JP5991044B2 - Battery module - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series and parallel and stored in a casing.

  A power storage system that requires a high voltage and a large electric capacity, such as a power storage system for home use or vehicle use, needs to use a large number of secondary batteries.

  Therefore, in the case of constructing the power storage system as described above, generally, a predetermined number of battery cells are connected in series and parallel and stored in a single casing, so that a large capacity having a certain electric capacity and voltage is obtained. A battery module that can be handled like a battery is formed, and this battery module is further connected in series and in parallel as necessary to obtain the voltage and electric capacity required for the power storage system. Yes.

  By the way, the lithium ion battery is said to be advantageous in terms of electric capacity and weight as compared with other secondary batteries.

  Therefore, as the battery module, a battery module using a laminate type battery cell of a lithium ion battery has been conventionally proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent No. 4103488 Japanese Patent No. 3116643

  However, in addition to the laminate type, the battery cell of the lithium ion battery includes a cylindrical type battery cell, and the cylindrical type battery cell is generally known to have a larger energy capacity than a laminated type battery cell. It has been. Therefore, it is considered that the cylindrical battery cell is advantageous when increasing the capacity of the battery module.

  However, the fact is that there is almost no track record of adopting cylindrical type lithium ion battery cells in large capacity battery modules.

  Furthermore, the battery module uses a bus-bar when the battery cells are connected in series and parallel, but the positive and negative sides of a plurality of battery cells are connected to one bus bar by welding or the like, In general, the series-parallel connection of battery cells is performed by the one bus bar. For this reason, the bus bar has a problem that the electric resistance of the bus bar is large because current flows in a direction passing through the cross section.

  Accordingly, the present invention is intended to provide a battery module that can be manufactured by efficiently connecting cylindrical battery cells in series-parallel connection and that can reduce the electrical resistance in the bus bar.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention corresponds to claim 1, and a support plate having a plurality of battery insertion holes penetrating in the plate thickness direction, and inserted individually into each battery insertion hole of the support plate A battery block comprising a plurality of battery cells arranged and supported so as to be movable in the axial direction, and positive and negative bus bars attached to the same electrodes of the battery cells supported by the support plate. And arranging a plurality of the battery blocks in the casing in a state where the positive side bus bars and the negative side bus bars of the adjacent battery blocks are opposed to each other, and supporting plates of the respective battery blocks on the casing. fixed, pressure further, a reference plate which is fixed to the 該筺body above housing position where the one side of the arrangement direction of the battery block, the said housing position where the other side of the arrangement direction of the battery block A configuration comprising an elastic member that is arranged in a deformed state and biases each battery cell and each bus bar of each battery block toward the reference plate by a restoring force from the compression deformed state. And

  Further, in the above configuration, each battery block includes half of the battery cells supported by the battery insertion holes near one side of the support plate and the positive electrode of the remaining half of the battery cells supported by the battery insertion holes near the other side. The battery cells in which the directions of the negative electrode are reversed and the positive and negative electrodes are aligned are connected in parallel by the positive side bus bar and the negative side bus bar, respectively.

  Furthermore, in each of the above-described configurations, each battery block includes a male connector protruding from the outer surface of one of the positive-side busbar and the negative-side busbar, and the male bus from the outer surface side to the other busbar. As a configuration comprising a female connector that can be fitted with a connector, the positive and negative bus bars of battery blocks adjacent to each other in the housing can be connected to each other through the male connector and female connector. It is set as the structure made to do.

According to the battery module of the present invention, the following excellent effects are exhibited.
(1) A battery module of a type in which cylindrical battery cells are connected in series and parallel can be formed.
(2) The bus bars on the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side in each battery block can connect the battery cells provided in each battery block in parallel, and the current is perpendicular to the surface. Can flow in the direction. Therefore, the electrical resistance in each bus bar can be reduced.
(3) Accordingly, it is possible to realize a battery module capable of efficiently obtaining a high electric capacity and a high voltage by integrating cylindrical battery cells.

