JP6952717B2 - Batteries - Google Patents

Description

Cross-reference to related applications

This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-245674 (filed December 19, 2016), the entire disclosure of which application is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to an assembled battery.

Conventionally, an assembled battery in which a plurality of batteries are housed in a member such as a housing is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a plurality of members accommodating a battery come into contact with each other on flat side surfaces to form a battery accommodating member.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-013726

When a plurality of members accommodating a battery come into contact with each other on flat side surfaces, a gap may be created between the members due to the force applied to the accommodating member of the battery. The gap between the members may reduce the dustproof performance or the waterproof performance of the accommodating member.

An object of the present invention made in view of such a viewpoint is to provide an assembled battery provided with an accommodating member capable of having higher dustproof performance or waterproof performance.

In order to solve the above problem, the assembled battery according to the first viewpoint is
A battery cell with a flat surface and
A cell holder that holds the battery cell and
A lower case for accommodating the battery cell and engaging with the cell holder is provided.
The cell holder has an abutting portion that abuts on the lower case.
The lower case has a contact portion that comes into contact with the cell holder.
The contact portion between the cell holder and the lower case is configured to mutually regulate the displacement generated in response to the displacement of the flat surface of the battery cell.

According to the assembled battery according to the first aspect, the accommodating member may have higher dustproof performance or waterproof performance.

It is external perspective view of the assembled battery which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the outline of the power-source system including the assembled battery of FIG. It is a figure which shows the arrangement of the battery cell accommodated in the assembled battery of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which the battery cell of FIG. 3 is housed in a lower case and a cell holder. It is a figure which shows the structure of the inter-cell bus bar. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. It is a front view of the assembled battery which attached the sensor board. It is a figure which shows the assembled battery which attached the BAT case and the auxiliary machine pedestal 200. It is a figure which shows the assembled battery which attached the relay, the MOS board, and the BMS board. It is a figure which shows the structure of the BMS substrate. It is an exploded perspective view of the assembled battery of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the structure which a lower case and a cell holder come into contact with each other. It is an enlarged view of the part surrounded by the broken line of FIG. 12A. It is sectional drawing which shows the comparative example of the structure which a lower case and a cell holder come into contact with each other. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the contact part of the cell holder of FIG. 12B. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the contact part of the cell holder of FIG. 12B. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. It is a modification of FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings are schematic. The dimensions or ratios on the drawings do not always match the actual ones. The depiction of each component in each drawing may be partially simplified.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the assembled battery 100 according to the embodiment. The assembled battery 100 includes an upper case 300, a lower case 110, a cell holder 120, a BAT case 500, and a gas discharge pipe 600. The lower case 110 is also referred to as a storage case. The cell holder 120 is also referred to as a holder. The assembled battery 100 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The surface facing the positive direction of the X-axis is also referred to as the first side surface of the assembled battery 100. The surface facing the negative direction of the X-axis is also referred to as the second side surface of the assembled battery 100. The surface of the Z-axis facing the positive direction is also referred to as the upper surface of the assembled battery 100. The surface facing the negative direction of the Z axis corresponding to the opposite side of the upper surface is also referred to as the bottom surface of the assembled battery 100. The surface of the Y-axis facing the negative direction is also referred to as the front surface of the assembled battery 100. The surface facing the positive direction of the Y-axis corresponding to the opposite side of the front surface is also referred to as the back surface of the assembled battery 100. The name of each surface of the assembled battery 100 can be applied as a name indicating each surface of the lower case 110, the cell holder 120, and the BAT case 500.

The lower case 110, the cell holder 120, and the BAT case 500 are engaged with each other on the side of the first side surface by the engaging member 180. The lower case 110, the cell holder 120, and the BAT case 500 are also engaged with each other on the side of the second side surface by the engaging member 180. The member in which the lower case 110, the cell holder 120, and the BAT case 500 are engaged is also referred to as a battery case. A battery cell 150 (see FIG. 3), which will be described later, is housed in the battery case.

The lower case 110, the cell holder 120, and the BAT case 500 may be made of, for example, a resin such as PBT (Poly-Butylene Terephthalate).

The upper case 300 has a recess 301 and a recess 302 in a part of the side where the upper surface and the first side surface are connected. The upper case 300 has a recess 303 in a part of the side where the front surface and the upper surface are connected. The assembled battery 100 includes an SSG terminal 250, a LOAD terminal 260, and a GND terminal 270 in the recess 301, the recess 302, and the recess 303, respectively.

The upper case 300 has an opening 304 on the first side surface. The assembled battery 100 includes a connector 310 at the opening 304.

The upper case 300 may be made of, for example, a resin such as PBT (Poly-Butylene Terephthalate).

The gas discharge pipe 600 passes the gas discharged from the battery cell 150 and discharges the gas to the outside of the battery case. The gas discharge pipe 600 may be, for example, a metal tube.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the assembled battery 100 is mounted on a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine or a vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle capable of traveling by the power of both the internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The assembled battery 100 may be mounted under the seat of the vehicle, for example. The assembled battery 100 may be mounted on the center console of the vehicle, for example. The assembled battery 100 is not limited to the vehicle, and may be used for other purposes.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an outline of a power supply system 400 including the assembled battery 100 shown in FIG. The power supply system 400 includes an assembled battery 100, an alternator 410, a starter 420, a second secondary battery 430, a load 440, a switch 450, and a control unit 460. The assembled battery 100 includes a first secondary battery 130 housed in the lower case 110. The first secondary battery 130, the alternator 410, the starter 420, the second secondary battery 430 and the load 440 are connected in parallel.

The assembled battery 100 includes a MOSFET 210 (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor), a relay 220, and a sensor 230. The assembled battery 100 further includes a fusible link 240, a first secondary battery 130, and a BMS 140 (Battery Management System). The BMS 140 is also referred to as a battery controller. The assembled battery 100 further includes an SSG terminal 250, a LOAD terminal 260, and a GND terminal 270.

The relay 220, the first secondary battery 130, the fusible link 240, and the GND terminal 270 are connected in series in this order. The relay 220 is electrically connected to the MOSFET 210 and the SSG terminal 250. The SSG terminal 250 is electrically connected to the alternator 410. The MOSFET 210 is connected in series to the second secondary battery 430 and the load 440 via the LOAD terminal 260. The GND terminal 270 is grounded.

The sensor 230 is electrically connected to the first secondary battery 130. The BMS 140 is communicably connected to the sensor 230. The BMS 140 is communicably connected to the control unit 460 of the power supply system 400. The BMS 140 is communicably connected to the MOSFET 210, the relay 220, and the sensor 230. The circuit that executes the function of the sensor 230 is mounted on the sensor board 231 (see FIG. 7).

The relay 220 functions as a switching element that connects the first secondary battery 130 in parallel with each component outside the assembled battery 100 in the power supply system 400, or disconnects from each component. Each component of the power supply system 400 outside the assembled battery 100 is also referred to as an external circuit.

