JP7135219B2 - Insulating member, battery, battery pack, vehicle, and battery manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments of the present invention relate to insulating members, batteries, battery packs, vehicles, and methods of manufacturing batteries.

Generally, a battery such as a secondary battery includes an electrode group including a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and an exterior portion that internally defines a housing cavity that houses the electrode group. In some batteries, an exterior portion is formed from a first exterior member and a second exterior member, and each of the two exterior members is formed from a metal such as stainless steel. In this battery, the first exterior member includes a bottom wall and a peripheral wall that covers the outer peripheral side of the housing cavity, and the peripheral wall of the first exterior member has a flange extending from the end opposite to the bottom wall in the height direction. It protrudes to the outer peripheral side. In this battery, the second exterior member is attached to the flange from the opposite side of the bottom wall in the height direction. Further, in the battery, the electrode terminals are attached to the outer surface of the first exterior member, and in the electrode group housed in the housing cavity, the current collecting tabs extend toward the peripheral wall in the lateral direction crossing the height direction. protrude. The current collecting tab is then electrically connected to the electrode terminal via a lead. In addition, in the housing cavity, an insulating member is disposed on the inner surface of the housing, and the insulating member electrically insulates the current collecting tab and the leads from the housing.

In the battery as described above, the current collecting tabs and leads are required to be appropriately insulated from the exterior by an insulating member. In addition, when manufacturing the battery, it is required to ensure workability in operations such as connecting the current collecting tabs of the electrode group to the electrode terminals.

International Publication No. 2016/204147

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an insulating member that appropriately insulates the current collecting tab and the lead from the exterior and ensures workability during battery manufacturing. Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery including the insulating member, a method for manufacturing the battery, and a battery pack and vehicle including the battery.

According to embodiments, an insulating member provided in a battery is provided. In a battery, an electrode group including a positive electrode and a negative electrode is housed in a storage cavity inside an exterior made of metal, and a first exterior member of the exterior includes a bottom wall and a peripheral wall that covers the outer periphery of the storage cavity. is formed. In the peripheral wall of the first exterior member, a flange protrudes outward from the end opposite to the bottom wall, and the second exterior member of the exterior is attached to the flange from the side opposite to the bottom wall in the height direction. be done. Electrode terminals are attached to the outer surface of the first exterior member, and in the electrode group, current collecting tabs protrude toward the peripheral wall in the lateral direction crossing the height direction. The current collecting tab is electrically connected to the electrode terminal via the lead, and the insulating member electrically insulates the exterior from the current collecting tab and the lead. The insulating member comprises a first construct, a second construct and a connecting portion. A first formation is disposed on the inner surface of the bottom wall of the first sheath member in the containment cavity. The second construct is disposed on the inner surface of the second exterior member in a state of being pressed from the second exterior member toward the first construction in the containment cavity, and is integral with the first construction. It is formed. A current collecting tab and a lead are positioned between the first and second constructs in the height direction. The connecting part connects between the first structure and the second structure, and in a state in which the second structure is not pressed toward the first structure, the second structure is connected to the second structure. 1 structure can be opened and closed.

Embodiments also provide a battery comprising the insulating member described above. A battery includes an exterior, an electrode group, electrode terminals, and leads in addition to an insulating member. The exterior portion comprises a first exterior member having a bottom wall, a peripheral wall and a flange, and a second exterior member, the second exterior member facing the first formation in the containment cavity in the second configuration. press the body. The electrode group is arranged in the housing cavity of the exterior. Electrode terminals are attached to the outer surface of the first armor member, and leads electrically connect the current collecting tabs of the electrode group to the electrode terminals.

Embodiments also provide a battery pack comprising one or more of the aforementioned batteries.

Moreover, in the embodiment, a vehicle including the aforementioned battery pack is provided.

Embodiments also provide a method of manufacturing a battery. In the manufacturing method, a first exterior member including a bottom wall, a peripheral wall that covers the outer peripheral side of the storage cavity, and a flange that protrudes from the end of the peripheral wall opposite the bottom wall to the outer peripheral side, and the first exterior A second exterior member separate from the member is formed of metal. In the manufacturing method, the insulating member in which the first structure and the second structure are integrated and the first structure and the second structure are connected via the connection portion are provided in the first A second structure that is not pressed toward the first structure is formed to be openable and closable with respect to the first structure. In the manufacturing method, the electrode terminals are attached to the outer surface of the first exterior member and insulated to the inner surface of the bottom wall of the first exterior member with the second structure open to the first structure. A first arrangement of members is placed. In the manufacturing method, the electrode group including the positive electrode and the negative electrode is inserted into the housing cavity of the first exterior member in a state where the first structure is arranged on the inner surface of the bottom wall, and the electrode group intersects with the height direction. The electrode group and the current collecting tabs are arranged in the housing cavity in a state in which the current collecting tabs of the electrode group protrude toward the peripheral wall in the lateral direction. The manufacturing method electrically connects the current collecting tabs to the electrode terminals via leads. In the manufacturing method, in a state in which the current collecting tab is electrically connected to the electrode terminal, the second structure is closed with respect to the first structure, and the second structure is attached from the opposite side of the bottom wall in the height direction. By attaching the exterior member to the flange, the second structure is arranged on the inner surface of the second exterior member in the storage cavity, and the height direction is between the first structure and the second structure A current collecting tab and the lead are placed on the .

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the battery according to the first embodiment with the second exterior member separated from the first exterior member. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the battery according to the first embodiment as viewed from the side where the bottom wall is located in the height direction. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the electrode group of the battery according to the first embodiment. 4 is a schematic diagram showing one state during manufacture of the electrode group of FIG. 3; FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the storage cavity of the exterior part of the battery according to the first embodiment in a cross section perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing an insulating member provided in the battery according to the first embodiment in a state in which the structure (second structure) is closed with respect to the structure (first structure); It is a diagram. FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing an insulating member provided in the battery according to the first embodiment in a state in which the structure (second structure) is opened with respect to the structure (first structure); It is a diagram. FIG. 8A is a cross section schematically showing an insulating member provided in the battery according to the first embodiment in a state in which the structure (second structure) is closed with respect to the structure (first structure); It is a diagram. 8B is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an enlarged connection portion and its vicinity in the cross-section of FIG. 8A. FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an insulating member provided in the battery according to the first embodiment in a state where the structure (second structure) is opened with respect to the structure (first structure); It is a diagram. 9B is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an enlarged connection portion and its vicinity in the cross section of FIG. 9A. FIG. 10 shows that each of the current collecting tabs is electrically connected to the corresponding one of the electrode terminals and is arranged on the inner surface of the bottom wall of each of the insulating members when the battery according to the first embodiment is manufactured. Fig. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which the construct (second construct) is opened with respect to the construct (first construct). FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an insulating member provided in a battery according to a first modification in a state in which a structure (second structure) is closed with respect to a structure (first structure); It is a diagram. FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an enlarged connection portion and its vicinity in the cross-section of FIG. 11A. FIG. 12A is a cross section schematically showing an insulating member provided in a battery according to a first modification in a state where a structure (second structure) is opened with respect to a structure (first structure); It is a diagram. FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an enlarged connection portion and its vicinity in the cross-section of FIG. 12A. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an insulating member provided in a battery according to a second modification. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a battery according to a third modified example in a cross section perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. 15 is a sectional view schematically showing a state in which the open valve is opened from the state of FIG. 14; FIG. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a battery pack in which the battery according to the embodiment is used; FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an application example of the battery pack according to the embodiment to a vehicle.

[battery]
First, a battery according to an embodiment will be described.
(First embodiment)
1 and 2 show an example of a battery 1 according to an embodiment. Battery 1 is, for example, a secondary battery. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the battery 1 has an exterior portion 3 . The exterior part 3 is made of metal such as stainless steel. Examples of metals other than stainless steel that form the exterior portion 3 include aluminum, aluminum alloys, iron, plated steel, and the like. A storage cavity 11 is formed inside the exterior part 3 . In the battery 1 and the exterior part 3, the vertical direction (direction indicated by arrows X1 and X2), the horizontal direction (direction indicated by arrows Y1 and Y2) intersecting (perpendicular or substantially perpendicular) to the longitudinal direction, and A height direction (direction indicated by arrow Z1 and arrow Z2) that intersects (perpendicular or nearly perpendicular) to both the longitudinal and lateral directions is defined.

