JP6261449B2 - Battery module - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery module mounted on, for example, an electric vehicle.

  Conventionally, for example, a battery for running an electric vehicle that requires a high voltage is modularized by housing and connecting a large number of secondary batteries in a case (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the battery module of Patent Document 1, a heat pipe is accommodated between the secondary batteries arranged side by side. Moreover, molten resin is poured and solidified between the secondary batteries.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-114767

  By the way, the secondary battery generates heat during charging and discharging. There is a method for improving heat dissipation by providing a heat pipe as in Patent Document 1, but when a large number of secondary batteries are accommodated in a single case like a battery for an electric vehicle, the necessary heat pipe There is a problem that the number of units becomes enormous and the manufacturing cost including assembly steps increases.

  Therefore, a method of reducing the number of heat pipes by decimating and arranging the heat pipes can be considered, but in this case, a part where the heat pipe does not exist is formed, and in this part, the secondary battery is formed. There is a risk that the temperature of the will rise. In other words, the temperature of the plurality of secondary batteries varies, which may adversely affect the life of the secondary batteries.

  This invention is made | formed in view of this point, The place made into the objective is to thermally radiate so that the temperature of each secondary battery may become uniform, when accommodating a several secondary battery in a case. It is in.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, the first heat conductive member having a plurality of insertion holes into which the secondary battery is inserted, and the heat conductivity filled and solidified between the secondary batteries in a molten state. A second heat conducting member made of resin was accommodated in the case.

The first invention is
A plurality of secondary batteries;
A case for housing the secondary battery;
In the battery module including the first heat conducting member and the second heat conducting member housed in the case,
The first heat conducting member is formed by molding a member having thermal conductivity, and a plurality of insertion holes into which the secondary batteries are respectively inserted are formed at intervals .
An annular wall that protrudes in the direction of the center line of the insertion hole and extends in the circumferential direction is formed on the peripheral edge of the insertion hole in the first heat conducting member,
An outer peripheral wall projecting in the same direction as the annular wall is formed on the peripheral edge of the first heat conducting member so as to contact the case,
The second heat conducting member is a resin having a thermal conductivity that is filled and solidified in a molten state between the plurality of secondary batteries.

  According to this configuration, since the secondary battery is inserted into the insertion hole of the first heat conducting member, the heat of the secondary battery is transferred to the first heat conducting member. Since the plurality of insertion holes are formed in the first heat conducting member, even if the number of the first heat conducting members is smaller than the number of the secondary batteries, the plurality of secondary batteries can be radiated. Moreover, since the 2nd heat conductive member is filled between the secondary batteries, the heat | fever of a some secondary battery is transmitted to the 2nd heat conductive member. As a result, heat is radiated so that the temperature of each secondary battery becomes uniform.

According to a second invention, in the first invention,
The first heat conducting member and the second heat conducting member are in contact with each other.

  According to this configuration, since heat is transferred between the first heat conducting member and the second heat conducting member, the temperature of each secondary battery is made more uniform.

According to a third invention, in the first or second invention,
One or both of the first heat conducting member and the second heat conducting member are in contact with the case.

  According to this configuration, the heat of the first heat conductive member or the second heat conductive member is transmitted to the case and can be dissipated from the case.

  According to the first invention, the first heat conductive member having a plurality of insertion holes into which the secondary battery is inserted, and the resin having the thermal conductivity filled and solidified between the secondary batteries in a molten state. Since the 2nd heat conductive member was accommodated in the case, it can radiate | emit heat so that the temperature of each secondary battery may become uniform.

  According to the second invention, since the first heat conducting member and the second heat conducting member are brought into contact with each other, the temperature of each secondary battery can be made more uniform.

  According to the third invention, since either one or both of the first heat conducting member and the second heat conducting member are in contact with the case, the heat of the secondary battery can be dissipated from the case, The lifetime of the secondary battery can be extended.

It is a perspective view of the state where the battery module concerning the embodiment of the present invention was mounted on the base plate. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line in FIG. It is the III-III sectional view taken on the line in FIG. It is a perspective view of a base plate. It is the perspective view which looked at the inner side case where the positive electrode side bus bar and the negative electrode side bus bar were assembled | attached from the positive electrode side. It is the perspective view which looked at the inner side case where the positive electrode side bus bar and the negative electrode side bus bar were assembled | attached from the negative electrode side. It is a perspective view of the inner side case of the state which removed the positive electrode side bus bar and the negative electrode side bus bar. It is the perspective view which looked at a lower outside case constituent member from the upper part. It is the perspective view which looked at the lower outside case constituent member from the lower part. It is a top view of the 1st heat conduction member. It is a perspective view of the 1st heat conduction member. It is the perspective view which looked at the upper outside case constituent member from the upper part. It is the perspective view which looked at the upper outside case constituent member from the lower part. It is the perspective view which looked at the lower inner case structural member from the upper part. It is the perspective view which looked at the lower inner case structural member from the lower part. It is a top view of the lower inner side case structural member in which the secondary battery, the 1st heat conductive member, and the 2nd heat conductive member were accommodated. It is a top view of the lower inner case structural member in which the secondary battery was accommodated. It is a perspective view of the lower inner case constituent member in which the secondary battery is accommodated, and is a view showing the arrangement of the dispenser nozzle of the molten resin material. It is the perspective view which looked at the upper inner case component from above. It is the perspective view which looked at the upper inner case structural member from the lower part. It is the perspective view which looked at the positive electrode side bus bar from the upper part. FIG. 3 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 according to a modification of the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following description of the preferred embodiment is merely illustrative in nature, and is not intended to limit the present invention, its application, or its use.