The sensor 230 has an appropriate structure and measures the current flowing through the circuit including the first secondary battery 130 or the voltage applied to the circuit including the first secondary battery 130 by an appropriate method.

The fusible link 240 is composed of a fuse body, a housing made of an insulating resin that houses and holds the fuse body, and a cover made of an insulating resin that covers the housing, and blows when an overcurrent occurs.

The first secondary battery 130 is composed of an assembly of battery cells 150 (see FIG. 3). The battery cell 150 constituting the first secondary battery 130 may be a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel hydrogen battery. The first secondary battery 130 is electrically connected to the relay 220 on the positive electrode side. The first secondary battery 130 is electrically connected to the fusible link 240 on the negative electrode side. The fusible link 240 is grounded via the GND terminal 270.

The MOSFET 210 functions as a switching element that connects the second secondary battery 430 and the load 440 in parallel with or disconnects from other components in the power supply system 400. The assembled battery 100 may not include the MOSFET 210. The MOSFET 210 is mounted on the MOS substrate 212 (see FIG. 9).

The BMS 140 acquires a measurement result such as a current or a voltage of the first secondary battery 130 from the sensor 230. The BMS 140 estimates the state of the first secondary battery 130 based on the measurement result. The BMS 140 estimates, for example, the charge rate of the first secondary battery 130. The charge rate is also called SOC (State Of Charge). The circuit that executes the function of the BMS 140 is mounted on the BMS board 141 (see FIGS. 9 and 10).

The alternator 410 is a generator that is mechanically connected to the engine of the vehicle. The alternator 410 generates electricity by driving the engine. The electric power generated by the alternator 410 by driving the engine may be supplied to the first secondary battery 130, the second secondary battery 430, and the load 440 by adjusting the output voltage by the regulator. The alternator 410 can generate electricity by regeneration when the vehicle is decelerating or the like. The electric power regenerated by the alternator 410 can be used to charge the first secondary battery 130 and the second secondary battery 430.

The starter 420 may include, for example, a starter motor. The starter 420 receives power from at least one of the first secondary battery 130 and the second secondary battery 430 to start the vehicle engine.

The second secondary battery 430 may be composed of, for example, a lead storage battery. The second secondary battery 430 supplies power to the load 440.

The load 440 may include, for example, audio installed in the vehicle, an air conditioner, a navigation system, and the like. The load 440 operates by consuming the supplied electric power. The load 440 operates by receiving power supply from the first secondary battery 130 while the engine drive is stopped, and operates by receiving power supply from the alternator 410 and the second secondary battery 430 while the engine drive is stopped.

The switch 450 is connected in series with the starter 420. The switch 450 functions as a switching element that connects the starter 420 in parallel with or disconnects from the other components.

The control unit 460 controls the overall operation of the power supply system 400. The control unit 460 may be composed of, for example, an ECU (Electric Control Unit or Engine Control Unit) of the vehicle. The control unit 460 is communicably connected to the switch 450 and the BMS 140. The control unit 460 is communicably connected to the MOSFET 210 and the relay 220 via the BMS 140. The control unit 460 controls the operations of the switch 450, the MOSFET 210, and the relay 220, respectively. By controlling each component, the control unit 460 supplies power by the alternator 410, the first secondary battery 130 and the second secondary battery 430, and the first secondary battery 130 and the second secondary battery. The battery 430 is charged.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the battery cells 150 housed in the assembled battery 100. The assembled battery 100 according to the present embodiment accommodates five battery cells 150-1 to 5. The number of battery cells 150 accommodated in the assembled battery 100 is not limited to five. The number of battery cells 150 accommodated in the assembled battery 100 can be appropriately determined according to the maximum output of the battery cells 150, the electric power consumed by the driven device such as a vehicle, and the like.

The battery cell 150 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having six surfaces. Two of the six faces of the battery cell 150 have a larger area than the other four faces. Of the surfaces of the battery cell 150, two surfaces having a relatively large area are also referred to as flat surfaces 156. The battery cell 150 is arranged so that the flat surface 156 faces the positive direction and the negative direction of the Z axis. In other words, the battery cell 150 is arranged so that the flat surface 156 is substantially parallel to the upper surface and the bottom surface of the assembled battery 100. Of the surfaces of the battery cell 150, the surfaces facing the positive and negative directions of the X-axis are also referred to as side surfaces 157. The flat surface 156 is wider than the side surface 157.

In the assembled battery 100 according to the present embodiment, the battery cells 150 are divided into two stages and three stages and stacked in the Z-axis direction. The two-tiered battery cells 150 are arranged on the positive side of the X-axis. The battery cells 150 stacked in three stages are arranged on the side in the negative direction of the X-axis. The number of stacked battery cells 150 can be appropriately changed according to the number of battery cells 150 accommodated in the assembled battery 100. An insulating sheet 155 (see FIG. 11) for insulating the battery cells 150 is arranged between the stacked battery cells 150.

The surface of the battery cell 150 on the negative side of the Y-axis is also referred to as a cap surface 151. The battery cell 150 is arranged so that the cap surface 151 faces the front side of the assembled battery 100. The battery cell 150 includes a positive electrode terminal 152, a negative electrode terminal 153, and a safety valve 154 on the cap surface 151. The cap surface 151 has a substantially rectangular shape having a long side and a short side. The positive electrode terminal 152 and the negative electrode terminal 153 are provided near both ends of the cap surface 151 in the long side direction. The positive electrode terminal 152 and the negative electrode terminal 153 are electrodes that output electric power from the battery cell 150. The positive electrode terminal 152 and the negative electrode terminal 153 are also collectively referred to as an electrode terminal.

The safety valve 154 is provided between the positive electrode terminal 152 and the negative electrode terminal 153. The safety valve 154 is opened to discharge the gas to the outside when the pressure inside the battery cell 150 exceeds a predetermined pressure due to the gas generated inside the battery cell 150. The pressure inside the battery cell 150 can be equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure when the battery cell 150 deteriorates over time or when thermal runaway occurs. The predetermined pressure can be appropriately determined according to the specifications of the battery cell 150.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the battery cell 150 is housed in the lower case 110 and the cell holder 120. The lower case 110 has an engaging hole 115 on the upper surface side at an end portion that engages with the cell holder 120. The lower case 110 also has an engaging hole 115 on the side of the bottom surface (not shown) at the end that engages with the cell holder 120. The engagement hole 115 is formed in the contact portion 119 (see FIGS. 12A, 12B, etc.) described later. On the other hand, the cell holder 120 has an engaging claw 128 on the upper surface side at the end portion engaged with the lower case 110. The cell holder 120 also has an engaging claw 128 on the side of the bottom surface (not shown) at the end that engages with the lower case 110. The engaging claw 128 is formed on the contact portion 129 (see FIGS. 12A, 12B, etc.) described later. The engaging hole 115 and the engaging claw 128 engage the lower case 110 and the cell holder 120 by fitting each other on the upper surface side and the bottom surface side, respectively.