The exterior part 3 includes a first exterior member (cup member) 5 and a second exterior member (lid member) 6 . The first exterior member 5 is formed in the shape of a container with a bottom. In this embodiment, the first exterior member 5 has a bottom wall 7 and a peripheral wall 8 and is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with one side open. The bottom wall 7 is located on one side (the arrow Z1 side) of the storage cavity 11 in the height direction. The peripheral wall 8 extends along the circumferential direction of the exterior part 3 and surrounds the outer peripheral side of the storage cavity 11 . The housing cavity 11 is adjacent to the peripheral wall 8 on the inner peripheral side. Here, FIG. 1 shows the second exterior member 6 separated from the first exterior member 5, and FIG. 2 shows the state viewed from the side where the bottom wall 7 is positioned in the height direction.

Further, the internal space of the first exterior member 5 forms at least a part of the storage cavity 11 of the exterior part 3 and opens toward the side opposite to the side where the bottom wall 7 is located. The edge of the opening of the internal space of the first exterior member 5 is formed at the end of the peripheral wall 8 opposite to the bottom wall 7 . Here, in the battery 1 and the exterior part 3, the direction along the opening edge of the internal space of the first exterior member 5 coincides or substantially coincides with the circumferential direction. The side of the peripheral wall 8 where the housing cavity 11 (internal space) is located is the inner peripheral side, and the side opposite to the inner peripheral side is the outer peripheral side.

The peripheral wall 8 comprises two pairs of side walls 12A, 12B, 13A, 13B. The pair of side walls 12A and 12B face each other across the storage cavity 11 in the lateral direction. The pair of side walls 13A and 13B face each other across the storage cavity 11 in the vertical direction. Each of the side walls 12A, 12B extends continuously in the longitudinal direction between the side walls 13A, 13B. Moreover, each of the side walls 13A and 13B extends continuously in the lateral direction between the side walls 12A and 12B.

The first exterior member 5 has a flange 15 . The flange 15 protrudes outward from the end of the peripheral wall 8 (side walls 12A, 12B, 13A, 13B) opposite to the bottom wall 7 . Therefore, the flange 15 protrudes outward from the peripheral wall 8 and is formed away from the bottom wall 7 in the height direction. The flange 15 is formed along the entire circumference of the exterior portion 3 in the circumferential direction, and protrudes outward along the entire circumference of the exterior portion 3 in the circumferential direction. Moreover, the flange 15 extends from the opening edge of the internal space of the first exterior member 5 toward the outer peripheral side.

In this embodiment, the second exterior member 6 is a substantially plate-shaped member, and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, for example. The second exterior member 6 is attached to the flange 15 from the opposite side of the bottom wall 7 in the height direction of the battery 1 and faces the flange 15 from the opposite side of the bottom wall 7 . The opening of the internal space (storage cavity 11 ) of the first exterior member 5 is closed by the second exterior member 6 . In this embodiment, the second exterior member 6 forms a top wall facing the bottom wall 7 across the storage cavity 11 in the height direction. For this reason, the bottom wall 7 of the first exterior member 5 faces the second exterior member 6 (top wall) across the storage cavity 11 in the height direction. Moreover, the peripheral wall 8 and the flange 15 are provided between the bottom wall 7 and the second exterior member 6 in the height direction.

The second exterior member 6 protrudes outward from the peripheral wall 8 (side walls 12A, 12B, 13A, 13B). The second exterior member 6 protrudes outward along the entire circumference of the exterior portion 3 in the circumferential direction. Further, in the present embodiment, the thickness direction of the plate-shaped second exterior member 6 matches or substantially matches the height direction of the battery 1 (the exterior portion 3).

The second exterior member 6 is welded to the flange 15 while being arranged on the opposite side of the flange 15 from the bottom wall 7 . At the welded portion, the flange 15 and the second exterior member 6 are hermetically welded. The welded portion of the flange 15 to the second exterior member 6 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the exterior portion 3 with respect to the opening edge of the internal space (storage cavity 11 ) of the first exterior member 5 . Moreover, the welded portion of the flange 15 and the second exterior member 6 is continuously formed over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the storage cavity 11 of the exterior part 3 is closed and sealed. At the welded portion, the flange 15 and the second exterior member 6 are welded by, for example, resistance seam welding. By performing the resistance seam welding, the cost can be suppressed and the airtightness between the flange 15 and the second exterior member 6 is high as compared with laser welding or the like.

In this embodiment, the dimension in the height direction between the bottom wall 7 and the second exterior member 6 (top wall) is the dimension in the lateral direction between the pair of side walls 12A and 12B, and the dimension in the lateral direction between the pair of side walls 12A and 12B. The longitudinal dimension between sidewalls 13A and 13B is much smaller than each of the dimensions. Therefore, in the housing cavity 11, the dimension in the height direction is much smaller than the dimension in the vertical direction and the dimension in the horizontal direction. Moreover, the thickness of the exterior part 3 is formed to be uniform or substantially uniform over the entire exterior part 3 (exterior members 5 and 6). The thickness of the exterior part 3 is thin, for example, 0.02 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less. Therefore, in the battery 1 and the exterior part 3, the dimension in the height direction is much smaller than the dimension in the vertical direction and the dimension in the horizontal direction.

Further, in the present embodiment, the vertical dimension between the pair of side walls 13A and 13B is smaller than the horizontal dimension between the pair of side walls 12A and 12B. Therefore, in the storage cavity 11, the dimension in the vertical direction is smaller than the dimension in the horizontal direction. In addition, the battery 1 and the exterior part 3 have smaller dimensions in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction. Moreover, the projection dimension of the flange 15 and the second exterior member 6 from the peripheral wall 8 to the outer peripheral side is about 2 mm or more and 5 mm or less. In this embodiment, the flange 15 and the projecting end of the projecting portion of the second exterior member 6 form the outer peripheral edge of the exterior portion 3 (battery 1).

The electrode group 10 is housed in the housing cavity 11 of the exterior part 3 . FIG. 3 shows the electrode group 10 and FIG. 4 shows one state during manufacture of the electrode group 10 . As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the electrode group 10 includes a positive electrode 21, a negative electrode 22, and separators 23,25. The positive electrode 21 includes a positive electrode current collector foil 21A as a positive electrode current collector, and a positive electrode active material-containing layer 21B carried on the surface of the positive electrode current collector foil 21A. The positive current collector foil 21A is an aluminum foil, an aluminum alloy foil, or the like, and has a thickness of about 10 μm to 20 μm. A slurry containing a positive electrode active material, a binder, and a conductive agent is applied to the positive current collector foil 21A. Examples of positive electrode active materials include, but are not limited to, oxides, sulfides, and polymers that can intercalate and deintercalate lithium. Moreover, from the viewpoint of obtaining a high positive electrode potential, it is preferable that the positive electrode active material is lithium-manganese composite oxide, lithium-nickel composite oxide, lithium-cobalt composite oxide, lithium iron phosphate, or the like.