  FIG. 1 shows a battery module 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The battery module 1 is mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle (including a plug-in hybrid vehicle) and supplies power to a traveling motor or the like. The battery module 1 can be mounted on a vehicle such as an electric forklift, or can be mounted on an electric ship.

  The battery module 1 includes a large number of secondary batteries 2 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3), an inner case A that houses the secondary battery 2, an outer case B that houses the inner case A, and the secondary battery 2. A positive electrode bus bar C (shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) connected to the positive electrode terminal, a negative electrode bus bar D (shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) connected to the negative electrode terminal of the secondary battery 2, and a base plate ( (Radiating member) 7 (shown in FIG. 4). The secondary battery 2 is, for example, a lithium ion battery or the like, and has a cylindrical shape in this embodiment. The positive electrode terminal of the secondary battery 2 is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction, and the negative electrode terminal is provided at the other end.

  1 shows a case where only one unit Y including the secondary battery 2, the inner case A, the outer case B, the positive bus bar C, and the negative bus bar D is provided. It can also be set as the structure provided with two or more so that it may be located in a line with a horizontal direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the base plate 7 is a heat sink for dissipating heat generated from the secondary battery 2, which is disposed in a substantially rectangular plate shape in a plan view and extending substantially horizontally. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the base plate 7 is arranged so that the lower surface of the outer case B is in contact with the surface (upper surface) of the base plate 7. This corresponds to the short side direction. On the surface of the base plate 7, a plurality of units Y may be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the base plate 7.

  A large number of fins 7 a extending in the longitudinal direction of the base plate 7 are formed on the back surface (lower surface) of the base plate 7 at intervals in the short side direction of the base plate 7. A space between adjacent fins 7a and 7a is a cooling air passage 7b through which cooling air can flow. The cooling air passage 7b extends along the longitudinal direction of the fin 7a. Both ends of the cooling air passage 7b are open. Cooling air can also be supplied to the cooling air passage 7b from the outside.

  On the surface of the base plate 7, step portions 7c and 7c are formed in the vicinity of both end portions extending in the longitudinal direction. Each step 7 c extends in the longitudinal direction of the base plate 7.

  In addition, a plurality of slit-like through holes 7d, 7d,... Are formed in the base plate 7 so as to penetrate the base plate 7 in the front and back direction (vertical direction). Each slit-like through hole 7 d extends long in the longitudinal direction of the base plate 7. The slit-shaped through holes 7d, 7d,... Are located between the fins 7a, 7a, and are therefore arranged at intervals from each other in the direction in which the fins 7a, 7a of the base plate 7 are arranged. Further, the slit-like through holes 7d, 7d,... Are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the base plate 7. A circular or polygonal through hole may be formed instead of the slit-shaped through hole 7d. The number of slit-shaped through holes 7d can be set arbitrarily.

  A plurality of circular through holes 7d, 7d,... Are formed in the base plate 7 so as to penetrate the base plate 7 in the front and back direction. The circular through holes 7d, 7d,... Are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the base plate 7 in a region outside the region where the slit-like through holes 7d are formed in the base plate 7. A cylindrical positioning portion (projecting portion) 65 of the outer case B described later is inserted into the circular through hole 7d. As shown in FIG. 2, the positioning portion 65 protrudes into the cooling air passage 7b. In addition, the positioning portion 65 can position the outer case B with respect to the base plate 7 by contacting the peripheral portion of the circular through hole 7d while being inserted into the circular through hole 7d.

  Although not shown, a cooling air passage may be formed inside the base plate 7. Further, a refrigerant passage through which the refrigerant flows can be formed inside the base plate 7 so that the refrigerant can be supplied and discharged from the outside.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inner case A includes an upper inner case constituent member 30 and a lower inner case constituent member 40 which are divided in the vertical direction. The outer case B includes an upper outer case constituent member 50 and a lower outer case constituent member 60 that are divided in the same direction (vertical direction) as the inner case A. The positive electrode side bus bar C and the negative electrode side bus bar D are assembled to the outside of the inner case A as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and are accommodated in the outer case B together with the inner case A as shown in FIGS. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the outer case B is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and the divided portion is a central portion in the vertical direction. The upper outer case constituent member 50 and the lower outer case constituent member 60 are both formed by injection molding an insulating resin material.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the lower outer case constituent member 60 is formed in a box shape opened upward, and has a substantially rectangular bottom wall portion 61 in a plan view and a peripheral wall extending upward from the peripheral portion of the bottom wall portion 61. Part 62. As shown in FIG. 9, four positioning portions 65 are formed on the lower surface of the bottom wall portion 61 so as to protrude downward. The positioning portion 65 has a circular cross section and is disposed in the vicinity of the four corners of the bottom wall portion 61.

  Although not shown, for example, a protrusion may be formed on the base plate 7, and a recess or hole as an engaging portion may be formed on the bottom wall portion 61 of the lower outer case constituent member 60. In this case, the protrusion of the base plate 7 can be inserted into the recess or hole of the lower outer case constituent member 60 and engaged. Moreover, as an engaging part, a recessed part, a hole part, a protrusion, etc. can also be provided combining, for example.