In FIG. 4, the lower case 110 and the cell holder 120 are configured such that the engaging hole 115 is located outside the engaging claw 128. From the viewpoint of engaging the two, the lower case 110 and the cell holder 120 may be configured such that the engaging hole 115 is located inside the engaging claw 128. The engaging hole 115 and the engaging claw 128 may be exchanged. That is, the lower case 110 and the cell holder 120 may be configured such that the engaging hole 115 is provided in the cell holder 120 and the engaging claw 128 is provided in the lower case 110.

The assembled battery 100 includes an engaging member 180 on the side of the first side surface. The assembled battery 100 also includes an engaging member 180 on the side of the second side surface (not shown). The lower case 110 and the cell holder 120 each have a convex portion 112 and a convex portion 122 on the side of the first side surface. The lower case 110 and the cell holder 120 also have a convex portion 112 and a convex portion 122 on the side of the second side surface (not shown), respectively. The engaging member 180 engages the lower case 110 and the cell holder 120 by sandwiching the convex portion 112 and the convex portion 122. The engaging member 180 may be an elastic member such as a clip.

The cell holder 120 has an engagement hole 125 on the upper surface side for engaging with the BAT case 500. The cell holder 120 also has an engaging hole 125 on the side of the bottom surface (not shown).

The assembled battery 100 includes an inter-cell bus bar 160-1 to 4, a total positive terminal bus bar 164, and a total negative terminal bus bar 165 on the side of the cell holder 120. The inter-cell bus bars 160-1 to 4 are also collectively referred to as inter-cell bus bars 160. The inter-cell bus bar 160, the total positive terminal bus bar 164, and the total negative terminal bus bar 165 are also collectively referred to as a bus bar. The bus bar is electrically connected to the electrode terminals of the battery cell 150. The bus bar may be welded to the electrode terminals of the battery cell 150. The bus bar may be electrically connected to the electrode terminal of the battery cell 150 by another method such as crimping.

The inter-cell bus bar 160 electrically connects the positive electrode terminal 152 of the battery cell 150 and the negative electrode terminal 153 of another battery cell 150. For example, the inter-cell bus bar 160-1 electrically connects the positive electrode terminal 152 of the battery cell 150-1 and the negative electrode terminal 153 of the battery cell 150-2. The inter-cell bus bar 160-4 electrically connects the positive electrode terminal 152 of the battery cell 150-4 and the negative electrode terminal 153 of the battery cell 150-5. The inter-cell bus bars 160-2 and 3 electrically connect the electrode terminals of the battery cell 150 in the same manner as the other inter-cell bus bars 160. The total positive terminal bus bar 164 is electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal 152 of the battery cell 150-5. The total negative terminal bus bar 165 is electrically connected to the negative electrode terminal 153 of the battery cell 150-1. The bus bar connects the battery cells 150 in series between the total positive terminal bus bar 164 and the total negative terminal bus bar 165.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the structure of the inter-cell bus bar 160. The cell-to-cell bus bar 160 includes a convex portion 161, a terminal connecting portion 162, and a sensor mounting terminal 163. The inter-cell bus bar 160 may be made of a conductive metal such as copper or aluminum.

The convex portion 161 of the cell-to-cell bus bar 160 is provided to avoid contact with a structure such as a rib provided on the cell holder 120. The terminal connection portion 162 is electrically connected to the electrode terminal of the battery cell 150. The convex portion 161 is located between the two terminal connecting portions 162. For example, in FIG. 4, when the cell-to-cell bus bar 160-1 is viewed from the positive direction of the X-axis, the convex portion 161 protrudes from the two terminal connecting portions 162 in the negative direction of the Y-axis.

The terminal connection portion 162 has a welding opening 162a. The terminal connection portion 162 is electrically connected to each electrode terminal of the battery cell 150 at the peripheral edge of the welding opening 162a by welding such as bead welding.

The sensor mounting terminal 163 is a terminal on which the sensor board 231 (see FIG. 7) is mounted. The sensor mounting terminal 163 has a nut 163a. The sensor board 231 is attached to the sensor attachment terminal 163 by, for example, a bolt screwed into the nut 163a. The sensor board 231 is electrically connected to the electrode terminals of each battery cell 150.

As shown in FIG. 4, the total positive terminal bus bar 164 and the total negative terminal bus bar 165 have an external connection section 166 and a terminal connection section 162 similar to the cell-to-cell bus bar 160. The total positive terminal bus bar 164 and the total negative terminal bus bar 165 may be made of a conductive metal such as copper or aluminum, similarly to the cell-to-cell bus bar 160. The total positive terminal bus bar 164 and the total negative terminal bus bar 165 are electrically connected to the electrode terminals of the battery cell 150 by welding or the like at the peripheral edge of the welding opening 162a of the terminal connection portion 162.

The total positive terminal bus bar 164 and the total negative terminal bus bar 165 are electrically connected to the total positive copper bus bar 285 and the total negative copper bus bar 286 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) by the external connection portion 166, respectively. The total plus copper bus bar 285 and the total minus copper bus bar 286 are also referred to as copper bus bars. The external connection portion 166 has a screw hole 166a. The external connection portion 166 is electrically connected to the copper bus bar by a bolt or the like inserted into the screw hole 166a. The terminal connection portion 162 of the total positive terminal bus bar 164 and the total negative terminal bus bar 165 has a sensor mounting terminal 163 in the same manner as the cell-to-cell bus bar 160. The sensor board 231 is electrically connected to the total positive terminal bus bar 164 and the total negative terminal bus bar 165 via the sensor mounting terminal 163.

As shown in FIG. 4, the assembled battery 100 includes a fastening portion 370 in the lower case 110. The fastening portion 370 is used to attach the auxiliary machine pedestal 200 (see FIG. 8).

As shown in FIG. 4, the assembled battery 100 includes safety valve covers 610 and 611 and a gas tube 620 on the front side. The safety valve covers 610 and 611 may be made of a resin such as PBT. The safety valve covers 610 and 611 are attached to the cap surface 151 so as to cover the safety valve 154 with the seal 630 (see FIG. 11) sandwiched between the safety valve covers 610 and the cap surface 151 of the battery cell 150. The seal 630 may be made of rubber such as EPDM (Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer), for example. The safety valve covers 610 and 611 may be attached to the cell holder 120 by screwing or the like.

The safety valve cover 610 is commonly attached to the safety valve 154 of the battery cells 150-1 to 3 stacked in three stages. The safety valve cover 611 is commonly attached to the safety valve 154 of the battery cells 150-4 to 5 stacked in two stages. The safety valve covers 610 and 611 can hold the gas discharged from the safety valve 154 of the battery cell 150 inside.

The safety valve cover 610 has a gas duct 612 through which the gas discharged from the safety valve 154 passes. The gas duct 612 projects from the safety valve cover 610 toward the front surface of the assembled battery 100. The safety valve cover 611 has gas ducts 613 and 614 through which the gas discharged from the safety valve 154 passes. The gas ducts 613 and 614 project from the safety valve cover 611 toward the front surface of the assembled battery 100.

