JP5431036B2 - Assembled battery for vehicle, vehicle equipped with the same, and separator for assembled battery - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an assembled battery for a vehicle that is mainly mounted on an electric vehicle such as a hybrid car and an electric vehicle and supplies electric power to a motor that runs the vehicle, a vehicle including the same, and a separator for the assembled battery, and more particularly, a temperature. The present invention relates to an assembled battery for a vehicle including a structure for fixing a sensor, a vehicle including the same, and a separator for the assembled battery.

  An assembled battery for a vehicle has a large number of battery cells connected in series to increase output voltage and output power. Further, in order to increase the charging capacity with respect to the volume, an assembled battery in which a large number of rectangular battery cells are arranged in a stacked state has been developed. When this assembled battery is charged and discharged with a large current, the temperature of the battery cell rises. If the battery cell remains at a high temperature, the deterioration of the battery cell proceeds rapidly, so it is necessary to cool it quickly. Moreover, since it is used also in an extremely high temperature environment, it is necessary to forcibly cool the prismatic battery cell. On the other hand, even when the assembled battery is used in a low temperature environment, the performance of the battery cell deteriorates. In this case, it is necessary to heat the battery cell.

  Thus, since it is necessary to maintain the temperature of a battery cell appropriately, providing the temperature sensor in order to monitor the temperature of a battery cell is performed. As the temperature sensor, an element such as a thermistor whose electric resistance changes with temperature is used. In order to detect the battery cell temperature with a thermistor, the temperature of two battery cells is detected with one thermistor inserted between adjacent battery cells, with both sides of the thermistor contacting the surface of each battery cell. Are arranged to be.

JP 2005-116457 A

  In the configuration in which the temperature of the battery cell is detected by the thermistor, it is important to properly maintain the contact state between the thermistor and the battery cell. This is because accurate temperature detection cannot be realized if the contact state changes. However, in reality, it is not easy to maintain a constant contact state over a long period of time. In particular, in-vehicle assembled batteries are constantly exposed to vibrations and shocks, and it is extremely difficult to maintain such a contact state. Therefore, there is a demand for a thermistor holding structure that can be used stably even under severe conditions such as in-vehicle use.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the conventional problems as described above. The main object of the present invention is to provide an assembled battery for a vehicle that can hold a temperature sensor in a predetermined posture with high reliability over a long period of time. And a separator for an assembled battery.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  In order to solve the above-described problems, according to the first assembled battery for a vehicle according to the present invention, a plurality of prismatic battery cells and the plurality of battery cells are inserted between adjacent battery cells. A temperature sensor disposed between adjacent battery cells among the plurality of battery cells, and arranged to thermally couple the battery cells, and the temperature sensor. An assembled battery for vehicle installation that includes the sensor holder for fixing the exposed temperature sensor in a posture inserted between adjacent battery cells. In the state where the temperature sensor is inserted, an opening window is provided through which the temperature sensor is brought into contact with each surface of adjacent battery cells, and the opening surface of the opening window is formed on the upper surface of the separator. Intersect A holder fixing portion protruding in a posture, wherein the sensor holder is exposed in a posture in which the temperature sensor protrudes downward, and is in a direction intersecting a protruding direction of the temperature sensor, the holder A fixing piece for fixing to the holder fixing portion is provided at a position corresponding to the fixing portion, and the fixing piece of the sensor holder is inserted into the opening window in the state where the temperature sensor is inserted into the holder fixing portion of the separator. Can be fixed. Accordingly, the sensor holder can be fixed to the holder fixing portion in a state where the temperature sensor is in contact with the surfaces of the adjacent battery cells, and the holder fixing portion protruding in the direction intersecting the contact surface can Since the movement of the battery cell in the thickness direction is restricted, the contact state between the temperature sensor and the battery cell can be reliably maintained.

  Further, according to the second battery pack for a vehicle, the separator has a size capable of inserting a temperature sensor protruding from the sensor holder on its upper surface, and can open an insertion slit communicating with the opening window. . Accordingly, since the displacement in the thickness direction of the sensor holder or the temperature sensor can be regulated by the insertion slit in a state where the temperature sensor is inserted into the insertion slit, the temperature sensor can be positioned and the positional deviation can be prevented.

  Furthermore, according to the assembled battery for 3rd vehicles, the said sensor holder can provide the insertion piece which can be inserted in the said insertion slit under the said fixing piece. Thereby, since a part of sensor holder can be inserted and fixed in the insertion slit, the positioning of the temperature sensor fixed to the sensor holder can be more reliably maintained.

