JP6007159B2 - Battery module and battery pack - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series with a conductive bus bar or the like, and a battery pack, for example.

  In recent years, hybrid vehicles using an internal combustion engine and a drive motor as power sources or electric vehicles using a drive motor as a power source are increasing. As a power source for the driving motor, for example, there is a battery pack in which a plurality of battery modules are electrically connected.

  In this battery module, battery cells, which are the smallest unit, are arranged side by side so that positive electrode posts and negative electrode posts are alternately arranged. And while inserting electrode connection bodies, such as a bus-bar, with respect to the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post adjacent, it fastens with a nut, and the adjacent battery cells are electrically connected.

  However, since the number of battery cells is large, the battery module has a problem that the number of parts increases as the number of assembling steps such as nut fastening increases. Therefore, various techniques have been proposed for reducing the number of parts and reducing the number of assembly steps when connecting battery cells.

  For example, a battery module in an assembled battery (corresponding to a battery pack) described in Patent Document 1 elastically connects adjacent battery cells by a lead pin integrated bus bar formed by folding both ends of a flat metal plate downward. .

  More specifically, the assembled battery described in Patent Document 1 is such that a resin board mounted so that both ends of the lead pin integrated bus bar are exposed from the opening is fitted to a partition plate of the battery storage box, thereby adjacent batteries. Both ends of the lead pin integrated bus bar are in elastic contact with the electrode of the cell. Thereby, since a nut etc. can be made unnecessary, it is supposed that the assembled battery described in Patent Document 1 can reduce the number of parts and the number of assembly steps.

  However, in an automobile with a lot of vertical vibration such as road surface unevenness, in the assembled battery described in Patent Document 1, the lead pin integrated bus bar easily swings following the vibration, and the elastic force of the lead pin integrated bus bar is caused by vibration and aging deterioration. There is a risk that the pressure decreases and the pressure contact is insufficient. For this reason, in the assembled battery described in Patent Document 1, the contact resistance between the lead pin integrated bus bar and the electrode of the battery cell increases, and the amount of heat generated during energization increases, or the contact state between the electrode and the lead pin integrated bus bar. There was a problem that was not stable.

JP 2009-289428 A

  An object of this invention is to provide the battery module and battery pack which can ensure the connection state of adjacent battery cells stably, without impairing assembly property in view of the above-mentioned problem.

The present invention includes a plurality of battery cells each having a columnar positive electrode post and a negative electrode post erected in a predetermined direction, and a conductive bus bar connecting the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post of the adjacent battery cell. , a battery module connected in series the battery cells that are juxtaposed in the bus bar, the bus bar, the the rigidity than the positive post and the negative electrode posts are tabular with a low predetermined thickness, the positive electrode post and An outer surface protrusion that is provided with an opening into which the negative electrode post is inserted, and that protrudes outwardly on the outer peripheral surface of the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post, and is formed of a linear groove having a wedge-shaped cross section and extending vertically. Are provided along the circumferential direction, smaller than the diameter of the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post, and from the diameter of a virtual circle connecting the valleys of the outer surface protrusions Characterized in that the opening which is opened and formed at the hearing diameter is deformed by the exterior surface protrusions of press-fitted with the positive post and the negative electrode post.

The predetermined direction can be a substantially vertical direction or a substantially horizontal direction.
Deforming the opening can include deforming the shape of the opening by plastically deforming the bus bar, or deforming the shape of the opening by elastically deforming the bus bar.

By this invention, the connection state of adjacent battery cells can be stably ensured without impairing the assembling property.
Specifically, for example, an opening corresponding to the positive electrode post and an opening corresponding to the negative electrode post are independent of each other, are smaller than the diameters of the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post, and connect the valleys of the outer surface protrusions. since it has an opening which is opened and formed in larger diameter than the diameter of the circle, the positive post and the negative post by a positive post and the negative post and the bus bar is press-fitting, it is possible to plastically deform the bus bar by inserting a pressure . That is, the outer surface protrusion provided in the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post can function as a deformation means for deforming the bus bar .

At this time, by inserting the opening corresponding to the positive electrode post and the opening corresponding to the negative electrode post at substantially the same time , the outer surface protrusion of the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post functioning as the deformation means is the opening on the positive electrode post side in the opening. And the opening on the negative electrode post side can be deformed substantially simultaneously.

Thus, the bus bar can be reliably pressed against the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post by deforming the opening in the orthogonal direction by the outer surface protrusion . Therefore, the battery module, such as by frictional resistance between the positive post and the negative post and the bus bar, vibration, etc. can be prevented relative movement between the positive post and the negative post and the bus bar also acts.

Thereby, the battery module can perform attachment of the bus bar to the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post, and electrical connection between the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post and the bus bar in substantially the same process.
In addition, the battery module has an electrical connection between the positive electrode post and the bus bar, and an electrical connection between the negative electrode post and the bus bar by an outer surface protrusion that deforms the portions facing the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post in the opening substantially simultaneously in the orthogonal direction. Connection can be performed in substantially the same process.