It is a general | schematic cutting side view which shows one Embodiment of the battery module of this invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a procedure for manufacturing the battery module of FIG. 1 and showing a state in which battery cells are arranged in battery insertion holes of a support plate. FIG. 2 shows the steps following FIG. 2 as the manufacturing procedure of the battery module of FIG. 1, wherein (a) shows the positive electrode of the half of the plurality of battery cells inserted into the respective battery insertion holes of the support plate. The schematic perspective view which shows the state which attached the side bus bar, (b) is a schematic perspective view which shows the state which attached the negative side bus bar to the negative electrode of the remaining half battery cells. FIG. 3 shows a process following the process shown in FIG. 3 as a manufacturing procedure of the battery module shown in FIG. 1. (A) shows a half of battery cells after the battery cells inserted and arranged in the support plate and each battery insertion hole are turned upside down. The schematic perspective view which shows the state which attached the positive electrode side bus bar to the positive electrode of this, (b) is a schematic perspective view which shows the state which attached the negative electrode side bus bar to the negative electrode of the remaining half battery cells. FIG. 5 is a schematic cut-away side view showing a process following the process shown in FIG. 4 as a manufacturing procedure of the battery module in FIG. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the state which arranged and attached the some battery block inside the housing | casing. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a bus block of a battery block located at the other end in the block arrangement direction inside the housing in the battery module of FIG. 1. As another embodiment of the present invention, another configuration example of a battery block is shown, in which (a) is a schematic perspective view, and (b) is a connection part between bus bars facing each other in adjacent battery blocks. It is a cutaway side view expanding and showing. It is a schematic perspective view which shows another structural example of a battery block as other form of implementation of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 7 show an embodiment of a battery module of the present invention.

  That is, the battery module of the present invention includes a support plate 4 having a plurality of battery insertion holes 5 penetrating in the plate thickness direction, and each battery insertion hole 5 of the support plate 4 as shown by reference numeral 1 in FIG. A plurality of cylindrical battery cells 3 that are individually inserted and supported so as to be movable in the axial direction, and a positive electrode side and a negative electrode side that are respectively attached to the same electrode of each battery cell 3 supported by the support plate 4 The battery block 2 is formed from each of the bus bars 6a and 6b.

  A plurality of, for example, seven battery blocks 2 are housed side by side in a box-shaped housing 7. At this time, the battery blocks 2 are arranged in a row so that the positive side bus bars 6a and the negative side bus bars 6b are opposed to each other between adjacent battery blocks 2, and the support plates 4 of the battery blocks 2 are arranged. Are fixed to the casing 7 respectively.

  The bus bars 6a and 6b of the battery block 2 positioned at one end in the block arrangement direction are brought into contact with one end of the battery block 2 in the arrangement direction of the battery blocks 2 (hereinafter referred to as the block arrangement direction). The reference plate 8 is fixed to the housing 7.

  Further, at the other end of the housing 7 in the block arrangement direction, the bus bars 6a and 6b of the battery block 2 located at the other end in the block arrangement direction and the other end of the housing 7 in the block arrangement direction. An elastic member 11 is provided between the inner surface of the panel 10 in a compressed and deformed state. Thereby, the elastic member 11 connects the battery cells 3 connected via the bus bars 6a and 6b in the battery blocks 2 arranged in a line in the housing 7 by the restoring force from the compression deformation state. It can be urged in the direction of the reference plate 8. Accordingly, the battery blocks 2 are pressed against each other by the energizing surfaces of the adjacent battery blocks 2 that are opposite to each other on the positive side bus bar 6a and the negative side bus bar 6b. It is set as the structure which can be made to conduct between.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the battery module 1 of the present invention will be described in detail according to the assembly procedure of the battery module 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the support plate 4 is a rectangular flat plate having a predetermined plate thickness with an insulating material, for example, a resin such as nylon. For example, a total of 40 battery insertion holes 5 of 10 vertical x 4 horizontal rows are formed so as to penetrate in the thickness direction. Each of the battery insertion holes 5 has a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical battery cell 3, so that the battery cells 3 inserted into the battery insertion holes 5 can be pivoted. It can be moved freely in the direction of the heart.

