JP5664542B2 - Battery pack - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery pack that holds a battery module containing a plurality of battery cells.

  Patent Document 1 proposes a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked. Further, it has been proposed to employ a reinforcing plate extending around the battery module.

JP 2011-142077 A

  In the configuration of the prior art, a plurality of battery cells are stacked, and a reinforcing plate is disposed so as to surround the battery cells. This is inconvenient to handle because the battery cell is exposed. Moreover, the reinforcing plate is configured by assembling a plurality of plate-like members. This conventional technique has a problem that the number of parts is large. There is also a problem that the structure is complicated. Furthermore, in the prior art, sufficient consideration is not given to the structure for fixing the battery module in the battery pack.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said problem, The objective is to provide the battery pack which can hold | maintain the battery module which has a some battery cell efficiently.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack that can efficiently hold a plurality of battery modules.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack that is easy to manufacture.

  The present invention employs the following technical means to achieve the above object.

The invention according to claim 1 is a battery pack that holds a battery module (30) in which a plurality of battery cells (40) are stacked along the stacking direction (TD), and includes both ends in the stacking direction (TD). An outer peripheral frame portion (51) that surrounds the outer periphery of the battery module, a battery module fixing portion (52) that extends from the outer peripheral frame portion, and that extends from the outer peripheral frame portion. A frame having a frame fixing portion (53) fixed to another member (11, 54) provided on the frame, and the frame is further formed to extend from the outer peripheral frame portion and surrounded by the outer peripheral frame portion. It has a support part (55) which contacts a battery module about a non-direction (VD), and supports a battery module.

According to this configuration, the battery module can be stably held by the outer peripheral frame portion. The outer peripheral frame portion surrounds the battery module so as to include both ends in the stacking direction of the plurality of battery cells, that is, the direction in which the battery cells easily swell. Therefore, even if the battery module tries to expand due to the expansion of the battery cell, the expansion can be suppressed by the outer peripheral frame portion. Moreover, even when an excessive load is applied to the battery module fixing portion (52) and it is damaged at the time of a vehicle collision or the like, the outer peripheral frame portion can prevent the battery module (30) from being scattered. Moreover, the outer periphery frame part and the battery module are being fixed via the battery module fixing | fixed part. For this reason, dropping of the battery module from the outer peripheral frame portion can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the frame is fixed to other members in the battery pack via the frame fixing portion, the battery module can be stably held in the battery pack. According to this structure, a support part contacts a battery module and supports a battery module. Moreover, the support portion contacts the battery module in a direction not surrounded by the outer peripheral frame portion. For this reason, a battery module can be restrained about the direction which cannot be controlled in an outer periphery frame part. For example, when the outer peripheral frame portion surrounds the entire circumference in the horizontal direction, the support portion restrains the battery module in the upward direction or the downward direction.
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the support portion is formed to extend inward from the outer peripheral frame portion. According to this structure, a support part is provided inside an outer peripheral frame part. As a result, the battery module can be restrained without increasing the size of the frame.

The invention according to claim 3 includes a plurality of frames stacked along the stacking direction (VD) which is the direction of gravity, and one frame is formed by extending from the outer peripheral frame portion, and the other frame. It has a stage product fixing | fixed part (54) to which this frame fixing | fixed part is fixed. According to this configuration, one frame and another frame can be connected and fixed by the frame fixing part and the stage product fixing part. For example, a plurality of frames can be stacked.

The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the stacked product fixing part (54) and the frame fixing part (53) are positioned overlappingly in the stacking direction (VD) of a plurality of frames. . According to this configuration, even when a plurality of frames are stacked, high strength can be provided. Moreover, since a plurality of battery modules (30) can be stacked using the same shape frame, it contributes to cost reduction by sharing the frame shape.

The invention according to claim 6 includes a plurality of battery modules stacked along the stacking direction (VD), which is the direction of gravity, and the frame is further formed to extend from the outer peripheral frame portion. It has the spacer part (56) which can be mounted on the surface of this. According to this configuration, when a plurality of battery modules are stacked, one of the mutually facing surfaces of the adjacent battery modules can be restrained by the support portion (55), and the other one can be restrained by the spacer portion (56). it can. For example, when the outer peripheral frame portion surrounds the entire circumference in the horizontal direction, the battery module can be restrained in the upward direction and the downward direction.

