JP6044405B2 - Battery pack and battery module assembly method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a battery pack in which a battery module is accommodated in a housing and a method for assembling the battery module .

As a battery module including a battery holder that holds a battery cell, for example, a module battery described in Patent Document 1 is known.
The module battery of Patent Document 1 includes a module case and a subassembly body accommodated in the module case. The sub-assembly body is formed by laminating a plurality of batteries held by the battery holder. The battery holder is formed in a frame shape. The battery holder is provided with a joint provided with a claw at the tip of the flexible arm. The claw at the tip of the flexible arm engages with the outer peripheral groove of the battery holder.

JP 2004-55446 A

  By the way, if vibration is applied to the module battery and the subassembly body moves up and down, the subassembly body and the module case may collide, and the battery and the battery holder may be damaged.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the conventional technology, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack capable of protecting the battery module and a method for assembling the battery module .

A battery pack that solves the above problem includes a battery module having a battery cell and a battery holder that holds the battery cell, and a housing that houses the battery module, and the housing includes the battery module. The battery module is fixed to one of the side walls, and the battery holder has a first locking portion. and, wherein the housing is to have a second locking portion mutually engaged with said first engaging portion, said second engaging portion is provided on the bottom portion, the first the locking portion includes a portion facing the side wall of said one of said battery holder and gist that you have provided to the site of the opposite side.

  According to this, even if vibration is applied to the battery module and the battery module is about to move, the battery module is difficult to move because the first locking portion is locked with the second locking portion. In particular, since the load of the battery module is applied to the housing in addition to the load of the housing itself, the housing is prevented from moving together with the battery module even when a force that the battery module tries to move is applied to the housing. Has been. Therefore, even if vibration is applied to the battery module, the battery module and the housing are unlikely to collide, and the battery module can be protected.

Further , when the battery module is about to move, a load is applied to the bottom of the housing. The center of gravity of the load applied to the housing can be lowered, and the stability is improved.

Moreover , since a battery module can be fixed to a side wall, it can further suppress that a battery module moves up and down.

When the battery module is fixed to one side wall, the side opposite to the side fixed to the side wall of the battery module is likely to move up and down. For this reason, the side fixed to the side wall in the battery module by providing the first locking portion on the surface opposite to the surface facing the side wall in the battery holder and locking with the second locking portion; The vertical movement on the opposite side can be suppressed. Therefore, the vertical movement in the battery module can be appropriately suppressed, and the battery module is further protected.
A method for assembling a battery module that solves the above problem is a method for assembling a battery module having a battery cell and a battery holder that holds the battery cell to a housing, wherein the battery module is placed on the housing. And the battery holder is opposite to a portion facing the one side wall when the battery module is fixed to the one side wall. A first locking portion provided at a site on the side, and a second locking portion that locks with the first locking portion is provided at the bottom of the housing, The battery module is placed on the bottom of the housing, and the first locking portion of the battery holder is locked to the second locking portion of the bottom, and then the one side wall of the battery holder Fixing the part opposite to the one side wall And effect.

  According to the present invention, the battery module can be protected.