  The support plate 4 having the above-described configuration inserts the battery cells 3 into the respective battery insertion holes 5 in a state where, for example, two sheets are stacked on a gantry (not shown) as shown in FIG.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, 20 battery cells 3 to be inserted into two rows of battery insertion holes 5 near one side of the support plate 4 and two rows of battery insertion holes 5 near the other side are inserted. In the battery cell 3 to be performed, the end on the insertion side is reversed between the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side.

  In order to correspond to the arrangement of the battery cells 3, the positive side bus bar 6 a and the negative side bus bar 6 b used in the present embodiment are arranged on the support plate 4 as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). Among the 40 battery cells 3 inserted into the battery insertion holes 5, the positive electrode and the negative electrode are arranged in 20 battery cells 3 each having 10 vertical x 2 horizontal rows in which the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side are aligned. Is a rectangular plate having a planar shape corresponding to.

  Further, each of the bus bars 6a and 6b is provided with a sensor mounting tab 12 at a position corresponding to each other on the outer peripheral portion, for example, at one end edge in the longitudinal direction of each of the bus bars 6a and 6b.

  Of the bus bars 6a and 6b configured as described above, the positive-side bus bar 6a is inserted into each battery insertion hole 5 of the support plate 4 as shown in FIG. The positive-side bus bar 6a is placed on the upper side of the 20 battery cells 3 in which the positive electrodes are aligned on the upper end side, and the positive-side bus bar 6a is placed on the positive electrode of the 20 battery cells 3. It is fixed so as to be conductive by fixing methods such as laser welding and spot welding. In FIG. 3A, the welding point 9 is shown in a circle, but this is a mark for convenience of illustration and does not reflect the actual welding state (FIG. 3B and FIG. 4 (a) (b), FIG. 6, FIG. 7 is also the same).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), a negative electrode-side bus bar 6b is placed on the upper side of the remaining 20 battery cells 3 in which the negative electrode as the other electrode is arranged on the upper end side. The negative electrode side bus bar 6b is fixed to the negative electrodes of the 20 battery cells 3 in a conductive manner by the same fixing method as described above.

  Thereafter, the two support plates 4 are integrated with the 20 battery cells 3 connected to the positive electrode by the positive bus bar 6a and the 20 battery cells 3 connected to the negative electrode by the negative bus bar 6b. To flip it upside down.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), it is inserted into each battery insertion hole 5 of the support plate 4 in the same procedure as that shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). On the upper side of the 20 battery cells 3 in which the positive electrode is aligned on the upper end side and on the upper side of the remaining 20 battery cells 3 in which the negative electrode is aligned on the upper end side, the positive side bus bar 6a Then, the negative-side bus bar 6b is arranged and fixed to the corresponding electrodes by the predetermined fixing method so as to be conductive, and the battery block 2 is formed.

  Note that when the positive-side bus bar 6a and the negative-side bus bar 6b are sequentially attached to the battery cells 3 constituting the battery block 2, the mounting order of the positive-side and negative-side bus bars 6a and 6b may be reversed. .

  As shown in FIG. 5, the casing 7 has the panel 10 on the other end side in the block arrangement direction and the top panel 13 removed in advance.

  The reference plate 8 is a rectangular plate having a horizontal dimension similar to the planar shape of the support plate 4 and a vertical dimension slightly smaller than the planar shape, and is provided at one end of the housing 7 in the block arrangement direction. In the arranged state, both side portions of the reference plate 8 are fixed to the respective side wall panels 14 of the housing 7.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the battery block 2 has the other end in the block arrangement direction from the installation location of the reference plate 8 inside the housing 10 from which the panel 10 and the top panel 13 are removed. Seven of the battery blocks 2 are arranged side by side, and the positive-side bus bar 6a and the negative-side bus bar 6b are arranged opposite to each other on the side side. For convenience of illustration, in FIG. 6, description of the side wall panel, the bottom plate panel, and the panel on one end side in the block arrangement direction is omitted.