The gas duct 612 of the safety valve cover 610 and the gas duct 613 of the safety valve cover 611 are connected by a gas tube 620 so that gas does not leak. In this case, the gas discharged from the battery cells 150 to 1 to 3 to the safety valve cover 610 can move to the safety valve cover 611.

The gas duct 614 of the safety valve cover 611 is connected to the gas discharge pipe 600 so that the gas does not leak. In this case, the gas moved from the safety valve cover 610 to the safety valve cover 611 and the gas discharged from the battery cells 150-4 to 5 to the safety valve cover 611 can be discharged to the gas discharge pipe 600. When the assembled battery 100 is mounted on a vehicle, the gas discharge pipe 600 discharges gas to, for example, an external space below the vehicle body.

By connecting the safety valve covers 610 and 611 to the gas discharge pipe 600 so that the gas does not leak, the gas is less likely to leak around the assembled battery 100. When the assembled battery 100 is mounted on the vehicle, the gas is discharged to the outside of the vehicle and is less likely to leak into the vehicle. By projecting the gas ducts 612 and 614 toward the front surface of the assembled battery 100, the gas discharged from the battery cell 150 is easily guided toward the gas ducts 612 and 614.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. In FIG. 6, the engaging hole 115, the engaging claw 128, the safety valve cover 610, and the bus bar are omitted. The battery cells 150 to 1 to 3 are stacked in three stages with the insulating sheet 155 sandwiched between them, and are housed between the lower case 110 and the cell holder 120. The lower case 110 includes a crushable zone 113 having ribs 114 on the positive side of the Y-axis. The battery cell 150 is not housed in the crushable zone 113. The rigidity of the crushable zone 113 can be increased by the ribs 114. The crushable zone 113 has a space other than the rib 114. By doing so, the crushable zone 113 is easily deformed so as to absorb the impact when an impact is applied to the lower case 110 in the negative direction of the Y axis, for example. As a result, the impact on the battery cell 150 can be mitigated. Further, the weight of the lower case 110 can be reduced.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the assembled battery 100 to which the sensor board 231 is attached. The description of the configuration also shown in FIG. 4 will be omitted. The assembled battery 100 includes a sensor substrate 231-1 to 2 and an FPC 232-1 to 2 (Flexible Print Circuit) on the front side. The sensor boards 231-1 to 2 are also referred to as sensor boards 231. FPC2321-2 to 2 are also referred to as FPC232.

The sensor board 231-1 is attached to the sensor mounting terminals 163 of the inter-cell bus bars 160-1 to 3 and the total minus terminal bus bars 165 that are electrically connected to the battery cells 150-1 to 3 stacked in three stages. Attached by 233. The sensor board 231-2 is electrically connected to the sensor mounting terminals 163 of the inter-cell bus bars 160-3 to 4 and the total positive terminal bus bars 164 that are electrically connected to the battery cells 150-4 to 5 stacked in two stages. It is attached by the attachment member 233 so as to be connected. The mounting member 233 may be, for example, a screw or a screw. The FPC232-1 electrically connects the sensor substrate 231-1 and the BMS substrate 141 (see FIGS. 9 and 10). The BMS board 141 includes a circuit that executes the function of the BMS 140 of FIG. The FPC232-2 electrically connects the sensor board 231-1 and the sensor board 231-2.

The sensor board 231 includes a circuit that executes the function of the sensor 230 of FIG. The sensor substrate 231 can measure at least one of the current flowing between the electrode terminals of each battery cell 150 and the voltage between the electrode terminals. The sensor board 231 may measure the current or the voltage according to the measurement instruction from the BMS board 141. The sensor board 231 may output the measurement result to the BMS board 141.

According to the assembled battery 100 according to the present embodiment, as compared with the case where one sensor substrate 231 is attached across the battery cells 150 stacked in three stages and the battery cells 150 stacked in two stages, The stress applied to the sensor substrate 231 can be relaxed. According to the assembled battery 100 according to the present embodiment, the stress applied to the BMS substrate 141 can be relaxed as compared with the case where the BMS substrate 141 is directly attached to the battery cell 150.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an assembled battery 100 to which the BAT case 500 and the auxiliary machine pedestal 200 are attached. The BAT case 500 is engaged with the cell holder 120. The cell holder 120 and the BAT case 500 each have a convex portion 122 and a convex portion 502 on the side of the first side surface. The cell holder 120 and the BAT case 500 also have a convex portion 122 and a convex portion 502 on the side of the second side surface (not shown), respectively. The engaging member 180 engages the cell holder 120 and the BAT case 500 by sandwiching the convex portion 122 and the convex portion 502 on the first side surface and the second side surface.

The BAT case 500 has claws on the upper surface side and the bottom surface side that fit into the engagement hole 125 of the cell holder 120 shown in FIG. The BAT case 500 and the cell holder 120 are also engaged with each other by fitting the engaging hole 125 of the cell holder 120 and the claw of the BAT case 500 on the upper surface and the bottom surface side, respectively. The engagement hole 125 of the cell holder 120 may be located outside or inside the claw of the BAT case 500. The claw of the BAT case 500 and the engaging hole 125 of the cell holder 120 may be replaced.

When the BAT case 500 is engaged with the cell holder 120, the configuration of the sensor substrate 231 or the like provided on the side of the cap surface 151 of the battery cell 150 is covered by the BAT case 500. The BAT case 500 can alleviate the impact applied to the assembled battery 100 from the front side.

The module formed by engaging the lower case 110, the cell holder 120, and the BAT case 500 is also referred to as a battery module. The battery module has a side in which the battery cells 150 are stacked in three stages and a side in which the battery cells 150 are stacked in two stages. The side in which the battery cells 150 are stacked in three stages is also referred to as a three-stage side. The side in which the battery cells 150 are stacked in two stages is also referred to as a two-stage side. In other words, the battery module has a two-stage side and a three-stage side. The lower case 110, the cell holder 120, and the BAT case 500 have a two-stage side and a three-stage side, similarly to the battery module.

The BAT case 500 is provided with a fusible link 240 on the upper surface on the third stage side. The fusible link 240 is electrically connected to the negative electrode terminal 153 of the battery cell 150-1 at one end via the total minus copper bus bar 286 and the total minus terminal bus bar 165. The fusible link 240 is electrically connected to the GND terminal 270 at the other end via the GND copper bus bar 280.

The lower case 110 has a nut hole 146 for mounting the BMS board 141 and a pin 147 for fitting into the fitting hole 144 (see FIG. 10) provided in the BMS board 141 on the upper surface of the battery module on the third stage side. And. The lower case 110 includes ribs 114 on the back side of the assembled battery 100. The lower case 110 includes a fixing portion 116 on the back side of the assembled battery 100. The assembled battery 100 can be fixed to the vehicle body or the like by fixing the fixing portion 116 with bolts or the like. The lower case 110 includes pillars 117 extending from the fixed portion 116 to the upper surface side. Pillar 117 may be thicker and more rigid than the rest of the lower case 110. Since the pillar 117 has high rigidity, the lower case 110 is less likely to be deformed by an external force applied to the fixing portion 116.