That is, the positive electrode post and the negative post-toward the orthogonal direction, by providing the outer surface protrusion that functions as a deforming means for deforming the positive post and the negative post portion opposite to the opening, the battery module, set The electrical connection between the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post and the bus bar can be ensured in a stable state without impairing the attaching workability.
Therefore, the battery module can stably secure the connection state between the adjacent battery cells without impairing the assembling property by the outer surface protrusion functioning as the deformation means.

In addition, since the outer surface protrusion is provided in the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post that are press-fitted into the opening , the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post plastically deform the bus bar so that the opening is deformed. In addition, it is possible to ensure a pressure contact state in which the friction resistance between the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post and the bus bar is larger. For this reason, the battery module can maintain the connection state of the positive electrode post, the negative electrode post, and the bus bar for a longer period of time.

Furthermore, following the insertion of the bus bar to the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post, the portion facing the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post in the opening is deformed, so the battery module is mounted with the bus bar to the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post, Electrical connection between the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post and the bus bar can be performed in substantially the same process.

Thereby, the battery module can make the nut etc. which connect and fix the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post and the bus bar unnecessary. For this reason, the battery module can reduce the number of parts required for connecting adjacent battery cells and the number of assembling steps.

  Therefore, the battery module can secure the connection state between adjacent battery cells more stably in the long term by the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post that are press-fitted into the opening, and the number of assembling steps and parts can be reduced. can do.

Further, a plurality of outer surface protrusions are provided along the circumferential direction, which are formed on the outer circumferential surfaces of the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post, and projecting outwardly, each having a wedge-shaped cross section and extending in the vertical direction. The positive electrode post and the negative electrode post in which the opening formed with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post and having a diameter larger than the diameter of a virtual circle connecting the valleys of the outer surface protrusions is press-fitted. Therefore, the opening of the bus bar can be deformed according to the outer surface protrusion of the positive electrode post and / or the negative electrode post. For this reason, a bus bar can ensure more reliably the contact area with a positive electrode post or / and a negative electrode post.

Further, for example, since the cross section in a predetermined direction is a wedge-shaped outer surface protrusion, a plastically deformed bus bar enters the step of the outer surface protrusion, so that the battery module is separated from the positive electrode post and / or the negative electrode post by vibration or the like. It is possible to prevent the bus bar from easily leaving. Thereby, the battery module can more reliably prevent relative movement between the positive electrode post or / and the negative electrode post and the bus bar, and can suppress an increase in contact resistance.

In addition, for example, even if there is a variation in the size of the opening in the bus bar, the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post are plastically deformed by the outer surface protrusion, thereby suppressing variation in the connection state with the bus bar. can do.
  Therefore, the battery module can ensure the connection state between adjacent battery cells more stably and for a long time by the outer surface protrusion.

Further, the present invention is a battery pack in which the one battery module described above or a plurality of battery modules connected in series are housed in a battery housing box.
According to the present invention, a battery pack having a good connection state can be configured by a battery module that stably secures a connection state between adjacent battery cells without impairing the assembling property.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery module and a battery pack that can stably secure a connection state between adjacent battery cells without impairing assemblability.

The external appearance perspective view which shows the external appearance in a battery pack. The external appearance perspective view which shows the external appearance in a battery module. The external appearance perspective view which shows the external appearance of a positive electrode post, a negative electrode post, and a bus bar. Explanatory drawing explaining a positive electrode post, a negative electrode post, and a bus bar. Explanatory drawing explaining the process of fitting a bus-bar with respect to a positive electrode post and a negative electrode post. The external appearance perspective view which shows the external appearance of another positive electrode post, a negative electrode post, and a bus-bar. The external appearance perspective view which shows the external appearance of the positive electrode post in Example 2, a negative electrode post, and a bus bar. The external appearance perspective view which shows the external appearance of another positive electrode post, a negative electrode post, and a bus-bar. Explanatory drawing explaining the process of fitting a bus-bar with respect to a positive electrode post and a negative electrode post. Explanatory drawing explaining the state which fitted the bus-bar with respect to the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view showing an external appearance of a connection state between a positive electrode post and a negative electrode post in Example 3. The external appearance perspective view which shows the external appearance of the positive electrode post in Example 3, a negative electrode post, and a cyclic | annular linear body. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view showing an external appearance of a connection state between a positive electrode post and a negative electrode post in Example 4; The external appearance perspective view which shows the external appearance of the positive electrode post in Example 4, a negative electrode post, and a box body. The external appearance perspective view which shows the external appearance of another positive electrode post, a negative electrode post, and a box body.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  A battery pack 1 and a battery module 3 used as a power source for a drive motor in an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle will be described with reference to FIGS.

  1 is an external perspective view of the battery pack 1, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the battery module 3, and FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the positive electrode post 12, the negative electrode post 13, and the bus bar 30. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 and the bus bar 30, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a process of fitting the bus bar 30 to the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13. .

  Further, in FIG. 1, an arrow X indicates the front-rear direction (hereinafter referred to as “front-rear direction X”), and an arrow Y indicates the width direction (hereinafter referred to as “width direction Y”). Further, the upper side in FIG. 1 is the upper side, and the lower side in FIG. 1 is the lower side.