The schematic side view which shows the forklift of embodiment. The perspective view which shows the battery pack of embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the battery module of embodiment. The perspective view of the battery module of embodiment. The perspective view of the square battery and battery holder of embodiment. (A) And (b) is a figure for demonstrating the procedure which assembles | attaches the battery module of embodiment to a housing | casing.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the battery pack is embodied as a battery pack mounted on a forklift will be described. In the following description, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “upper”, and “lower” are “front”, “rear”, and “left” when the forklift driver is facing the front of the forklift. ”,“ Right ”,“ upper ”, and“ lower ”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, drive wheels 12 are provided at the front lower part of the vehicle body 11 of the forklift 10, and steering wheels 13 are provided at the rear lower part of the vehicle body 11. In addition, a cargo handling device is provided at the front portion of the vehicle body 11. The mast 14 constituting the cargo handling apparatus is erected on the front portion of the vehicle body 11, and the mast 14 is provided with a pair of left and right forks 16 via a lift bracket 15. A load 19 is mounted on the fork 16. The vehicle body 11 is equipped with a traveling motor M1 as a drive source for the drive wheels 12 and a cargo handling motor M2 as a drive source for the fork 16. A battery pack 30 is mounted on the lower portion of the vehicle body 11. Hereinafter, the battery pack 30 will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the battery pack 30 includes battery modules 61, 62, and 63 accommodated in a casing 31. The casing 31 includes a counterweight 32 for balancing with the load 19 mounted on the fork 16. The counterweight 32 is erected in the thickness direction of the weight portion 33 from the short-side end 33a of the weight portion 33 and the weight portion 33 and the other end in the longitudinal direction from the longitudinal direction one end 33c of the weight portion 33. The weight main body 34 has a rectangular plate shape extending over 33d. In other words, the weight portion 33 is erected from the proximal end of the weight body 34 in the thickness direction of the weight body 34. In the present embodiment, the weight body 34 is erected in the vertical direction. At the distal end of the weight body 34 (the end opposite to the base end of the weight body 34), a notch 35 is formed by cutting the weight body 34 in the thickness direction of the weight body 34.

  A locking member 50 is provided on the upper surface of the weight portion 33 (the surface on the side where the weight main body 34 is provided). The locking member 50 is provided away from the weight body 34 in the thickness direction of the weight body 34. The locking member 50 is formed by bending two portions in the short direction of the rectangular plate material at right angles, and the first flat plate portion 51 and the second flat plate portion 52 each having a rectangular plate shape on both sides in the short direction. Have The first flat plate portion 51 and the second flat plate portion 52 are connected by a third flat plate portion 53. Bolts B <b> 1 are inserted into both longitudinal ends of the first flat plate portion 51, and the locking members 50 are attached to the weight portions 33 by screwing the bolts B <b> 1 into the weight portions 33. In the present embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the first flat plate portion 51 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the weight portion 33.

  An inverted U-shaped frame 40 that is provided apart from the weight main body 34 is erected from the weight portion 33 at the other short end 33 b of the weight portion 33. The frame 40 includes a first column portion 41 and a second column portion 42 erected from two corners of the edge portion of the other end 33 b in the short direction on the upper surface of the weight portion 33, and the first column portion 41. And a base 43 that connects the upper end of the second column 42 (the end opposite to the end joined to the weight 33). That is, the housing 31 has a front opening 30a surrounded by the weight 33 and the frame 40 on the other end 33b side of the weight 33. In the housing 31, the front opening 30a is closed by a lid member 44 having a rectangular plate shape.

  The length in the standing direction of each column portion 41, 42 (the length in the longitudinal direction of each column portion 41, 42) is the same as the shortest length from the upper surface of the weight portion 33 to the distal end surface of the weight main body 34. A top plate 45 is supported on the upper surface of the frame 40 and the upper surface of the weight main body 34. The top plate 45 closes an opening (not shown) between the weight main body 34 and the frame 40. Further, the housing 31 has a weight main body 34, a weight portion 33, a first column portion 41, and a one end side opening portion 30 b surrounded by a top plate 45 on the longitudinal end 33 c side of the weight portion 33. . In addition, the casing 31 has an opening 30c on the other end side surrounded by the weight main body 34, the weight portion 33, the second column portion 42, and the top plate 45 on the other end 33d side of the weight portion 33 in the longitudinal direction. Have The one end side opening 30 b is closed by the one end side lid member 46, and the other end side opening 30 c is closed by the other end side lid member 47. The counter weight 32, the frame 40, the top plate 45, and the lid members 44, 46, and 47 form a casing 31. The weight part 33 constitutes the bottom of the casing 31, and the weight body 34 and the lid members 44, 46, 47 constitute the side wall of the casing 31.

  One surface in the thickness direction of the weight main body 34 (the inner surface of the housing 31) is an installation surface 34a on which the battery modules 61, 62, and 63 are installed. Therefore, one side wall to which the battery modules 61, 62, 63 are fixed is the weight body 34. Two sets of battery rows in which three battery modules 61, 62, 63 are arranged in the short direction of the weight body 34 are provided on the installation surface 34 a in the longitudinal direction of the weight body 34. The battery modules 61, 62, and 63 are stacked in the vertical direction, and the battery module 61 that is the lowest in the vertical direction is placed on the upper surface of the weight portion 33.

