JP5245300B2 - battery - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery in which a terminal is attached to a battery case.

  In many cases, an assembled battery is connected by connecting terminals of a plurality of batteries with a connecting rod (see, for example, Patent Document 1). An example of such a battery is shown in FIG. In this battery, positive and negative terminals 1 and 1 are attached to a cover plate 2 of a square battery case. Each terminal 1 has a foot 1b projecting downward from the pedestal 1a passing through a through hole 2a of the lid plate 2 via a packing 3, and caulked together with a packing and a current collector plate (not shown) on the back side of the lid plate 2. It is stuck by. In addition, the terminal 1 has a bolt portion 1c projecting upward from the upper surface of the pedestal portion 1a. The connecting rod 4 is connected and fixed by fitting the end through-hole 4a to the bolt 1c of the terminal 1 and screwing the nut 5 therethrough.

  However, in the terminal 1, the normal direction N of the interface where the pedestal portion 1a and the connecting rod 4 are pressed, that is, the projecting direction of the bolt portion 1c intersects the plate surface of the cover plate 2 at right angles. Torque T during tightening is directly applied in the direction around the axis of the caulked portion between the foot 1b and the lid plate 2. For this reason, the conventional battery may be displaced in the rotational direction with respect to the cover plate 2 and the current collector plate, even though the terminal 1 is fixed by caulking at the foot 1b when the connection rod 4 is connected. When such a shift | displacement arises, the problem that the contact resistance between the terminal 1 and a current collector plate became large, or the airtightness between the cover plates 2 fell.

  In addition, when the battery is a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, low-strength aluminum is often used for the positive electrode terminal 1, and not only the fixing strength by caulking of the foot portion 1b is weakened, but also the user has an impact wrench. When the nut 5 is tightened with the like, there is a problem that the bolt portion 1c may be threaded.

  Even if the terminal 1 is provided with a rivet pin-shaped connecting projection instead of the bolt portion 1c and the tip is caulked through the connecting projection in the through hole 4a of the connecting rod 4, the caulking tool The same problem arises because the torque T due to the rotation of is applied directly in the direction around the axis of the caulked portion between the foot 1b and the lid plate 2. Further, in this case, since the strong pressing force of the caulking tool is applied in the direction in which the terminal 1 is pressed against the cover plate 2 along the normal direction N, the cover plate 2 is greatly bent downward and the airtightness between the terminal 1 and the terminal 1 is increased. There also arises a problem of lowering.

  Further, even when the foot 1b of the terminal 1 passes through the through hole 2a of the cover plate 2 and is fixed to the current collector plate on the back side of the cover plate 2 by welding, the welded portion is peeled off. Similar problems arise.

  In addition, the invention of the battery which forms the through-hole orthogonal to a protrusion direction in the terminal which protrudes from a battery case (laminate exterior body), and connects and fixes a connection member (conductor between terminals) through this through-hole through a volt | bolt. It has already been proposed (see Patent Document 2). However, the present invention intends to connect the terminals of a plurality of batteries with one bolt, and this battery has terminals connected to the electrodes of the power generation element as they are drawn out to the outside of the battery case. Therefore, the adhesion between the terminal and the battery case is not a problem.

In addition, a battery invention in which a connecting member (wiring board) is welded to a flat surface provided on a side surface of a terminal (rivet) protruding from a battery case has also been proposed (see Patent Document 3). However, if welding is used to fix the connection between the terminal and the connection member, the heat at the time of welding is immediately transferred to the battery case through the terminal, which causes a new problem that the battery may be damaged.
JP 2006-140023 (page 3, FIG. 1) JP 2006-260875 A JP 2006-60181 (page 8, FIGS. 14-15)