The negative electrode 22 includes a negative electrode current collector foil 22A as a negative electrode current collector, and a negative electrode active material containing layer 22B carried on the surface of the negative electrode current collector foil 22A. The negative electrode collector foil 22A is an aluminum foil, an aluminum alloy foil, a copper foil, or the like, and has a thickness of about 10 μm to 20 μm. A slurry containing a negative electrode active material, a binder, and a conductive agent is applied to the negative electrode current collector foil 22A. Examples of the negative electrode active material include, but are not limited to, metal oxides, metal sulfides, metal nitrides, and carbon materials that can occlude and release lithium ions. As the negative electrode active material, a material having a lithium ion absorption/discharge potential of 0.4 V or more relative to the metal lithium potential, that is, a lithium ion absorption/discharge potential of 0.4 V (vs. Li ⁺ /Li) or more. It is preferably a substance. By using a negative electrode active material having such a lithium ion absorption/release potential, an alloy reaction between aluminum or an aluminum alloy and lithium is suppressed. Allows the use of aluminum alloys. Examples of the negative electrode active material having a lithium ion absorption/desorption potential of 0.4 V (vs. Li ⁺ /Li) or higher include titanium oxides, lithium-titanium composite oxides such as lithium titanate, tungsten oxides, and amorphous tin. oxides, niobium-titanium composite oxides, tin silicon oxides, silicon oxides, and the like, and it is particularly preferable to use lithium-titanium composite oxides as the negative electrode active material. Note that when a carbon material that absorbs and releases lithium ions is used as the negative electrode active material, a copper foil is preferably used as the negative electrode current collector foil 22A. The carbon material used as the negative electrode active material has a lithium ion absorption/discharge potential of about 0 V (vs. Li ⁺ /Li).

The aluminum alloy used for the positive electrode current collector foil 21A and the negative electrode current collector foil 22A desirably contains one or more elements selected from Mg, Ti, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu and Si. The purity of aluminum and aluminum alloys can be 98 wt% or higher, preferably 99.99 wt% or higher. Also, pure aluminum with a purity of 100% can be used as a material for the positive electrode current collector and/or the negative electrode current collector. The content of transition metals such as nickel and chromium in aluminum and aluminum alloys is preferably 100 ppm by weight or less (including 0 ppm by weight).

In the positive current collector foil 21A, a positive current collector tab 21D is formed by one long side edge 21C and its vicinity. In one example of FIGS. 3 and 4, the positive electrode current collecting tab 21D is formed over the entire length of the long edge 21C. In the positive electrode current collector tab 21D, the positive electrode active material containing layer 21B is not carried on the surface of the positive electrode current collector foil 21A. Accordingly, the positive electrode current collector foil 21A includes the positive electrode current collector tab 21D as a portion on which the positive electrode active material containing layer 21B is not supported. Further, in the negative electrode current collector foil 22A, a negative electrode current collector tab 22D is formed by one long side edge 22C and its vicinity. In one example of FIGS. 3 and 4, the negative electrode current collecting tab 22D is formed over the entire length of the long edge 22C. In the negative electrode current collecting tab 22D, the negative electrode active material containing layer 22B is not carried on the surface of the negative electrode current collecting foil 22A. Therefore, the negative electrode current collecting foil 22A includes the negative electrode current collecting tab 22D as a portion where the negative electrode active material containing layer 22B is not supported.

Each of the separators 23 and 25 is made of an electrically insulating material, and electrically insulates between the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 . Each of the separators 23 and 25 may be a sheet or the like separate from the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 , or may be formed integrally with one of the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 . Also, the separators 23 and 25 may be made of an organic material, an inorganic material, or a mixture of an organic material and an inorganic material. Examples of organic materials forming the separators 23 and 25 include engineering plastics and super engineering plastics. Engineering plastics include polyamide, polyacetal, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, syndiotactic polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyamideimide, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylidene fluoride, and modified polyphenylene ether. Super engineering plastics include polyphenylene sulfide, polyetheretherketone, liquid crystal polymer, polyvinylidene fluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethernitrile, polysulfone, polyacrylate, polyetherimide and thermoplastic polyimide. be done. Inorganic materials forming the separators 23 and 25 include oxides (eg, aluminum oxide, silicon dioxide, magnesium oxide, phosphorous oxide, calcium oxide, iron oxide, titanium oxide), nitrides (eg, boron nitride, aluminum nitride, silicon nitride, barium nitride) and the like.

In the electrode group 10, the positive electrode 21, the negative electrode 22, and the separators 23, 25 are arranged around the winding axis B while the separators 23, 25 are sandwiched between the positive electrode active material-containing layer 21B and the negative electrode active material-containing layer 22B. is wound around in a flat shape. The positive electrode 21, the separator 23, the negative electrode 22, and the separator 25 are, for example, stacked in this order and wound. Further, in the electrode group 10, the positive electrode current collecting tab 21D of the positive electrode current collecting foil 21A is attached to the negative electrode 22 and the separators 23 and 25 in the axial direction along the winding axis B (the directions indicated by the arrows Y3 and Y4). protrude to one side. Then, the negative electrode current collecting tab 22D of the negative electrode current collecting foil 22A is located on the opposite side of the positive electrode current collecting tab 21D from the positive electrode current collecting tab 21D in the axial direction along the winding axis B with respect to the positive electrode 21 and the separators 23 and 25. protrude.

In the electrode group 10, the width direction (direction indicated by arrows X3 and X4) that intersects (perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to) the axial direction and the thickness direction that intersects both the axial direction and the width direction ( directions indicated by arrows Z3 and Z4) are defined. In the electrode group 10, the dimension in the thickness direction is smaller than the dimension in the axial direction and the dimension in the width direction. Therefore, the electrode group 10 is formed in a flat shape.

Moreover, the positive electrode current collecting tab 21D and the negative electrode current collecting tab 22D are each bundled together at the central portion in the width direction of the electrode group 10 by welding such as ultrasonic welding. Therefore, in each of the positive electrode current collecting tab 21D and the negative electrode current collecting tab 22D, the binding portion 26 is formed at the central portion in the width direction of the electrode group 10. As shown in FIG. In each of the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D, the binding portion 26 forms part of the projecting end. In addition, tab inclined surfaces 27A and 27B are formed from the base of the protrusion to the binding portion 26 on each of the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D. In each of the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D, tab inclined surfaces 27A and 27B are formed at the central portion in the width direction of the electrode group 10, respectively. In each of the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D, each of the tab inclined surfaces 27A and 27B is inclined inward in the thickness direction as it approaches the binding portion 26 (protruding end) in the axial direction. Therefore, in the regions where the tab inclined surfaces 27A and 27B are extended in the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D, respectively, the dimension of the electrode group 10 in the thickness direction increases as the binding portion 26 (protruding end) is approached in the axial direction. decreases.

The positive electrode current collecting tab 21D and the negative electrode current collecting tab 22D are not bundled at both ends in the width direction of the electrode group 10, respectively. Therefore, in each of the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D, the binding portion 26 and the tab inclined surfaces 27A and 27B described above are not formed at both end portions in the width direction of the electrode group 10 . In each of the positive electrode current collecting tab 21D and the negative electrode current collecting tab 22D, an unbound portion 28A is formed at one end portion in the width direction of the electrode group 10, and an unbound portion 28A is formed at the other end portion in the width direction of the electrode group 10. A portion 28B is formed.

FIG. 5 shows the structure of the storage cavity 11 of the exterior part 3. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5 and the like, the electrode group 10 is arranged in a state in which the winding axis B (axial direction) is parallel or substantially parallel to the lateral direction of the battery 1 . Then, in the storage cavity 11 of the exterior part 3, the positive electrode current collecting tab 21D protrudes to one side in the lateral direction with respect to the negative electrode 22 and the separators 23, 25. As shown in FIG. In the electrode group 10, the positive electrode current collecting tab 21D protrudes toward the side wall 12A of the peripheral wall 8 in the lateral direction of the battery 1, for example. Further, the negative electrode current collecting tab 22D protrudes from the positive electrode 21 and the separators 23 and 25 in the lateral direction opposite to the side where the positive electrode current collecting tab 21D projects. In the electrode group 10, the negative electrode current collecting tab 22D protrudes toward the side wall 12B of the peripheral wall 8 in the lateral direction of the battery 1, for example. Therefore, each of the current collecting tabs 21</b>D and 22</b>D protrudes outward from the electrode group 10 in the housing cavity 11 .