  A mounting plate 36 having a rectangular flat plate shape is fixed to the notch 35. On the mounting plate 36, a housing case 37 that houses control devices for controlling the battery modules 61, 62, and 63 and a junction box 38 that houses relays, wirings, and the like are disposed.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the battery modules 61, 62, and 63 include a rectangular battery 64 (for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery or a nickel hydride storage battery) as a battery cell. 70 are arranged side by side in a state of being held at 70. In the battery modules 61, 62, and 63, end plates 65 are provided at both ends of the prismatic battery 64 in the side-by-side direction.

  The bolt B1 is inserted into one end plate 65, and the bolt B2 is screwed to the nut N on the other end plate 65 side. A bracket 66 is fixed to each end plate 65. The battery modules 61, 62, and 63 are fixed to the weight body 34 by fixing the bracket 66 to the weight body 34.

  The battery holder 70 holds a placement plate 91 on which electronic components are placed. On the mounting plate 91, a relay 92 for controlling the discharge of the rectangular battery 64 and the interruption of the discharge is provided. The relay 92 is covered with a relay cover 93. A battery ECU 94 that controls the prismatic battery 64 is provided on the mounting plate 91. The battery ECU 94 is covered with an ECU cover 95.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the battery holder 70 has a first covering portion 71 having a rectangular flat plate shape. At both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first covering portion 71, a rectangular flat plate-like second covering portion 72 and a third covering portion 73 extending in the thickness direction of the first covering portion 71 are provided. The first longitudinal end 72 a of the second covering portion 72 (the end opposite to the end on which the first covering portion 71 is provided) and the first longitudinal end 73 a of the third covering portion 73. A rectangular flat plate-like fourth extending between the first end portions 72b and 73b in the short direction of the respective covering portions 72 and 73 is provided at (the end portion opposite to the end portion where the first covering portion 71 is provided). The covering portion 74 is provided. The fourth covering portion 74 has a thickness direction that coincides with the short direction of the covering portions 72 and 73, and a longitudinal direction that coincides with the opposing direction of the second covering portion 72 and the third covering portion 73. The direction perpendicular to the thickness direction and the longitudinal direction of the fourth covering portion 74 is the short direction of the fourth covering portion 74.

  Further, a terminal that is U-shaped and opens in the thickness direction of the fourth covering portion 74 on one end face in the short direction of the fourth covering portion 74 at both longitudinal ends of the fourth covering portion 74. Each accommodating portion 75 is provided, and each terminal accommodating portion 75 is connected to each of the covering portions 72 and 73.

  On one end face in the short direction of the fourth covering portion 74, a quadrangular columnar column member 76 is provided adjacent to each terminal accommodating portion 75. The shaft of the column member 76 extends in the short direction of the covering portions 72 and 73. The column member 76 is provided with an insertion hole 76 a through which the bolt B <b> 1 is inserted, penetrating in the axial direction of the column member 76.

  A rectangular flat plate connected to each of the covering portions 72 and 73 at the first longitudinal ends 72 a and 73 a of the second covering portion 72 and the third covering portion 73 and extending in the longitudinal direction of each of the covering portions 72 and 73. A support 77 having a shape is provided. At the tip of the support part 77 (the end opposite to the covering parts 72, 73), a projection 78 is provided that protrudes in the opposing direction of each support part 77. The protrusion 78 has a triangular prism shape and extends over the entire lateral direction of the support portion 77.

  A first end portion 71a in the longitudinal direction of the first covering portion 71 (the end portion on the second covering portion 72 side) has a first end from the surface opposite to the surface on which the second covering portion 72 is provided. A first leg 79 protruding in the thickness direction of the covering portion 71 is provided. The first end 71b in the longitudinal direction of the first cover 71 (the end on the third cover 73 side) has a first end from the surface opposite to the surface on which the third cover 73 is provided. A second leg portion 80 protruding in the thickness direction of the covering portion 71 is provided. The first leg 79 and the second leg 80 have a quadrangular prism shape. The axes of the first leg portion 79 and the second leg portion 80 extend in the short direction of the first covering portion 71. The first leg portion 79 and the second leg portion 80 are provided with insertion holes 79a and 80a through which the bolts B2 are inserted so as to penetrate the leg portions 79 and 80 in the axial direction.