The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the spacer portion is located farther from the outer peripheral frame portion than the support portion. According to this structure, the spacer part located away from the outer peripheral frame part from the support part is provided. The spacer part (56) is positioned so as to further protrude from the battery module (30) supported by the support part (55) . As a result, the spacer part (56) forms a partition having a predetermined thickness between the battery module (30) supported by the support part (55 ) and the other battery module (30) . This compartment can be used to intentionally place a gap or other member for flowing media.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the battery module (30) is adjacent to the stacking direction (VD) and is used for cooling between the other battery module (30) on which the spacer portion (56) is placed. It has the channel | path part (35, 71, 72) for flowing a medium, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. According to this configuration, since the spacer portion is mounted on the surface of another battery module, a passage portion for flowing a cooling medium can be provided between two battery modules adjacent in the stacking direction. It becomes.

  Note that the reference numerals in parentheses described in the claims and the above-described means indicate the correspondence with the specific means described in the embodiments described later as one aspect, and are technical terms of the present invention. It does not limit the range.

1 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed both the covers of the battery pack of 1st Embodiment. It is the top view seen from the arrow III of FIG. It is the right view seen from the arrow IV of FIG. It is the front view seen from the arrow V of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the battery module and frame of 1st Embodiment. It is the top view seen from arrow VII of FIG. It is the right view seen from the arrow VIII of FIG. It is the left view seen from the arrow IX of FIG. It is the front view seen from the arrow X of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the flame | frame of 1st Embodiment. It is the top view seen from arrow XII of FIG. It is the right view seen from arrow XIII of FIG. It is the left view seen from the arrow XIV of FIG. It is the front view seen from the arrow XV of FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the battery pack which concerns on 1st Embodiment to which this invention is applied, Comprising: It is a fragmentary sectional view in the site | part shown by arrow XVI in FIG.3, FIG.7, FIG.12. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the battery pack which concerns on 1st Embodiment to which this invention is applied, Comprising: It is a fragmentary sectional view in the site | part shown by arrow XVII in FIG.3, FIG.7, FIG.12. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the battery pack which concerns on 1st Embodiment to which this invention is applied, Comprising: It is a fragmentary sectional view in the site | part shown by arrow XVIII in FIG.3, FIG.7, FIG.12.

  A plurality of modes for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, parts corresponding to the matters described in the preceding embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted. When only a part of the configuration is described in each mode, the other modes described above can be applied to the other parts of the configuration. Not only combinations of parts that clearly show that combinations are possible in each embodiment, but also combinations of the embodiments even if they are not explicitly stated unless there is a problem with the combination. Is also possible.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows an appearance of a battery pack 1 according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied. In the figure, additional components such as electric wires, openings for electric wires, and cooling ducts are omitted. The battery pack 1 can be installed in a vehicle, a dwelling unit, a factory, or the like. The battery pack 1 can supply a voltage of several hundred volts.

  The battery pack 1 includes a case 10. The case 10 includes a center plate 11 that is a main structural member of the battery pack 1. The center plate 11 is also a frame of the battery pack 1 and supports and fixes the case 10. The center plate 11 has a rigidity necessary for supporting and fixing the battery pack 1. The center plate 11 has a through hole for inserting a bolt for fixing the battery pack 1. The center plate 11 can be provided by a pressed metal plate. The case 10 includes a lower cover 12 disposed below the center plate 11 and an upper cover 13 disposed above the center plate 11. The lower cover 12 and the upper cover 13 are formed with rib portions 13 a and 12 a (see FIG. 18) for partially contacting the contents accommodated in the battery pack 1. The lower cover 12 and the upper cover 13 can be provided by a pressed metal plate or a resin molded product.

  FIG. 2 shows a state where the lower cover 12 and the upper cover 13 are removed. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 are a plan view, a right side view, and a front view, respectively. In the figure, additional components such as electric wires and cooling ducts are omitted.

  The battery pack 1 includes at least one module stack 20. In the illustrated example, two, that is, a plurality of module stacks 20 are arranged side by side. Each module stack 20 is fixed to the center plate 11. One module stack 20 includes a plurality of battery modules 30 and a plurality of frames 50. One module stack 20 is constructed in a column shape that is high in the height direction VD, that is, in the direction of gravity. The battery pack 1 includes a plurality of battery modules 30. The battery pack 1 holds a plurality of battery modules 30.