The auxiliary machine pedestal 200 is fastened to the fastening portion 370 with bolts 340. Fastening portions 370 are provided at four locations on the upper surface of the battery module on the second stage side. The size of the assembled battery 100 in the Z-axis direction can be reduced as compared with the case where the fastening portion 370 is provided on the upper surface of the battery module on the third stage side. The number of places where the fastening portion 370 of the auxiliary machine pedestal 200 is provided is not limited to four, and may be three or less, or five or more. The auxiliary machine pedestal 200 can be attached to the battery module more stably by being fastened to the battery module at at least three fastening portions 370.

The auxiliary machine pedestal 200 illustrated in FIG. 8 has a fastening portion 370 provided at at least one location on the upper surface of the two-stage side of the BAT case 500 and a fastening portion 370 provided at at least one location on the upper surface of the lower case 110 on the two-stage side. It is fastened to the portion 370 with a bolt 340. In other words, the auxiliary machine pedestal 200 illustrated in FIG. 8 is fastened over the entire battery module. When the auxiliary machine pedestal 200 is fastened over the entire battery module, the rigidity of the battery module can be increased as compared with the case where the auxiliary machine pedestal 200 is fastened only to the lower case 110, for example.

The rigidity of the battery module can be increased by regulating the relative displacement between the lower case 110, the cell holder 120 and the BAT case 500. When the auxiliary pedestal 200 is fastened across the entire battery module, the relative displacement between the lower case 110, the cell holder 120 and the BAT case 500 can be regulated. The auxiliary pedestal 200 is not only fastened across the battery module, but also fastened to the battery module so that the relative displacement between the lower case 110, the cell holder 120 and the BAT case 500 is regulated. good. The auxiliary machine pedestal 200 may be fastened to at least one place of the upper case 300, for example. When the upper case 300 is assembled to the outside of the battery module, the relative displacement of each component of the battery module can be regulated by fastening at least one of the auxiliary pedestal 200 and the upper case 300.

The auxiliary machine pedestal 200 includes a relay fastening portion 360 for attaching the relay 220. The number of relay fastening portions 360 is not limited to the three illustrated in FIG. 8, and may be two or less, or four or more. The thickness of the portion of the auxiliary machine pedestal 200 provided with the relay fastening portion 360 may be thicker than the thickness of the other portion of the auxiliary machine pedestal 200. By doing so, the rigidity of the portion to which the relay 220 is attached can be increased. In addition, the vibration caused by the operation of the relay 220 is less likely to propagate to the surroundings.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an assembled battery 100 to which a relay 220, a MOS substrate 212, and a BMS substrate 141 are attached. The description of the configuration also shown in FIG. 8 will be omitted.

The MOS substrate 212 mounts the MOSFET 210. The MOS board 212 is attached to the auxiliary machine pedestal 200. The MOS substrate 212 is electrically connected to the LOAD terminal 260 via the LOAD copper bus bar 282.

The relay 220 is fastened to the relay fastening portion 360 (see FIG. 8) provided on the auxiliary machine pedestal 200 with bolts 350. The number of places where the relay 220 is fastened is not limited to three, and may be two or less, or four or more. When the relay 220 is fastened to the auxiliary machine pedestal 200 at at least three places, the relay 220 can be attached to the auxiliary machine pedestal 200 more stably.

At one end, the relay 220 is electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal 152 of the battery cells 150-5 via the total plus copper bus bar 285 and the total plus terminal bus bar 164. At the other end, the relay 220 is electrically connected to the SSG terminal 250 and the MOS substrate 212 via the SSG copper bus bar 281.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the BMS substrate 141. The BMS board 141 includes a circuit component 142, a mounting hole 143, and a fitting hole 144. At least some of the circuit components 142 correspond to circuits that perform the functions of the BMS 140. A nut hole 146 and a pin 147 are provided on the upper surface of the lower case 110 on the third stage side. The BMS board 141 is attached to the nut hole 146 by the attachment member 145 so that the pin 147 and the fitting hole 144 are fitted. The mounting member 145 may be, for example, a screw or a screw. By fitting the pin 147 and the fitting hole 144, the accuracy of attaching the BMS substrate 141 to the battery module can be improved. In addition, the BMS board 141 can be easily attached to the battery module.

The BMS board 141 is communicably connected to the sensor board 231 by the FPC232-1. The BMS board 141 is communicably connected to the MOS board 212 by the MOS cable 312. The BMS board 141 is communicably connected to the connector 310 by the connector cable 314. The BMS board 141 can be communicably connected to the control unit 460 of the power supply system 400 via the connector 310. The BMS board 141 is not limited to the control unit 460, and may be communicably connected to another device.

The module composed of the auxiliary machine pedestal 200, the relay 220, the MOS board 212, and the BMS board 141 is also referred to as an auxiliary machine module.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the assembled battery 100 shown in FIG. The battery module may be assembled as follows. The battery cells 150 are stacked in three stages and two stages with an insulating sheet 155 sandwiched between them, and are housed between the lower case 110 and the cell holder 120. The lower case 110 and the cell holder 120 are engaged by the engaging member 180. A bus bar is attached to the electrode terminal of the battery cell 150. The safety valve covers 610 and 611 are attached to the side of the cap surface 151 of the battery cell 150 with the seal 630 interposed therebetween. The safety valve covers 610 and 611 are connected by a gas tube 620. The sensor board 231 is attached to the sensor attachment terminal 163 of the bus bar. The BAT case 500 is engaged with the cell holder 120 by the engaging member 180 so as to cover the side of the cap surface 151 of the battery cell 150. A gas discharge pipe 600 is attached to the gas duct 614 of the safety valve cover 611. A GND copper bus bar 280, a total minus copper bus bar 286, and a fusible link 240 are attached to the upper surface of the BAT case 500.

Auxiliary equipment modules may be assembled as follows. The auxiliary machine pedestal 200 is attached to the upper surface of the battery module on the second stage side with bolts 340. The SSG copper bus bar 281, the LOAD copper bus bar 282, the total plus copper bus bar 285, and the MOS substrate 212 are mounted on the auxiliary machine pedestal 200. The relay 220 is attached to the auxiliary machine pedestal 200 with bolts 350. The BMS board 141 is attached to the upper surface of the battery module on the third stage side. The auxiliary machine pedestal 200 may be attached to the battery module after the relay 220 or the like is attached. If the relay 220, the MOS board 212, or the like is attached to the auxiliary pedestal 200 before the auxiliary pedestal 200 is attached to the battery module, the assembled battery 100 can be more easily assembled.

The upper case 300 is attached so as to cover the whole after the battery module and the auxiliary machine module are combined. The upper case 300 may be engaged with the battery case, for example, by fitting a claw and a hole. The assembled battery 100 can be assembled according to the procedure example described above.