  Furthermore, according to the assembled battery for a vehicle according to the fourth aspect, the opening window is opened on the upper surface of the outer can that constitutes the battery cell in a state where the separator and the battery cell are in contact with each other. It can be provided at a position separated from a safety valve for discharging the gas inside the can. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which high-temperature and high-pressure gas is directly exposed to the temperature sensor during gas discharge.

  Furthermore, according to the assembled battery for a fifth vehicle, the separator is provided with a ventilation gap for flowing cooling gas between the battery cells in a state of being interposed between the adjacent battery cells. And the said opening window can be provided in the position which does not overlap with the said ventilation gap. Thereby, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the cooling gas is directly exposed to the temperature sensor and accurate temperature detection cannot be performed.

  Furthermore, according to the sixth assembled battery for a vehicle, the holder fixing portion and the fixing piece can each have a screw hole for fixing to each other by screwing. Thereby, a sensor holder can be easily and reliably fixed to a separator by screwing.

  Furthermore, according to the seventh assembled battery for a vehicle, the temperature sensor is constituted by a thermistor, and the thermistor is covered with a protective film, and the size of the protective film can be formed substantially equal to the opening window. . Thereby, the size of the temperature sensor can be reliably positioned in accordance with the opening window.

  Furthermore, the eighth vehicle may include any one of the above assembled batteries.

Furthermore, according to the ninth separator, while being inserted between adjacent battery cells to insulate them, a temperature sensor is inserted between adjacent battery cells among the plurality of battery cells, Separators that can be arranged to contact one battery cell on one side and the other battery cell on the other side, with each side of the battery cell adjacent to the left and right with the temperature sensor inserted An opening window penetrating a side surface for contacting the temperature sensor is provided, and a holder fixing portion protruding in a posture intersecting with the opening surface of the opening window is provided on the upper surface of the separator. In order to fix the sensor holder that exposes the temperature sensor in a posture in which the exposed temperature sensor is inserted between adjacent battery cells, the temperature holder provided in the sensor holder is provided. A direction intersecting with the projecting direction of the sensor, in a position corresponding to the holder fixing portion, the fixing piece for fixing with the holder fixing portion can fixably configured to the holder fixing portion. Accordingly, the sensor holder can be fixed to the holder fixing portion in a state where the temperature sensor is in contact with the surfaces of the adjacent battery cells, and the holder fixing portion protruding in the direction intersecting the contact surface can Since the movement of the battery cell in the thickness direction is restricted, the contact state between the temperature sensor and the battery cell can be reliably maintained.
Moreover, the advantage that the position where the temperature sensor is provided can be easily changed by configuring the assembled battery using a plurality of separators having the same shape.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the power supply device for vehicles. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the battery block of the state which removed the outer case from FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the battery block of FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of FIG. 3. It is a disassembled perspective view of the state which decomposed | disassembled the battery cell and the separator. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the power supply device of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the separator of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that a battery block is cooled with cooling gas. It is a perspective view of the separator seen from the front diagonally lower right. It is a perspective view which shows the state which mounted | wore the separator of FIG. 9 with the sensor holder. It is a perspective view of the separator seen from the front left slanting bottom. It is the perspective view which mounted | wore the sensor holder in FIG. It is a perspective view of the separator seen from the back lower right diagonal. It is the perspective view which mounted | wore the sensor holder in FIG. It is a perspective view of the separator seen from the back diagonally upward. It is the perspective view which mounted | wore with the separator in FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the sensor holder from the front upper left. It is the perspective view which looked at the sensor holder of FIG. 17 from back diagonally downward. It is the perspective view which looked at the sensor holder which coat | covered the temperature sensor with the protective film from the back lower right diagonal. It is a disassembled perspective view of the assembled battery which concerns on a modification. It is a schematic cross section showing an example of a vehicle equipped with a power supply device. It is a schematic cross section which shows the other example of the vehicle carrying a power supply device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below exemplifies an assembled battery for a vehicle for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, a vehicle including the same, and a separator for the assembled battery, and the present invention is for a vehicle. The battery pack and the vehicle including the battery pack and the battery pack separator are not specified as follows. Moreover, the member shown by the claim is not what specifies the member of embodiment. Note that the size, positional relationship, and the like of the members shown in each drawing may be exaggerated for clarity of explanation. Furthermore, in the following description, the same name and symbol indicate the same or the same members, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, each element constituting the present invention may be configured such that a plurality of elements are constituted by the same member and the plurality of elements are shared by one member, and conversely, the function of one member is constituted by a plurality of members. It can also be realized by sharing.
(Embodiment 1)