  In this state, each battery block 2 has two support plates 4 placed on the side wall panel 14 of the housing 7 in a state where the two support plates 4 are separated from each other at a predetermined interval in the axial direction of the battery cell 3. Fix both sides of 4 respectively. As described above, in each battery block 2, the two support plates 4 are arranged to be separated from each other, so that the shake (inclination) in the axial direction of each battery cell 3 supported by each support plate 4 is reduced. It can be suppressed.

  As long as the reference plate 8 and the support plates 4 of the battery blocks 2 are fixed to the side wall panel 14 of the housing 7, any fixing method may be adopted. For example, as a simple fixing method, a screw (not shown) provided on the outer periphery of the reference plate 8 or each support plate 4 is passed through a bolt insertion hole provided on the side wall panel 14 of the casing 7 from the outside (not shown). Just tighten it into the hole.

  Among the battery blocks 2, the positive side bus bar 6a and the negative side bus bar 6b of the battery block 2 located at the other end in the block arrangement direction are electrically connected. In this case, as means for electrically connecting the positive side bus bar 6a and the negative side bus bar 6b, for example, a conductor connection member manufactured as a separate structure may be attached to the outer surface side of each bus bar 6a and 6b. However, in order to simplify the device configuration, as shown in FIG. 7, only the positive side bus bar 6a and the negative side bus bar 6b of the battery block 2 located at the other end in the block arrangement direction are replaced by a bus bar having an integral structure. It may be 6c. In addition, in the bus bar 6c in which the positive side bus bar 6a and the negative side bus bar 6b are integrated as described above, a current flows in a direction passing through the cross section from the positive side bus bar 6a toward the negative side bus bar 6b. Only the bus bar 6c may be increased in cross-sectional area as compared with the bus bars 6a and 6b of other separate structures to suppress an increase in electric resistance.

  After each support plate 4 of each battery block 2 is fixed to the side wall panel 14 of the housing 7 as described above, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The panel 10 is attached to the housing 7 with the elastic member 11 interposed between the end panel 10 and the bus bar 6c, and the panel 10 attached to the housing 7 and the above-mentioned The elastic member 11 is compressed and deformed in the direction along the block arrangement direction with the bus bar 6c.

  In order to enable easy and reliable implementation of the elastic member 11 between the panel 10 and the bus bar 6c, as shown in FIG. The elastic member 11 may be attached to the inside of the panel 10 in advance, and the panel 10 may be attached to the housing 7 together with the elastic member 11.

  Further, in order to apply the restoring force of the elastic member 11 in a compressed and deformed state uniformly to the entire surface of the bus bar 6c, the planar shape of the bus bar 6c is formed inside the elastic member 11 attached to the panel 10. It is desirable that a plate member 15 having a corresponding planar shape and having a high rigidity against bending is attached.

  Accordingly, the restoring force of the elastic member 11 compressed and deformed in the block arrangement direction between the panel 10 and the bus bar 6c is transmitted to the bus bar 6c. Each battery cell 3 supported on the support plate 4 so as to be movable in the axial direction and each bus bar 6a, 6b, 6c attached to both electrodes are urged toward the reference plate 8. It becomes like this. Therefore, the positive electrode side bus bar 6a and the negative electrode side bus bar 6b arranged adjacent to each other of the battery blocks 2 are pressed so that their surfaces are in close contact with each other, and are brought into conduction.

  The elastic member 11 can be compressed and deformed in the block arrangement direction between the panel 10 and the bus bar 6c, and each battery cell 3 and each of the battery blocks 2 can be restored by a restoring force from the compression deformation state. As long as the bus bars 6a and 6b can always be urged in the direction of the reference plate 8, an arbitrary elastic member 11 such as an elastomer, a disc spring, or another spring member may be used.