In assembling the battery module, the battery cell 150 may be adhered to the cell holder 120 with an adhesive. The adhesive may be any adhesive capable of adhering the battery cell 150 and the cell holder 120. The adhesive may be, for example, an acrylic adhesive, an epoxy adhesive, or the like. The adhesive may be applied to the cell holder 120. The adhesive may be applied to the portion of the cell holder 120 facing the cap surface 151 of the battery cell 150. The battery cell 150 may be inserted into the cell holder 120 after the adhesive is applied to the cell holder 120.

After the battery cell 150 and the cell holder 120 are adhered to each other, a bus bar may be welded to the electrode terminals of the battery cell 150. When the electrode terminal and the bus bar are welded, high accuracy may be required for the positional relationship between the electrode terminal and the bus bar. In this case, by improving the accuracy of the application position of the adhesive that adheres the battery cell 150 and the cell holder 120, welding between the electrode terminal and the bus bar can be facilitated. Further, the productivity of the battery module can be improved by adhering the battery cell 150 and the cell holder 120 before the bus bar is welded to the battery cell 150.

In this embodiment, the battery module and the auxiliary machine module can be assembled separately. By doing so, the productivity of the battery module, the auxiliary machine module, and the assembled battery 100 can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the assembled battery 100 includes an SSG terminal 250 and a LOAD terminal 260 on the first side surface side, and a GND terminal 270 on the front surface side. The GND terminal 270 is easily identified by being arranged on a surface different from the surface on which the SSG terminal 250 and the LOAD terminal 260 are arranged. Further, the assembled battery 100 includes a connector 310 on the side of the first side surface. By arranging the GND terminal 270 on a side different from the connector 310, it becomes easy to identify. By doing so, it becomes easy to prevent erroneous wiring when the assembled battery 100 is mounted on the vehicle.

The length of the cable electrically connected to the GND terminal 270 may be configured to be different from the length of the cable electrically connected to the SSG terminal 250 and the LOAD terminal 260. By doing so, it becomes easier to prevent erroneous wiring when the assembled battery 100 is mounted on the vehicle.

FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a configuration in which the lower case 110 and the cell holder 120 are in contact with each other. FIG. 12B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the portion surrounded by the broken line in FIG. 12A. In addition, in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the above-mentioned example in which the engaging hole and the engaging claw are not provided is shown.

The lower case 110 has contact portions 119 on the upper surface side and the bottom surface side. The lower case 110 also has a contact portion 119 on the side of the first side surface and the side of the second side surface. The contact portions 119 on the upper surface side and the bottom surface side extend from the first side surface to the second side surface of the lower case 110. The contact portion 119 on the side of the first side surface and the side of the second side surface extends from the upper surface to the bottom surface of the lower case 110.

The cell holder 120 has contact portions 129 on the upper surface side and the bottom surface side. The cell holder 120 also has a contact portion 129 on the side of the first side surface and the side of the second side surface. The contact portions 129 on the upper surface side and the bottom surface side extend from the first side surface to the second side surface of the cell holder 120. The contact portion 129 on the side of the first side surface and the side of the second side surface extends from the upper surface to the bottom surface of the cell holder 120.

The upper and lower surfaces of the battery module, and the first side surface and the second side surface are also referred to as peripheral surfaces of the battery module. The contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129 are in contact with each other on the peripheral surface of the battery module. When the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129 come into contact with each other, it becomes difficult for water droplets or dust to enter the inside of the battery module.

The battery cell 150 can expand due to an increase in internal pressure in response to the generation of gas inside. The side of the battery module in which the battery cell 150 is housed is also referred to as the inside of the battery module. The side opposite to the side of the battery module in which the battery cell 150 is housed is also referred to as the outside of the battery module. The battery module can receive a force from the inside to the outside of the battery module due to the expansion of the battery cell 150.

When the battery cell 150 expands, the relatively wide flat surface 156 is more likely to expand than the side surface 157. When the battery cells 150 are stacked in the Z-axis direction as shown in FIG. 3, the flat surfaces 156 face each other. When the opposing flat surfaces 156 expand respectively, the stacked battery cells 150 expand more in the Z-axis direction as a whole. In other words, the stacked battery cells 150 expand more in the direction of the upper surface and the lower surface as a whole. The battery cell 150 can apply a force in the Z-axis direction to the upper surface side and the bottom surface side of the battery module.

The battery module can be deformed by receiving force. The battery module may be configured to maintain a state in which the abutting portion 119 and the abutting portion 129 are in contact with each other even when a force is applied so that water droplets or dust do not easily enter the inside.

As shown in FIG. 12B, the contact portion 119 of the lower case 110 may have contact surfaces 119a facing the outside of the battery module on the upper surface side and the bottom surface side. The contact portion 119 may also have a contact surface 119a facing the outside of the battery module on the side of the first side surface and the side of the second side surface. The contact portion 129 of the cell holder 120 may have a contact surface 129a facing the inside of the battery module on the upper surface side and the bottom surface side. The contact portion 129 may also have a contact surface 129a facing the inside of the battery module on the side of the first side surface and the side of the second side surface. In other words, the contact portion 129 may be located outside the contact portion 119.

In the configuration example shown in FIG. 12B, the contact surface 119a and the contact surface 129a face each other along the flat surface 156 and come into contact with each other. In this case, the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129 can regulate the displacement in the Z-axis direction due to the force in the Z-axis direction. In other words, the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129 can regulate the displacement generated in response to the displacement of the flat surface 156. By restricting the displacement of the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129 in the Z-axis direction with each other, it becomes easy to maintain the contact state even when the battery cell 150 expands, for example.

As shown in FIG. 12A, the battery cell 150 further comprises a back surface 158. The back surface 158 corresponds to a surface facing the cap surface 151. The contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129 shown in FIG. 12A are located closer to the cap surface 151 than the back surface 158.

When the flat surface 156 of the battery cell 150 expands, the amount of expansion near the center of the flat surface 156 can be larger than the amount of expansion around the flat surface 156 (a portion away from the center). In this case, the upper surface side and the bottom surface side of the battery module are displaced more outward than the positions corresponding to the periphery of the flat surface 156 at the positions corresponding to the center of the flat surface 156.

When the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129 are located closer to the cap surface 151 than the back surface 158 of the battery cell 150, the upper surface side and the bottom surface side of the lower case 110 include positions corresponding to the center of the flat surface 156. .. In this case, the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the lower case 110 can be displaced more than the upper surface side and the bottom surface side of the cell holder 120 due to the expansion near the center of the flat surface 156. The contact portion 129 of the cell holder 120 is located outside the contact portion 119 of the lower case 110, so that the contact portion 129 is generated according to the displacement of the position corresponding to the center of the flat surface 156 on the upper surface side and the bottom surface side of the lower case 110. The displacement of the contact portion 119 in the Z-axis direction can be regulated. Even when the battery cell 150 expands, the contact portion 129 regulates the displacement of the contact portion 119 in the Z-axis direction, so that the contact state between the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129 can be easily maintained. .. By maintaining the contact state between the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129, it is difficult for water droplets or dust to enter the inside of the battery module. Further, by locating the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129 closer to the cap surface 151 than the back surface 158 of the battery cell 150, it is possible to avoid the vicinity of the center where the battery cell 150 can be most deformed due to expansion. .. By avoiding the vicinity of the center where the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129 can be deformed most, the stress on the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129 can be relaxed.