  The plurality of battery modules 30 are stacked along the height direction VD. The lowermost battery module 30 b is directly fixed to the center frame 11. A frame 50 is attached to the second or more battery modules 30 from the bottom. A frame 50m is attached to the second battery module 30m from the bottom. The battery module 30m is fixed to the frame 50m. The frame 50m is fixed to the center plate 11. A frame 50t is attached to the uppermost battery module 30t. The battery module 30t is fixed to the frame 50t. The frame 50t is fixed to the frame 50m located below.

  The plurality of battery modules 30 have the same shape. A single-stage unit 60 is configured by fixing one battery module 30 to one frame 50. In the illustrated example, the battery module 30t and the frame 30t constitute an uppermost single-stage unit 60t. Further, the battery module 30m and the frame 30m constitute a middle single-stage unit 60m. The lowermost battery module 30 b does not constitute the single-stage unit 60 and is fixed to the center plate 11. One single stage unit 60 is stacked on one battery module 30 in the height direction VD. In the illustrated example, the single stage unit 60t is stacked on the battery module 30m. A single-stage unit 60m is stacked on the battery module 30b.

  According to this configuration, the single-stage unit 60 including one battery module 30 and one frame 50 can be stacked on the other battery module 30. The frame 50 has a configuration suitable for stacking in the height direction. As a result, the battery pack 1 including a plurality of battery modules 30 can be provided.

  The plurality of frames have the same shape. A plurality of single-stage units 60 are stacked in the height direction VD. In the illustrated example, the single stage unit 60t is stacked on the single stage unit 60m. According to this configuration, the single stage unit 60 including one battery module 30 and one frame 50 can be stacked on the other single stage unit 60. In this embodiment, the plurality of battery modules 30 have the same shape. However, it is possible to use a combination of battery modules having a plurality of shapes in which at least the battery module fixing portion (52) is at the same position.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the battery module 30 and the frame 50. 7, 8, 9, and 10 are a plan view, a right side view, a left side view, and a front view, respectively. The battery module 30 and the frame 50 constitute a single stage unit 60. The battery module 30 is a flat rectangular parallelepiped in which the size in the width direction WD and the size in the depth direction TD are larger than the size in the height direction VD.

  The battery module 30 includes a container 31 and a plurality of battery cells 40 accommodated in the container 31. The container 31 can be provided by a molded product of a resin material. The plurality of battery cells 40 are connected in series or in parallel in the container 31. Each battery cell 40 is a battery element having a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The battery cell 40 is provided by, for example, a lithium ion battery.

  The battery module 30 accommodates a plurality of battery cells 40 in a container 31. One battery cell 40 is a flat rectangular parallelepiped in which the size in the width direction WD and the size in the height direction VD are larger than the size in the depth direction TD. The plurality of battery cells 40 are stacked along the stacking direction with the depth direction TD of the battery module 30 as the stacking direction. In the drawing, some of the plurality of battery cells 40 belonging to the battery module 30 are representatively illustrated. The battery cells 40 are stacked so that the widest side faces in the depth direction and the widest side faces are parallel to each other. A passage for flowing a cooling medium is provided between the plurality of battery cells 40.

  Further, a plurality of battery cells 40 are arranged in multiple rows in the battery module 30. In the illustrated example, the plurality of battery cells 40 are arranged in the container 31 so as to form two rows, that is, a plurality of rows.

  The battery cell 40 tends to swell along its depth direction TD. That is, the battery cell 40 tends to swell in the stacking direction. The bulges of the plurality of battery cells 40 are integrated along the depth direction TD. For this reason, large deformations may appear at both ends of the battery module 30 in the depth direction TD due to the swelling of the battery cells 40.

  The container 31 is provided with a plurality of stays 32. The stay 32 is formed to protrude outward from the rectangular parallelepiped container 31. The stay 32 has a bolt hole for inserting a bolt as a fastening means. The stay 32 provides a fixing arm for fixing the battery module 30. In the illustrated example, a total of four stays 32 are provided, two on the side surface facing the width direction WD. As shown in FIG. 7, the stay 32 is disposed asymmetrically on the outer periphery of the battery module 30.