  After the positive electrode side bus bar 6a and the negative electrode side bus bar 6b arranged adjacent to each battery block 2 are brought into close contact with each other as described above, the positive electrode side bus bars connected to both electrodes of each battery cell 3 of each battery block 2 described above. Each battery block 2 is configured by monitoring the voltage and electric capacity of the positive bus bar 6a and the negative bus bar 6b of each battery block 2 between the tabs 12 provided on the 6a and the negative bus bar 6b. A sensor 16 for detecting the state of each battery cell 3 is attached. The sensor 16 is attached, for example, on the sensor board 17 extending in the block arrangement direction by previously attaching the sensor 16 corresponding to each of the battery blocks 2 in advance and supporting the sensor board 17 to the battery blocks 2. The tabs 12 of the bus bars 6a and 6b on the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side of each battery block 2 in a state of being placed on the plate 4 are connected to terminals (not shown) provided in advance in corresponding portions of the sensor substrate 17, respectively. Each may be connected by soldering or the like.

  When the sensor 16 is attached between the positive-side bus bar 6a and the negative-side bus bar 6b in each battery block 2, the positive-side bus bar 6a and the negative electrode that are in close contact with each other as described above. You may make it solder the tabs 12 of the side bus bar 6b. If it does in this way, it will become possible to ensure the minimum conduction at the soldered portion of the positive side bus bar 6a and the negative side bus bar 6b.

  Furthermore, the positive side bus bar 6a and the negative side bus bar 6b that are in close contact with each other between the battery blocks 2 may be fixed by soldering or welding so as to ensure electrical continuity.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the bus bars 6a and 6b on the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side of the battery block 2 positioned at one end in the block arrangement direction are arranged at one end side end panel in the block arrangement direction in the housing 7, respectively. It is assumed that a connector 19 for taking out electric power to the outside provided in 18 is connected through a connecting member 20 made of a conductor.

  Thereafter, the top panel 13 is attached to the casing 7 to form the battery module 1 of the present invention in which the battery blocks 2 are housed in the casing 7.

  Thus, according to the battery module 1 of this invention, the battery module of the format formed by connecting the cylindrical battery cell 3 in series-parallel can be comprised.

  Further, each of the battery blocks 2 includes half of the battery cells 3 supported by the battery insertion hole 5 on the one side of the support plate 4 among all the battery cells 3 provided in one battery block 2, and the other side. For the remaining half of the battery cells 3 supported by the battery insertion holes 5 closer to each other, the directions of the positive electrode and the negative electrode are reversed, and the battery cells 3 in which the directions of the positive electrode and the negative electrode are aligned are connected to each other. 6b is connected in parallel, so that the positive bus bar 6a and the negative bus bar 6b adjacent to each other between the battery blocks 2 arranged in the casing 7 are brought into close contact with each other to be electrically connected. In the body 7, two rows in which the battery cells 3 are connected in series by the number of arrangement of the battery blocks 2 can be formed. Further, in the row in which the two battery cells 3 are connected in series, the positive electrode and the negative electrode are located on the opposite side, so that the battery module 1 of the present invention is disposed at one end in the block arrangement direction. In the battery block 2, the positive electrode side bus bar 6 a and the negative electrode side bus bar 6 b on the side facing the end are electrically connected to each other, so that the battery cell 3 is twice the number of the battery blocks 2 arranged in the housing 7. The function of taking out the voltage of the state connected in series can be easily realized.

  Therefore, in the battery module 1 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, it is possible to obtain a voltage and electric capacity obtained by connecting 14 battery cells 3 connected in parallel in 14 stages in series.

  The positive-side bus bar 6a and the negative-side bus bar 6b that bring the surfaces into close contact with each other between the battery blocks 2 connect the battery cells 3 equipped in the battery blocks 2 in parallel. On the other hand, it can flow in a direction perpendicular to it. Therefore, in the battery module 1 of the present invention, the electrical resistance in the positive bus bar 6a and the negative bus bar 6b can be reduced.

  Thereby, the battery module 1 of this invention can implement | achieve the battery module which can integrate a cylindrical battery cell 3 and can obtain a high electrical capacity and a high voltage efficiently.