By arranging the electrode group 10 in the storage cavity 11 as described above, in the storage cavity 11, in the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the battery 1, the binding portion 26 of each of the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D and the tab inclined surface 27A are formed. , 27B are arranged. That is, the binding portions 26 and the tab inclined surfaces 27A, 27B of the current collecting tabs 21D, 22D are arranged away from the side walls 13A, 13B of the peripheral wall 8 in the vertical direction. In each of the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D, the non-binding portion 28A is arranged on the side where the side wall 13A is positioned with respect to the binding portion 26 and the tab inclined surfaces 27A and 27B in the vertical direction, and the non-binding portion 28B , on the side where the side wall 13B is positioned with respect to the binding portion 26 and the tab inclined surfaces 27A and 27B in the vertical direction.

In addition, by arranging the electrode group 10 in the housing cavity 11 as described above, in each of the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D, the tab inclined surface 27A is positioned so that the bottom wall 7 is located with respect to the binding portion 26 in the height direction. The tab inclined surface 27B is arranged on the side where the second exterior member 6 is positioned with respect to the binding portion 26 in the height direction. In each of the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D, the tab inclined surface 27A becomes lower in the height direction as it approaches the peripheral wall 8 (corresponding one of the side walls 12A and 12B) in the lateral direction, that is, as it approaches the outer peripheral side. Tilt away from the wall 7 . In addition, in each of the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D, the tab inclined surface 27B is arranged in the height direction as it approaches the peripheral wall 8 (corresponding one of the side walls 12A and 12B) in the lateral direction, that is, as it approaches the outer peripheral side. 2 is tilted away from the exterior member 6 .

Moreover, the electrode group 10 does not need to have a wound structure in which the positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the separator are wound. In one embodiment, the electrode group 10 has a stack structure in which a plurality of positive electrodes and a plurality of negative electrodes are alternately laminated, and a separator is provided between the positive electrodes and the negative electrodes. Also in this case, in the electrode group 10, the positive electrode current collecting tab protrudes from the negative electrode to one side in the lateral direction of the battery 1 (the exterior portion 3). In the electrode group 10 , the negative electrode current collecting tab protrudes with respect to the positive electrode in the lateral direction of the battery 1 in the opposite direction to the side where the positive electrode current collecting tab projects. Therefore, each of the current collecting tabs protrudes outward from the electrode group 10 in the housing cavity 11 .

Further, even when the electrode group 10 does not have a wound structure, the binding portion 26 and the tab inclined surfaces 27A and 27B are formed on the positive electrode current collecting tab and the negative electrode current collecting tab, respectively. In the housing cavity 11, the binding portions 26 of the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D and the tab inclined surfaces 27A and 27B are arranged apart from the side walls 13A and 13B of the peripheral wall 8 in the vertical direction. In each of the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D, the tab slope surface 27A slopes away from the bottom wall 7 in the height direction as it approaches the peripheral wall 8 in the lateral direction. In each of the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D, the tab inclined surface 27B is inclined so as to move away from the second exterior member 6 in the height direction as it approaches the peripheral wall 8 in the horizontal direction.

In one embodiment, the electrode assembly 10 is impregnated with an electrolyte (not shown) in the containment cavity 11 . As the electrolytic solution, a non-aqueous electrolytic solution is used, and for example, a non-aqueous electrolytic solution prepared by dissolving an electrolyte in an organic solvent is used. In this case, as the electrolyte dissolved in the organic solvent, lithium perchlorate (LiClO ₄ ), lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF ₆ ), lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF ₄ ), lithium arsenic hexafluoride (LiAsF ₆ ), lithium salts such as lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate (LiCF ₃ SO ₃ ) and lithium bistrifluoromethylsulfonylimide [LiN(CF ₃ SO ₂ ) ₂ ], and mixtures thereof. In addition, as an organic solvent, cyclic carbonates such as propylene carbonate (PC), ethylene carbonate (EC) and vinylene carbonate; chain carbonates such as diethyl carbonate (DEC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and methyl ethyl carbonate (MEC); tetrahydrofuran cyclic ethers such as (THF), 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2MeTHF), and dioxolane (DOX); linear ethers such as dimethoxyethane (DME) and diethoxyethane (DEE); γ-butyrolactone (GBL), acetonitrile (AN) and sulfolane (SL). These organic solvents are used alone or as a mixed solvent.

Further, in one embodiment, a non-aqueous gel electrolyte obtained by combining a non-aqueous electrolyte and a polymer material is used instead of the electrolyte as the non-aqueous electrolyte. In this case, the electrolyte and organic solvent described above are used. Polymer materials include polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), and polyethylene oxide (PEO).

Further, in one embodiment, solid electrolytes such as polymer solid electrolytes and inorganic solid electrolytes are provided as non-aqueous electrolytes instead of electrolyte solutions. In this case, the electrode group 10 may not be provided with the separators 23 and 25 . In the electrode group 10 , a solid electrolyte is sandwiched between the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 instead of the separators 23 and 25 . Therefore, in this embodiment, the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 are electrically insulated by the solid electrolyte. Also, in some embodiments, an aqueous electrolyte containing an aqueous solvent may be used as the electrolyte instead of the non-aqueous electrolyte.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, a pair of electrode terminals 31A and 31B are attached to the outer surface of the first exterior member 5 of the exterior portion 3. As shown in FIGS. One of the electrode terminals 31A and 31B becomes a positive terminal of the battery 1, and the other of the electrode terminals 31A and 31B becomes a negative terminal of the battery 1. Therefore, the electrode terminals 31A and 31B have polarities opposite to each other. In FIG. 5, one of the pair of electrode terminals 31A and 31B and its vicinity are shown in cross section perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

1 and the like, the first exterior member 5 is formed with a pair of inclined walls 14A and 14B. The inclined wall 14A is provided between the side wall 12A and the bottom wall 7, and the inclined wall 14B is provided between the side wall 12B and the bottom wall 7. As shown in FIG. A pair of inclined walls 14A and 14B are formed in the central portion of the battery 1 in the vertical direction. In addition, the inclined wall 14A is provided in the range where the side wall 12A extends in the circumferential direction of the battery 1 (exterior portion 3), and the inclined wall 14B is provided in the circumferential direction of the battery 1 (exterior portion 3). is provided in the range where is extended. Each of the inclined walls 14A, 14B is inclined with respect to the bottom wall 7 and the side walls 12A, 12B. Each of the inclined walls 14A and 14B is inclined so as to approach the electrode group 10 in the lateral direction as it approaches the bottom wall 7 .

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the electrode terminal 31A is attached to the outer surface of the inclined wall 14A so as to be exposed to the outside, and the electrode terminal 31B is attached to the outer surface of the inclined wall 14B so as to be exposed to the outside. Therefore, the electrode terminal 31A is provided in the range in which the side wall 12A extends in the circumferential direction of the exterior part 3, and the electrode terminal 31B is provided in the range in which the side wall 12B extends in the circumferential direction of the exterior part 3. be done. 1 and 2, each of the electrode terminals 31A, 31B is arranged at the central position or approximately the central position of one corresponding one of the inclined walls 14A, 14B in the vertical direction. In the battery 1, the pair of electrode terminals 31A and 31B are arranged laterally apart from each other, and the electrode group 10 is arranged laterally between the pair of electrode terminals 31A and 31B. Each of the electrode terminals 31A and 31B is made of a conductive material such as aluminum, copper, stainless steel, or the like.

A pair of insulating members (outer insulating members) 32A and 32B made of an electrically insulating material are provided on the outer surface of the first exterior member 5 . Each of the insulating members 32A, 32B is disposed on one corresponding outer surface of the inclined walls 14A, 14B. The insulating member 32A is interposed between the inclined wall 14A and the electrode terminal 31A, and the insulating member 32B is interposed between the inclined wall 14B and the electrode terminal 31B.

As shown in FIG. 5 and the like, a through hole 33A is formed in the inclined wall 14A, and a through hole 33B is formed in the inclined wall 14B. Each of the through-holes 33A, 33B penetrates through the corresponding one of the inclined walls 14A, 14B from the storage cavity 11 to the exterior of the exterior part 3 . The electrode terminal 31A is inserted through the through hole 33A, and the electrode terminal 31B is inserted through the through hole 33B. Each of the electrode terminals 31A and 31B is inserted through a corresponding one of the through holes 33A and 33B in a state where a part thereof is exposed to the outside of the exterior part 3 .