  Module electrode terminals 33 and 34 are provided in the container 31. The module electrode terminals 33 and 34 provide a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The container 31 is provided with a plurality of openings 35 for providing a passage for flowing a cooling medium for cooling the plurality of battery cells 40. In the example shown in the drawing, the openings 35 are arranged on the widest surface facing the height direction VD. The plurality of openings 35 are provided on both the upper surface and the lower surface of the container 31.

Furthermore, the container 31 is configured by combining an upper part and a lower part. The container 31 includes a plurality of protrusions 36 for receiving fastening members, for example, bolts, for connecting the upper part and the lower part. The plurality of protrusions 36 are distributed on the outer peripheral surface of the container 31. The plurality of protrusions 36 are distributed on the four side surfaces of the container 31.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the frame 50. FIGS. 12, 13, 14, and 15 are a plan view, a right side view, a left side view, and a front view, respectively. Hereinafter, the frame 50 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  The frame 50 is provided by a plurality of pressed metal plates. The plurality of metal plates are joined by joining means such as spot welding.

  The frame 50 includes an outer peripheral frame portion 51 that surrounds the outer periphery of the battery module 30. The outer peripheral frame portion 51 surrounds the outer periphery of the battery module 30 including both ends in the stacking direction TD. The outer peripheral frame portion 51 surrounds the battery module so as to include both ends in the stacking direction of the plurality of battery cells, that is, the direction in which the battery cells easily swell. The outer peripheral frame portion 51 provides high rigidity that resists deformation of the battery module 30. Therefore, even if the battery module 30 is about to expand due to the expansion of the battery cell 40, the expansion can be suppressed by the outer peripheral frame portion 51.

  The outer peripheral frame portion 51 has a plate shape parallel to the outer peripheral surface of the battery module 30. Moreover, the outer peripheral frame portion 51 is formed in an annular shape that goes around the battery module 30. The outer peripheral frame portion 51 has a rectangular tube shape surrounding the battery module 30. The outer peripheral frame portion 51 is positioned substantially at the center in the height direction VD of the battery module 30. The outer peripheral frame portion 51 provides an internal space that is slightly larger than the outer periphery of the battery module 30. The outer peripheral frame portion 51 can form a slight gap with the battery module 30 in the width direction WD and the depth direction TD. The outer peripheral frame portion 51 can partially contact the battery module 30.

  The outer peripheral frame portion 51 is open at both ends in the height direction VD. The outer peripheral frame portion 51 can receive the battery module 30 only from the upper opening. The battery module 30 is inserted into the outer frame 51 from the upper opening of the outer peripheral frame 51.

  The frame 50 includes a battery module fixing part 52 for connecting and fixing the frame 50 and the battery module 30. The battery module fixing portion 52 is formed to extend outward from the outer peripheral frame portion 51. The battery module fixing portion 52 is a plate-like portion that extends in the depth direction TD and the width direction WD. The battery module fixing portion 52 is provided at a position corresponding to the stay 32. The battery module fixing portion 52 has a bolt hole through which a bolt that penetrates the stay 32 is inserted. A female screw or a nut can be provided in the bolt hole. In the illustrated example, the frame 50 is provided with four battery module fixing portions 52. The outer peripheral frame portion 51 and the battery module 30 are fixed via the battery module fixing portion 52 and the stay 32. For this reason, dropping of the battery module 30 from the outer peripheral frame portion 51 can be suppressed. Further, even when an excessive load is applied to the battery module fixing portion (52) during a vehicle collision or the like, the battery module (30) can be prevented from being scattered by the outer peripheral frame portion.

  The frame 50 has a frame fixing portion 53 that extends from the outer peripheral frame portion 51 and is fixed to another member provided in the battery pack 1. The other members are provided by a stage product fixing portion 54 described later of the center plate 11 or the other frame 50. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the frame fixing unit 53 is fixed to the stacked product fixing unit 54 of the frame 50m. The frame 50m is fixed to the center plate 11. The frame fixing portion 53 is provided by legs that extend outward from the outer peripheral frame portion 51 in the height direction VD. The leg portion extends downward from the outer peripheral frame portion 51 and extends outward at the tip portion. The tip is a plate-like portion that extends in the depth direction TD and the width direction WD. The plate-like portion is provided with a bolt hole through which a bolt as a fastening means for fixing the frame 50 is inserted.

