JP5516006B2 - Assembled battery - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an assembled battery including a plurality of batteries.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electric vehicle that travels with the driving force of a traveling motor is known that includes an assembled battery that supplies power to the traveling motor.

  As such an assembled battery, Patent Document 1 discloses a battery in which a plurality of batteries are arranged in a line and sandwiched between frames (a pair of end plates). In such a configuration, a battery module including a plurality of batteries and a frame is supported by the base plate in a double-supported structure.

JP 2007-234369 A

  However, the battery module having the both-end structure may vibrate in the center due to vehicle vibration or the like, and may generate abnormal noise.

  Then, an object of this invention is to make small the amount of bending of the center part of the battery module by which both ends are supported in an assembled battery.

  The assembled battery of the present invention includes a battery module in which a plurality of batteries are held in a row. The battery module is supported at both ends in the row direction, and the bending rigidity of the center portion in the row direction of the battery module is It is characterized by being higher than the bending rigidity of other parts other than the central part.

  According to the present invention, since the bending rigidity of the central part in the column direction of the battery modules supported at both ends is higher than the bending rigidity of other parts, the bending amount of the central part of the battery module can be reduced. it can.

It is a perspective view which shows the assembled battery concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the battery module concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the battery module concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the battery module concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the battery module concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the battery module concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the battery concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and the 1st and 2nd supporting member. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the battery and spacer concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the through bolt of the assembled battery concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic explaining the improvement of the bending rigidity and the support rigidity by the flame | frame of this invention, (a) is a top view of a battery module, (b) is the schematic which shows a deformation | transformation of a through bolt. It is the schematic explaining the improvement of the bending rigidity and the support rigidity by the flame | frame of this invention, (a) is a top view of a battery module, (b) is the schematic which shows a deformation | transformation of a through bolt and a supporting member. It is the schematic explaining the improvement of the bending rigidity and the support rigidity by the flame | frame of this invention, (a) is a top view of a battery module, (b) is the schematic which shows a deformation | transformation of a through bolt and a supporting member.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an electric vehicle is applied as an example of a vehicle. In the drawing, FR indicates the front in the vehicle front-rear direction, and UP indicates the upper direction in the vehicle vertical direction.

  The assembled battery 2 of the present embodiment is mounted on an electric vehicle and supplies electricity to a traveling motor of the electric vehicle.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the assembled battery 2 mounted on an electric vehicle (not shown) has a plurality of battery modules 3 stacked in the vertical direction and a control device (not shown). Has been.

  There are three battery modules 3 in the present embodiment, and these battery modules 3 are connected in series, for example, by a connection member (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the battery module 3 includes a plurality of batteries 4 and a frame 5 that holds the plurality of batteries 4 in a row. The battery 4 is connected in series by a connection member (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the battery 4 is formed in a rectangular plate shape, and insertion holes 4 a are formed through the four corners along the thickness direction. The battery 4 is a secondary battery, for example, a lithium ion secondary battery, a nickel hydride secondary battery, a nickel cadmium secondary battery, or the like. The plurality of batteries 4 are stacked in a line (that is, in the thickness direction of the batteries 4). Between the batteries 4, a first connecting member 7 as a connecting member, a second connecting member 8 as a connecting member, and a spacer 9 are interposed.

  The first connecting member 7 and the second connecting member 8 are both disposed between the adjacent batteries 4. That is, the plurality of first connecting members 7 are arranged at intervals along the column direction of the batteries 4, and the plurality of second connecting members 8 are also arranged along the column direction of the batteries 4. Are arranged at intervals.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the first connecting member 7 is formed by bending a plate portion 7a sandwiched between adjacent batteries 4, a pair of cylindrical portions 7b penetrating the plate portion 7a, and the plate portion 7a. And a bolt portion 7d fixed to the mounting portion 7c. The first connecting member 7 is disposed between the batteries 4 with the end portion of the cylindrical portion 7 b fitted into the insertion hole 4 a on the front side of the battery 4 and the plate portion 7 a sandwiched between the adjacent batteries 4. The On the other hand, the second connecting member 8 includes a plate portion 8a sandwiched between adjacent batteries 4, a pair of cylindrical portions 8b penetrating the plate portion 8a, and an attachment portion 8c formed by bending from the plate portion 8a. And a bolt portion 8d fixed to the mounting portion 8c. The second connecting member 8 is disposed between the batteries 4 with the end portion of the cylindrical portion 8 b fitted into the insertion hole 4 a on the rear side of the battery 4 and the plate portion 8 a sandwiched between the adjacent batteries 4. Is done. Thus, the 1st connection member 7 and the 2nd connection member 8 which were arrange | positioned between the adjacent batteries 4 position the adjacent batteries 4, and form a clearance gap between the adjacent batteries 4. FIG. .