  The first leg 79 is provided with a first convex portion 81 that protrudes in the thickness direction of the second covering portion 72. A first groove 82 is defined between the first convex portion 81 and the first covering portion 71. The second leg portion 80 is provided with a second convex portion 83 that protrudes in the thickness direction of the third covering portion 73. A second groove 84 is defined between the second convex portion 83 and the first covering portion 71.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the battery modules 61, 62, and 63 are fixed to the weight body 34 so that the second covering portion 72 of the battery holder 70 faces the weight body 34. Therefore, the portion of the battery holder 70 opposite to the surface facing the weight main body 34 is the third covering portion 73, the second leg portion 80, and the second convex portion 83. The second flat plate portion 52 of the locking member 50 is inserted into the second groove portion 84 of the battery module 61 provided at the lowest position in the stacking direction of the battery modules 61, 62, 63. Further, the first groove portion 82 and the second groove portion 84 of each of the battery modules 62 and 63 except for the battery module 61 provided at the lowermost position have the battery modules 61 and 62 positioned below the battery modules 62 and 63. A protrusion 78 of the battery holder 70 is inserted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the locking members 50 are inserted into the second groove portions 84 of all the battery holders 70 in the battery module 61. One locking member 50 of the present embodiment is provided in one battery module 61.

Next, a procedure for assembling the battery module 61 to the housing 31 (counter weight 32) will be described.
As shown in FIG. 6, the battery module 61 is lowered obliquely from above the weight portion 33 so that the second flat plate portion 52 is inserted into the second groove portion 84. The battery module 61 is placed on the weight portion 33 in a state where the second flat plate portion 52 is inserted into the second groove portion 84 by leveling the battery module 61. At this stage, since there is a gap between the weight body 34 and the battery module 61, the battery module 61 is brought into close contact with the weight body 34 and then fixed by the bracket 66.

Next, the operation of the battery pack 30 of this embodiment will be described.
The battery pack 30 vibrates as the forklift 10 travels. For example, when the battery holders 70 of the battery modules 61, 62, and 63 are engaged with each other and the battery module 61 and the housing 31 are not engaged with each other, the battery modules 61, 62, and 63 are moved up and down, and the battery module 61 is moved up and down. 62, 63 and the casing 31 may collide, and the battery holder 70 and the square battery 64 of the battery modules 61, 62, 63 may be damaged.

  In the present embodiment, in the battery module 61 provided at the lowermost position in the vertical direction, the locking member 50 fixed to the weight portion 33 is inserted into the second groove portion 84 of the battery holder 70. Then, the vertical movement of the battery module 61 is restricted by the locking member 50 and the second convex portion 83 locking each other. In this embodiment, the 2nd convex part 83 of the battery holder 70 becomes a 1st latching | locking part, and the latching member 50 which latches with a 1st latching | locking part becomes a 2nd latching | locking part.

  Further, when only one side (side fixed to the weight main body 34) of the battery modules 61, 62, 63 is fixed to the weight main body 34 by the bracket 66, and the side opposite to the side fixed to the weight main body 34 is not fixed. The opposite side of the battery modules 61, 62, 63 to the side fixed to the weight main body 34 is likely to move up and down due to vibrations.

  In the present embodiment, the locking member 50 is locked to the opposite side of the battery module 61 that is easy to move up and down to the side that is joined to the weight main body 34. For this reason, it is suppressed suitably that the battery module 61 moves up and down.

  In addition, a protrusion 78 on the battery holder 70 of the battery modules 61 and 62 is inserted into the first groove portion 82 and the second groove portion 84 of the battery modules 62 and 63 other than the battery module 61 provided in the lowest vertical direction. Yes. For this reason, even if the battery modules 62 and 63 try to move up and down, the battery holders 70 of the respective battery modules 61, 62 and 63 are engaged with each other, and the battery modules 62 and 63 are prevented from moving up and down. .

