at the other end. The element 16 is disposed on the first insulating plate 20, and the connection piece 16 a at one end is welded to the electrode terminal 4. Further, the first connection bracket 13 is welded to the side portion of the first insulating plate 20 on one end face of the battery 1. Next, as shown in FIG. 4C, the second insulating plate 25 is disposed and bonded over the safety protection element 16 and the first connection bracket 13.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the external connection terminal 7 is attached to the end case 6 at a predetermined position facing the connection window 8, and the connection plate 14 is formed between the work opening 6 a formation portion on one side wall and the support wall 6 b. Insert between. Further, the third connection bracket 18 is welded to a predetermined position on the circuit board 5. Next, the circuit board 5 is inserted from the lower end opening of the end case 6, and the end of the connection leg 7 a of the external connection terminal 7 protruding from the connection hole 9 is soldered to the electrode formed around the connection hole 9. The end of the connection leg 14 a of the connection plate 14 protruding from the connection portion 15 is soldered to the electrode formed around the connection portion 15.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the end case 6 accommodating and arranging the circuit board 5 is overlapped with the rising portion 13 a of the first connection bracket 13 on the outside of the connection plate 14, and the second connection bracket 17 The rising portion 17 a is placed on the one end surface 3 of the battery 1 so as to overlap the outside of the rising portion 18 a of the third connection bracket 18. Further, the screw 12 is inserted into the mounting hole 11. A nail hook 26 is attached to the other end surface 1b of the battery 1 for hooking a nail when the battery pack 10 is attached or detached.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, a screwdriver (tool) is inserted into the mounting holes 11 at both ends of the end case 6 as shown by an arrow a to engage the head 12a of the screw 12 and press. By rotating while rotating, the tip of the screw 12 is screwed into the inner peripheral surface of the circular recess 3a formed on the one end surface 3 of the battery 1 while forming a female screw, and both ends of the end case 6 are connected via the screw 12. The battery 1 is integrally fixed. Further, as indicated by an arrow b, welding electrodes are inserted from both sides of the working hole 19 formed in the end case 6 and pressed to flow a welding current to weld the rising portions 17a and 18a of the connection brackets 17 and 18. (See FIG. 3B). Further, as indicated by an arrow c, a pair of welding electrodes are inserted from the work opening 6a of the end case 6 and brought into contact with the rising portion 13a of the first connection bracket 13, and pressed to flow a welding current. 1 connection bracket 13 and connection plate 14 are welded (see FIG. 3A).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the exterior label 27 in which an adhesive is applied to the back surface of the synthetic resin sheet is wound around and adhered to the peripheral side surface of the battery 1, the lower periphery of the end case 6, and the nail hook 26. To do. Further, from the upper edge of the exterior label 27, sealing pieces 27a, 27b, and 27c extend to positions corresponding to the mounting hole 11, the work hole 19, and the work opening 6a formed in the upper portion of the end case 6. The attachment holes 11, the work holes 19, and the work openings 6a are concealed by pasting these sealing pieces 27a, 27b, and 27c along the surface of the end case 6. Thus, the battery pack 10 is completed as shown in FIG.

  According to the battery pack 10 of the present embodiment described above, the end case 6 is integrally fixed to one end of the battery 1 by screwing and fixing the screw 12, and the entire battery 1 and the circuit board 5 are accommodated in the case. Since it is not a thing, it can be set as a compact structure. In addition, the connection path between the battery 1, the circuit board 5 in the end case 6 and the external connection terminal 7 can be shortened, and the connection resistance can be reduced.

  Moreover, since the battery 1 and the end case 6 can be integrally coupled and fixed by a simple process of screwing the tip of the screw 12 into the circular recess 3a of the one end surface 3 of the battery 1, both high reliability and productivity are achieved. The battery pack 10 can be realized. In addition, since the end case 6 and the one end surface 3 of the battery 1 are fixed by the screw 12, not only the direction parallel to the one end surface 3 of the battery 1 (the direction in which the screw 12 is sheared) but also the end case 6 Even in the direction of separating from the battery 1 (the direction of pulling the screw 12), a large proof stress can be given by the engagement of the screw thread. For example, when the tip of the rivet is spot-welded to the one end surface 3, it is pulled. Compared to the inferior proof stress in the peeling direction, it is possible to ensure high strength against external forces in all directions. Further, since the screw 12 is screwed in while forming a female screw on the one end surface 3 of the battery 1, the screw 12 is loosened, the end case 6 is removed, and the battery pack 10 is once disassembled, so that the female screw is damaged. It becomes impossible to reassemble, forgery due to reuse (reuse) can be prevented, and the battery pack 10 lacking safety due to forgery can be prevented from circulating.

  Further, the battery 1 has a battery case 2 as a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal 4 on one end face 3, and therefore the first connection bracket 13 is provided on the one end face 3 of the battery case 2. , And a connection plate 14, part of which is connected to the circuit board 5, is disposed inside one side wall of the end case 6, and the first connection bracket 13 is connected to the first connection bracket 13 through a work opening 6 a formed in the end case 6. By welding the rising portion 13a and the connection plate 14, the positive electrode of the battery 1 and the circuit board 5 can be electrically connected with good workability to ensure high productivity, and the connection path is short and the connection resistance is reduced. can do.