Hereinafter, an example applied to a vehicle power supply device as an embodiment of a battery pack for a vehicle will be described with reference to FIGS. In these drawings, FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a power supply device, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery block with an outer case removed from FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the battery block of FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the battery cell and the separator in an exploded state, FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the power supply device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the separator of FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing how the battery block is cooled with the cooling gas.
(Battery device)

  As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 1, the external appearance of the battery device is a box shape whose upper surface is rectangular. As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 3, the power supply device 100 covers the battery block 10 with an outer case 1 having a U-shaped cross section, and covers both end edges of the outer case 1 with end face covers 2. Further, a flange 3 projecting vertically is provided on the side surface in the longitudinal direction of the outer case 1 so that it can be easily fixed when mounted on a vehicle. A screw hole is opened in the flange 3 to facilitate screwing using the screw hole. Further, cooling gas slits 4 for inflow and outflow of a gas duct for cooling gas for cooling the battery cells are opened on the end face in the short direction. In this example, the cooling gas is caused to flow to the side surface of the battery block 10, and the temperature of the battery cell surface is made to absorb heat so that the cooling gas passes through the ventilation gap 21 provided between adjacent battery cells.

As shown in the exploded perspective views of FIGS. 2 and 3, the battery block 10 included in the outer case 1 has a plurality of battery cells 11 stacked via separators 6. The separator 6 functions as a spacer that forms a ventilation gap 21 between the battery cells 11. As shown in FIG. 8, the cooling air is forcibly blown into the blowing gap 21 by the forced blowing mechanism 9, thereby cooling the battery cell 11. Furthermore, temperature sensors 31 are thermally coupled to some of the plurality of battery cells 11, and the temperature of the battery cells 10 is detected by the temperature sensor 31 to estimate the temperature of the entire battery block 10. The temperature control circuit 5 controls the cooling capacity or the charge / discharge current based on the temperature of the battery block 10.
(Battery block 10)

  As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 3, the battery block 10 is a block body in which a plurality of battery cells 11 are stacked with insulating separators 6 and the side surfaces are covered with end plates 7. The end plate 7 is connected by a bind bar 8 to fix the battery block 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the bind bar 8 is disposed on both side surfaces of the battery block 10, and both ends thereof are bent inward, and the bent portions are fixed to the end plate 7 with set screws 16. Although not shown, the bind bar can be fixed to the outer surface of the end plate with a set screw. The end plate is provided with a female screw hole on the outer surface, and is fixed by screwing a set screw penetrating the bind bar. The bind bar fixed to the outer surface of the end plate is fixed to the end plate as a straight line without providing a bent portion.

The end plate 7 in FIG. 3 is reinforced by laminating a metal plate 7B on the outside of the main body 7A. The main body 7A of the end plate 7 is made of plastic or metal. However, the end plate can be made entirely of metal or plastic. The illustrated end plate 7 has four screw holes at the four corners of the outer surface of the metal plate 7B. The bind bar 8 is fixed to the end plate 7 by screwing a set screw 16 penetrating the bent portion into the screw hole. The set screw 16 is screwed into a nut (not shown) fixed to the inner surface of the metal plate 7 </ b> B or the inner surface of the main body to fix the bind bar 8 to the end plate 7. Although not shown in the drawings, an end plate having a metal plate as a whole can be provided with a female screw hole, and a set screw can be screwed into the end plate to fix the bind bar.
(Battery cell 11)

  The battery cell 11 uses a thin outer can 12 whose thickness is thinner than the width of the upper side. The outer can 12 has a substantially box shape in which both corners are chamfered and corner portions at four corners of the outer can 12 are chamfered. The outer can 12 having this shape is also called a square battery for a round battery. A sealing plate 13 that seals the outer can 12 on the upper surface of the outer can 12 projects a pair of positive and negative electrode terminals 14 and a safety valve 15 between the electrode terminals 14. The safety valve 15 is configured to open when the internal pressure of the outer can 12 rises to a predetermined value or more, and to release the internal gas. By opening the safety valve 15, the increase in the internal pressure of the outer can 12 can be stopped.