  In the present embodiment, only the locking member 50 inserted into the second groove portion 84 is provided as the second locking portion. For example, in addition to the locking member 50 inserted into the second groove portion 84, it is conceivable to provide the weight portion 33 with the locking member 50 inserted into the first groove portion 82. However, when both the locking member 50 inserted into the first groove portion 82 and the locking member 50 inserted into the second groove portion 84 are provided in the weight portion 33, the first groove portion 82 and the second groove portion of the battery holder 70 are provided. When inserting the locking member 50 into the second groove portion 84, the battery module 61 needs to be slid from the longitudinal direction of the weight portion 33 (horizontal direction with respect to the weight portion 33), and the assemblability is poor. Further, as the locking member 50, an elastically deformable member is used, and the battery module 61 is configured to be deformed by pressurizing the battery module 61 from above, so that the battery module 61 can be assembled from above. In this case, the strength decreases.

The battery module 61 can be easily assembled from above the weight portion 33 by providing only the locking member 50 inserted into the second groove portion 84 as in the present embodiment.
Therefore, according to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) The 2nd flat plate part 52 of the latching member 50 provided in the weight part 33 is inserted in the 2nd groove part 84 of the battery holder 70 in the battery module 61 in the lowest vertical direction. When the battery module 61 tries to move up and down, since the second protrusion 83 and the locking member 50 are locked together, the upward movement of the battery module 61 is restricted by the locking member 50. For this reason, the battery modules 61, 62, 63 and the housing 31 are unlikely to collide, and the battery modules 61, 62, 63 can be protected.

  (2) Since the weight member 33 is provided with the locking member 50, the center of gravity of the load applied to the housing 31 can be lowered when the battery modules 61, 62, 63 are about to move up and down, and stability is improved. Is improved.

(3) The battery modules 61, 62, and 63 are fixed to the weight body 34 with a bracket 66. For this reason, the battery modules 61, 62, and 63 are difficult to move up and down.
(4) The locking member 50 is engaged with the second convex portion 83 provided on the opposite side of the battery module 61 from the side fixed to the weight main body 34. The vertical movement of the battery module 61 is appropriately suppressed by locking the locking member 50 at a portion that easily moves up and down.

  (5) Further, only the locking member 50 inserted into the second groove portion 84 is provided, and the locking member 50 inserted into the first groove portion 82 is not provided. For this reason, compared with the case where the locking member 50 inserted in the 1st groove part 82 and the 2nd groove part 84 is provided, the number of parts is reduced.

  (6) A protrusion 78 is provided on the support portion 77 of the battery holder 70. And the protrusion 78 of the battery holder 70 of the battery modules 61 and 62 enters the first groove portion 82 and the second groove portion 84 of the battery holder 70 of the battery modules 62 and 63. The first protrusion 81 and the second protrusion 83 of the battery holder 70 of the battery modules 61, 62, and 63 adjacent to each other in the stacking direction and the protrusion 78 are engaged with each other. For this reason, the vertical movement of the battery modules 62 and 63 is suppressed. In addition, the 1st convex part 81, the 2nd convex part 83, and the processus | protrusion 78 become a latching | locking part.

(7) A counterweight 32 is used as a part of the casing 31. For this reason, the weight of the housing | casing 31 increases and it is suppressed appropriately that the battery modules 61, 62, and 63 move up and down.
In addition, you may change embodiment as follows.

  In the embodiment, the weight member 34 may be provided with the locking member 50. In this case, the positions of the first groove portion 82 and the second groove portion 84 of the battery holder 70 may be changed according to the locking member 50.

In the embodiment, the locking member 50 may be integrally formed with the housing 31 (counter weight 32 or lid members 44, 46, 47).
In the embodiment, a cylindrical battery or a laminate battery may be used as the battery cell. In this case, the shape of the battery holder 70 is changed according to the shape of the battery cell.

  In the embodiment, the weight member 33 may be provided with the locking member 50 inserted into the first groove portion 82 in addition to the locking member 50 inserted into the second groove portion 84. Alternatively, only the locking member 50 inserted into the first groove 82 may be provided without providing the locking member 50 inserted into the second groove 84.