  The battery pack 1 in this embodiment is mounted on an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle alone or in a plurality, and is connected to a drive motor (not shown), for example. The battery pack 1 has a power storage function for storing electric power when the driving motor is used as a regenerative brake, and a discharging function for supplying electric power to the driving motor. The power storage function and the discharge function are controlled by an instruction from an appropriate control device such as an ECU (not shown) connected to the battery pack 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the battery pack 1 includes a battery housing 2 made of insulating synthetic resin, a plurality of battery modules 3, and a battery management device that monitors the state of the battery pack 1 (Battery Management Unit not shown). Etc. Such a battery pack 1 functions as one secondary battery by connecting a plurality of battery modules 3 in series inside the battery housing box 2.

  The battery housing box 2 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view that is long in the front-rear direction X, and is formed in a substantially box shape with the top opened. Furthermore, the battery storage box 2 has a partition wall 2a for partitioning the battery pack 1 so that the battery pack 1 can be stored individually in its internal space.

The battery module 3 is configured by juxtaposing a plurality of battery cells 10 having a power storage function for storing electric power and a discharge function for supplying electric power to the outside, and connected in series.
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the battery module 3 electrically connects a plurality of battery cells 10, a conductive bus bar 20 that allows connection of other battery modules 3, and the battery cells 10. And a battery cell monitoring device 40 electrically connected to the bus bar 30.

The battery cell 10 includes a cell body 11 having a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view whose length in the front-rear direction X is shorter than the length in the width direction Y, and one positive electrode post 12 and one negative electrode post 13 on the upper surface of the cell body 11. ing.
The positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 are substantially cylindrical bodies having substantially the same length in the vertical direction, and are erected upward from the vicinity of both ends in the width direction Y on the upper surface of the battery cell 10.

  A plurality of the battery cells 10 are juxtaposed along the front-rear direction X such that the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 are positioned in the width direction Y. At this time, the battery cells 10 are juxtaposed so that the adjacent positive electrode posts 12 and negative electrode posts 13 are alternately arranged in the front-rear direction X.

  And the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 which adjoin in the front-back direction X are connected by the bus bar 30 mentioned later, and while connecting the some battery cell 10 in series, one storage battery is comprised. Note that the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 that are not connected to the adjacent battery cell 10 function as the positive electrode post 3 a and the negative electrode post 3 b in the battery module 3.

The bus bar 20 includes a flat plate-like main body portion 21 and one connection post 22 press-fitted to the main body portion 21.
The main body 21 is a flat plate having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, which is lower in rigidity than the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13, and the positive electrode post 3 a or the negative electrode post 3 b and the connection post 22 are press-fitted in the vicinity of both ends in the width direction Y. Two openings (not shown) that allow the
The connection post 22 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having substantially the same diameter as the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the bus bar 30 is a substantially rectangular flat plate having a lower rigidity than the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13, and allows the insertion of the positive electrode post 12 in the vicinity of both ends in the width direction Y. In addition, an opening 31 that allows insertion of the negative electrode post 13 forms an independent opening 31. The positive electrode post 12 side in the opening 31 is defined as a positive electrode side opening 31a, and the negative electrode post 13 side in the opening 31 is defined as a negative electrode side opening 31b.

As shown in FIG. 4, the opening 31 forms a serration portion 32 with respect to an opening formed with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13.
More specifically, the serration portion 32 has a plurality of linear grooves extending in the vertical direction in the circumferential direction with respect to a substantially circular opening formed with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13. Forming. In addition, the serration part 32 is formed so that the diameter of the imaginary circle which connects the trough part (illustration omitted) formed by the linear groove becomes larger than the diameter of the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13.

  For this reason, when the bus bar 30 is mounted from above so that the positive electrode side opening 31a and the negative electrode side opening 31b are inserted substantially simultaneously with respect to the adjacent positive electrode post 12 and negative electrode post 13, as shown in FIG. The positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 are plastically deformed so as to crush the tip of the serration portion 32 radially outward of the opening portion 31, thereby deforming the shape of the opening portion 31. That is, the bus bar 30 electrically connects adjacent battery cells 10 by press-fitting to the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the battery cell monitoring device 40 is connected to the bus bar 30 via a state monitoring line 41 and collectively monitors the state of the battery cell 10 such as the voltage and temperature between adjacent battery cells 10. It has a function to do. The battery cell monitoring device 40 is connected to a higher-order battery management device via a harness 42.

  The state monitoring line 41 is a covered electric wire in which a conductive wire is covered with an insulating insulating coating, and is welded and fixed to the bus bar 30 by resistance welding, fiber laser welding, ultrasonic welding, or the like.

The battery pack 1 and the battery module 3 that realize the above configuration can stably secure the connection state between the adjacent battery cells 10 without impairing the assembling property.
Specifically, since the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 and the opening 31 are press-fitted and fitted, the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 are plastically deformed by the insertion pressure, thereby opening the bus bar 30. The shape of the part 31 can be changed.

  By deforming the opening 31 with the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 in this manner, the bus bar 30 can be reliably pressed against the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13. For this reason, the battery module 3 prevents the relative movement of the positive electrode post 12, the negative electrode post 13, and the bus bar 30 even when vibrations are applied due to the frictional resistance between the positive electrode post 12, the negative electrode post 13, and the bus bar 30. Can do.