  Of the peripheral wall portion 62 of the lower outer case constituent member 60, the side wall portions 62a and 62a extending in the longitudinal direction are formed with cutout portions 62b that open upward. In addition, a plurality of engagement holes 62c are formed below the side wall 62a below the notch 62b. A claw portion 41h provided in the inner case A, which will be described later, is engaged with the engagement hole 62c.

  Of the peripheral wall portion 62 of the lower outer case constituent member 60, the end wall portions 62d and 62d are respectively formed with cutout portions 62e that open upward. Further, on both sides of the notch 62e in the end wall 62d, an engagement hole 62f is formed so as to penetrate therethrough. A claw portion 41i provided in the inner case A, which will be described later, is engaged with the engagement hole 62f. Further, ribs 64 extending along the peripheral edge of the notch 62e are formed on the both end walls 62d and 62d so as to protrude outward from the lower outer case constituent member 60, respectively.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the upper outer case constituent member 50 is formed in a box shape opened downward, and is substantially downward from the upper wall portion 51 of the substantially rectangular shape and the peripheral portion of the upper wall portion 51 in plan view. And a peripheral wall portion 52 extending to the front. Four protrusions 55 are formed on the upper surface of the upper wall portion 51 so as to protrude upward. The protrusion 55 has a circular cross section, and is disposed in the vicinity of the four corners of the upper wall 51.

  Of the peripheral wall portion 52 of the upper outer case constituent member 50, the side wall portions 52a and 52a extending in the longitudinal direction are respectively formed with cutout portions 52b that open downward. The open portion of the cutout portion 52b of the upper outer case component member 50 coincides with the open portion of the cutout portion 62b of the lower outer case component member 60, and the upper outer case component member 50 and the lower outer case component In the state where the member 60 is combined, the notch 52b and the notch 62b open openings 1a (shown only in FIG. 1) as ventilation openings through which the cooling air can flow on both side walls of the outer case B. Will do.

  Further, a plurality of engagement holes 52c are formed through the upper side case constituent member 50 above the cutout portion 52b of the side wall portion 52a. A claw portion 31h provided in the inner case A, which will be described later, is engaged with the engagement hole 52c.

  Of the peripheral wall portion 52 of the upper outer case constituent member 50, the end wall portions 52d and 52d are formed with cutout portions 52e that open upward. The open part of the notch 52e of the upper outer case component 50 is made to coincide with the open part of the notch 62e of the lower outer case component 60, and the upper outer case component 50 and the lower outer case structure In the state where the member 60 is combined, the notches 52e and the notches 62e respectively form openings 1b (shown only in FIG. 1) at both end wall portions of the outer case B.

  Further, engaging holes 52f are formed on both sides of the notch 52e in the end wall 52d of the upper outer case constituting member 50 so as to penetrate therethrough. The engaging hole 52f is adapted to engage a claw portion 31i provided in the inner case A described later.

  As shown in FIG. 12, a positive electrode mark 53 indicating that it is on the positive electrode side is provided on one end wall portion 52 d of the upper outer case constituent member 50. Furthermore, ribs 54 extending along the peripheral edge of the notch 52e are formed on the both end walls 52d and 52d so as to protrude outward from the upper outer case constituent member 50, respectively.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the gas discharged from the secondary battery 2 in the event of an abnormality is between the bottom wall portion 31 b of the battery housing recess 31 of the inner case A and the upper wall portion 51 of the outer case B. Is formed to the outside of the outer case B. That is, although not shown, the secondary battery 2 is provided with a discharge valve on the positive electrode terminal side for discharging gas when there is an abnormality. The secondary battery 2 is arranged so that the positive electrode terminal is located on the upper side. Therefore, when an abnormality occurs, gas is discharged from the upper part of the secondary battery 2 and flows out to the gas outlet passage R.

  The gas outlet passage R is formed so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the outer case B. Both end portions of the gas lead-out passage R communicate with opening portions 52g and 52g formed at upper portions of both end wall portions 52d and 52d of the upper outer case constituent member 50 and are always open to the outside of the outer case B. The opening 52g has an elongated shape extending in the vicinity of both ends in the width direction of the end wall 52d, and has an opening area sufficient for discharging gas.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the inner case A has a shape that is long in the same direction as the outer case B, and the divided portion is a central portion in the vertical direction. Both the upper inner case constituent member 30 and the lower inner case constituent member 40 are formed by injection molding a resin material having insulating properties.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the lower inner case constituent member 40 is formed in a box shape that opens upward, and has a bottom wall portion 42 having a large number of battery accommodating recesses 41, and an upper portion from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion 42. And a peripheral wall portion 43 extending to the front. In this embodiment, the battery accommodating recesses 41 are arranged so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the inner case A and also in the width direction, and the substantially lower half part (negative electrode terminal side) of the secondary battery 2 is arranged in each. It fits in the inserted state, and the secondary battery 2 is hold | maintained by this.

  The peripheral wall 41a of each battery accommodating recess 41 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The peripheral wall part 41a of the adjacent battery accommodation recessed part 41 is made common, and the clearance gap between the adjacent secondary batteries 2 is minimized. As shown in FIG. 15, the bottom wall part 41b of the adjacent battery accommodating recess 41 is formed to be continuous.