  The unit cell constituting the battery cell 11 is a rechargeable secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, a nickel-hydrogen battery, or a nickel-cadmium battery. In particular, when a lithium ion battery is used for a thin battery, there is an advantage that the charge capacity with respect to the capacity of the whole pack battery can be increased.

  The battery cell 11 of FIG. 3 made of a square battery is a quadrangular shape having a predetermined thickness, and has positive and negative electrode terminals 14 protruding obliquely at both ends of the upper surface, and a safety valve 15 at the center of the upper surface. The opening is provided. The stacked battery cells 11 are connected in series by connecting adjacent positive and negative electrode terminals 14 with a bus bar 17. A battery system in which adjacent battery cells 11 are connected in series can increase the output voltage and increase the output. However, the battery system can also connect adjacent battery cells in parallel.

The battery cell 11 is made of a metal outer can 12. The battery cell 11 has an insulating separator 6 sandwiched between the battery cells 11 in order to prevent short-circuiting of the outer can 12 of the adjacent battery cell 11. The outer can of the battery cell can be made of an insulating material such as plastic. In this case, since it is not necessary for the battery cell to insulate and laminate the outer can, the separator can be made of metal.
(Separator 6)

  The separator 6 is a spacer that laminates the battery cells 11 while being electrically and thermally insulated. The separator 6 is made of an insulating material such as plastic and insulates adjacent battery cells 11. As shown in FIG. 5, the separator 6 is provided with a ventilation gap 21 that allows a cooling gas such as air to pass between the battery cells 11 in order to cool the battery cells 11. The separator 6 in FIG. 5 is provided with a groove 2 </ b> A extending to both side edges on the surface facing the battery cell 11, and a ventilation gap 21 is provided between the battery cell 11. In the illustrated separator 6, a plurality of grooves 2 </ b> A are provided in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval. The separator 6 in FIG. 5 has grooves 2 </ b> A on both surfaces, and a ventilation gap 21 is provided between the battery cell 11 and the separator 6 adjacent to each other. This structure has an advantage that the battery cells 11 on both sides can be effectively cooled by the air gaps 21 formed on both sides of the separator 6. However, the separator can be provided with a groove only on one side, and a ventilation gap can be provided between the battery cell and the separator. The illustrated air gap 21 is provided in the horizontal direction so as to open to the left and right of the battery block 10. Furthermore, the separator 6 of FIG. 5 is provided with notches 2B on both sides. This separator 6 can reduce the passage resistance of the cooling gas by widening the interval between the opposing surfaces of the adjacent battery cells 11 in the notch portions 2B provided on both sides. For this reason, the cooling gas can be smoothly blown from the cutout portion 2 </ b> B to the blowing gap 21 between the separator 6 and the battery cell 11, thereby effectively cooling the battery cell 11. As described above, the air forcedly blown into the blower gap 21 directly and efficiently cools the outer can 12 of the battery cell 11. This structure is characterized in that the battery cell 11 can be efficiently cooled while effectively preventing thermal runaway of the battery cell 11.

In addition, a separator can also connect a battery cell by the fitting structure on both surfaces. By interposing the separator connected to the battery cell with the fitting structure, it is possible to prevent the positional deviation between the adjacent battery cells and stack them.
(Sensor fixing mechanism)

The separator 6 is provided with a sensor fixing mechanism for fixing a temperature sensor 31 that detects the temperature of the rectangular battery cell 11 to a predetermined position via the sensor holder 30. Details of the sensor fixing mechanism are shown in FIGS. In these drawings, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the separator as seen from the front right diagonally lower direction, FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state where the sensor holder is attached to the separator of FIG. 9, and FIG. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the separator attached to FIG. 11, FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the separator viewed from diagonally lower right on the back, FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the sensor holder attached to FIG. FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the separator as viewed from the upper right side of the back, and FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the separator attached to FIG.
(Open window 22)

The separator 6 shown in these drawings has, as a sensor fixing mechanism, an opening window 22 in which the temperature sensor 31 is disposed and an insertion slit 23 that is in communication with the opening window 22 and for inserting the temperature sensor 31 from above. Yes. The opening window 22 is a through-hole that is slightly larger than the temperature sensor 31 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and is opened in a rectangular shape above the blower gap 21 above the separator 6. Thus, by providing the opening window 22 apart from the air gap 21, the situation where the temperature sensor 31 is exposed to the cooling gas flowing through the air gap 21 is avoided, and accurate temperature detection of the battery cell temperature is achieved.
(Insertion slit 23)