  The spacer 9 is disposed between the batteries 4 in which the first coupling member 7 and the second coupling member 8 are not disposed. The spacer 9 includes a cylindrical portion 9a and a flange portion 9b provided on the peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 9a. Four spacers 9 are arranged between the adjacent batteries 4 so as to correspond to the insertion holes 4 a of the batteries 4. The spacer 9 is disposed between the batteries 4 with the end of the cylindrical portion 9 a fitted into the insertion hole 4 a of the battery 4 and the flange portion 9 b sandwiched between the adjacent batteries 4. The spacers 9 arranged in this way position the adjacent batteries 4 and form a gap between the adjacent batteries 4. Further, another spacer 10 is interposed between the battery 4 and the end plate 11.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the frame 5 includes a pair of end plates 11 that sandwich a plurality of stacked batteries 4, and a plurality of end plates 11 and a plurality of batteries 4 inserted in the row direction of the batteries 4. The through-bolt 12 includes a first support member 13 and a second support member 14 which are located outside the battery 4 and extend in the column direction of the battery 4.

  Four through bolts 12 are provided corresponding to the insertion holes 4 a of the battery 4. The two through bolts 12 on the front side are also inserted into the cylindrical portion 7b of the first connecting member 7 and the cylindrical portion 9a of the spacer 9, while the two rear bolts 12 are connected to the second connecting bolt 12. The cylindrical portion 8b of the member 8 and the cylindrical portion 9a of the spacer 9 are also inserted. The through bolt 12 is screwed with the nut 15, whereby the through bolt 12 supports the plurality of batteries 4, and the pair of end plates 11 sandwich the plurality of batteries 4. In this state, the two front through bolts 12 and the first connecting member 7 are connected, and the two rear through bolts 12 and the second connecting member 8 are connected.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first support member 13 is formed in a band plate shape, and two first support members 13 are provided on the front side of the battery 4. Attachment portions 13 a are formed at both ends of the first support member 13. The first support member 13 is formed with a plurality of first insertion holes (not shown) corresponding to the first connecting member 7. Then, the bolt portion 7d of the first connecting member 7 is inserted through these first insertion holes, and the bolt portion 7d and the nut 16 are screwed together, so that the first connecting member 7 is the first support member. It is fixed to the member 13. That is, the first connecting member 7 connects the first support member 13 and the front through bolt 12. 3 indicates the center position of the battery modules 3 in the column direction (longitudinal direction).

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the second support member 14 is formed in a strip shape and is provided on the rear side of the battery 4. Attachment portions 14 a are formed at both ends of the second support member 14 by bending. The second support member 14 is formed with a plurality of second insertion holes (not shown) corresponding to the second connecting member 8. Then, the bolt portion 8d of the second connecting member 8 is inserted into these second insertion holes, and the bolt portion 8d and the nut 17 are screwed together, so that the second connecting member 8 is the second support. It is fixed to the member 14. That is, the second connecting member 8 connects the second support member 14 and the rear through bolt 12.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, a reinforcing plate 18 is fixed to the end plate 11, and a plurality of attachment portions 18 a are provided on the reinforcing plate 18.