  A peripheral wall slit 41 c extending in the depth direction of the battery accommodating recess 41 is formed in the peripheral wall 41 a of each battery accommodating recess 41. In addition, a bottom wall slit 41d that extends in the radial direction of the battery accommodating recess 41 is formed in the bottom wall 41b of each battery accommodating recess 41 so as to be continuous with the peripheral wall slit 41c. The bottom wall slits 41d of the battery accommodating recesses 41, 41,... Arranged in the longitudinal direction of the inner case A are all formed to be continuous. Accordingly, in the bottom wall portion 42 of the lower inner case constituent member 40, the bottom wall slit 41 d constitutes a slit extending in the longitudinal direction of the lower inner case constituent member 40.

  The bottom wall slit 41d is formed so as to expose the negative electrode terminal of the secondary battery 2. That is, the central portion in the longitudinal direction of each bottom wall slit 41d is an opening that is wider than both sides and can expose the negative terminal. The negative electrode terminal exposed from the bottom wall slit 41d is covered with the lower outer case constituent member 60.

  A claw portion 41 h that engages with the engagement hole 62 c of the lower outer case constituent member 60 is provided on the outer surface of the battery accommodating recess 41.

  Further, a claw portion 41 i that engages with an engagement hole 62 f of the lower outer case constituent member 60 is provided on the peripheral wall portion 43 of the lower inner case constituent member 40. Furthermore, a plurality of ventilation openings 43c through which cooling air flows are formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction in the side wall 43b extending in the longitudinal direction of the peripheral wall 43 of the lower inner case constituent member 40. A plurality of upper engagement holes 43g are provided in the upper edge portion of the peripheral wall portion 43 of the lower inner case constituent member 40.

  As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the upper inner case constituting member 30 is formed in a box shape opened downward, and includes an upper wall portion 32 having a large number of battery accommodating recesses 31 and a peripheral edge of the upper wall portion 32. And a peripheral wall portion 33 extending downward from the portion. The battery housing recess 31 is an upward recess and is formed so as to be positioned directly above the battery housing recess 41 of the lower inner case constituent member 40. The battery accommodating recesses 31 are fitted with the substantially upper half (positive electrode terminal side) of the secondary battery 2 inserted therein, whereby the secondary battery 2 is held.

  Each battery accommodating recess 31 is configured in the same manner as the battery accommodating recess 41 of the lower inner case constituent member 40. That is, the battery accommodating recess 31 has a peripheral wall portion 31a and a bottom wall portion 31b, and a peripheral wall slit 31c extending in the depth direction of the battery accommodating recess 31 is formed in the peripheral wall portion 31a. The bottom wall portion 31b is formed with a bottom wall slit 31d that extends in the radial direction of the battery housing recess 31 continuously from the peripheral wall slit 31c.

  The bottom wall slit 31d is formed so as to expose the positive electrode terminal of the secondary battery 2. That is, the central portion in the longitudinal direction of each bottom wall slit 31d is an opening that is wider than both sides and can expose the positive electrode terminal. The positive terminal exposed from the bottom wall slit 31 d is covered with the upper outer case constituent member 50. Further, the bottom wall slit 31d of the battery accommodating recess 31 is a communicating portion that communicates with the outside of the inner case A, and the gas outlet passage R provided between the inner case A and the outer case B is the bottom. It communicates with the wall slit 31d.

  A claw portion 31 h that engages with the engagement hole 52 c of the upper outer case constituent member 50 is provided on the outer surface of the battery housing recess 31.

  The peripheral wall 33 of the upper inner case component 30 is provided with a claw portion 31 i that engages with the engagement hole 52 f of the upper outer case component 50. Further, a plurality of ventilation holes 33c through which cooling air flows are formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction in the side wall 33b extending in the longitudinal direction of the peripheral wall 33 of the upper inner case constituting member 30. Further, a claw portion 33g that engages with the lower engagement hole 43g of the lower inner case constituent member 40 is provided below the peripheral wall portion 33 of the upper inner case constituent member 30 so as to correspond to the lower engagement hole 43g. Yes.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a sheet-like first heat conducting member 70 made of a member having thermal conductivity is accommodated in the lower inner case constituting member 40 of the inner case A. Heat generated in the secondary battery 2 is transmitted to the first heat conducting member 70. The first heat conducting member 70 is made of, for example, silicon or aluminum alloy, and has a large number of circular insertion holes 71 into which the secondary battery 2 is inserted. The formation position of the insertion hole 71 is set to coincide with the position of the secondary battery 2 housed in the battery housing recess 41. The peripheral edge portion of the insertion hole 71 is formed so as to contact the outer peripheral surface of the secondary battery 2, but a part thereof may be separated from the outer peripheral surface of the secondary battery 2 due to a manufacturing error or the like.