When the contact portion 129 is closer to the cap surface 151 than the back surface 158, the length of the cell holder 120 in the Y-axis direction is shorter than when the contact portion 129 is farther from the cap surface 151 than the back surface 158. In the cell holder 120, the distance from the portion of the battery cell 150 facing the cap surface 151 to the end on the side where the battery cell 150 is inserted becomes shorter according to the length of the cell holder 120 in the Y-axis direction. Due to the short distance from the end to the portion facing the cap surface 151, the adhesive for adhering the battery cell 150 to the cell holder 120 can be applied more accurately.

The contact portion 119 may be located outside the contact portion 129, not limited to the configuration examples shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B. In this case, the contact portion 119 of the lower case 110 has a contact surface 119a facing the inside of the battery module on the upper surface side and the bottom surface side. The contact portion 119 may also have a contact surface 119a facing the inside of the battery module on the side of the first side surface and the side of the second side surface. The contact portion 129 of the cell holder 120 has a contact surface 129a facing the outside of the battery module on the upper surface side and the bottom surface side. The contact portion 129 may also have a contact surface 129a facing the outside of the battery module on the side of the first side surface and the side of the second side surface.

When the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129 are located closer to the back surface 158 than the cap surface 151 of the battery cell 150, the upper surface side and the bottom surface side of the cell holder 120 include positions corresponding to the center of the flat surface 156. In this case, the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the cell holder 120 may be displaced more than the upper surface side and the bottom surface side of the lower case 110 due to the expansion near the center of the flat surface 156. The contact portion 119 of the lower case 110 is located outside the contact portion 129 of the cell holder 120, so that the contact portion 119 is generated according to the displacement of the position corresponding to the center of the flat surface 156 on the upper surface side and the bottom surface side of the cell holder 120. The displacement of the contact portion 129 in the Z-axis direction can be regulated. Even when the battery cell 150 expands, the contact portion 119 regulates the displacement of the contact portion 129 in the Z-axis direction, so that the contact state between the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129 can be easily maintained. .. By maintaining the contact state between the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129, it is difficult for water droplets or dust to enter the inside of the battery module. Further, by locating the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129 on the side closer to the back surface 158 than the cap surface 151 of the battery cell 150, it is possible to avoid the vicinity of the center where the battery cell 150 can be most deformed due to the expansion of the battery cell 150. .. By avoiding the vicinity of the center where the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129 can be deformed most, the stress on the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129 can be relaxed.

The contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129 are displaced at positions corresponding to the center of the flat surface 156 of the battery cell 150 regardless of which side is closer to the cap surface 151 or the back surface 158 of the battery cell 150. The corresponding displacements can be configured to regulate each other. By doing so, the contact state between the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129 can be easily maintained. By maintaining the contact state between the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129, it is difficult for water droplets or dust to enter the inside of the battery module.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a comparative example of a configuration in which the lower case 110 and the cell holder 120 are in contact with each other. In the comparative example, the lower case 110 and the cell holder 120 have a contact surface 119b and a contact surface 129b at their respective ends. The contact surface 119b and the contact surface 129b face each other at a surface intersecting the flat surface 156 and abut against each other. In this case, the contact surface 119b and the contact surface 129b do not regulate the displacement in the Z-axis direction with each other.

In the comparative example, when a force in the Z-axis direction is applied to the upper surface side and the bottom surface side of the lower case 110 and the cell holder 120, the displacement of the lower case 110 in the Z-axis direction and the displacement of the cell holder 120 in the Z-axis direction may be different from each other. .. In this case, the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129 may not be able to maintain the contact state. In other words, when the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129 do not regulate the displacement in the Z-axis direction with each other, it is difficult to maintain the contact state with respect to the expansion of the battery cell 150.

According to the comparison between the configuration example shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B and the comparative example shown in FIG. 13, the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129 regulate the displacement in the Z-axis direction with each other, whereby the battery cell. With respect to the expansion of 150, the contact state between the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129 is likely to be maintained. By maintaining the contact state between the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129, it is difficult for water droplets or dust to enter the inside of the battery module.

14 and 15 are views showing a modification of the contact structure shown in FIG. 12B.

As shown in FIG. 14, the contact portion 129 may be configured to sandwich the contact portion 119. On the contrary, the contact portion 129 may be configured to be sandwiched between the contact portions 119. Even when one of the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129 is configured to sandwich the other, the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129 can regulate the displacement in the Z-axis direction with each other.

As shown in FIG. 15, the contact portion 129 may be configured such that the upper surface of the contact portion 129 projects from the upper surface of the cell holder 120 in the Z-axis direction. The thickness of the contact portion 129 in this case can be thicker than the thickness of the contact portion 129 shown in FIG. 12B. By increasing the thickness of the contact portion 129, the contact portion 129 can more strongly regulate the displacement of the contact portion 119 in the Z-axis direction.

When the contact portion 129 is located outside the contact portion 119, the rigidity of the contact portion 129 may be higher than the rigidity of the contact portion 119. When the contact portion 119 is located outside the contact portion 129, the rigidity of the contact portion 119 may be higher than the rigidity of the contact portion 129. By doing so, the battery module is less likely to be deformed with respect to the expansion of the battery cell 150. As a result, it becomes difficult for water droplets or dust to enter the inside of the battery module.

When the contact portion 129 is located outside the contact portion 119, or when the contact portion 129 sandwiches the contact portion 119, the contact portion 129 has a structure for guiding the contact portion 119. good. The guiding structure may be, for example, a structure in which the end portion of the contact portion 129 extends outward. The guiding structure may be, for example, a structure in which the end portion of the contact portion 129 is rounded. The guiding structure is not limited to these, and may be another structure.

When the contact portion 119 is located outside the contact portion 129, or when the contact portion 119 sandwiches the contact portion 129, the contact portion 119 has a structure for guiding the contact portion 129. good. In this case, the guiding structure may be defined by the structure of the end portion of the contact portion 119, similarly to the structure of the contact portion 129 described above.

By having a structure in which the contact portion 119 or the contact portion 129 located on the outside guides the contact portion 119 or the contact portion 129 located on the inside, the lower case 110 and the cell holder 120 can be easily assembled. ..

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. As shown in FIG. 16, in the engaging portion (contact portion) between the cell holder 120 and the lower case 110, the contact portion 129 having the engaging claw 128 may be located on the battery cell 150 side. The contact portion 119 may be arranged so as to cover the contact portion 129. In other words, the contact portion 119 may be located outside the contact portion 129. Then, an engaging hole 115 may be formed in the contact portion 119. By doing so, when the battery cell 150 expands and the contact portion 129 on the battery cell 150 side presses the contact portion 119, the engaging claw 128 can penetrate deeply into the engaging hole 115. As a result, the engagement between the cell holder 120 and the lower case 110 can be strengthened. Further, when the lower case 110 and the cell holder 120 are assembled, it becomes easy to confirm whether the engaging claw 128 is in the engaging hole 115.