  As illustrated in FIG. 11, the frame 50 includes a plurality of frame fixing portions 53. In the illustrated example, six frame fixing portions 53 are provided. The plurality of frame fixing portions 53 are distributed on the four sides of the outer peripheral frame portion 51. At least one frame fixing portion 53 is disposed on one side of the outer peripheral frame portion 51. Two frame fixing portions 53 are disposed on each of two sides positioned in the width direction WD. These four frame fixing portions 53 are disposed asymmetrically on the frame 50. One frame fixing portion 53 is disposed on each of the two sides positioned in the depth direction TD.

  Since the frame 50 is fixed to the other members 11 and 50 in the battery pack 1 via the frame fixing portion 53, the battery module 30 can be stably held in the battery pack 1. Therefore, the battery module 30 can be fixed and held by the frame 50 having a simple structure with a small number of parts. As a result, the assembly of the battery pack 1 can be simplified. Moreover, the weight reduction of the battery pack 1 can be achieved.

  The frame 50 is formed to extend outward from the outer peripheral frame portion 51, and has a stage product fixing portion 54 to which the frame fixing portion 53 of another frame is fixed. The stacked product fixing portion 54 is a plate-like portion that extends in the depth direction TD and the width direction WD. The stacked product fixing portion 54 has a bolt hole through which a bolt as a fastening means for fixing the frame 50 is inserted. A female screw or a nut can be provided in the bolt hole.

  The frame 50 includes a plurality of stage product fixing portions 54. In the illustrated example, the frame 50 is provided with six stage product fixing portions 54. The plurality of stage product fixing portions 54 are provided at positions corresponding to the frame fixing portions 53. According to this configuration, one single-stage unit 60t can be stacked on the other single-stage unit 60m via the stage product fixing portion 54. In addition, since the stacked product fixing portion 54 is provided in the frame 50, a plurality of battery modules 30 can be stacked in multiple stages without increasing the number of parts.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, the plurality of battery module fixing portions 52 and the plurality of product stack fixing portions 54 are alternately arranged around the outer peripheral frame portion 51. Further, the plurality of battery module fixing parts 52 and the plurality of stage product fixing parts 54 are arranged so that the battery module fixing parts 52 and the stage product fixing parts 54 are arranged in the width direction WD. The plurality of battery module fixing parts 52 and the plurality of stacked product fixing parts 54 have the same shape. These fixing parts 52 and 54 are arranged symmetrically in the width direction WD. However, these fixing portions 52 and 54 are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the depth direction TD. A frame fixing portion 53 is located below the stage product fixing portion 54. Therefore, one stage fixing part 54 and one frame fixing part 53 are arranged between the two battery module fixing parts 52. From another viewpoint, one battery module fixing portion 52 is disposed between the two stage product fixing portions 54, that is, between the two frame fixing portions 53. Further, the plurality of battery module fixing portions 52 and the plurality of stage product fixing portions 54 described above may not have the same shape.

  FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack 1 at the positions of the frame fixing portion 53 and the stacked product fixing portion 54. The frame fixing portion 53 and the stage product fixing portion 54 are positioned so as to overlap along the stacking direction VD of the plurality of frames 50. According to this configuration, even if a plurality of frames 50 are stacked, high strength can be provided. The stacked product fixing portion 54 is disposed immediately above the frame fixing portion 53. In other words, the stage product fixing portion 54 and the frame fixing portion 53 are arranged on a straight line in the height direction VD. According to this configuration, the load of the single stage unit 60 can be directly received on the straight line in which the frame fixing part 53 and the stage product fixing part 54 are arranged. As a result, the moment to the frame fixing part 53 can be suppressed. Therefore, the vibration resistance and / or impact resistance of the battery pack 1 can be improved. Moreover, since a plurality of battery modules (30) can be stacked using the same shape frame, it contributes to cost reduction by sharing the frame shape.

  16 and 17, the frame 50 includes a plurality of finger portions 55 and 56 that extend downward from the outer peripheral frame portion 51 along the height direction VD along the outer peripheral surface of the battery module 30. The plurality of finger portions 55 and 56 are provided on two sides located in the width direction WD. The plurality of finger portions 55 and 56 are arranged on the two sides almost uniformly. These finger portions 55 and 56 provide a support portion 55 and a spacer portion 56.

  FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack 1 at the position of the support portion 55. The frame 50 includes a support unit 55. The support portion 55 is formed to extend inward from the outer peripheral frame portion 51. The support part 55 contacts the battery module 30 in the height direction VD and supports the battery module 30. The support part 55 is in contact with the battery module 30 in the direction VD that is not surrounded by the outer peripheral frame part 51. In other words, the support portion 55 holds one surface of the battery module 30 that is not covered by the outer peripheral frame portion 51. The support part 55 is in contact with the lower surface of the battery module 30. The support portion 55 contacts only the outer peripheral edge portion of the lower surface. The plurality of support portions 55 are arranged substantially evenly distributed along the depth direction TD.

  According to this configuration, the support unit 55 contacts the battery module 30 and supports the battery module 30. In the illustrated example, the support portion 55 supports and suspends the battery module 30 from the lower side, and therefore can also be referred to as a hanging portion, a hook portion, or a hanger portion. The support part 55 can restrain the battery module 30 in the direction VD that cannot be restricted by the outer peripheral frame part 51. In the illustrated example, since the outer peripheral frame portion 51 surrounds the entire circumference in the horizontal direction, the support portion 55 restrains the battery module 30 in the upward direction or the downward direction. According to this configuration, the battery module 30 can be restrained without increasing the size of the frame 50. Further, the battery module 30 can be restrained upward or downward without increasing the number of parts. In addition, deformation of the battery module 30 can be suppressed. Moreover, the vibration resistance and / or impact resistance of the battery pack 1 can be improved.

  FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack 1 at the position of the spacer portion 56. The frame 50 has a spacer portion 56. The spacer portion 56 is formed to extend from the outer peripheral frame portion 51 and is located farther from the outer peripheral frame portion 51 than the support portion 55. The spacer portion 56 is also formed so as to extend inward from the outer peripheral frame portion 51. The spacer portion 56 can be placed on the surface of another battery module 30 other than the battery module 30 fixed to the frame 50 provided with the spacer portion 56. The spacer portion 56 can be placed on the upper surface of the battery module 30. It can be said that the spacer portion 56 holds the upper surface of the battery module 30 located under one single-stage unit 60. As a result, deformation of the battery module 30 can be suppressed. Moreover, the vibration resistance and / or impact resistance of the battery pack 1 can be improved.

  The support part 55 and the spacer part 56 are located in the same direction with respect to the outer peripheral frame part 51 with respect to the height direction VD. In other words, the support part 55 and the spacer part 56 are located below the outer peripheral frame part 51. The spacer part 56 is located farther from the outer peripheral frame part 51 than the support part 55. In other words, the spacer part 56 is located further below the support part 55. The relative positions of the support portion 55 and the spacer portion 56 in the height direction VD are shown in the side view and the front view.

  According to this configuration, the spacer portion 56 is positioned so as to further protrude from the battery module 30 supported by the support portion 55. The spacer part 56 forms sections 71 and 72 having a predetermined thickness between the battery module 30 supported by the support part 55 and the other battery module 30. The compartments 71 and 72 can be used to intentionally arrange a gap for flowing air, which is a cooling medium, or other members.

  In the illustrated example, the spacer portion 56 includes a partition 71 between the battery module 30 fixed to the frame 50 to which the spacer portion 56 itself belongs and another battery module 30 positioned below the battery module 30. 72 is divided. For example, the spacer portion 56 provided in the frame 50t partitions a partition 71 between the upper battery module 30t and the middle battery module 30m. Further, the spacer portion 56 provided on the frame 50m partitions a partition 72 between the middle battery module 30m and the lower battery module 30b.

  The frame 50 has a flange portion 57 for improving the rigidity of the outer peripheral frame portion 51 over substantially the entire circumference of the outer peripheral frame portion 51. The flange portion 57 is provided at least at one end in the height direction of the outer peripheral frame portion 51, particularly at the upper end. The flange portion 57 extends outward from the outer peripheral frame portion 51. The flange portion 57 is formed continuously with the fixing portions 52 and 54 in the portion where the battery module fixing portion 52 and the stacked product fixing portion 54 are provided.