Thereby, the battery module 3 can perform mounting | wearing of the bus bar 30 to the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13, and electrical connection with the positive electrode post 12, the negative electrode post 13, and the bus bar 30 by a substantially simultaneous process.
For this reason, the battery module 3 can make the nut etc. which connect and fix the positive electrode post 12, the negative electrode post 13, and the bus bar 30 unnecessary. For this reason, the battery module 3 can reduce the number of parts and assembly man-hours required for the connection of the adjacent battery cell 10.

  Furthermore, by adopting the press fitting, the battery module 3 can ensure a pressure contact state in which the friction resistance between the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 and the bus bar 30 is larger, and the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 and the bus bar. 30 can be maintained for a longer period of time.

  In addition, by inserting the positive electrode side opening 31a and the negative electrode side opening 31b substantially simultaneously, the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 deform the positive electrode side opening 31a and the negative electrode side opening 31b substantially simultaneously. Can do. Thereby, the battery module 3 can perform the electrical connection between the positive electrode post 12 and the bus bar 30 and the electrical connection between the negative electrode post 13 and the bus bar 30 in substantially the same process.

That is, by deforming the opening 31 having the serration portion 32 substantially simultaneously by the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13, the battery module 3 can be connected to the positive electrode post 12, the negative electrode post 13, and the bus bar without impairing assembly workability. 30 can be secured in a stable state.
Therefore, the battery module 3 can stably secure the connection state between the adjacent battery cells 10 without impairing the assembling property by the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13.

  Further, by providing the opening 31 with the serration portion 32 that is deformed by the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13, the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 and the bus bar 30 can be press-fitted and fitted more reliably.

  More specifically, when the bus bar 30 is inserted into the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13, the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 can plastically deform the serration portion 32 by the insertion pressure. That is, the opening 31 of the bus bar 30 is deformed by the plastic deformation of the serration portion 32. At this time, the serration portion 32 can increase the contact area between the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 while being plastically deformed.

Furthermore, since the serration portion 32 is plastically deformed according to the size of the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13, the bus bar 30 can ensure the contact area between the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 more reliably.
Thereby, the battery module 3 can more reliably prevent the relative movement of the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 and the bus bar 30 and can suppress an increase in contact resistance.

In addition, for example, even if the sizes of the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 vary, the bus bar 30 is connected to the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 by the plastic deformation of the serration portion 32. Can be suppressed.
Therefore, the battery module 3 can ensure the connection state of the adjacent battery cells 10 more stably and for a long time by the serration portion 32 on the peripheral surface of the opening 31.

  In addition, by connecting the plurality of battery modules 3 connected in series to the battery pack 1 housed in the battery housing box 2, the connection state between the adjacent battery cells 10 is stably secured without impairing the assembling property. By the battery module 3, the battery pack 1 in a favorable connection state can be configured.

In Example 1 described above, the positive electrode side opening 31a and the negative electrode side opening 31b are inserted into the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 at substantially the same time. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be.
In addition, although the vertical lengths of the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 are substantially equal, the lengths of the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 may be different from each other without being limited thereto.

  Moreover, although it was set as the substantially cylindrical positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13, it is not limited to this, As long as a positive electrode post, a negative electrode post, and a bus bar can be press-fitted and fitted, it is good also as an appropriate shape. For example, the positive electrode post 14 and the negative electrode post 15 are erected upward from the upper surface of the cell body 11 as shown in FIG. Further, it may be constituted by a substantially square columnar body having substantially the same length in the vertical direction.

  In this case, the bus bar 35 has an opening 36 in which an opening allowing the insertion of the positive electrode post 14 and an opening allowing the insertion of the negative electrode post 15 are independent. For example, in the width direction Y, the opening 36 opens in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view having a length in the width direction Y that is smaller than the length in the width direction Y of the positive electrode post 14 and the negative electrode post 15 and faces in the width direction Y. A serration portion 37 is formed in the portion.

Accordingly, when the bus bar 35 is attached to the positive electrode post 14 and the negative electrode post 15 adjacent in the front-rear direction X, the positive electrode post 14 and the negative electrode post 15 are plastically deformed so as to crush the tip of the serration portion 37. The shape of the opening 36 is deformed. For this reason, the positive electrode post 14 and the negative electrode post 15 and the bus bar 35 can be press-fitted and fitted.
Moreover, although detailed description was abbreviate | omitted, you may form the serration part 32 in the opening part of the bus-bar 20 corresponding to the positive electrode post 3a or the negative electrode post 3b of the battery module 3, for example.

Next, although it is the structure which press-fits similarly to the above-mentioned Example 1, the Example from which Example 1 differs in the structure of a positive electrode post, a negative electrode post, and a bus-bar is demonstrated in detail using FIG. .
FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of the positive electrode post 16 and the negative electrode post 17 and the bus bar 50 according to the second embodiment.
The same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the positive electrode post 16 and the negative electrode post 17 in Example 2 are erected upward from the upper surface of the battery cell 10, and are formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having substantially the same vertical length. ing. Further, serration portions 16a and 17a are formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the positive electrode post 16 and the negative electrode post 17 in which a plurality of linear grooves extending in the vertical direction are formed along the circumferential direction.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the bus bar 50 is a substantially rectangular flat plate having a rigidity lower than that of the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13, and has an opening and an opening that allow insertion of the positive electrode post 16 in the vicinity of both ends in the width direction Y. An opening 51 that allows insertion of the negative electrode post 17 forms an independent opening 51.