  Next, FIGS. 8A and 8B show a modification of the battery block 2 in the battery module 1 similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 as another embodiment of the present invention.

  That is, the battery block 2 in the present embodiment has the same configuration as the battery block 2 of the battery module 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, and as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the positive-side bus bar 6a. And the negative connector bus bar 6b, the male connector 21 protruding from the surface is provided on the outer surface of the bus bar 6a or 6b. In addition, the other bus bar 6b or 6a is provided with a female connector 22 for fitting the male connector 21 from the outer surface side and connecting it so as to be energized.

  For example, in FIG. 8A, pin-shaped male connectors 21 are provided at three locations in the longitudinal direction of the negative-side bus bar 6b. On the other hand, the positive-side bus bar 6a has a female connector having openings corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the male connector 21 at three positions in the longitudinal direction corresponding to the arrangement of the male connector 21 of the negative-side bus bar 6b. 22 is provided.

  At this time, the arrangement of the female and male connectors 22 and 21 in the bus bars 6 a and 6 b on the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side is such that the battery connected in parallel by the bus bars 6 a and 6 b in the battery block 2. In accordance with the number and arrangement of the cells 3, it is assumed that electricity can be uniformly supplied to the connectors 22 and 21.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 8B, the female connector 22 may have a portion 25 that protrudes to the inner surface side of the positive bus bar 6 a, that is, to the inside of the battery block 2. In this case, the arrangement of the female connector 22 in the positive-side bus bar 6a so that the protruding portion 25 of the female connector 22 inside the bus bar 6a does not interfere with the arrangement of the battery cells 3 constituting the battery block 2, And the arrangement | positioning of the male connector 21 in the said negative electrode side bus bar 6b corresponding to the arrangement | positioning is set.

  When the battery blocks 2 having the above-described configuration are sequentially arranged in one direction as shown in FIG. 8A, the adjacent battery blocks 2 are arranged between the positive side bus bar 6a and the negative side bus bar 6b. As shown in FIG. 8 (b), each male connector 21 is fitted to each female connector 22, and conduction between both bus bars 6a and 6b can be ensured. Therefore, the battery blocks 2 are arranged side by side inside the housing 7 (see FIGS. 5 and 6), as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, so that the adjacent battery blocks 2 are connected in series. Will be able to.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the battery blocks 2 are arranged in one direction as described above, the connectors 22 and 21 in the bus bars 6a and 6b are arranged between the battery blocks 2 at the locations where the connectors 22 and 21 are arranged. Only the insulating sheet 23 provided with the opening 24 is interposed. As a result, the current-carrying path between the bus bars 6a and 6b on the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side of the adjacent battery block 2 is limited to the connection part between the connectors 22 and 21, so that all the adjacent battery blocks 2 are connected. It is possible to equalize the conduction in

  Other configurations are the same as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  Even when the battery block 2 having the above-described configuration is used, the battery module 1 can be formed in the same procedure as shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, and therefore, the same effects as those of the embodiment shown in FIGS. Can be obtained.

  Further, in the battery module 1, the battery blocks 2 arranged adjacent to each other in the housing 7 (see FIG. 1) are relatively relative to each other within a distance range shorter than the protruding dimension of the male connector 21 in the block arrangement direction. Even if it is displaced, the connection state between the corresponding connectors 21 and 22 can be maintained, so that it is possible to prevent the energization amount from becoming unstable or the conduction from being cut off.

  For this reason, the elastic member 11 (see FIG. 1) provided in a compressed and deformed state on the other end side in the block arrangement direction of the casing 7 is configured so that each battery block 2 housed in the casing 7 is a reference on one end side in the block arrangement direction. The restoring force required for constantly energizing the plate 8 (see FIG. 1) can be set weaker. Therefore, when the battery block 2 of the present embodiment is used, the assembly work of the battery module 1 in which the elastic member 11 is incorporated into the housing 7 can be made easier. Furthermore, the members and structures for holding the positions of the battery blocks 2 in the block arrangement direction in the casing 7 can reduce the strength.