  For example, when manufacturing the 1st heat conductive member 70 by press-molding the board | plate material made from an aluminum alloy, the peripheral wall of the insertion hole 71 of the 1st heat conductive member 70 protrudes upwards, and the annular wall (burring) extended in the circumferential direction. Shape) 72 is formed. Further, an outer peripheral wall portion (burring shape, bent shape) 73 that protrudes upward and extends in the circumferential direction is formed on the peripheral edge portion of the first heat conducting member 70. As shown in FIG. 16, the outer peripheral wall 73 of the first heat conducting member 70 is formed so as to fit inside the lower inner case constituting member 40 of the inner case A. Thereby, since the 1st heat conductive member 70 contacts the lower inner case structural member 40, the heat of the 1st heat conductive member 70 comes to be transmitted to the lower inner case structural member 40. The first heat conducting member 70 may not be brought into contact with the lower inner case constituent member 40.

  Further, when the first heat conducting member 70 is manufactured by trimming a sheet made of silicon resin or the like, the insertion hole can be formed in a sheet having substantially the same thickness, although not shown. In this case, when the secondary battery is inserted into the insertion hole, it can be easily inserted while elastically deforming the sheet by utilizing the fact that the silicon resin sheet is an elastic body.

  The first heat conducting member 70 is formed so that the upper and lower parts of the secondary battery 2 can be exposed from the insertion hole 71. Further, the first heat conducting member 70 is disposed so as to be visible from the outside through the ventilation port 33c and the ventilation port 43c of the inner case A, that is, facing the outside. The first heat conducting member 70 made of silicon and the first heat conducting member 70 made of aluminum alloy may be used in combination.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the heat conduction in which the lower inner case constituent member 40 of the inner case A is filled and solidified in a gap formed between the plurality of secondary batteries 2. The 2nd heat conductive member H which consists of resin which has property is accommodated. As the resin constituting the second heat conductive member H, a conventionally known resin having a thermal conductivity such as a resin made of silicon, a modified silicon resin, an acrylic resin, or the like can be used. The second heat conducting member H is disposed below the first heat conducting member 70 and is in contact with the lower surface of the first heat conducting member 70. The second heat conducting member H is in contact with the inner surface of the lower inner case constituting member 40. Further, the second heat conducting member H is also in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the secondary battery 2. Since the molten resin used as the material of the second heat conducting member H has fluidity, it penetrates even when the gap between the secondary batteries 2 arranged side by side is narrow, and the outer peripheral surface of the secondary battery 2 Will come in contact with a wide range of. The second heat conducting member H may be filled so as not to contact the inner surface of the lower inner case constituent member 40. Moreover, although it is preferable that the 1st heat conductive member 70 and the 2nd heat conductive member H are made to contact, you may make it not contact.

  As shown in FIG. 21 and the like, the positive electrode bus bar C is made of a conductive metal material that electrically connects the terminals of the secondary battery 2, and includes a bus bar main body 80 and a tab 96.

  The bus bar body 80 is formed by press-molding a thick plate material, and includes an upper plate portion 81 extending in the longitudinal direction along the upper wall portion 31 of the upper inner case constituting member 30, and one longitudinal end portion of the upper plate portion 81. The first side plate portion 82 extends downward, and the second side plate portion 83 extends downward from the other longitudinal end of the upper plate portion 81. In the upper plate portion 81, through portions 81 a that penetrate in the vertical direction are formed at portions corresponding to the positive terminals of the secondary batteries 2 arranged in the center in the width direction of the inner case A. Therefore, the penetration part 81a coincides with a part where the width of the bottom wall slit 31d in the upper wall part 31 of the inner case A is wide, and becomes a part through which the gas discharged from the secondary battery 2 can flow.

  The substantially upper half portion of the first side plate portion 82 extends along the peripheral wall portion 33 of the upper inner case constituting member 30. An engagement hole (positive electrode side second engagement portion) 82 a that engages with a claw portion 33 d provided on the peripheral wall portion 33 of the upper inner case constituting member 30 is formed in a substantially upper half portion of the first side plate portion 82. Has been.

  The substantially lower half portion of the first side plate portion 82 is formed so as to protrude in a direction away from the peripheral wall portion 33 of the upper inner case constituting member 30. An electrode portion 84 serving as a positive electrode of the battery module 1 is fixed to a substantially lower half portion of the first side plate portion 82.

  On the lower side of the electrode portion 84 of the first side plate portion 82, a collar portion (positive electrode side first electrode) formed in a collar shape extending in a direction approaching the peripheral wall portion 43 of the lower inner case constituent member 40 and then extending downward. 1 engaging portion) 82b is provided. As shown in FIG. 2, the flange 82 b is engaged in a state in which it is inserted into an engagement hole 43 d formed in the peripheral wall 43 of the lower inner case constituting member 40.

  The second side plate portion 83 is formed shorter than the first side plate portion 82 and extends along the peripheral wall portion 33 of the upper inner case constituting member 30. The second side plate portion 83 is formed with an engagement hole (positive side second engagement portion) 83 a that engages with a claw portion 33 e provided on the peripheral wall portion 33 of the upper inner case constituting member 30.