  The opening 51 is formed in a substantially circular shape in plan view with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the positive electrode post 16 and the negative electrode post 17 and larger than the diameter of a virtual circle connecting the valley portions of the serration portions 16a and 17a. The positive electrode post 16 side in the opening 51 is referred to as a positive electrode side opening 51a, and the negative electrode post 17 side in the opening 51 is referred to as a negative electrode side opening 51b.

  For this reason, when the bus bar 50 is mounted from above so that the positive electrode side opening 51a and the negative electrode side opening 51b are inserted substantially simultaneously with respect to the positive electrode post 16 and the negative electrode post 17 adjacent in the front-rear direction X, the positive electrode post 16 The serration portion 16 a of the negative electrode post 17 and the serration portion 17 a of the negative electrode post 17 plastically deform the bus bar 50 toward the radially outer side of the opening 51, thereby deforming the shape of the opening 51. Thereby, the positive electrode post 16 and the negative electrode post 17 and the bus bar 50 are press-fitted to electrically connect the adjacent battery cells 10 to each other.

In the battery pack 1 and the battery module 3 that realize the above-described configuration, the positive electrode post 16 and the negative electrode post 17 can be more securely press-fitted into the opening 51.
More specifically, when the bus bar 50 is inserted into the positive electrode post 16 and the negative electrode post 17, the serration portions 16 a and 17 a of the positive electrode post 16 and the negative electrode post 17 plastically deform the bus bar 50, thereby opening the positive electrode side opening in the opening 51. The shapes of 51a and negative electrode side opening 51b can be deformed substantially simultaneously.

  At this time, the opening 51 of the bus bar 50 can be deformed according to the serration portions 16 a and 17 a of the positive electrode post 16 and the negative electrode post 17. For this reason, the bus bar 50 can ensure the contact area with the positive electrode post 16 and the negative electrode post 17 more reliably.

In addition, for example, even when there is variation in the size of the opening 51 in the bus bar 50, the positive electrode post 16 and the negative electrode post 17 are plastically deformed by the serration portions 16a and 17a, so that the bus bar 50 Variation in the connection state between the two can be suppressed.
Therefore, the battery module 3 can ensure the connection state of the adjacent battery cells 10 more stably and in the long term by the serration portions 16a and 17a.

In addition, although detailed description was abbreviate | omitted in the above-mentioned Example 2, you may weld the state monitoring line 41 as described in Example 1 with respect to the bus-bar 50. FIG. Then, the state monitoring line 41 and the battery cell monitoring device 40 may be connected.
Further, although the positive electrode side opening 51a and the negative electrode side opening 51b are inserted into the positive electrode post 16 and the negative electrode post 17 at substantially the same time, the present invention is not limited to this and may be performed at different timings.

In addition, although the vertical lengths of the positive electrode post 16 and the negative electrode post 17 are substantially equal, the lengths of the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 may be different from each other without being limited thereto.
Moreover, although the serration parts 16a and 17a were formed in the positive electrode post 16 and the negative electrode post 17, it is not limited to this, and if it can be press-fitted and fitted into the opening 51, a plurality of thread-like protrusions and spiral grooves are used. An appropriate shape such as a formed protrusion or a plurality of substantially columnar protrusions may be used.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the positive electrode post 18 and the negative electrode post 19 may be formed in a tree shape in a side view with substantially the same length in the vertical direction.
8 is an external perspective view of another positive electrode post 18 and negative electrode post 19 and bus bar 55, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a process of fitting the bus bar 55 to the positive electrode post 18 and negative electrode post 19. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state in which the bus bar 55 is fitted to the positive electrode post 18 and the negative electrode post 19.

  More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A, the positive electrode post 18 and the negative electrode post 19 are formed in a shape integrally formed by stacking three substantially circular truncated cones having a large diameter on the lower side. The three substantially truncated cones in the positive electrode post 18 and the negative electrode post 19 have larger diameters on the large diameter side in the substantially truncated cone located in the lower layer than in the large diameter side in the substantially truncated cone located in the upper layer. Each is formed as such.

The positive electrode post 18 and the negative electrode post 19 constitute outer surface protrusions 18a and 19a protruding outward in the radial direction by steps formed by stacking substantially truncated cones having different sizes.
On the other hand, the bus bar 55 has an opening 56 in which an opening allowing the insertion of the positive electrode post 18 and an opening allowing the insertion of the negative electrode post 19 are independent. The opening 56 is formed with a diameter larger than the diameter on the small-diameter side of the substantially truncated cone located in the uppermost layer and smaller than the diameter on the larger-diameter side of the substantially truncated cone located in the lowermost layer.