  Further, the bus bars 6a and 6b do not need to be brought into close contact with each other. For this reason, when manufacturing the battery module 1 of the present invention, an error in manufacturing the bus bars 6a and 6b itself and an allowable range of errors in manufacturing the battery block 2 using the bus bars 6a and 6b are set. It becomes possible to enlarge more.

  As described above, the battery module 1 using the battery block 2 of the present embodiment can be advantageous for reducing the manufacturing cost.

  Next, FIG. 9 shows an application example of the battery block 2 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B as still another embodiment of the present invention.

  That is, the battery block 2 of the present embodiment corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the male connector 21 provided on the negative side bus bar 6b with the female connector 22 provided on the positive side bus bar 6b in the same configuration as shown in FIG. Instead of a configuration having an opening shape, a female connector 22a having a slit-like opening extending in the longitudinal direction of the positive bus bar 6a is provided on the positive bus bar 6a.

  The female connector 22a is configured to establish electrical continuity with the male connector 21 when the pin-shaped male connector 21 is inserted at any position in the longitudinal direction of the slit-shaped opening. To do.

  Other configurations are the same as those shown in FIG. 8, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  According to the battery block 2 having the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the same effects as those of the battery block 2 shown in FIGS.

  That is, in the battery block 2 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, when a plurality of the battery blocks 2 are arranged in one direction, the relative positions of the adjacent battery blocks 2 are such that the positive-side bus bar 6a The bus blocks 6a and 6b on the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side are connected to each other in a conductive manner through the female connector 22a and the male connector 21 between the battery blocks 2 even if they are slightly deviated with respect to the longitudinal direction. Can do.

  Therefore, when manufacturing the battery module 1 of the present invention, the tolerance when manufacturing the bus bars 6a and 6b itself and the error when manufacturing the battery block 2 using the bus bars 6a and 6b are further increased. It becomes possible to enlarge. Thereby, the battery module 1 using the battery block 2 of the present embodiment can be advantageous for further reduction in manufacturing cost.

  In addition, this invention is not limited only to the said embodiment, The number of the battery cells 3 for comprising one battery block 2 is the magnitude of the electric capacity desired for the battery module 1 of this invention. Depending on the situation, it may be increased or decreased as appropriate. Accordingly, the number of battery insertion holes 5 in the support plate 4 may be increased or decreased as appropriate. Furthermore, the planar shape of the support plate 4 and the cross-sectional shape of the housing 7 may be changed as appropriate.

  In order to obtain a battery module 1 of the present invention in which a voltage can be obtained in which the battery cells 3 are connected in series for twice the number of battery blocks 2 arranged in the housing, each battery block 2 It is desirable that each battery block 2 has both electrodes of all the battery cells 3, although it is desirable that each battery block 2 has an even number of battery cells 3 and half of them are arranged in a posture in which the positive electrode and the negative electrode are reversed. May be arranged, and the positive electrode and the negative electrode of each battery cell 3 may be connected in parallel by the bus bars 6a and 6b on the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side, respectively. In this case, the battery module 1 according to the present invention has a format capable of obtaining a voltage corresponding to a state in which the battery cells 3 are connected in series by the number of the battery blocks 2 in the housing 7.

  Furthermore, one battery block 2 is provided with three or more sets of battery cells 3 in which the positive and negative electrodes are aligned and connected in parallel by the positive bus bar 6a and the negative bus bar 6b. A voltage may be obtained in which the voltage in a state where the cells 3 are connected in series is equal to the product of the number of the battery blocks 2 in the housing and the number of sets of the battery cells 3.

  The number of the battery blocks 2 arranged in a line in the housing 7 may be appropriately increased or decreased according to the magnitude of the voltage desired for the battery module 1 of the present invention. Depending on the number of the battery blocks 2 arranged, the casing 7 may be appropriately changed in dimensions in the block arrangement direction.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration in which each battery block 2 includes the two support plates 4 is shown. However, the axial displacement of the battery block 2 inserted into the battery insertion hole 5 of the support plate 4 is suppressed. If possible, each battery block 2 may have a configuration including only one support plate 4 having a certain thickness, or a configuration including three or more support plates 4.