  Further, the separator 6 has an insertion slit 23 on the upper surface thereof into which the temperature sensor 31 protruding from the sensor holder 30 can be inserted. Since the insertion slit 23 communicates with the opening window 22, the temperature sensor 31 inserted from the insertion slit 23 is exposed to the opening window 22 and contacts the surface of the outer can 12 of the battery cell 11. As shown in FIG. 5, since the separator 6 has a safety valve port 20 formed at a position corresponding to the safety valve 15 provided in the outer can 12 of the battery cell 11 in the center of the upper surface, the opening window 22 and the insertion slit 23 are formed. Is provided on the right side in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 15 to 16, the insertion slit 23 opens the insertion inlet 23 a of the sensor holder 30 on the upper surface thereof, and as shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, the temperature sensor is provided above the opening window 22. A sensor outlet 23 b for guiding 31 to the opening window 22 is opened.

This sensor holder 30 has a temperature sensor 31 inserted into the insertion slit 23 as shown in the enlarged exploded perspective view of FIG. 4 and the exploded perspective view of FIG. 5, and adjacent battery cells as shown in the longitudinal sectional view of FIG. In a state where the temperature sensor 31 is arranged between the elevens and thermally coupled, the holder fixing unit 24 fixes the temperature sensor 31. Thereby, the temperature sensor 31 is maintained in contact with the outer can 12 of the battery cell 11 adjacent on both sides. In particular, since the box-shaped main body 35 of the sensor holder 30 to be described later can be held by the insertion slit 23, the displacement of the temperature sensor 31 in the thickness direction is regulated by the insertion slit 23, so that the temperature sensor 31 can be positioned and prevented from being displaced. It is done.
(Holder fixing part 24)

Further, on the upper surface of the separator 6, a holder fixing portion 24 that protrudes in a posture intersecting with the opening surface of the opening window 22 is provided. The holder fixing portion 24 is a member for fixing to a fixing piece 32 of the sensor holder 30 described later. In order to fix the holder fixing part 24 and the fixing piece 32, they are provided with screw holes. In the example of FIG. 5, a cylindrical member is protruded from the upper surface of the holder fixing portion 24 and the fixing portion screw hole 25 is provided, so that a sufficient screw groove can be formed.
(Sensor holder 30)

The temperature sensor 31 is fixed to the separator 6 via the sensor holder 30. The sensor holder 30 is fixed to the separator 6 so as to maintain the temperature sensor 31 in a posture inserted between adjacent battery cells 11. The sensor holder 30 is composed of a hard member, and preferably is a resin member such as plastic having excellent insulating properties and heat insulating properties, similar to the separator 6.
(Fixed piece 32)

17 and 18 are external perspective views of the sensor holder 30. FIG. The sensor holder 30 shown in these drawings is held in a posture in which a temperature sensor 31 protrudes downward from a substantially box-shaped main body. A fixing piece 32 for fixing to the separator 6 is provided in the middle of the box-shaped main body 35. The fixed piece 32 protrudes from the side surface in a posture in which the box-shaped main body 35 is bent in an L shape. The fixed piece 32 intersects the temperature sensor 31 protruding downward substantially at a right angle. By fixing the separator 6 with the fixing piece 32, the temperature sensor 31 can be positioned in the interval direction of the battery cells 11. As a result, the contact state between the temperature sensor 31 and the battery cell 11 is kept constant. This is extremely important for realizing accurate temperature measurement. In particular, the temperature sensor 31 inserted between the battery cells 11 is in contact with the battery cell 11 on both the front and back surfaces. For this reason, when the temperature sensor 31 is displaced in the interval direction of the battery cells, the contact state of both the front surface and the back surface is changed, the pressing force is changed, the contact resistance is increased or decreased, and accurate temperature detection cannot be performed. . For this reason, the sensor holder 30 which can be positioned and fixed in the direction orthogonal to the surface of the battery cell, that is, the surface direction of the opening window 22, greatly contributes to accurate temperature detection. Especially in in-vehicle applications, since it is exposed to vibrations and shocks, a strong and stable fixing structure is desired so that the contact state of the temperature detection surface of the temperature sensor 31 does not change with such an external force. Ideal.
(Fixed piece screw hole 33)