  And in the battery module 3 comprised by the some battery 4 and the flame | frame 5, the space | interval of the connection members (1st connection members 7 and the 2nd connection members 8) adjacent in the row direction of the batteries 4 is. The battery modules 3 become narrower from the end toward the center in the row direction. In other words, the distance between the adjacent bolt portions in the row direction of the batteries 4 (the bolt portions 7d and the bolt portions 8d) decreases in the row direction of the battery modules 3 from the end toward the center. Thereby, the bending rigidity and support rigidity of the center part 3a in the row direction of the battery modules 3 are higher than the bending rigidity and support rigidity of other parts (for example, both ends 3b) other than the center part 3a of the battery module 3. It has become. Here, in the present embodiment, the battery module 3 is divided into approximately three equal parts in the row direction of the batteries 4, and the middle area is the area of the central portion 3 a.

  The battery module 3 is supported at both ends 3b of the batteries 4 in the row direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the attachment portion 7 c of the first support member 13, the attachment portion 14 a of the second support member 14, and the attachment portion 18 a of the reinforcement plate 18 are paired on the left and right sides of the assembled battery 2. The body frame 19 is fixed by fastening means 20 such as bolts and nuts. In such a structure, the first support member 13, the second support member 14, and the through bolt 12 are both supported. The main body frame 19 is composed of a plurality of members, and the main body frame 19 is fixed to the vehicle body. At this time, a space is formed between the upper and lower adjacent battery modules 3, and a space is also formed below the lowermost battery module 3. The battery 4 can be cooled by the air flowing through these spaces.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the bending rigidity of the central portion 3a in the row direction of the batteries 4 in the battery module 3 is other than the central portion 3a of the battery module 3 (for example, both end portions 3b). Higher than bending stiffness. In particular, the battery module 3 includes a frame 5 that supports the plurality of batteries 4, and the support rigidity of the battery module 3 by the frame 5 is different from the support rigidity of the central portion in the column direction of the battery modules 3 in other parts. It is higher than the support rigidity. Accordingly, since the bending amount of the central portion 3a of the battery module 3 is reduced as compared with the case where the bending rigidity and supporting rigidity of the battery module 3 are constant at any part, the central portion 3a of the battery module 3 is caused by vibration of the vehicle or the like. It is possible to suppress the generation of abnormal noise due to vibration. In addition, since the amount of bending of the central portion 3a of the battery module 3 is reduced in this way, it is possible to prevent the space for air cooling from being narrowed below the battery module 3, and to efficiently cool the battery 4. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, the frame 5 is inserted through the plurality of batteries 4 along the row direction of the batteries 4 to pass through the bolts 12 that support the plurality of batteries 4, and is arranged on the outside of the batteries 4. The first and second support members 13, 14 that are support members extending in the direction and the first and second support members 13, 14 that are spaced apart from each other along the column direction of the batteries 4. And first and second connecting members 7 and 8 which are a plurality of connecting members connecting the through bolts 12. Therefore, the frame 5 is highly rigid compared to the case where there is no support member. And the space | interval of the connection members (1st connection members 7 and 2nd connection members 8) adjacent in the row direction of the battery 4 is made narrow so that it goes to the center from the end in the row direction of the battery module 3. Yes. Accordingly, the bending rigidity of the central portion 3a of the battery modules 3 in the row direction of the battery modules 3 is made higher than the bending rigidity of other portions (for example, both end portions 3b) other than the central portion 3a of the battery modules 3. Therefore, the first and second support members 13 and 14 can contribute to both the increase in rigidity of the frame 5 and the increase in rigidity of the central portion 3 a of the battery module 3.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same part as 1st Embodiment is shown with the same code | symbol, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the shaft portion 12 a of the through bolt 12 </ b> A increases in diameter from the end toward the center in the column direction of the batteries 4. In the drawings, the thickness of the through bolt 12A is exaggerated. As described above, the diameter of the shaft portion 12a of the through bolt 12A is increased in the row direction of the batteries 4 from the end portion toward the center thereof, whereby the center portion in the row direction of the batteries 4 of the battery module 3 is obtained. The bending rigidity of 3a is higher than the bending rigidity of parts other than the central part 3a of the battery module 3 (for example, both ends in the column direction). In the present embodiment, the first connecting member 7 and the second connecting member 8 described in the first embodiment are not provided. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the diameter of the shaft portion 12a of the through-bolt 12 is made relatively thick in the row direction of the batteries 4 from the end toward the center thereof. The bending rigidity of the central portion 3a in the column direction of the batteries 4 is set higher than the bending rigidity of other portions (for example, both end portions in the column direction) other than the central portion 3a of the battery module 3. Therefore, in order to increase the bending rigidity of the central portion 3a in the column direction of the batteries 4 of the battery module 3, it is possible to suppress the configuration of the assembled battery 2 from becoming complicated.