  In the embodiment, the counter weight 32 is used as a part of the casing 31, but the present invention is not limited to this. Any casing that can accommodate the battery modules 61, 62, 63, such as a casing including a bottom plate, a top plate facing the bottom plate, and a side wall extending between the bottom plate and the top plate. It may be a thing.

In the embodiment, the battery pack 30 may be other than the battery pack mounted on the forklift 10.
In the embodiment, a single battery module may be provided.

  In the embodiment, the locking members 50 are inserted in the second groove portions 84 of all the battery holders 70 in the battery module 61. However, as the locking members, the locking members 50 of some of the battery holders 70 in the battery module 61 are used. A locking member inserted into the two groove portions 84 may be used. For example, a locking member inserted into the second groove portion 84 of one battery holder 70 may be used, or the second groove portions 84 of two or more battery holders 70 (excluding all battery holders 70) may be used. A locking member to be inserted may be used. For example, you may use the latching member inserted only in the 2nd groove part 84 of the battery holder 70 provided in the center of the parallel arrangement direction of the square battery 64 in the battery module 61. FIG. That is, you may change suitably the shape and dimension of a latching member. In addition, since the battery module 61 is being fixed at the both ends in the parallel arrangement direction of the square batteries 64, the center part of the square batteries 64 is easy to bend. For this reason, the vertical movement of the battery module 61 is appropriately suppressed by inserting the locking member 50 into the second groove portion 84 of the battery holder 70 provided in the center of the battery modules 61 in the direction in which the rectangular batteries 64 are arranged side by side. can do.

  In the embodiment, one locking member 50 is provided so as to be inserted into the second groove portions 84 of all the battery holders 70 in the battery module 61, but a plurality of the locking members 50 are inserted into the battery holders 70 of the battery module 61. A locking member may be provided. For example, two locking members may be provided so as to be inserted into the second groove portions 84 of the battery holder 70 at both ends of the battery module 61 in the juxtaposed direction of the rectangular batteries 64. Two or more locking members may be provided.

  In the embodiment, one locking member 50 is provided for each battery module 61, but the common locking member 50 inserted into the second groove portion 84 of the battery holder 70 of both battery modules 61 is used. Also good. For example, a locking member that extends over the entire longitudinal direction of the weight portion 33 may be used.

Next, the technical idea that can be grasped from the above embodiment and other examples will be described below.
(A) The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a plurality of the battery modules are stacked.

  (B) The battery pack according to the technical idea (a), wherein the battery holders of the battery modules adjacent to each other in the stacking direction have locking portions that lock each other.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Battery pack, 31 ... Housing | casing, 33 ... Weight part, 34 ... Weight main body, 50 ... Locking member, 61, 62, 63 ... Battery module, 64 ... Square battery, 70 ... Battery holder, 83 ... 2nd Convex part.

Claims (2)

A battery module having a battery cell and a battery holder for holding the battery cell;
A housing in which the battery module is housed,
The housing includes a bottom portion on which the battery module is placed, and a side wall vertically provided from the bottom portion,
The battery module is fixed to one of the side walls,
The battery holder has a first locking portion,
Wherein the housing is to have a second locking portion mutually engaged with said first engaging portion,
The second locking portion is provided on the bottom portion,
It said first locking portion, the battery pack wherein the said one side wall and the opposing portion of the battery holder, characterized that you have provided to the site of the opposite side.   A method of assembling a battery module having a battery cell and a battery holder for holding the battery cell in a housing,
  The housing includes a bottom portion on which the battery module is placed, and a side wall vertically provided from the bottom portion,
  The battery holder has a first locking portion provided at a part opposite to a part facing the one side wall when the battery module is fixed to the one side wall;
  A second locking portion that locks with the first locking portion is provided at the bottom of the housing,
  Placing the battery module on the bottom of the housing;
  After locking the first locking portion of the battery holder to the second locking portion of the bottom,
  A method for assembling a battery module, comprising fixing a portion of the battery holder facing the one side wall to the one side wall.