  The tab 96 is made of a plate material that is formed thinner than the bus bar body 80. Tab 96 is also press-molded. The tab 96 includes a main body portion 96 c that is welded to the lower surface of the upper plate portion 81 of the bus bar main body 80, and extends in the arrangement direction of the secondary batteries 2 (longitudinal direction of the bus bar main body 80). The tab 96 includes a bent connection portion 96 a that is welded to the positive electrode terminal of the secondary battery 2. A portion welded to the positive electrode terminal of the secondary battery 2 in the connection portion 96 a is formed flat, and the secondary battery 2 is inserted into the bottom wall slit 31 d as an opening of the upper inner case component 30. Laser spot welding to the positive terminal. A fuse 96b disposed between the connecting portion 96a and the main body portion 96c is integrally formed. The fuse 96b is formed in a linear shape, and is blown when an abnormal large current flows between the positive electrode terminal of the secondary battery 2 and the positive electrode bus bar C. The fuse 96b is also integrally formed with the main body 96c, and the increase in the number of parts is suppressed by providing the fuse 96b.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the negative electrode side bus bar D includes a bus bar main body 100 configured in the same manner as the positive electrode side bus bar C, and a tab 110. The bus bar body 100 includes a lower plate portion 101 extending in the longitudinal direction along the bottom wall portion 41 of the lower inner case constituent member 40, a first side plate portion 102 extending upward from one longitudinal end portion of the lower plate portion 101, A second side plate portion 103 extending upward from the other longitudinal end of the plate portion 101. The lower plate portion 101 is formed with through portions 101a penetrating in the vertical direction at portions corresponding to the positive terminals of the secondary batteries 2 arranged in the center of the inner case A in the width direction. Accordingly, the through portion 101a coincides with a portion where the width of the bottom wall slit 41d in the lower wall portion 41 of the inner case A is wide.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the substantially lower half portion of the first side plate portion 102 extends along the peripheral wall portion 43 of the lower inner case constituting member 40. An engagement hole (negative electrode side second engagement portion) 102 a that engages with a claw portion 43 i provided in the peripheral wall portion 43 of the lower inner case constituent member 40 is formed in a substantially lower half portion of the first side plate portion 102. Has been.

  The substantially upper half portion of the first side plate portion 102 is formed so as to protrude in a direction away from the peripheral wall portion 43 of the lower inner case constituting member 40. An electrode portion 104 serving as a negative electrode is fixed to a substantially upper half portion of the first side plate portion 102.

  On the upper side of the electrode portion 104 of the first side plate portion 102, a hook portion (first negative electrode side first electrode) formed in a hook shape extending in a direction approaching the peripheral wall portion 33 of the upper inner case constituting member 30 and then extending upward. (Engagement part) 102b is provided. The flange portion 102 b is engaged with the flange portion 102 b while being inserted into an engagement hole 33 i formed in the peripheral wall portion 33 of the upper inner case constituting member 30.

  Further, the second side plate portion 103 is formed shorter than the first side plate portion 102 and extends along the peripheral wall portion 43 of the lower inner case constituting member 40. The second side plate portion 103 is formed with an engagement hole (negative electrode side second engagement portion) 103 a that engages with a claw portion 43 e provided on the peripheral wall portion 43 of the lower inner case constituent member 40.

  The tab 110 has a main body portion 110 c that is welded to the upper surface of the lower plate portion 101. The tab 110 is provided with a connecting portion 110 a that is laser spot welded to the negative electrode terminal of the secondary battery 2. The connecting part 110a has a plate shape extending from the main body part 110c. Note that no fuse is provided on the negative electrode side.

  Next, the case where the battery module 1 comprised as mentioned above is assembled is demonstrated. First, the secondary batteries 2 are housed in the battery housing recesses 41 of the lower inner case constituent member 40, respectively. At this time, a peripheral wall slit 41c and a bottom wall slit 41d are formed in the peripheral wall portion 41a and the bottom wall portion 41b of the battery accommodating recess 41, respectively. Even if the outer diameter is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the battery housing recess 41, the secondary battery 2 can be inserted while being elastically deformed so as to expand the battery housing recess 41. Thereby, the inserted secondary battery 2 is fitted and held in the battery accommodating recess 41.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, a molten resin that becomes the second heat conducting member H is filled between the secondary batteries 2. In FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, reference numeral N denotes a dispenser nozzle for injecting molten resin. The tip of the dispenser nozzle N is inserted between the secondary batteries 2 and 2 adjacent to each other. When the molten resin is injected from the tip of the dispenser nozzle N, the molten resin flows into the secondary battery 2 and also contacts the inner surface of the lower inner case constituent member 40. The filling range of the molten resin is preferably set to a range indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 17, but may be wider or narrower than this range. It becomes the 2nd heat conductive member H because molten resin solidifies.

  Thereafter, the first heat conducting member 70 is assembled to the lower inner case constituting member 40. That is, the secondary battery 2 is inserted into the insertion hole 71 of the first heat conducting member 70, and the outer peripheral wall portion 73 of the first heat conducting member 70 is fitted to the upper end portion of the lower inner case constituent member 40. As a result, the first heat conducting member 70 becomes the lid of the molten resin, so that the molten resin flows out even if the lower inner case constituent member 40 is tilted in a state where the molten resin is not yet completely solidified. Can be suppressed.

  Thereafter, the upper inner case constituent member 30 is combined with the lower inner case constituent member 40 from above the lower inner case constituent member 40. At this time, the secondary battery 2 is inserted into the battery accommodating recess 31 of the upper inner case constituting member 30, but the secondary battery 2 is elastically deformed so as to expand the diameter of the battery accommodating recess 31 as in the case of the lower side. The battery 2 can be inserted.