  Below, the improvement of the bending rigidity and support rigidity of the battery module by the flame | frame of this invention is demonstrated.

  10 and 11 are explanatory diagrams according to a comparative example.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, a pair of end plates 111, 111 are disposed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the battery module 103, and a plurality of batteries 104 are interposed between the end plates 111, 111. Are arranged in a row in the thickness direction. The plurality of batteries 104 are supported by through bolts 112 and 112 penetrating the battery 104, and the end plates 111 and 111 are connected to each other by a pair of support members 113 and 113. However, the support member 113 does not support the battery 104 and is fixed to the end plate 111 via the bolt 120.

  Therefore, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 10B, the through bolt 112 is supported at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and the center portion is bent downward.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11A, in the battery module 203 in which the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the support member 113 is fixed to the battery 104 via the bolt 120, as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. Both the through bolt 112 and the support member 113 are curved downward in the center in the longitudinal direction. However, compared to FIG. 10B, the amount of downward deformation is about ½. This is because the load of the battery 104 is shared by the through bolt 112 and the support member 113.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12A, the battery module 303 according to the present invention is provided with three bolt fastening portions at the center in the longitudinal direction of the support member 113. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12B, the deformation amount of the through bolt 112 is equivalent to that of FIG. 11B, but when the deformation amount of the support member 113 is compared with FIG. The amount of deformation is reduced. That is, in FIG. 12B, the alternate long and short dash line indicates the deformation amount of FIG. 11B, and the broken line indicates the case where three bolt fastening portions are provided at the center of the support member 113 as shown in FIG. The amount of deformation is shown. As indicated by the broken line, the longitudinal center portion of the support member 113 is substantially horizontal and hardly deforms. Therefore, it can be seen that according to the present invention, the support rigidity of the battery module 303 can be improved.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various other embodiments can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the assembled battery 2 may be mounted not only on an electric vehicle but also on other vehicles such as a hybrid vehicle including a motor and an engine. Further, the through bolt 12A of the second embodiment may be applied to the first embodiment.

2 ... assembled battery 3 ... battery module 3a ... central part 3b ... both ends (other parts)
4 ... Battery 5 ... Frame 7 ... First connecting member (connecting member)
8 ... 2nd connection member (connection member)
12, 12A ... Through bolt 12a ... Shaft portion 13 ... First support member (support member)
14 ... Second support member (support member)

Claims (2)

A battery module is configured by arranging and assembling a plurality of batteries in a row, and is an assembled battery disposed in a state of supporting both ends in the column direction of the battery module,
For the battery module, the bending rigidity of the central part in the row direction is higher than the bending rigidity of other parts,
The battery module has a frame that supports the plurality of batteries, and the support rigidity of the battery module by the frame is higher than the support rigidity of the other part of the support rigidity of the central portion in the column direction of the battery modules,
The frame is
A through bolt inserted through the plurality of batteries along a column direction to support the plurality of batteries;
A support member located outside the battery and extending in the column direction of the battery;
A plurality of connecting members arranged at intervals along the row direction of the batteries, and connecting the support member and the through-bolts;
Battery pack spacing of the connecting member adjacent in the column direction of the battery, characterized by comprising narrower toward the center portion from the end portion in the column direction of the battery module. A battery module is configured by arranging and assembling a plurality of batteries in a row, and is an assembled battery disposed in a state of supporting both ends in the column direction of the battery module,
For the battery module, the bending rigidity of the central part in the row direction is higher than the bending rigidity of other parts,
The battery module has a frame that supports the plurality of batteries, and the support rigidity of the battery module by the frame is higher than the support rigidity of the other part of the support rigidity of the central portion in the column direction of the battery modules,
The frame includes a through bolt inserted into the plurality of batteries along the column direction to support the plurality of batteries.
The shaft portion of the through bolts are assembled battery you characterized in that the diameter from the end in the column direction toward the center of the battery module becomes thick.

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