The fixing piece 32 is provided with a fixing piece screw hole 33 for screwing with the holder fixing portion 24 of the separator 6. By opening the fixing portion screw hole 25 of the holder fixing portion 24 and the fixing piece screw hole 33 of the sensor holder 30 to corresponding positions, these members can be easily fixed by screwing.
(Insertion piece 34)

Further, an insertion piece 34 is formed below the fixed piece 32. The insertion piece 34 is formed to be approximately the same size or slightly smaller than the rectangular insertion slit 23 so that it can be inserted into the insertion slit 23. Thereby, a part of the sensor holder 30 formed of a hard member can be inserted into the insertion slit 23 and positioned, so that the positioning of the temperature sensor 31 fixed to the sensor holder 30 can be further ensured. Further, in order to position the depth direction when the insertion piece 34 is inserted into the insertion slit 23, it is preferable to provide a step at a portion where the insertion piece 34 of the box-shaped main body 35 is provided as shown in FIG.
(Temperature sensor 31)

  The temperature sensor 31 detects the temperature of the rectangular battery cell 11 constituting the assembled battery. The temperature sensor 31 is an element whose electric resistance changes depending on the temperature of a thermistor or the like. As shown in FIG. 8, the electrical signal detected by the temperature sensor 31 is sent to the temperature control circuit 5 and received as temperature information corresponding to the electrical signal on the temperature control circuit 5 side. 9 is changed, or the charge / discharge current of the charge / discharge circuit is limited.

  The temperature sensor 31 has a substantially rectangular outer shape, and both the front and back surfaces of the flat surface are temperature detection surfaces. Thereby, it inserts between battery cells 11 and makes each surface contact the battery cell 11, respectively. Thereby, the temperature of the two battery cells 11 can be monitored by one temperature sensor 31. For example, the average temperature of two temperature cells is detected. However, only one surface of the temperature sensor 31 can be used as a temperature detection surface.

  The temperature sensors are not necessarily provided in all the battery cells, but are arranged so as to detect only the temperature of a predetermined battery cell, and the temperature of these battery cells is represented by the temperature of the entire battery cell, thereby Configuration and control can be simplified by reducing the number of sensors used. In the example of FIG. 8, the temperature sensors 31 are arranged on the front side, the middle side, and the back side on the left and right sides of the battery blocks 10 arranged in duplicate, respectively, and the temperature at a total of six locations is detected. However, more accurate temperature detection can be achieved by increasing the number of temperature sensors used. For example, a temperature sensor may be provided for each battery cell. Or conversely, the temperature sensor can be detected more simply by reducing the number of temperature sensors used.

  In particular, since the temperature sensors 31 can be fixed to the separators 6 by using the separators 6 having the same shape provided with the sensor fixing mechanism, there is also an advantage that the position where the temperature sensors 31 are provided can be easily changed and added.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 19, the temperature sensor 31 is covered with a protective film 36 such as a transparent resin film to protect its temperature detection surface. Preferably, the size of the protective film 36 is substantially equal to the opening window 22. In this way, by matching the size of the temperature sensor 31 with the opening window 22, the gap at the opening window 22 can be reduced, and the temperature sensor 31 can be easily positioned. Further, if necessary, an elastic member such as a cushion material can be fixed to the temperature sensor, and the battery cell can be elastically pressed from the back surface of the temperature sensor.

Although the temperature sensor 31 is disposed in the gap between the rectangular battery cells 11 as shown in FIG. 6, the temperature sensor 31 is thermally coupled to the battery cell at a position that is not the air blowing gap 21, in the upper part in FIG. 6. By disposing at this position, the temperature of the prismatic battery cell 11 can be accurately detected without being affected by the cooling gas, being separated from the blower gap 21. Furthermore, it is desirable that the temperature sensor 31 is fixed at a position away from the safety valve port 20 so as not to be exposed to the exhaust gas discharged from the battery cell 11 as described above. In the example of FIG. 5, a safety valve 15 is provided in the center of the sealing plate 13 that seals the upper surface of the outer can 12 of the battery cell 11. The safety valve 15 is opened when the internal pressure of the battery cell 11 rises above a specified value, and discharges the gas inside the outer can 12 to the outside. For this reason, the position where the opening window 22 is provided in the separator 6 is a position that is eccentric from the center of the battery cell 11. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which high-temperature and high-pressure gas is directly exposed to the temperature sensor 31 during gas discharge. In particular, since the holder fixing portion 24 is provided above the opening window 22, the upper surface of the separator 6 is projected in a bowl shape, and the gas diffuses to the temperature sensor 31 side when the gas is discharged using this bowl-shaped portion. This can be prevented and reduced.
(Modification)

  FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of an assembled battery according to a modification. In this figure, the same members as those in the embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In the assembled battery shown in this figure, a separator 6B is interposed between the battery cells 11 to electrically insulate the battery cells 11 from each other and insert a thermistor between the battery cells 11. Specifically, the separator 6B has a slit-like insertion opening 23C into which a thermistor (not shown) for detecting the temperature of the rectangular battery cell 11 is inserted. The insertion port 23C is formed in a cutout shape that is inclined obliquely from the upper surface. When the thermistor is inserted into the insertion port 23C, the thermistor is exposed on both sides of the separator 6B. Therefore, the separator 6B is inserted between the battery cells 11 contacting the front and back of the separator 6B. The temperature of the battery cell 11 is detected.

  The separator 6B shown in FIG. 20 has a ventilation gap as far as possible so that the prismatic battery cell 11 can be cooled in a wider area. Therefore, the vertical part 26 of the horizontal frame which is in the upper edge part of the separator 6B and is stacked in contact with each other has a narrow vertical width. The insertion port 23C can be lengthened by providing the insertion port 23C inclined to the vertical portion 26b. The temperature sensor inserted into the long insertion slot 23C is firmly and securely fixed to the insertion slot 23C while accurately detecting the temperature of the rectangular battery cell 11. Furthermore, although not shown, a temperature sensor such as a thermistor is inserted into the insertion port 23C in a metal tube. This temperature sensor quickly detects the temperature of the prismatic battery cell 11 through a metal cylinder excellent in heat conduction. The metal cylinder inserted into the insertion port 23C is insulated from the rectangular battery cell 11 by the separator 6B made of an insulating material. The temperature sensor 31 that is thermally coupled to the upper part of the prismatic battery cell 11 is not affected by the cooling gas and accurately detects the temperature of the prismatic battery cell 11.

  In this structure, the thermistor is simply disposed in the notch portion of the separator, and can be configured very simply. On the other hand, there is no mechanism that can prevent the thermistor from being displaced in the thickness direction between the battery cells. For this reason, it is necessary to perform sufficient holding | maintenance so that a thermistor may move to a thickness direction and the contact state of a thermistor and a battery cell may not change a lot. For example, using a cushion material such as a sponge, each position of the thermistor is elastically pressed against the battery cell to prevent such displacement.

  The power supply device described above can be used as an in-vehicle battery system. As a vehicle equipped with a power supply device, an electric vehicle such as a hybrid car or a plug-in hybrid car that runs with both an engine and a motor, or an electric car that runs only with a motor can be used, and it is used as a power source for these vehicles. .

  FIG. 21 shows an example in which a power supply device is mounted on a hybrid car that travels with both an engine and a motor. A vehicle HV equipped with the power supply device shown in this figure includes an engine 96 and a running motor 93 that run the vehicle HV, a battery system 100B that supplies power to the motor 93, and a generator that charges the battery of the battery system 100B. 94. The battery system 100B is connected to a motor 93 and a generator 94 via a DC / AC inverter 95. The vehicle HV travels by both the motor 93 and the engine 96 while charging / discharging the battery of the battery system 100B. The motor 93 is driven to drive the vehicle when the engine efficiency is low, for example, during acceleration or low-speed driving. The motor 93 is driven by power supplied from the battery system 100B. The generator 94 is driven by the engine 96 or is driven by regenerative braking when braking the vehicle, and charges the battery of the battery system 100B.

  FIG. 22 shows an example in which a power supply device is mounted on an electric vehicle that runs only with a motor. A vehicle EV equipped with the power supply device shown in this figure includes a traveling motor 93 for traveling the vehicle EV, a battery system 100C for supplying electric power to the motor 93, and a generator 94 for charging a battery of the battery system 100C. And. The motor 93 is driven by power supplied from the battery system 100C. The generator 94 is driven by energy when regeneratively braking the vehicle EV, and charges the battery of the battery system 100C.