A ring-shaped insulating gasket 35A is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the electrode terminal 31A in the through-hole 33A, and a ring-shaped insulating gasket 35B is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the electrode terminal 31B in the through-hole 33B. Therefore, the corresponding one of the insulating gaskets 35A and 35B is interposed between the respective edge surfaces (first exterior member 5) of the through holes 33A and 33B and the corresponding one of the electrode terminals 31A and 31B.

By providing the insulating member 32A and the insulating gasket 35A as described above, the contact of the electrode terminal 31A with the first exterior member 5 is prevented, and the electrode terminal 31A is prevented from contacting the first exterior member 5 (exterior portion 3). electrically insulated against Similarly, by providing the insulating member 32B and the insulating gasket 35B, the contact of the electrode terminal 31B with the first exterior member 5 is prevented, and the electrode terminal 31B is prevented from contacting the first exterior member 5 (exterior portion 3). electrically isolated.

The binding portion 26 of the positive electrode current collecting tab 21D connects the corresponding positive electrode terminals 31A and 31B via one or more positive electrode leads including a positive electrode backup lead 41A, a positive electrode relay lead 42A, and a positive electrode terminal lead 43A. It is electrically connected to a terminal (eg 31A). The connection between the positive current collecting tab 21D (binding portion 26) and the positive lead, the connection between the positive leads, and the connection between the positive lead and the positive terminal are performed by welding such as ultrasonic welding. Here, the positive electrode lead is made of a conductive metal.

Similarly, the binding portion 26 of the negative electrode current collecting tab 22D connects the corresponding one of the electrode terminals 31A and 31B via one or more negative leads including the negative backup lead 41B, the negative relay lead 42B and the negative electrode terminal lead 43B. is electrically connected to a negative terminal (for example, 31B). The connection between the negative electrode current collecting tab 22D (binding portion 26) and the negative electrode lead, the connection between the negative electrode leads, and the connection between the negative electrode lead and the negative electrode terminal are performed by welding such as ultrasonic welding. Here, the negative electrode lead is made of a conductive metal.

Spaces 45A and 45B are formed on both sides of the electrode group 10 in the horizontal direction in the housing cavity 11 . A space (first space) 45A is formed between the inner surface of the side wall 12A and the electrode group 10, and a space (second space) 45B is formed between the inner surface of the side wall 12B and the electrode group 10. be done. That is, each of the pair of spaces 45A, 45B is formed between the corresponding one of the side walls 12A, 12B and the electrode group 10. As shown in FIG. Therefore, each of the side walls 12A and 12B is arranged apart from the electrode group 10 with respect to the lateral direction of the battery 1 with one of the spaces 45A and 45B interposed therebetween. In one embodiment, the positive current collecting tab 21D and the positive lead are placed in the space 45A. Then, the negative electrode current collecting tab 22D and the negative electrode lead are arranged in the space 45B.

In the storage cavity 11, the insulating member 46A is arranged in the space 45A, and the insulating member 46B is arranged in the space 45B. Each of the pair of insulating members (internal insulating members) 46A and 46B is made of an electrically insulating material. Here, one of the insulating members 46A and 46B (for example, 46A) serves as a positive electrode side insulating member, and the other of the insulating members 46A and 46B (for example, 46B) serves as a negative electrode side insulating member.

The insulating member (first insulating member) 46A prevents the current collecting tab (eg 21D) and the leads (eg 41A to 43A) from contacting the inner surface of the exterior part 3 in the space 45A. Therefore, in the space 45A, the insulation member 46A electrically insulates the collector tabs (eg 21D and) and the leads (eg 41A to 43A) from the exterior part 3 (the exterior members 5 and 6). Also, the insulating member (second insulating member) 46B prevents the current collecting tab (eg 22D) and the leads (eg 41B to 43B) from coming into contact with the inner surface of the exterior part 3 in the space 45B. Therefore, in the space 45B, the insulation member 46B electrically insulates the collector tab (eg 22D) and the leads (eg 41B to 43B) from the exterior part 3 (the exterior members 5 and 6).

6 to 9B show respective configurations of a pair of insulating members 46A and 46B arranged in the housing cavity 11. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 9B and the like, each of the insulating members 46A and 46B includes a structure (first structure) 51 and a structure (second structure) integrally formed with the structure 51. 52 and a connecting portion 53 that connects between the structures 51 and 52 . In each of the insulating members 46A and 46B, the construct 52 can be opened and closed with respect to the construct 51 in a state in which the construct 52 is not pressed toward the construct 51 . 6, 8A and 8B now show insulating member (46A or 46B) with structure 52 closed to structure 51. FIG. 7, 9A and 9B also show insulating member (46A or 46B) with structure 52 open relative to structure 51. FIG.

The insulating member 46A has edges E1 and E2. Edge (first edge) E1 is formed from structure 51 and edge (second edge) E2 is formed from structure 52 . In the insulating member 46A, the insulating member 46A extends from the edge E1 to the edge E2 passing through the structural body 51, the connecting portion 53, and the structural body 52 in this order. Further, the width direction (the direction indicated by arrows W1 and W2) is defined in the insulating member 46A. In FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A and 9B, the direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the paper surface is the width direction of the insulating member 46A.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 to 9B and the like, the structure (first structure) 51 includes a bottom plate portion 51A and side plate portions 51B to 51D. The side plate portions 51B and 51C are parallel or substantially parallel to each other and are arranged apart from each other in the width direction of the insulating member 46A. Each of the bottom plate portion 51A and the side plate portion 51D is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the side plate portions 51B and 51C, and extends along the width direction from the side plate portion 51B to the side plate portion 51C. The bottom plate portion 51A and the side plate portion 51D are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to each other. In the structure 51 , an edge E<b>1 is formed by the bottom plate portion 51</b>A and the side plate portions 51</b>B and 51</b>C, and the side plate portion 51</b>D is connected to the connecting portion 53 . Also, the bottom plate portion 51A and the side plate portions 51B and 51C are each connected to the side plate portion 51D at the end opposite to the edge E1.

Further, in the structure 51, an inclined plate portion 51E is formed between the bottom plate portion 51A and the side plate portion 51D. The inclined plate portion 51E is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the side plate portions 51B and 51C, and is inclined with respect to the bottom plate portion 51A and the side plate portion 51D. Also, the inclined plate portion 51E is formed at the central portion in the width direction of the insulating member 46A, and is formed at a position apart from the side plate portions 51B and 51C in the width direction. A through hole 58 penetrating through the inclined plate portion 51E is formed in the central portion of the inclined plate portion 51E in the width direction of the insulating member 46A.

Further, the structure 51 is provided with a projection (first projection) 61 projecting from the bottom plate portion 51A to the side where the side plate portions 51B to 51D are located. The projection 61 is formed at the end of the bottom plate portion 51A on the side where the edge E1 is located. The protrusion 61 extends along the width direction of the insulating member 46A. Further, the protrusion 61 is formed in the central portion of the insulating member 46A in the width direction, and is formed in a position apart from the side plate portions 51B and 51C in the width direction. A projection inclined surface (first projection inclined surface) 65 is formed on the projection 61 . The projecting inclined surface 65 faces the side opposite to the side where the edge E1 is located, ie, the side where the connection position to the connection portion 53 of the structure 51 is located. The protrusion inclined surface 65 is formed from the base of the protrusion 61 to the protruding end, and extends over the entire dimension or substantially the entire dimension of the protrusion 61 in the width direction of the insulating member 46A. The protrusion inclined surface 65 slopes away from the edge E<b>1 toward the projecting end of the protrusion 61 .

In embodiments such as FIGS. 6 to 9B, the construct (second construct) 52 includes a top plate portion 52A and side plate portions 52B and 52C. The side plate portions 52B and 52C are parallel or substantially parallel to each other and are arranged apart from each other in the width direction of the insulating member 46A. The top plate portion 52A is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the side plate portions 52B and 52C, and extends along the width direction from the side plate portion 52B to the side plate portion 52C. In the structure 52 , an edge E<b>2 is formed by the top plate portion 52</b>A and the side plate portions 52</b>B and 52</b>C.