In FIG. 16, the contact portion 119 of the lower case 110 is located outside the contact portion 129 of the cell holder 120. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17, the contact portion 129 of the cell holder 120 may be located outside the contact portion 119 of the lower case 110. In this case, the engaging claw 118 may be formed in the contact portion 119 of the lower case 110, and the engaging hole 127 may be formed in the contact portion 129 of the cell holder 120.

In one embodiment, the relay 220 may be fastened to the battery module without the auxiliary pedestal 200. When the relay 220 is fastened to the battery module, the relay fastening portion 360 may be located in the lower case 110, the cell holder 120, or the BAT case 500.

When the contact portion 119 and the contact portion 129 are located closer to the cap surface 151 than the back surface 158 of the battery cell 150, the relay fastening portion 360 may be located at the cell holder 120. The length of the cell holder 120 in the Y-axis direction is shorter than the length of the lower case 110 in the Y-axis direction. In this case, the rigidity of the cell holder 120 may be higher than the rigidity of the lower case 110. By locating the relay fastening portion 360 at a portion having higher rigidity, the vibration generated by the operation of the relay 220 is less likely to propagate to the battery module. Since vibration is less likely to propagate to the battery module, the battery module is less likely to be deformed. Since the battery module is less likely to be deformed, water droplets or dust are less likely to enter the inside of the battery module.

Although one embodiment according to the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications or modifications based on the present disclosure. It should be noted, therefore, that these modifications or modifications are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the functions and the like included in each means can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and a plurality of means and the like can be combined or divided into one.

100 battery 110 Lower case 112 Convex part 113 Crushable zone 114 Rib 115 Engagement hole 116 Fixing part 117 Pillar 118 Engagement claw 119 Contact part 119a Contact surface 120 Cell holder 122 Convex part 125 Engagement hole 127 Engagement hole 128 Engagement claw 129 Contact part 129a Contact surface 130 First secondary battery 140 BMS (battery controller)
141 BMS board 142 Circuit parts 143 Mounting hole 144 Fitting hole 145 Mounting member 146 Nut hole 147 pin 150 Battery cell 151 Cap surface 152 Positive terminal 153 Negative terminal 154 Safety valve 155 Insulation sheet 156 Flat surface 157 Side surface 158 Back surface 160 Convex 162 Terminal connection 162a Welding opening 163 Sensor mounting terminal 163a Nut 164 Total positive terminal Bus bar 165 Total negative terminal Bus bar 166 External connection 180 Engagement member 200 Auxiliary pedestal 210 MOSFET
212 MOS board 220 Relay 230 Sensor 231 Sensor board 232 FPC
233 Mounting member 240 Fusible link 250 SSG terminal 260 LOAD terminal 270 GND terminal 280 GND copper bus bar 281 SSG copper bus bar 282 LOAD copper bus bar 285 Total plus copper bus bar 286 Total minus copper bus bar 300 Upper case 301, 302, 303 MOS cable 314 Connector cable 340, 350 volt 360 Relay fastening part 370 Fastening part (auxiliary machine pedestal)
400 Power system 410 Alternator 420 Starter 430 Second rechargeable battery 440 Load 450 Switch 460 Control unit 500 BAT case 502 Convex part 600 Gas discharge pipe 610, 611 Safety valve cover 612, 613, 614 Gas duct 620 Gas tube 630 Seal

Claims (13)

A battery cell having a flat surface, a cap surface provided with electrodes, and a back surface facing the cap surface.
A cell holder that holds the battery cell on the side of the cap surface,
A lower case that accommodates the battery cell from the back side and engages with the cell holder is provided.
The cell holder and the lower case are plate-shaped overlapping along the flat surface on the side closer to the cap surface than the central portion of the flat surface or on the side closer to the back surface than the central portion of the flat surface. Has a contact part,
Of the cell holder and the lower case, the contact portion that accommodates the central portion of the battery cell is located inside the other contact portion.
The cell holder has a wall portion extending from a portion for fixing the cap surface to the abutting portion along the flat surface.
The lower case has a wall portion extending from a portion fixing the back surface to the contact portion extending along the flat surface.
When the battery cell expands, the wall portion of the cell holder and the lower case that accommodates the central portion of the battery cell is pressed against the flat surface of the battery cell.
An assembled battery in which an abutting portion located at the end of the pressed wall portion abuts on the other abutting portion located on the outside thereof, and the abutting portions are sealed with each other. In the assembled battery according to claim 1,
The contact portion of the cell holder is formed to be thinner than the wall portion of the cell holder.
The contact portion of the lower case is an assembled battery formed to be thinner than the wall portion of the lower case. In the assembled battery according to claim 1,
The cell holder and the lower case accommodate a plurality of the battery cells.
A bus bar connecting the electrodes of the battery cell is fixed to the cell holder.
The cell holder and the contact portion of the lower case are assembled batteries located closer to the cap surface than the central portion of the flat surface. In the assembled battery according to claim 2,
The cell holder and the lower case accommodate a plurality of the battery cells.
A bus bar connecting the electrodes of the battery cell is fixed to the cell holder.
The cell holder and the contact portion of the lower case are assembled batteries located closer to the cap surface than the central portion of the flat surface. In the assembled battery according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The inner contact portion has an engaging claw and has an engaging claw.
The other contact portion is an assembled battery having an engaging hole. In the assembled battery according to claim 5,
An assembled battery in which the height of the engaging claw is lower than the depth of the engaging hole. In the assembled battery according to claim 1,
An assembled battery in which the rigidity of the contact portion located on the outer side of the contact portion of the cell holder and the lower case is higher than the rigidity of the contact portion located on the inner side. In the assembled battery according to claim 2,
An assembled battery in which the rigidity of the contact portion located on the outer side of the contact portion of the cell holder and the lower case is higher than the rigidity of the contact portion located on the inner side. In the assembled battery according to claim 3,
An assembled battery in which the rigidity of the contact portion located on the outer side of the contact portion of the cell holder and the lower case is higher than the rigidity of the contact portion located on the inner side. In the assembled battery according to claim 4,
An assembled battery in which the rigidity of the contact portion located on the outer side of the contact portion of the cell holder and the lower case is higher than the rigidity of the contact portion located on the inner side. In the assembled battery according to claim 5,
An assembled battery in which the rigidity of the contact portion located on the outer side of the contact portion of the cell holder and the lower case is higher than the rigidity of the contact portion located on the inner side. In the assembled battery according to claim 6,
An assembled battery in which the rigidity of the contact portion located on the outer side of the contact portion of the cell holder and the lower case is higher than the rigidity of the contact portion located on the inner side. In the assembled battery according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
Of the contact portions of the cell holder and the lower case, the contact portion located on the outside is thicker than the contact portion located on the inside, and is an assembled battery.

Images