  The present invention intends to provide a battery that does not place a large burden on the fixing portion between the foot portion of the terminal and the battery case by providing a connection hole or the like in which the drilling direction or the like does not intersect the battery case. is there.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a battery in which a terminal is attached to a battery case, the terminal includes a connection portion protruding from the battery case for connection with a connection member, and the connection portion has a battery case with a drilling direction. A connection hole or a connection groove that does not intersect with the battery case, or a connection protrusion whose projecting direction does not intersect with the battery case, and this terminal includes a foot portion that penetrates the through hole of the battery case. The portion is caulked from the inside of the battery case and fixed by welding or pressure welding , and the connecting member is embedded in a spacer for sandwiching the battery case.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the connecting hole and connecting groove of the terminal, the drilling direction and protruding direction of the connecting projection do not intersect with the battery case, torque and pressing force when connecting the connecting member to this terminal are reduced. Thus, it is possible to prevent an excessive burden from being applied to the caulked portion, the welded portion, and the press contact portion of the foot portion of the terminal to the battery case.

  In addition, it is preferable that the said battery case consists of a container-shaped battery container and the cover board attached to the opening part of this battery container, and the said terminal is attached to this cover board.

  In this way, since the terminal is attached to the lid plate, the torque and pressing force when connecting the connecting member to this terminal are caulked to the lid plate of the terminal, the welded portion, and the pressure contact portion. An excessive burden can be avoided.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said terminal is provided with the several leg part.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the connecting direction and the connecting direction of the terminal do not intersect the battery case at a right angle, the connecting direction of the terminal is shifted by the displacement of the terminal mounting position. Or the protruding direction may not be parallel to the other terminals. However, if a plurality of terminal legs are provided, the terminals can be positioned by passing these legs through the through holes of the battery case. It is possible to ensure the connection between these terminals by the connecting member by making the groove and connecting protrusions and the protruding direction parallel to other terminals.

  In addition, the terminal has a connection hole formed in a connection portion, and the connection member is a connection rod having a through hole formed at an end thereof, and the connection hole of the terminal and the through hole of the connection rod are provided. Connection may be made by screwing a nut through a bolt.

  In this way, the terminal and the connecting member are easily and securely connected by the bolt and the nut, and the torque at the time of tightening the bolt and the nut is caulked or welded to the battery case of the foot of the terminal. It is possible to prevent an excessive burden from being applied to the pressure contact portion.

  In addition, the terminal has a connection hole formed in a connection portion, and the connection member is a connection rod having a through hole formed at an end thereof, and the connection hole of the terminal and the through hole of the connection rod are provided. The connection may be made by caulking the tip through a rivet.

  In this way, the terminal and the connecting member can be easily and reliably connected by caulking the rivet, and the torque and pressing force during caulking of the rivet can cause the caulking portion of the terminal foot to the battery case and It is possible to prevent an excessive burden from being applied to the welded portion and the pressure contact portion.

  In addition, the terminal has a rivet pin-like connection projection protruding from the connection portion, and the connection member is a connection rod having a through-hole formed in an end portion, and the connection projection of the terminal is connected to the connection rod. The connection may be made by caulking the tip through the through hole.

  In this way, the connection member can be easily and reliably connected by caulking the connection protrusion of the terminal, and the torque and pressing force at the time of caulking of the connection protrusion can be caulked to the battery case. It is possible to prevent an excessive burden from being applied to the part, the welded part, and the pressure contact part.

  The battery may be a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, and the terminal on the positive electrode side may be made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

  In this way, it is possible to prevent an excessive torque or the like from being applied to the weak terminal on the positive electrode side made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery.

  Hereinafter, the best embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In these drawings, the same reference numerals are given to constituent members having the same functions as those of the conventional example shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, a rectangular nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, this battery is formed by fitting a metal square plate-like lid plate 2 into the upper end opening of a metal rectangular vessel-like battery vessel 6 and sealing and fixing it by welding. A battery case is configured. The battery case contains a power generation element (not shown) and is filled with a non-aqueous electrolyte. The power generation element is obtained by winding a positive electrode and a negative electrode in a long cylindrical shape through a separator, and these positive electrode and negative electrode are connected to a current collector plate (not shown).