Further, the structure 52 is provided with a projection (second projection) 62 projecting from the top plate portion 52A toward the side where the side plate portions 52B and 52C are located. The protrusion 62 is formed at the end of the top plate portion 52A on the side where the edge E2 is located. The protrusion 62 extends along the width direction of the insulating member 46A. Also, the projection 62 is formed in the central portion of the insulating member 46A in the width direction, and is formed at a position apart from the side plate portions 52B and 52C in the width direction. A projection inclined surface (second projection inclined surface) 66 is formed on the projection 62 . The projecting inclined surface 66 faces the side opposite to the side where the edge E2 is located, that is, the side where the connection position to the connecting portion 53 of the structure 52 is located. The protrusion inclined surface 66 is formed from the base of the protrusion 62 to the protruding end, and extends over the entire dimension or substantially the entire dimension of the protrusion 62 in the width direction of the insulating member 46A. The projection inclined surface 66 is inclined away from the edge E2 as the projecting end of the projection 62 is approached.

Further, the connection portion 53 includes a relay portion 55 and thin portions 56 and 57 . The relay portion 55 is formed in a plate shape and extends between the thin portions 56 and 57 . Each of the thin portions 56 and 57 is thinner than other portions of the connection portion 53 such as the relay portion 55 and the constituent bodies 51 and 52 . A side plate portion 51</b>D of the structure (first structure) 51 is connected to the connection portion 53 via the thin portion 56 . The top plate portion 52A of the structure (second structure) 52 is connected to the connection portion 53 via the thin portion 57 . 8B shows an enlarged view of the connecting portion 53 and its vicinity in the cross section of FIG. 8A, and FIG. 9B shows an enlarged view of the connecting portion 53 and its vicinity in the cross section of FIG. 9A.

In the insulating member 46A, the formation 52 closes against the formation 51 when the formation 52 is pressed toward the formation 51 (see FIGS. 6, 8A and 8B). On the other hand, when the structure 52 is not pushed toward the structure 51, the structure 52 can be opened and closed with respect to the structure 51, and the structure 51 shown in FIGS. can be changed to an open state. When the structure 52 is opened or closed with respect to the structure 51 , the connecting portion 53 and the structure 52 rotate with respect to the structure 51 about the rotation axis P<b>1 passing through the thin portion 56 . Further, the structure 52 rotates with respect to the connecting portion 53 around the rotation axis P2 passing through the thin portion 57 . Each of the rotation axes P1 and P2 extends along the width direction of the insulating member 46A.

When the structure 52 is closed with respect to the structure 51, the structure 52 extends from the connection position to the connection portion 53 toward the edge E1. The side plate portion 51B of the structure 51 abuts the side plate portion 52B of the structure 52, and the side plate portion 51C of the structure 51 abuts the side plate portion 52C of the structure 52. Also, the bottom plate portion 51A of the structure 51 faces the top plate portion 52A of the structure 52 . Further, in a state in which the structure 52 is closed with respect to the structure 51, an internal space 68 surrounded by the structures 51 and 52 and the connection portion 53 is formed. The internal space 68 opens to the outside of the insulating member 46A at the opening 67 . At this time, the opening edge of the opening 67 of the internal space 68 is formed by the edges E1 and E2. Further, when the structure 52 is closed with respect to the structure 51, the projection 61 protrudes from the bottom plate portion 51A toward the top plate portion 52A of the structure 52, and the projection 62 extends from the top plate portion 52A to the structure 51. project toward the bottom plate portion 51A.

When the structure 52 is closed with respect to the structure 51, the structure 52 extends from the connection position to the connection portion 53 toward the side opposite to the edge E1. Therefore, structure 52 does not come into contact with structure 51 .

Like the insulating member 46A, the insulating member 46B also includes constituent bodies 51 and 52 and a connecting portion 53. In the insulating member 46B, the constituent bodies 51 and 52 and the connecting portion 53 each have the same configuration as the insulating member 46A. Become.

In the battery 1 , on the inner surface of the bottom wall 7 in the storage cavity 11 , the constituents (first constituents) 51 of the insulating members 46A and 46B are arranged. Then, on the inner surface of the second exterior member 6 in the housing cavity 11, the constituents (second constituents) 52 of the insulating members 46A and 46B are arranged. Each of the insulating members 46A and 46B is arranged in the housing cavity 11 with the construct 52 pressed toward the construct 51 by the second exterior member 6 . Therefore, in the battery 1, each of the insulating members 46A and 46B is arranged in the housing cavity 11 with the structure (second structure) 52 closed with respect to the structure (first structure) 51. be. Also, each of the insulating members 46A and 46B is arranged such that the width direction thereof coincides or substantially coincides with the longitudinal direction of the battery 1 (the exterior portion 3). Therefore, each of the insulating members 46A and 46B is arranged in the storage cavity 11 with the rotation axes P1 and P2 extending in the vertical direction.

In each of the insulating members 46A and 46B arranged in the corresponding one of the spaces 45A and 45B, the bottom plate portion 51A of the structural body 51 extends on the inner surface of the bottom wall 7, and the inner surface of the second exterior member 6 extends. 52 A of top-plate parts of the structure 52 are extended upwards. In each of the insulating members 46A and 46B, the side plate portion 51B of the structure 51 and the side plate portion 52B of the structure 52 extend on the inner surface of the side wall 13A, and the side plate portion 52B of the structure 51 extends on the inner surface of the side wall 13B. The portion 51C and the side plate portion 52C of the structure 52 are extended.

In addition, since the insulating members 46A and 46B are arranged with the structural body 52 closed with respect to the structural body 51 as described above, the side plate portions 52B of the insulating members 46A and 46B respectively It abuts on the side plate portion 51B from the side where the second exterior member 6 is positioned in the height direction. Then, the side plate portion 52C contacts the side plate portion 51C from the side where the second exterior member 6 is positioned in the height direction of the battery 1 . Therefore, in each of the insulating members 46A and 46B arranged in the corresponding one of the spaces 45A and 45B, an internal space 68 surrounded by the structures 51 and 52 and the connecting portion 53 is formed, and an opening 67 of the internal space 68 is formed. It is formed. Each of the insulating members 46A and 46B is arranged so that the opening 67 of the internal space 68 opens toward the side where the electrode group 10 is positioned in the lateral direction, that is, toward the inner peripheral side. For this reason, in each of the insulating members 46A and 46B, the edges E1 and E2 of the battery 1 with respect to the connection position of the structure 51 to the connection portion 53 and the connection position of the structure 52 to the connection portion 53 It is positioned closer to the electrode group 10 in the lateral direction.

In the insulating member 46A arranged in the space 45A, the side plate portion 51D of the structural body 51 extends on the inner surface of the side wall 12A, and the inclined plate portion 51E of the structural body 51 extends on the inner surface of the inclined wall 14A. be. The electrode terminal 31A is inserted through the through hole 33A of the first exterior member 5 as described above, and is also inserted through the through hole 58 of the insulating member 46A. In the space 45A, a current collecting tab (eg 21D) and leads (eg 41A to 43A) are arranged in an internal space (member space) 68 formed by the insulating member 46A. Therefore, in the space 45A, between the bottom plate portion 51A of the structure 51 and the top plate portion 52A of the structure 52 in the height direction of the battery 1, a current collecting tab (eg 21D) and leads (eg 41A to 43A) are provided. placed. In an internal space 68 formed by the insulating member 46A, a current collecting tab (eg 21D) is electrically connected to the electrode terminal 31A via leads (eg 41A to 43A). Also, in the insulating member 46A, the connecting portion 53 is arranged at or near the corner between the side wall 12A and the second exterior member 6 .