  When the bus bar 55 is inserted into the positive electrode post 18 and the negative electrode post 19 from above, as shown in FIG. 9B, the outer surface protrusions 18a and 19a of the positive electrode post 18 and the negative electrode post 19 are opened. The shape of the opening 56 is deformed by plastically deforming the bus bar 55 toward the radially outer side of 56. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the bus bar 55 is plastically deformed so as to enter the step of the outer surface protrusion 18a and the step of the outer surface protrusion 19a formed by the substantially frustoconical stack.

  For this reason, adjacent battery cells 10 can be electrically connected more reliably. More specifically, since the plastically deformed bus bar 55 enters the step of the outer surface protrusion 18a and the step of the outer surface protrusion 19a, the battery module 3 can be easily moved from the positive electrode post 18 and the negative electrode post 19 by vibration or the like. It can be prevented from leaving. Thereby, the battery module 3 can more reliably prevent the relative movement of the positive electrode post 18 and the negative electrode post 19 and the bus bar 55, and can suppress an increase in contact resistance.

  Moreover, although the serration part 32 was formed in the bus bar side in the above-mentioned Example 1, and the serration parts 16a and 17a were formed in the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post side in the above-mentioned Example 2, it is not limited to this, These are suitably A combined configuration may be used.

  For example, it is good also as a structure which press-fits the bus-bar which has the serration part 32 in an opening part, and the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post which have the serration parts 16a and 17a. Thereby, a positive electrode post, a negative electrode post, and a bus bar can be connected more reliably.

  Or the serration part 16a may be formed in a positive electrode post, and the serration part 32 may be formed in the opening part of the bus bar corresponding to a substantially cylindrical negative electrode post. Thereby, the visual identification between the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post in the battery cell 10 can be facilitated, and erroneous assembly can be prevented.

An example in which the configuration for connecting the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post is different from that of Example 1 described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.
11 shows an external perspective view of the connection state between the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 in Example 3. FIG. 12 shows the external appearance of the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 and the annular linear body 61 in Example 3. A perspective view is shown.
The same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the detailed description thereof is omitted.

The positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 in Example 3 are electrically connected by an electrode connector 60 as shown in FIG.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the electrode connection body 60 includes an annular linear body 61 in which a single conductive wire is wound, and a clip 62 that sandwiches the annular linear body 61 in the width direction Y. It consists of.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the annular linear body 61 extends between the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 in the width direction Y with a space slightly larger than the diameter of the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13. The conductive wire is wound so as to be able to be handed over, and is formed into a substantially oval shape in plan view by multilayer winding in the vertical direction. In addition, the annular linear body 61 is integrally welded and fixed by, for example, fiber laser welding or the like on both sides of the wound conducting wire in the front-rear direction X.

  And the annular linear body 61 forms the opening part 63 with the space enclosed by the wound conducting wire. The opening 63 is an opening in which an opening allowing the insertion of the positive electrode post 12 and an opening allowing the insertion of the negative electrode post 13 are integrated.

  Further, the annular linear body 61 is provided with an extended conductive wire 64 in which one end of the wound conductive wire is extended. The extended conductive wire 64 has an outer peripheral surface covered with an insulating insulating coating 65, and an end opposite to the annular linear body 61 is connected to the battery cell monitoring device 40. That is, the conductor wire is a constituent member that constitutes the annular linear body 61, and also has a role as a state monitoring line that connects the annular linear body 61 and the battery cell monitoring device 40.

  The clip 62 is an elastic member having elasticity, and is an elastic connection that elastically supports the two linear portions 62a that can sandwich the outer circumferential surface of the annular linear body 61 in the width direction Y and the upper ends of the planar portions 62a. The part 62b is integrally formed. The clip 62 is made of an electrically conductive metal having elasticity or an insulating synthetic resin.

By attaching the electrode connecting body 60 composed of the annular linear body 61 and the clip 62 to the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13, the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction X are electrically connected. Connecting.
More specifically, first, the opening 63 of the annular linear body 61 is inserted into the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 from above.

  Then, the substantially central portion of the annular linear body 61 in the front-rear direction X is attracted so as to be in close contact with the width direction Y, and sandwiched between the flat portions 62a of the clip 62 from above, thereby deforming the shape of the opening 63. At this time, the portion of the annular linear body 61 facing the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 is pulled by the portion sandwiched by the clip 62, so that it deforms substantially simultaneously and presses against the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13. . Thereby, the electrode connector 60 electrically connects adjacent battery cells 10 to each other.

The battery pack 1 and the battery module 3 that realize the above configuration can stably secure the connection state between the adjacent battery cells 10 without impairing the assembling property.
Specifically, the annular linear body 61 can form the opening 63 surrounded by the conducting wire by winding the conducting wire in multiple layers. Furthermore, since the annular linear body 61 is formed by winding a conducting wire, the degree of freedom for deformation is increased.

  For this reason, the clip 62 of the electrode connecting body 60 can easily deform the opening 63 by tightening the annular linear body 61. At this time, tension that is pulled toward the clip 62 acts on the annular linear body 61.

  Thereby, the electrode connection body 60 can deform | transform the part which opposes the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 in the opening part 63 substantially simultaneously. The annular linear body 61 can be brought into pressure contact with the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 by the tension acting in the opposing direction of the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 and the tightening direction of the clip 62.