  The frame 50 has a bulging portion 58 corresponding to the protruding portion 36 of the battery module 30. The bulging portion 58 is partially formed on the outer peripheral frame portion 51 so as to avoid interference between the protruding portion 36 and the outer peripheral frame portion 51. The inflating portion 58 also has an effect of improving the rigidity of the outer peripheral frame portion 51.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the battery module 30 has an opening 35 that provides a passage portion for a cooling medium. The opening 35 faces the sections 71 and 72 described above. Therefore, the battery module 30 includes passage portions 35, 71, and 72 for allowing cooling air to flow between the battery module 30 and the other battery module 30 on which the spacer portion 56 is placed, adjacent to the height direction VD. It can be said. According to this structure, it becomes possible to provide the channel | path parts 71, 72, 35 for flowing the medium for cooling the battery cell 40 with a spacer part between the two battery modules 30 adjacent to a height direction. .

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the frame 50 enables a plurality of battery modules 30 to be stacked. In addition, a frame suitable for stably holding the flat rectangular parallelepiped battery module 30 is provided. Moreover, the outer periphery frame part 51 contributes in order to hold | maintain the battery module 30 stably. As a result, the frame 50 can adopt a stacked structure while suppressing deformation of the battery module 30. As a result, an efficient holding structure for the battery module 30 is provided.

(Other embodiments)
The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The structure of the said embodiment is an illustration to the last, Comprising: The scope of the present invention is not limited to the range of these description. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the description of the scope of claims, and further includes meanings equivalent to the description of the scope of claims and all modifications within the scope.

  In the above embodiment, the frame 50 is formed by a plurality of press-molded metal plates. Instead of this, a part or all of the frame 50 may be formed by die-casting an aluminum alloy.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the lamination direction of the some battery cell 40 was made into depth direction TD. Instead, the width direction WD may be the stacking direction.

  In the above embodiment, the plurality of openings 35 are provided on both the upper surface and the lower surface of the container 31. Instead of this, the plurality of openings 35 may be provided only on one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the container 31. The plurality of openings 35 may be provided on a pair of side surfaces of the container 31.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the channel | path part for flowing the medium for cooling with the opening 35 and the divisions 71 and 72 was provided. It may replace with this and may provide the member which divides the channel part for flowing the medium for cooling in the lower part of battery module 30, or the upper part. For example, a duct-shaped member can be provided.

  1 battery pack, 10 case, 11 center plate, 12 lower cover, 12a support ridge, 13 upper cover, 13a support ridge, 20 module stack, 30 module (battery module), 31, container, 32 stay, 33, 34 module Electrode terminal, 35 Ventilation port, 36 Protruding part, 40 Battery cell, 50 Frame, 51 Outer frame part, 52 Battery module fixing part, 53 Frame fixing part, 54 Stack fixing part, 55 Support part, 56 Spacer part, 57 Flange Part, 58 bulging part, 60 single stage unit, 71, 72 compartments.

Claims (7)

In the battery pack holding the battery module (30) in which the plurality of battery cells (40) are stacked along the stacking direction (TD),
An outer peripheral frame portion (51) surrounding the outer periphery of the battery module including both ends in the stacking direction (TD);
A battery module fixing part (52) formed extending from the outer peripheral frame part to which the battery module is fixed;
A frame having a frame fixing portion (53) formed extending from the outer peripheral frame portion and fixed to another member (11, 54) provided in the battery pack;
The frame further includes a support part (55) that extends from the outer peripheral frame part and supports the battery module in contact with the battery module in a direction (VD) not surrounded by the outer peripheral frame part. A battery pack characterized by that. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the support portion is formed to extend inward from the outer peripheral frame portion. A plurality of the frames stacked along a stacking direction (VD) that is a direction of gravity;
One of the frames is further formed extending out from the outer peripheral frame portion, claim 1 or characterized by having a Danseki fixing portion (54) of the frame fixing portion is fixed to the other of said frame The battery pack according to claim 2 . The said stacked product fixing | fixed part (54) and the said frame fixing | fixed part (53) are located overlappingly along the said lamination direction (VD) of the said some flame | frame, The said 3rd aspect is characterized by the above-mentioned. Battery pack. A plurality of the battery modules stacked along a stacking direction (VD) that is a gravitational direction;
One of the frames one of the battery modules are fixed is further formed extending out from the outer peripheral frame portion, can be placed spacer portion on the surface of the other of the battery module to have a (56) The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that: The battery pack according to claim 5 , wherein the spacer portion is located farther from the outer peripheral frame portion than the support portion. The battery module (30) is adjacent to the stacking direction (VD) and allows a cooling medium to flow between the battery module (30) on which the spacer portion (56) is placed. The battery pack according to claim 5 or 6 , further comprising a passage portion (35, 71, 72).

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