  The cover plate 2 has through holes 2a (left and right through holes 2a are shaded by the terminals 1 in FIG. 1) at the left and right ends, and the positive and negative terminals 1 and 1 are inserted into these through holes 2a. It is attached. Each terminal 1 includes a flat plate-like pedestal portion 1a, a rivet pin-like foot portion 1b projecting downward from the lower surface of the pedestal portion 1a, and a connection portion 1d erected upward from the upper surface of the pedestal portion 1a. Consists of. The connecting portion 1d is a wall plate shape having wall surfaces facing in the front-rear direction, and a connection hole 1e penetrating these wall surfaces in the front-rear direction is formed.

  Since this embodiment shows a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, the positive electrode terminal 1 is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy that does not dissolve in the nonaqueous electrolyte at the positive electrode potential, and the negative electrode terminal 1 is a negative electrode active material. Copper or copper alloy that is not alloyed with is used. The battery case 6 and the cover plate 2 of the battery case are made of stainless steel plates here.

  Each terminal 1 is fixed by penetrating a leg portion 1b protruding downward through a through hole 2a of the lid plate 2 through a packing 3 and caulking the tip portion on the back side of the lid plate 2. At this time, on the back side of the lid plate 2, a packing (not shown) is interposed in the foot portion 1 b to insulate and seal the lid plate 2, and a current collector plate connected to the electrode of the power generating element is also interposed. The connection between the electrode of the power generation element and the terminal 1 is performed by caulking.

  In the actual battery assembly process, each terminal 1 is attached to the lid plate 2 together with the current collector plate connected to the electrode of the power generation element, and then the lid plate 2 is fitted into the opening of the battery container 6 and welded. Like to do.

  In order to connect and fix the connecting rod 4 to the terminal 1 of the battery having the above-described configuration, the bolt 7 is first passed through the connecting hole 1e from the rear of the connecting portion 1d of the terminal 1, and then the bolt 7 protruding forward of the connecting portion 1d. A through hole 4 a at the end of the connecting rod 4 is fitted over the tip of the connecting rod 4, and a nut 5 is screwed onto the tip of the bolt 7 protruding forward of the connecting rod 4. Therefore, the connecting rod 4 is pressed against the vertical front surface of the connecting portion 1d of the terminal 1, and the connecting hole 1e of the connecting portion 1d is drilled along the normal direction N of the interface of the pressing. Therefore, the drilling direction of the connection hole 1 e is parallel to the plate surface of the cover plate 2 and does not intersect with the cover plate 2.

  For this reason, the torque T when tightening the nut 5 is applied to the terminal 1 in a direction rotating around the longitudinal axis (normal direction N) parallel to the plate surface of the cover plate 2. T is not directly applied only to the caulked portion between the foot 1b of the terminal 1 and the cover plate 2, and the contact resistance between the terminal 1 and the current collector plate is increased, There is no risk of airtightness being reduced. That is, since the pedestal portion 1a having a sufficient width in the left-right direction is in close contact with the cover plate 2 via the packing 3, the torque T when the nut 5 is tightened is applied to the entire close-contact portion of the pedestal portion 1a. In addition, a burden is not applied only to the caulked portion between the foot 1b and the cover plate 2.

  Moreover, even if the positive terminal 1 is made of weak aluminum or aluminum alloy as in the present embodiment, the bolt 7 and the nut 5 for connecting the connecting rod 4 are sufficiently strong. Since a steel material or the like can be used, even if the user tightens the nut 5 with an impact wrench or the like, there is no possibility that the bolt 7 is torn off.

  The unit cell of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery shown in the present embodiment has a battery pack as follows, for example. As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of single cells 11 are sandwiched between two resin spacers 12 and 13 to form a battery module. In addition, a plurality of connecting rods 4 are embedded in one spacer 12 in advance by insert molding. The battery module is connected to the terminals 1 and 1 of the adjacent unit cells 11 and 11 by the connection rod 4 embedded in the spacer 12 or connected to the terminal 1 at the end to connect with other battery modules. Connection between them. In the case of FIG. 2, the connection between the terminal 1 and the connecting rod 4 shows a case where the rivet 14 is penetrated instead of the bolt 7 and the tip of the rivet 14 is caulked instead of the nut 5.