Thereby, since frictional resistance is generated between the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 and the annular linear body 61, the electrode connecting body 60 is easily formed with respect to the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13. Relative movement can be prevented.
Therefore, the battery module 3 includes the annular linear body 61 and the clip 62 to form the electrode connection body 60, thereby stably securing the connection state between the adjacent battery cells 10 without impairing the assembling property. be able to.

  Moreover, the extended conducting wire 64 extended from the annular linear body 61 is used as a state monitoring line that allows connection to the battery cell monitoring device 40, so that connection between adjacent battery cells 10 and the battery cell monitoring device are performed. The connection with 40 can be realized by one conductor.

For this reason, for example, compared with the case where the battery cell monitoring device 40 is connected via the covered electric wire welded to the bus bar connecting the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13, the battery module 3 has the assembly man-hour and the number of parts. Can be reduced.
Therefore, the battery module 3 can reduce the number of assembling steps and the number of parts due to the connection with the battery cell monitoring device 40 by using the conducting wire as the state monitoring line.

In addition, in Example 3 mentioned above, although the extended conducting wire 64 was coat | covered with the insulation coating 65, it does not need to be covered with the insulation coating 65.
Moreover, although the extended conducting wire 64 extended from the ring-shaped linear body 61 was used as the state monitoring line, it is not limited to this, Even if the state monitoring line comprised separately from the annular linear body 61 is welded Good.

In addition, although the annular linear body 61 is wound in a substantially oval shape, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be wound, for example, in a substantially gourd shape or a substantially 8 shape.
Or it is good also as a cyclic | annular linear body which carried out multilayer combination by combining suitably the layer which wound the linear body in the substantially ellipse shape, the substantially gourd shape, or the substantially 8-character shape. For example, it may be an annular linear body wound in multiple layers so that a layer in which a linear body is wound in an approximately elliptical shape and a layer in which the linear body is wound in an approximately 8 shape are alternately arranged.

  Although the annular linear body 61 is fastened by the clip 62, the present invention is not limited to this, and the annular linear body 61 is sandwiched by connecting two plate members arranged with the annular linear body 61 sandwiched by bolts. It may be.

An embodiment in which the configuration for connecting the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post is different from that of the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.
13 shows an external perspective view of a connection state between the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 in Example 4. FIG. 14 shows an external perspective view of the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 and the box body 70 in Example 4. Is shown.
The same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the detailed description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 13, the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 in Example 4 are electrically connected by a box body 70 having conductivity.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the box body 70 includes a box body 71 having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and two elastic contact plates 72 attached and fixed to the box body 71. And the negative electrode post 13 are configured to be in elastic contact.

  The box main body 71 is formed in a substantially rectangular solid shape in plan view with a vertically stripped opening, with a substantially strip-shaped metal thin plate bridged over the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 and bent so as to surround it. . The box body 70 is formed so that the front surface portion 71 a and the back surface portion 71 b are in elastic contact with the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 when mounted on the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13.

  The elastic contact plate 72 is formed by bending a metal thin plate having elasticity into a substantially L shape in plan view, and is welded to one side surface portion 71 c of the box body 71. The elastic contact plate 72 is welded to a position where the distance from the front surface portion 71 a of the box body 71 and the distance from the back surface portion 71 b are slightly smaller than the diameters of the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13.

  In the box body 70, an opening 73 that allows the insertion of the positive electrode post 12 and the opening that allows the insertion of the negative electrode post 13 are formed by a space surrounded by the box body 71 and the elastic contact plate 72. doing.

  When such an opening 73 of the box body 70 is inserted into the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 at substantially the same time, the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 form a front surface portion 71a, a back surface portion 71b, and two elastic contact plates 72. The shape of the opening 73 is deformed by elastically deforming in the front-rear direction. Thereby, the box body 70 electrically connects adjacent battery cells 10 by elastic contact.

  The battery pack 1 and the battery module 3 that realize the above configuration can stably secure the connection state between the adjacent battery cells 10 without impairing the assembling property.

  Specifically, when the box body 70 is inserted into the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13, the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 elastically deform the front surface portion 71 a, the back surface portion 71 b, and the two elastic contact plates 72. Thus, the opening on the positive electrode side and the opening on the negative electrode side in the opening 73 can be deformed substantially simultaneously. Furthermore, the front part 71a, the back part 71b, and the two elastic contact plates 72 can ensure the contact length or contact area with the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 in a predetermined direction.

  For this reason, the box body 70 is pressed against the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 by the elastic force of the front surface portion 71 a, the back surface portion 71 b, and the two elastic contact plates 72 in the state inserted in the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13. At the same time, the frictional resistance between the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 can be ensured. Thereby, the battery module 3 can prevent the box body 70 from easily separating from the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 due to external factors such as vibration.

In addition, the battery module 3 is configured such that the gap between the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 and the relative movement between the battery cells 10 in the orthogonal direction are elastically contacted by the front surface portion 71a, the back surface portion 71b, and the two elastic contacts. Since it can absorb with the board 72, the connection state with the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 can be ensured stably and continuously.
Therefore, in the battery module 3, the opening 73 is formed by the front surface portion 71a, the back surface portion 71b, and the two elastic contact plates 72, so that the connection state between the adjacent battery cells 10 can be more stably secured over the long term. can do.