Similarly, in the insulating member 46B arranged in the space 45B, the side plate portion 51D of the structural body 51 extends on the inner surface of the side wall 12B, and the inclined plate portion 51E of the structural body 51 extends on the inner surface of the inclined wall 14B. deferred. The electrode terminal 31B is inserted through the through hole 33B of the first exterior member 5 as described above, and is also inserted through the through hole 58 of the insulating member 46B. In the space 45B, a current collecting tab (eg 22D) and leads (eg 41B to 43B) are arranged in an internal space (member space) 68 formed by the insulating member 46B. Therefore, in the space 45B, between the bottom plate portion 51A of the structure 51 and the top plate portion 52A of the structure 52 in the height direction of the battery 1, a current collecting tab (eg 22D) and leads (eg 41B to 43B) are provided. placed. In an internal space 68 formed by the insulating member 46B, a current collecting tab (eg 22D) is electrically connected to the electrode terminal 31B via leads (eg 41B to 43B). Also, in the insulating member 46B, the connecting portion 53 is arranged at or near the corner between the side wall 12B and the second exterior member 6 .

Insulating members 46A and 46B arranged in storage cavity 11 are provided with projections 61 and 62 at their ends on the side where electrode group 10 is positioned in the lateral direction of the battery. Therefore, in each of the insulating members 46A and 46B, the projections 61 and 62 are positioned closer to the electrode group 10 with respect to the connecting portion 53 in the lateral direction of the battery 1 . In each of the insulating members 46A and 46B, a projection (first projection) 61 protrudes from the bottom plate portion 51A of the structure 51 toward the top plate portion 52A of the structure 52 and the second exterior member 6 to form a projection. The (second projection) 62 protrudes from the top plate portion 52A of the structure 52 toward the bottom plate portion 51A of the structure 51 and the bottom wall 7 .

By arranging the insulating members 46A and 46B in the housing cavity 11 as described above, the projections 61 and 62 of the insulating members 46A and 46B are arranged in the central portion of the battery 1 in the housing cavity 11 in the longitudinal direction. be. That is, the respective protrusions 61, 62 of the insulating members 46A, 46B are arranged apart from the side walls 13A, 13B of the peripheral wall 8 in the longitudinal direction. Moreover, in each of the insulating members 46A and 46B, each of the protrusions 61 and 62 extends along the vertical direction of the battery 1 .

Further, in each of the insulating members 46A and 46B, the projection inclined surface (first projection inclined surface) 65 of the projection 61 and the projection inclined surface (second projection inclined surface) 66 of the projection 62 are arranged so as to extend from the electrode group 10 in the lateral direction. facing the side where is located. Protrusive inclined surfaces 65, 66 of insulating members 46A, 46B respectively face corresponding ones of current collecting tabs 21D, 22D. The projecting inclined surface 65 of each of the insulating members 46A, 46B faces the corresponding tab inclined surface 27A of the current collecting tabs 21D, 22D. The projecting inclined surface 66 of each of the insulating members 46A and 46B faces the corresponding tab inclined surface 27B of the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D.

Since the insulating members 46A and 46B are arranged in the storage cavity 11 as described above, the protrusion inclined surface 65 of each of the insulating members 46A and 46B is inclined in the horizontal direction of the battery 1 as the projecting end of the protrusion 61 is approached. It inclines to the opposite side to the side where 10 is located. That is, the protruding inclined surface 65 of each of the insulating members 46A and 46B extends in the height direction of the battery 1 so as to extend toward the outer peripheral side as it approaches the second exterior member 6 . Also, in each of the insulating members 46A and 46B, the projecting inclined surface 66 is inclined toward the side opposite to the side where the electrode group 10 is located in the horizontal direction of the battery 1 as the projection end of the projection 62 is approached. That is, the protruding inclined surface 66 of each of the insulating members 46A and 46B extends in the height direction of the battery 1 so as to extend toward the outer peripheral side as the bottom wall 7 is approached. Moreover, it is preferable that the projection inclined surface 65 of each of the insulating members 46A and 46B is parallel or substantially parallel to the tab inclined surface 27A of one of the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D facing each other. Further, it is preferable that the projecting inclined surface 66 of each of the insulating members 46A and 46B is parallel or substantially parallel to the opposed one of the tab inclined surfaces 27B of the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D.

Here, in a configuration in which a plurality of insulating members are used to electrically insulate the current collecting tabs and the leads from the exterior part, gaps may be formed between the insulating members due to misalignment of the insulating members or the like. . In this case, there is a possibility that the collector tab or the lead may be electrically connected to the exterior part through the gap between the insulating members. In this embodiment, as described above, one insulating member 46A electrically insulates the collector tab (eg 21D) and the leads (eg 41A to 43A) from the exterior 3 in the space 45A. Therefore, it is effectively prevented that the collector tab (for example 21D) or the leads (for example 41A to 43A) are electrically connected to the exterior part 3 through the gaps between the insulating members. Therefore, in the space 45A, the current collecting tab (eg 21D) and the leads (eg 41A to 43A) are appropriately insulated from the exterior 3 by the insulating member 46A. Similarly, in the space 45B, the current collecting tab (eg 22D) and the leads (eg 41B-43B) are appropriately insulated from the exterior 3 by the insulating member 46B.

In addition, in the present embodiment, protrusions 61 and 62 are provided on the insulating members 46A and 46B, respectively. In the present embodiment, the movement of the electrode group 10 including the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D to the side where the side wall 12A is located is restricted by the contact of the current collecting tab 21D with the projections 61 and 62 of the insulating member 46A. . Then, the movement of the electrode group 10 including the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D to the side where the side wall 12B is located is restricted by the contact of the current collecting tab 22D with the protrusions 61 and 62 of the insulating member 46B. That is, lateral movement of the electrode group 10 in the housing cavity 11 is appropriately restricted by the protrusions 61 and 62 of the insulating members 46A and 46B, respectively.

In addition, in the present embodiment, in each of the insulating members 46A and 46B, the projecting inclined surface 65 faces the opposite side of the electrode group 10 in the horizontal direction of the battery 1 as it approaches the projecting end of the projection 61. to tilt. In each of the insulating members 46A and 46B, the projecting inclined surface 66 is inclined toward the side opposite to the side where the electrode group 10 is located in the horizontal direction of the battery 1 as the projection end of the projection 62 is approached. Therefore, each of the inclined projection surfaces 65 of the insulating members 46A and 46B extends along the corresponding one of the inclined tab surfaces 27A of the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D. 66 extends along one of the corresponding inclined tab surfaces 27B of the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D. As a result, when the current collecting tab 21D contacts the protrusions 61 and 62 of the insulating member 46A and when the current collecting tab 22D contacts the protrusions 61 and 62 of the insulating member 46B, the current collecting tab 21D , 22D is effectively prevented.

Further, in this embodiment, the projections 61 and 62 of the insulating members 46A and 46B are arranged apart from the side walls 13A and 13B of the peripheral wall 8 in the vertical direction. Therefore, in the storage cavity 11, through the gaps between the side wall 13A and the protrusions 61 and 62 of the insulating member 46A and the gaps between the side wall 13B and the protrusions 61 and 62 of the insulating member 46A, An electrolyte such as an electrolytic solution appropriately flows from the space 45A into the region where the electrode group 10 is arranged. Similarly, the electrodes from the space 45B pass through the gaps between the side wall 13A and the protrusions 61 and 62 of the insulating member 46B, and the gaps between the side wall 13B and the protrusions 61 and 62 of the insulating member 46B. Electrolyte such as electrolytic solution appropriately flows into the region where 10 is arranged. Therefore, even if the projections 61 and 62 are provided on the insulating members 46A and 46B, respectively, the electrode group 10 is properly impregnated with an electrolyte such as an electrolytic solution.

Next, a method for manufacturing the battery 1 as described above will be described. When manufacturing the battery 1, the first exterior member 5 and the second exterior member 6 are made of metal. At this time, the bottom wall 7 , the peripheral wall 8 and the flange 15 are formed on the first exterior member 5 . Then, the insulating members 46A and 46B described above are formed from a material having electrical insulating properties. In each of the formed insulating members 46A and 46B, the constituent (first constituent) 51 and the constituent (second constituent) 52 are integrated, and the connecting portion 53 is formed between the constituents 51 and 52. connected via In each of the insulating members 46A and 46B, the structure 52 that is not pressed toward the structure 51 can be opened and closed with respect to the structure 51 as described above.