  This battery module is formed by stacking a plurality of battery modules, and fixing them through through bolts (not shown) in the mounting holes 12a and 13a of the spacers 12 and 13 (the mounting holes 13a are hidden behind the spacers 12 in FIG. 2). Is completed. If it does in this way, the battery capacity of a battery pack, a dimension, etc. can be changed freely by increasing / decreasing the number of connection of the single battery 11, and the number of lamination | stacking. And thereby, the freedom degree of selection of a battery pack when mounting in vehicles, such as an electric vehicle and an electric bicycle, can be raised, for example.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the terminal 1 and the connecting rod 4 are connected with the bolt 7 and the nut 5 as shown in FIG. 1 or the case where the rivet 14 is caulked as shown in FIG. 2 is shown. As shown, a rivet pin-like connection protrusion 1f is projected from the front surface of the connection portion 1d to the front, and the connection protrusion 1f is passed through the through hole 4a of the connection rod 4 so that the tip is caulked. Good. In this case, since none of the bolt 7, the nut 5, and the rivet 14 is used, the number of parts can be reduced.

  As described above, even when the rivet 14 is used or the rivet pin-shaped connection protrusion 1f is protruded and connected by caulking, the connection hole 1e and the connection protrusion 1f of the connection portion 1d are connected to the terminal 1. It is supposed to be drilled or projected along the normal direction N of the interface of the pressure contact of the connecting rod 4, and these drilling direction and projecting direction do not intersect with the cover plate 2. Yes. For this reason, the torque T and the pressing force in the normal direction N by the caulking tool during caulking are not directly applied only to the caulking portion between the foot 1b of the terminal 1 and the cover plate 2, and the terminal 1 and the current collector There is no possibility that the contact resistance with the plate increases or the airtightness with the lid plate 2 decreases.

  Moreover, as shown to Fig.4 (a), the connection hole 1e of the connection part 1d of the terminal 1 can also be made into a screw hole. In this case, the nut 5 shown in FIG. 1 is not necessary, and the bolt 7 is screwed into the screw hole of the connection hole 1e from the front through the through hole 4a of the connection rod 4. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, a bolt-shaped connection protrusion 1 f can be projected from the front surface of the connection portion 1 d of the terminal 1 toward the front. In this case, the bolt 7 shown in FIG. 1 is not necessary, and the nut 5 is screwed by passing the connection protrusion 1 f through the through hole 4 a of the connection rod 4. However, in the case of FIGS. 4A and 4B, when the terminal 1 is made of weak aluminum or aluminum alloy, the screw hole of the connection hole 1e is connected when the connection rod 4 is connected. The possibility that the bolt portion of the connection protrusion 1f is torn off cannot be solved.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the case where the one leg part 1b was provided in the terminal 1 was shown, as shown to Fig.5 (a), the two leg parts 1b may be provided. Three or more legs 1b can also be provided. If a plurality of the foot portions 1b are provided in this way, the rotation direction about the vertical axis of the terminal 1 is achieved by fitting each foot portion 1b into the through holes 2a at a plurality of locations of the cover plate 2, respectively. Therefore, it is possible to attach the lid 1 to the lid plate 2 so that the front surface of the connecting portion 1d accurately faces the front. Therefore, when a plurality of batteries are oriented in the same direction, if all the front surfaces of the connecting portions 1d of the terminals 1 and 1 of these batteries are accurately directed to the front, the terminals 1 and 2 of these batteries Since the connecting rod 4 connected between the terminals 1 is surely brought into close contact with the front surface of the connecting portion 1d in any terminal 1, the contact between the connecting rod 4 and the terminal 1 is insufficient. It is possible to prevent the resistance from increasing.