  When the upper inner case constituent member 30 is combined with the lower inner case constituent member 40, the claw portion 33g of the upper inner case constituent member 30 engages with the lower engagement hole 43g of the lower inner case constituent member 40. This engagement structure is for temporarily coupling the upper inner case constituent member 30 and the lower inner case constituent member 40 together. The inner case A is configured by the above steps.

  Thereafter, the positive electrode side bus bar C and the negative electrode side bus bar D are assembled to the inner case A. The positive bus bar C and the negative bus bar D may be assembled.

  When the positive electrode side bus bar C is assembled to the inner case A, first, the flange portion 82b of the positive electrode side bus bar C is inserted into the engagement hole 43d (shown in FIG. 2) of the lower inner case constituent member 40 and engaged. When inserting the flange 82b, the upper plate 81 of the positive side bus bar C is separated from the upper wall 31 of the inner case A, and the flange 82b is inserted from the front end side. Place on the upper wall 31 of the inner case A. When the upper plate portion 81 is placed on the upper wall portion 31 of the inner case A, the claw portion 33d of the upper inner case constituent member 30 of the inner case A enters and engages with the engagement hole 82a of the positive side bus bar C, The claw portion 33e of the upper inner case constituent member 30 of the inner case A enters and engages with the engagement hole 83a of the positive bus bar C. As a result, the positive side bus bar C is engaged with both the upper inner case constituent member 30 and the lower inner case constituent member 40, so that the upper inner case constituent member 30 and the lower inner case constituent member 40 are formed by the positive side bus bar C. Can be in a coupled state. That is, since the assembly of the upper inner case constituent member 30 and the lower inner case constituent member 40 is completed at the same time as the assembly of the positive electrode side bus bar C is completed, the upper inner case constituent member 30 and the lower inner case constituent member 40 are joined. There is no need to use a fastening member or the like separately.

  Next, the connection portion 96 a of the tab 96 of the positive electrode side bus bar C is welded to the positive electrode terminal of the secondary battery 2. Since the tab 96 is thinner than the bus bar main body 80, it can be welded to the terminal even when the amount of heat applied to the terminal of the secondary battery 2 is small. Therefore, it becomes possible to suppress that the secondary battery 2 is damaged by the heat at the time of welding.

  When assembling the negative electrode side bus bar D to the inner case A, first, the flange portion 102b of the negative electrode side bus bar D is inserted into the engagement hole 33i (shown in FIG. 2) of the upper inner case component 30 and engaged. When inserting the flange portion 102b, the lower plate portion 101 of the negative electrode side bus bar D is separated from the lower wall portion 41 of the inner case A, and the flange portion 102b is inserted from the front end side. It is made to contact the lower wall part 41 of the inner case A. When the lower plate portion 101 is brought into contact with the lower wall portion 41 of the inner case A, the claw portion 43i of the lower inner case constituent member 40 of the inner case A enters and engages with the engaging hole 102a of the negative side bus bar D, and The claw portion 43e of the lower inner case constituent member 40 of the inner case A enters the engaging hole 103a of the negative electrode side bus bar D and engages therewith. Thereby, the negative electrode side bus bar D engages with both the upper inner case constituent member 30 and the lower inner case constituent member 40. Then, the connection part 110 a of the tab 110 is welded to the negative electrode terminal of the secondary battery 2.

  Thereafter, the inner case A is accommodated in the lower outer case constituent member 60 from above the lower outer case constituent member 60. Then, the claw portion 41 i of the lower inner case constituent member 40 enters and engages with the engagement hole 62 f of the lower outer case constituent member 60.

  Next, the upper outer case constituent member 50 is combined with the lower outer case constituent member 60 from above the lower outer case constituent member 60. Then, the claw portion 31i of the upper inner case constituent member 30 enters and engages with the engaging hole 52f of the upper outer case constituent member 50. That is, since the upper outer case constituent member 50 and the lower outer case constituent member 60 can be fixed and integrated with the inner case A, a fastening member or the like is unnecessary. The outer case B is constituted by the above steps, and the unit Y shown in FIG. 1 is obtained.

  When the unit Y is configured, since the inner case A and the outer case B are divided in the same direction, the outer case B can be assembled without changing the direction of the inner case A. Further, since the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the secondary battery 2 exposed from the inner case A are covered with the outer case B, insulation is reliably performed.

  The unit Y is placed in a state where the bottom wall portion 61 of the outer case B is in contact with the upper surface of the base plate 7. At this time, since the positioning portion 65 of the bottom wall portion 61 of the outer case B is inserted into and engaged with the circular through hole 7e of the base plate 7, the unit Y is positioned with respect to the base plate 7 so as not to move in the horizontal direction. Thus, the battery module 1 is obtained. At this time, the positioning portion 65 can be reliably inserted into the circular through hole 7e by the weight of the unit Y so as not to come off. Although not shown, a plurality of units Y can be placed horizontally on the upper surface of the base plate 7, and these units Y can be connected in series or in parallel.

  When the battery module 1 is used, the secondary battery 2 may generate heat. In this embodiment, the heat of the secondary battery 2 is transferred to the first heat conducting member 70 and the second heat conducting member H inside the inner case A and dissipated. At this time, since the secondary battery 2 is inserted into the insertion hole 71 of the first heat conducting member 70, the heat of the secondary battery 2 is transmitted to the first heat conducting member 70. Since the plurality of insertion holes 71 are formed in the first heat conducting member 70, even if there is one first heat conducting member 70, heat radiation of the plurality of secondary batteries 2 can be performed. Moreover, since the 2nd heat conductive member H is filled between the secondary batteries 2, the heat | fever of the some secondary battery 2 transfers to the 2nd heat conductive member H efficiently. As a result, heat is radiated so that the temperature of each secondary battery 2 becomes uniform.