  Further, since one end of the safety protection element 16 is connected to the electrode terminal 4 on the one end face 3 of the battery 1 and the other end of the safety protection element 16 is connected to the circuit board 5, a safety protection element such as a thermal fuse or PTC is provided. 16 can be interposed between the electrode terminal 4 and the circuit board 5 by being brought into contact with or close to the one end surface 3 of the battery 1 using the space of the side of the electrode terminal 4, and the abnormal temperature of the battery 1 The current can be cut off at the time of ascent, and the safety can be improved with a compact configuration.

  Further, the second and third connection brackets 17 and 18 having rising portions 17 a and 18 a that overlap each other are fixed to the other end of the safety protection element 16 and the circuit board 5, and a work hole opened in the end case 6. Since the rising portions 17a and 18a of the connection brackets 17 and 18 are welded through 19, the circuit board 5 and the safety protection element 16 can be connected with good productivity by welding through the connection brackets 17 and 18. In addition, you may make it connect the electrode terminal 4 and the circuit board 5 via a connection bracket, without providing the safety protection element 16. FIG.

  Further, since the external connection terminal 7 attached to the end case 6 is for connecting / disconnecting by connecting / disconnecting the connection terminal of the connection partner, the battery pack 10 is stored and installed in the battery arrangement space. In portable electronic devices, it is possible to achieve highly reliable power supply even under operating conditions that are subject to vibrations and shocks, and even this type of external connection terminal 7 can be easily and compactly attached to the end case 6 can do.

  In the above embodiment, the screw 12 has only the function of integrally fixing the end case 6 to the battery 1 and does not have the function of electrically connecting the battery case 2 of the battery 1 and the circuit board 5. As shown, the head 12a of the screw 12 is brought into contact with the electrode of the circuit board 5, and if necessary, a part of the head 12a is welded by laser beam irradiation or the like so that electrical connection is simultaneously performed. Also good. Then, the 1st connection bracket 13 and the connection board 14 can be abbreviate | omitted, and it can be set as a still simpler structure.

  The battery pack of the present invention has a configuration in which an end case is fixed to one end of the battery with a screw, so that it can be made compact and is integrally fixed in a state having high proof strength against external forces in all directions. In addition, the connection path between the battery, the circuit board in the end case and the external connection terminal can be shortened to reduce the connection resistance, and the screw tip is screwed into one end face of the battery and fixed integrally. As a result, the battery and the end case can be joined and fixed together in a simple process, thus realizing a battery pack that combines high reliability and productivity, and is useful for small battery packs for portable electronic devices. It is.

The disassembled perspective view of the principal part of the battery pack in one Embodiment of this invention. The principal part structure of the battery pack of the embodiment is shown, (a) is a partially broken perspective view seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1, (b) is a sectional view of the same part. The principal part structure of the battery pack of the embodiment is shown, (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 1, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. The perspective view which shows the assembly process of the battery pack of the embodiment. The perspective view which shows the assembly process of the battery pack of the embodiment. The perspective view which shows the assembly process of the battery pack of the embodiment. The perspective view which shows the assembly process of the battery pack of the embodiment. The perspective view of the completion state of the battery pack of the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Battery 2 Battery case 3 One end surface 4 Electrode terminal 5 Circuit board 6 End part case 6a Work opening 7 External connection terminal 10 Battery pack 12 Screw 13 1st connection bracket 13a Standing part 14 Connection board 16 Safety protection element 17 2nd Connecting bracket 17a Rising part 18 Third connecting bracket 18a Rising part 19 Working hole

Claims (5)

  A battery pack comprising a battery, a circuit board having a charge / discharge safety circuit disposed on one end face of the battery, and an end case fitted with an external connection terminal, wherein the circuit board is mounted on the end case A battery pack characterized by being housed and disposed inside, and having screw heads screwed into both ends of one end face of the battery, with the heads engaging and passing through both ends of the end case.   In the battery, the battery case is an electrode terminal of one polarity, the electrode terminal having a polarity different from that of the battery case is provided on one end face, and a first connection bracket having a rising portion is fixed to one end face of the battery case. A connection plate that overlaps the rising portion of the first connection bracket and partially connected to the circuit board is disposed inside one side wall of the part case, and is formed in a portion that faces the rising portion of the one side wall of the end case. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the rising portion and the connection plate are welded through the work opening.   The battery has an electrode terminal with one polarity on the battery case, an electrode terminal with a polarity different from that of the battery case on one end surface, and one end of the safety protection element is connected to the electrode terminal on one end surface of the battery case. The battery pack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the other end of the protective element is connected to a circuit board.   The second and third connection brackets having rising portions overlapping each other are fixed to the other end of the safety protection element and the circuit board, and the second and third connection brackets are raised through the work hole opened in the end case. The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein the portions are welded.   The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the external connection terminal attached to the end case is connected and disconnected by inserting and removing the connection terminal of the connection partner.

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