  The assembled battery for a vehicle according to the present invention, the vehicle including the same, and the separator for the assembled battery can be suitably used as an in-vehicle battery system for an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. Moreover, it can utilize suitably also as power supply devices other than vehicle-mounted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Power supply apparatus 100B, 100C ... Battery system 1 ... Outer case 2A ... Groove 2B ... Notch part 2 ... End surface cover 3 ... Flange 4 ... Forced ventilation mechanism 5 ... Temperature control circuit 6, 6B ... Separator 7 ... End plate 7A ... Main body Part 7B ... Metal plate 8 ... Bind bar 9 ... Forced air blow mechanism 10 ... Battery block 11 ... Battery cell 12 ... Exterior can 13 ... Sealing plate 14 ... Electrode terminal 15 ... Safety valve 16 ... Set screw 17 ... Bus bar 20 ... Safety valve port 21 ... Blast gap 22 ... Opening window 23 ... Insertion slit 23a ... Insertion inlet 23b ... Sensor outlet 23C ... Insertion opening 24 ... Holder fixing part 25 ... Fixing part screw hole 26 ... Vertical part 30 of horizontal frame ... Sensor holder 31 ... Temperature sensor 32 ... Fixed piece 33 ... Fixed piece screw hole 34 ... Insert piece 35 ... Box-shaped main body 36 ... Protective film 93 ... Motor 94 ... Generator 95 ... Inverter 96 ... D Jin HV, EV ... vehicle

Claims (9)

A plurality of prismatic battery cells;
The separator for inserting and insulating these battery cells between adjacent battery cells;
Among the plurality of battery cells, a temperature sensor inserted between adjacent battery cells and arranged to thermally couple these battery cells, and
A sensor holder for exposing the temperature sensor, and fixing the exposed temperature sensor in a posture inserted between adjacent battery cells;
An in-vehicle assembled battery comprising:
The separator is
In the state where the temperature sensor is inserted, an opening window that is penetrated to open the temperature sensor in contact with each surface of adjacent battery cells is opened.
Furthermore, on the upper surface of the separator, a holder fixing portion protruding in a posture intersecting with the opening surface of the opening window is provided,
The sensor holder is exposed in a posture in which the temperature sensor protrudes downward, and in a direction intersecting with the protruding direction of the temperature sensor and at a position corresponding to the holder fixing portion, A fixing piece for fixing is provided,
An assembled battery for vehicle use, wherein the fixing piece of the sensor holder is fixed to the holder fixing portion of the separator in a state where the temperature sensor is inserted into the opening window. The assembled battery for vehicle according to claim 1,
The assembled battery for vehicles, wherein the separator has a size capable of inserting a temperature sensor protruding from the sensor holder on its upper surface, and is formed with an insertion slit communicating with the opening window. An in-vehicle assembled battery according to claim 2,
The assembled battery for vehicles, wherein the sensor holder is provided with an insertion piece that can be inserted into the insertion slit below the fixed piece. The in-vehicle assembled battery according to claim 3,
The opening window is opened from the upper surface of the outer can constituting the battery cell in a state where the separator and the battery cell are in contact with each other, and is separated from a safety valve for discharging the gas inside the outer can when the internal pressure rises. An in-vehicle assembled battery characterized by being provided at a position. The in-vehicle assembled battery according to claim 4,
The separator is provided with a ventilation gap for flowing cooling gas between the battery cells in a state of being interposed between adjacent battery cells,
The assembled battery for in-vehicle use, wherein the opening window is provided at a position that does not overlap with the ventilation gap. The in-vehicle assembled battery according to claim 5,
The assembled battery for vehicles, wherein the holder fixing portion and the fixing piece are each formed with a screw hole for fixing to each other by screwing. The in-vehicle assembled battery according to claim 6,
The temperature sensor is a thermistor,
An in-vehicle assembled battery characterized in that the thermistor is covered with a protective film, and the size of the protective film is substantially equal to the opening window.   A vehicle comprising the assembled battery according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Inserted between adjacent battery cells to insulate them, among the plurality of battery cells, insert a temperature sensor between adjacent battery cells, one battery cell on one side, A separator that can be arranged so as to come into contact with the other battery cell on the other side,
In the state where the temperature sensor is inserted, an opening window penetrating the side surface is opened to bring the temperature sensor into contact with each surface of the battery cells adjacent to the left and right.
Furthermore, on the upper surface of the separator, a holder fixing portion protruding in a posture intersecting with the opening surface of the opening window is provided,
In order to fix the sensor holder that exposes the temperature sensor in a posture in which the exposed temperature sensor is inserted between adjacent battery cells, the sensor holder is provided on the sensor holder. A fixing piece for fixing to the holder fixing portion is configured to be fixable to the holder fixing portion at a position corresponding to the holder fixing portion in a direction intersecting with the projecting direction. Separator.

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