  Further, the heat of the secondary battery 2 is transmitted to the base plate 7 via the inner case A and the outer case B and is dissipated. At this time, the ventilation holes 33c and 43c are formed in the inner case A, and the ventilation holes 1a shown in FIG. 1 are formed in the outer case B by the notches 52b and 62b. After the wind flows into the outer case B and the inner case A from the vent hole 1a on one side wall portion of the outer case B, it is possible to smoothly flow out from the vent hole 1a on the other side wall portion. Therefore, it becomes possible to supply cooling air to the portion in which the secondary battery 2 is accommodated, and the cooling performance is improved. Furthermore, since the base plate 7 is disposed outside the outer case B, the cooling air is easily hit and sufficient cooling performance is obtained. In addition, the cooling performance is further improved by positively supplying the cooling air to the cooling air passage 7b of the base plate 7.

  Further, the base plate 7 is formed with a plurality of slit-like through-holes 7d to ensure a large heat radiation area, and the heat of the secondary battery 2 is also efficiently radiated by this. Further, since the positioning portion 65 of the outer case B protrudes into the cooling air passage 7b, the positioning portion 65 hits the cooling air. Thereby, the heat of the secondary battery 2 will be radiated | emitted via the positioning part 65, and the heat of the secondary battery 2 will be thermally radiated still more efficiently.

  Should the secondary battery 2 become abnormal when the battery module 1 is used and gas is ejected from the positive terminal side, the bottom wall slit 31d of the upper wall portion 31 of the inner case A is over the positive bus bar C. It flows through the penetration part 81 a of the plate part 81 and flows out to the gas outlet passage R. The gas that has flowed out into the gas outlet passage R flows in the longitudinal direction of the outer case B and is led out through the openings 52g and 52g.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the first heat conductive member 70 having the plurality of insertion holes 71 into which the secondary battery 2 is inserted in the inner case A, and filled and solidified in a molten state. Since the second heat conductive member H made of a resin having thermal conductivity is accommodated, heat can be radiated so that the temperature of each secondary battery 2 becomes uniform.

  Further, by bringing the first heat conducting member 70 and the second heat conducting member H into contact with each other, the temperature of each secondary battery 2 can be made more uniform.

  As in the modification shown in FIG. 22, the second heat conducting member H may be provided between the two first heat conducting members 70, 70. In this modification, first, the lower first heat conducting member 70 is accommodated in the lower inner case constituent member 40, and then the upper surface of the first heat conducting member 70 is filled with a molten resin that becomes the second heat conducting member H. To do. Thereafter, the upper first heat conducting member 70 is overlaid on the second heat conducting member H. In this case, since the molten resin can be sandwiched between the first heat conductive members 70, 70, even if the lower inner case constituent member 40 is tilted before the molten resin is solidified, the molten resin flows out. Can be suppressed.

  In the above case, by filling and inserting the first heat conducting member 70 and the second heat conducting member H on the positive electrode terminal side, the temperature of the secondary battery 2 can be stabilized, and some of the two Even if an abnormality occurs in the secondary battery 2 and gas is ejected from some of the secondary batteries 2, the gas is prevented from entering the gaps of the other secondary batteries 2 and causing the other secondary batteries 2 to explode. be able to.

  The above-described embodiment is merely an example in all respects and should not be interpreted in a limited manner. Further, all modifications and changes belonging to the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, the battery module according to the present invention can be mounted on, for example, an electric vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Battery module 1a Vent 2 Secondary battery 30 Upper inner case structural member 40 Lower inner case structural member 41 Battery accommodating recess 50 Upper outer case structural member 60 Lower outer case structural member 70 First heat conducting member 71 Insertion hole A Inside Case B Outer case H Second heat conducting member

Claims (3)

A plurality of secondary batteries (2);
A case (A) for housing the secondary battery (2);
In the battery module (1) including the first heat conducting member (70) and the second heat conducting member (H) accommodated in the case (A),
The first heat conducting member (70) is formed by molding a member having thermal conductivity, and a plurality of insertion holes (71) into which the secondary battery (2) is inserted are formed at intervals. Has been
An annular wall (72) protruding in the center line direction of the insertion hole (71) and extending in the circumferential direction is formed at the peripheral edge of the insertion hole (71) in the first heat conducting member (70),
An outer peripheral wall portion (73) protruding in the same direction as the annular wall (72) is formed on the peripheral portion of the first heat conducting member (70) so as to contact the case (A),
The battery module (1), wherein the second heat conductive member (H) is a resin having thermal conductivity that is filled and solidified in a molten state between the plurality of secondary batteries (2). The battery module (1) according to claim 1,
The battery module (1), wherein the first heat conducting member (70) and the second heat conducting member (H) are in contact with each other. The battery module (1) according to claim 1 or 2,
One or both of the said 1st heat conductive member (70) and the said 2nd heat conductive member (H) are contacting the said case (A), The battery module (1) characterized by the above-mentioned.

Images