  Moreover, if sealing between the cover 3 and the cover plate 2 can be performed reliably, provision of the pedestal portion 1a can be omitted as in the terminal 1 shown in FIG. . Furthermore, if the sealing between the terminal 1 and the cover plate 2 is reliably performed by using, for example, welding or a hermetic seal, the packing 3 is not necessarily used. However, unless the cover plate 2 is an insulator, when welding or the like is used, the terminal 1 and the cover plate 2 are not insulated, so that only the positive or negative terminal 1 is attached to the cover plate 2. .

  By the way, if it is a battery of the type which connects the connecting rod 4 to the terminal 1 by laser welding etc., as shown in FIG.5 (b), the connection part 1d of the terminal 1 has only the welding surface which is a flat surface. If it is formed, it is enough.

  In the above embodiment, the connection hole 1e and the connection protrusion 1f are provided in the connection part 1d of the terminal 1. However, instead of the connection hole 1e, a connection groove through which a bolt 7 or a rivet passes is provided. May be. Examples of such a connection groove include a groove having a shape in which a part of the connection hole 1e is cut out, that is, a groove having a flask-like cross section.

  Moreover, although the case where the connection part 1d of the terminal 1 was a square was shown in the said embodiment, if there exists a surface of the shape which can be press-contacted with the connection rod 4 at least in a large area, this shape is arbitrary. For example, chamfering may be provided at each corner.

  Moreover, although the case where the foot 1b of the terminal 1 is fixed to the cover plate 2 by caulking is shown in the above embodiment, the foot 1b is fixed by welding or pressure welding such as laser welding or TIG welding. Also good.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the case where the terminal 1 was attached to the cover plate 2 of a battery case was shown, what is necessary is just to be attached to any site | part of a battery case, for example, even when attaching the terminal 1 to the battery container 6. It can be implemented similarly. Furthermore, the battery case is not limited to the rectangular shape including the battery container 6 and the cover plate 2 as in the above embodiment, and the shape and configuration of the battery case are arbitrary.

  Moreover, although the case where the connecting rod 4 was attached to the terminal 1 was shown in the said embodiment, if it is an electroconductive connection member connected to the terminal 1, it will not necessarily be limited to a hook-shaped (bar shape) thing.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, if it attaches the terminal to the battery case, it can implement similarly even if it is another kind of battery.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and is an exploded perspective view showing a battery terminal mounting structure and a structure in which a connecting rod is connected to the terminal with a bolt and a nut. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery module including a plurality of single cells, showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention, showing a battery terminal mounting structure and a structure in which a connecting rod is connected to the terminal by caulking. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) a terminal having a connection hole as a screw hole, and (b) a terminal provided with a bolt-shaped connection protrusion instead of the connection hole. . (A) It is a perspective view which shows the terminal which provided the two leg part which is other embodiment of this invention, and the terminal which provided only the flat surface in the (b) connection part. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows a prior art example, Comprising: The attachment structure of the terminal of a battery, and the structure which connects a connecting rod to this terminal with a nut.

Explanation of symbols

1 terminal 1a pedestal 1b foot 1c bolt 1d connecting 1e connecting hole 1f connecting projection 2 lid plate 2a through hole 3 packing 4 connecting rod 4a through hole 5 nut 6 battery container 7 bolt 11 single battery 12 spacer 12a mounting hole 13 Spacer 14 Rivet

Claims (2)

In a battery with a terminal attached to the battery case,
The terminal includes a connection portion protruding from the battery case to connect to the connection member, and the connection portion is provided with a connection hole or a connection groove in which the drilling direction does not intersect with the battery case, or the protrusion is provided. Connection protrusions that do not cross the battery case are projected,
This terminal includes a foot portion that penetrates the through hole of the battery case, and the foot portion is caulked from the inside of the battery case, and is fixed to the battery case by welding or pressure welding.
The connecting member and the connecting portion are connected by means for applying a torque or a pressing force to the connecting portion,
The connection member is a battery embedded in a spacer that sandwiches the battery case. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the connection member is embedded in the spacer by insert molding.

Images