  The bus bars 6 a and 6 b on the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side in each battery block 2 may change the size and shape of the tab 12 for attaching the sensor 16, or may change the position where the tab 12 is provided. Each of the bus bars 6a and 6b may have a configuration in which the tab 12 is omitted depending on the mounting type of the sensor 16.

  The power extraction connector 19 provided in the housing 7 of the battery module 1 of the present invention may be provided at any position other than the illustrated one, and a connector 19 having an arbitrary shape other than the illustrated one is employed. May be.

  The battery cell 3 may be a secondary battery other than a lithium ion battery as long as it is of a cylindrical type.

  In the embodiment of FIGS. 8A and 8B and the embodiment of FIG. 9, the male connector 21 is provided on the positive bus bar 6a and the female connectors 22 and 22a are provided on the negative bus bar 6b. Also good.

  In the embodiment of FIGS. 8A and 8B and the embodiment of FIG. 9, the male and female connectors 21 and 22, 22a provided on the bus bars 6a and 6b on the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side respectively. The number and arrangement may be appropriately changed according to the number and arrangement of the battery cells 3 connected in parallel by the bus bars 6a and 6b.

  As long as the male connector 21 and the female connectors 22 and 22a can be fitted to each other by an operation of arranging the battery blocks 2 in one direction to ensure conduction, the male connector of any shape can be used. 21 and female connectors 22 and 22a may be employed.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the extending direction of the slit-shaped opening of the female connector 22a may be set to an arbitrary direction. Further, the longitudinal dimension of the slit-shaped opening may be arbitrarily set. In such a configuration, with respect to the battery blocks 2 arranged side by side in one direction in the housing 7, with respect to the relative positions of the adjacent battery blocks 2, the openings of the openings in the direction in which the slit-shaped openings of the female connector 22 a extend Deviations in the longitudinal dimension can be allowed.

  Of course, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Battery module 2 Battery block 3 Battery cell 4 Support plate 5 Battery insertion hole 6a Positive side bus bar 6b Negative side bus bar 7 Case 8 Reference plate 11 Elastic member 21 Male connector 22, 22a Female connector

Claims (3)

A support plate provided with a plurality of battery insertion holes penetrating in the thickness direction;
A plurality of battery cells inserted and arranged individually in each battery insertion hole of the support plate and supported so as to be movable in the axial direction; and
Forming a battery block consisting of a positive electrode side and a negative electrode side bus bar respectively attached to the same electrode of each battery cell supported by the support plate;
A plurality of the battery blocks are arranged in a housing in a state where the positive side bus bars and the negative side bus bars of the adjacent battery blocks are opposed to each other, and a support plate of each battery block is fixed to the housing.
Furthermore, a reference plate fixed to the housing at the position in the housing that is one side in the arrangement direction of the battery blocks;
The battery block is disposed in a position in the housing on the other side in the arrangement direction of the battery blocks in a compressed deformation state, and the battery cells and the bus bars of the battery blocks are connected to the reference by a restoring force from the compression deformation state. An elastic member for biasing toward the plate;
A battery module having a configuration comprising:   For each battery block, the positive and negative directions of the half of the battery cells supported by the battery insertion holes near one side of the support plate and the remaining half of the battery cells supported by the battery insertion holes near the other side are reversed. 2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein battery cells in which the directions of the positive electrode and the negative electrode are aligned are connected in parallel by a positive bus bar and a negative bus bar, respectively.   Each battery block is provided with a male connector protruding from the outer surface of one of the positive side bus bar and the negative side bus bar, and the male connector can be fitted to the other bus bar from the outer side. The positive electrode side bus bar and the negative electrode side bus bar of the battery blocks adjacently arranged in the housing are connected so as to be conductive through the male connector and the female connector. Or the battery module of 2.

Images