Although detailed description is omitted in the above-described fourth embodiment, the state monitoring line 41 described in the first embodiment may be welded to the box body 70. Then, the state monitoring line 41 and the battery cell monitoring device 40 may be connected.
In addition, although the opening allowing the insertion of the positive electrode post 12 and the opening allowing the insertion of the negative electrode post 13 are inserted into the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 at substantially the same time, the present invention is not limited to this and is inserted at different timings. May be.

Although the box body 70 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, the present invention is not limited to this, and any suitable shape may be used as long as the metal thin plate is three-dimensionally bent.
For example, as shown in FIG. 15 which shows an external perspective view of another positive electrode post 12 and negative electrode post 13 and box body 80, two elastic contact portions 81 that allow insertion of the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 17 respectively, and elasticity The box body 80 may be integrated with the connecting portion 82 that connects the contact portion 81 in the front-rear direction X.

In this box body 80, a metal thin plate punched into a developed shape is three-dimensionally bent to integrally form an elastic contact portion 81 and a connecting portion 82.
The elastic contact portion 81 has a substantially concave shape in plan view with an opening in the vertical direction, and is formed so as to be elastically contactable with the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 in the front-rear direction X. In the box body 80, an opening 83 allowing the insertion of the positive electrode post 12 and an opening allowing the insertion of the negative electrode post 13 are formed by the openings of the two elastic contact portions 81.

  For this reason, when the opening 83 of the box body 80 is inserted into the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13, the positive electrode post 12 and the negative electrode post 13 elastically deform the elastic contact portion 81 of the box body 80, thereby opening the opening. The shape of the part 83 is deformed. Thereby, the box body 80 has electrically connected the adjacent battery cells 10 by elastic contact.

  In Examples 1 to 4 described above, the positive pole posts 12, 14, 16, 18 and the negative pole posts 13, 15, 17, 19 are erected upward from the upper surface of the cell body 11, but this Without being limited to the above, the cell body 11 may be provided in a substantially horizontal direction.

In correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment,
The predetermined direction of the present invention corresponds to the upper direction in the vertical direction of the embodiment,
Similarly,
The electrode connection body corresponds to the bus bars 30, 35, 50, 55, the electrode connection body 60, and the box bodies 70, 80,
The orthogonal direction corresponds to the radial direction and the width direction Y,
The deformation means corresponds to the positive pole posts 12, 14, 16, 18, the negative pole posts 13, 15, 17, 19, and the clip 62,
The outer surface protrusions correspond to the serration parts 16a and 17a and the outer surface protrusions 18a and 19a,
The linear body corresponds to the conducting wire,
The fastening member corresponds to the clip 62,
The battery monitoring means corresponds to the battery cell monitoring device 40,
The state monitoring line corresponds to the state monitoring line 41 and the extended conductor 64,
The elastic contact plate corresponds to the front surface portion 71a, the back surface portion 71b, the elastic contact plate 72, and the elastic contact portion 81.
The present invention is not limited only to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and many embodiments can be obtained.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Battery pack 2 ... Battery accommodation box 3 ... Battery module 10 ... Battery cell 12 ... Positive electrode post 13 ... Negative electrode post 14 ... Positive electrode post 15 ... Negative electrode post 16 ... Positive electrode post 16a ... Serration part 17 ... Negative electrode post 17a ... Serration part 18 ... positive electrode post 18a ... outer surface protrusion 19 ... negative electrode post 19a ... outer surface protrusion 30 ... bus bar 31 ... opening 32 ... serration part 35 ... bus bar 36 ... opening 37 ... serration part 40 ... battery cell monitoring device 41 ... state monitoring line DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 ... Bus bar 51 ... Opening part 55 ... Bus bar 56 ... Opening part 60 ... Electrode connection body 61 ... Ring-shaped linear body 62 ... Clip 63 ... Opening part 64 ... Extension conducting wire 70 ... Box body 71a ... Front part 71a
71b ... Back portion 71b
72 ... elastic contact plate 73 ... opening 80 ... box body 81 ... elastic contact portion 83 ... opening Y ... width direction

Claims (3)

A plurality of battery cells each having a columnar positive electrode post and a negative electrode post erected in a predetermined direction;
A conductive bus bar connecting the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post of the adjacent battery cell;
A battery module in which the battery cells juxtaposed are connected in series with the bus bar,
The bus bar
The positive electrode post and said the rigidity than the negative electrode posts are tabular with a low predetermined thickness, the opening for inserting the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post is provided,
On the outer peripheral surface of the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post,
A plurality of outer surface protrusions are provided along the circumferential direction, which are formed of linear grooves that protrude outward and have a wedge-shaped cross section and extend in the vertical direction.
The opening formed with an opening having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post and larger than the diameter of a virtual circle connecting the valleys of the outer surface protrusion,
A battery module deformed by the outer surface protrusions of the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post that are press-fitted. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the positive electrode post and the negative electrode post have different vertical lengths. The battery pack which accommodated one battery module of Claim 1 or Claim 2, or several battery modules connected in series in the battery storage box.

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