Electrode terminals 31 A and 31 B are attached to the outer surface of the first exterior member 5 . The electrode terminal 31A is attached, for example, to the outer surface of the inclined wall 14A, and the electrode terminal 31B is attached, for example, to the outer surface of the inclined wall 14B. Further, the electrode terminal 31A is electrically insulated from the first exterior member 5 by the insulation member 32A and the insulation gasket 35A, and the electrode terminal 31B is electrically insulated from the first exterior member 5 by the insulation member 32B and the insulation gasket 35B. 5 is electrically isolated.

Then, the constituents (first constituents) 51 of the insulating members 46A and 46B are arranged on the inner surface of the bottom wall 7 . At this time, each of the insulating members 46A and 46B is arranged in a state where the construct (second construct) 52 is open with respect to the construct 51 . The insulating member 46A is arranged so that the side plate portion 51D of the structure 51 extends from the inner surface of the side wall 12A, and the insulating member 46B has the side plate portion 51D of the structure 51 extending from the inner surface of the side wall 12B. It is arranged in an extended state. At this time, in each of the insulating members 46A and 46B, since the structure 52 is open with respect to the structure 51, the structure 52 protrudes from the flange 15 in the lateral direction of the battery 1 to the outer peripheral side.

Then, the electrode group 10 is inserted into the housing cavity 11 of the exterior part 3 in a state in which the constituent bodies 51 of the insulating members 46A and 46B are arranged on the inner surface of the bottom wall 7 . At this time, the electrode group in the storage cavity 11 is set so that the current collecting tab 21D projects laterally toward the side wall 12A of the peripheral wall 8 and the current collecting tab 22D projects laterally toward the side wall 12B of the peripheral wall 8. 10 and current collecting tabs 21D and 22D are arranged. When the electrode group 10 is inserted into the housing cavity 11, the constructs 52 are in an open state with respect to the constructs 51 in each of the insulating members 46A and 46B. Therefore, it is easy to insert the electrode group 10 including the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D into the housing cavity 11 .

Then, the current collecting tab 21D is electrically connected to one of the electrode terminals 31A and 31B (for example, 31A) through a lead (for example, 41A to 43A), and the current collecting tab 22D is connected to the lead (for example, 41B to 43B). ) to corresponding one of the electrode terminals 31A and 31B (for example, 31B). When electrically connecting each of the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D to the corresponding one of the electrode terminals 31A and 31B, each of the insulating members 46A and 46B is in a state where the construct 52 is opened with respect to the construct 51. is. Therefore, it is easy to connect each of the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D to the corresponding one of the electrode terminals 31A and 31B.

Note that FIG. 10 shows a certain state during manufacture of the battery 1 . That is, in FIG. 10, each of the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D is electrically connected to the corresponding one of the electrode terminals 31A and 31B, and the insulating members 46A and 46B are arranged on the inner surface of the bottom wall 7, respectively. 5 shows a state in which a structure (second structure) 52 is opened with respect to a structure (first structure) 51 that is open.

Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the structure 52 is closed with respect to the structure 51 while the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D are electrically connected to corresponding ones of the electrode terminals 31A and 31B. Then, the second exterior member 6 is attached to the flange 15 by welding or the like from the opposite side of the bottom wall 7 in the height direction. The storage cavity 11 is thereby closed and sealed. Also, by attaching the second exterior member 6 to the flange 15 , the structure (second structure) 52 of each of the insulating members 46 A and 46 B is placed on the inner surface of the second exterior member 6 in the housing cavity 11 . placed. As a result, in each of the insulating members 46A and 46B, the structural body 52 is pressed toward the structural body 51 by the second exterior member 6, and in each of the insulating members 46A and 46B, the structural body 52 is pressed against the structural body 51. closed and maintained.

In addition, by closing the structure 52 with respect to the structure 51 in the insulating member 46A, the collector tab (eg 21D) and the leads (eg 41A to 43A) are placed between the structures 51 and 52 in the height direction of the battery 1. ) is placed. Similarly, by closing the structure 52 with respect to the structure 51 at the insulating member 46B, a current collecting tab (for example 22D) and a lead (for example 41B to 43B) are placed.

When attaching the second exterior member 6 to the flange 15, an electrolytic solution or the like is injected into the housing cavity 11 while a portion of the welded portion between the second exterior member 6 and the flange 15 is welded. . After the electrolytic solution is injected, the remaining portion of the welded portion between the second exterior member 6 and the flange 15 is welded.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the electrode group 10 can be inserted into the housing cavity 11 with the structure 52 open relative to the structure 51 in each of the insulating members 46A and 46B, and the current collecting tab 21D can be inserted. , 22D can be electrically connected to a corresponding one of the electrode terminals 31A, 31B. Therefore, it is possible to ensure workability in inserting the electrode group 10 into the housing cavity 11 and in electrically connecting each of the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D to the corresponding one of the electrode terminals 31A and 31B. . Therefore, even when insulating members 46A and 46B integrally formed with structures 51 and 52 are used, workability in manufacturing battery 1 is ensured.

(Modification)
In the above-described embodiments and the like, in each of the insulating members 46A and 46B, the constituent 52 rotates about the pivot shafts P1 and P2, respectively, so that the constituent 52 opens or closes with respect to the constituent 51. However, it is not limited to this. In the insulating member 46A of the first modified example shown in FIGS. 11A to 12B, the component (second component) 52 rotates with respect to the component (first component) 51 about the rotation axis P3. Movement causes formation 52 to open or close relative to formation 51 . In this modified example as well, the structure 51 includes a bottom plate portion 51A, side plate portions 51B to 51D, and an inclined plate portion 51E, similarly to the above-described embodiments. The side plate portion 51D is connected to the connecting portion 53. As shown in FIG. Further, in a state in which the structure 52 is closed with respect to the structure 51, an internal space 68 surrounded by the structures 51 and 52 and the connection portion 53 is formed. open to An opening edge of the opening 67 is formed by edges E1 and E2.

11A and 11B show a state in which the structure 52 is closed with respect to the structure 51, and FIGS. 12A and 12B show a state in which the structure 52 is opened with respect to the structure 51. FIG. 11B shows an enlarged view of the connecting portion 53 and its vicinity in the cross section of FIG. 11A, and FIG. 12B shows an enlarged view of the connecting portion 53 and its vicinity in the cross section of FIG. 12A.

In this modification, the structure 52 of the insulating member 46A is formed only of the top plate portion 52A, and the structure 52 is not formed with the side plate portions 52B and 52C. The top plate portion 52A is connected to the connection portion 53 at the end opposite to the edge E2. In addition, in this modified example, the top plate portion 52A contacts the side plate portions 51B and 51C of the structure 51 when the structure 52 is closed with respect to the structure 51 . Further, in the insulating member 46A of this modified example, the connection portion 53 is formed only from the thin portion 59 . The thin portion 59 is thinner than the structures 51 and 52 . In this modified example, the side plate portion 51D of the structure 51 is connected to the top plate portion 52A of the structure 52 via the thin portion 59 .

Because of the configuration as described above, in the insulating member 46A of the present modified example, the structural body 52 rotates around the rotational axis P3 passing through the thin portion 59, thereby causing the structural body 52 to rotate relative to the structural body 51. open or close Further, the rotation axis P3 extends along the width direction of the insulating member 46A (in FIGS. 11A to 12B, the direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the paper surface). Also, the insulating member 46B has the same configuration as the insulating member 46A. In this modification, each of the insulating members 46A and 46B is arranged in the storage cavity 11 with the rotation axis P3 extending along the vertical direction of the battery 1. As shown in FIG.

In this modified example as well, structures 51 and 52 are integrally formed in each of the insulating members 46A and 46B in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. Therefore, in the space 45A, the collector tab (eg 21D) and the leads (eg 41A to 43A) are appropriately insulated from the exterior part 3 by the insulating member 46A in the space 45A, and the space 45B , the current collecting tab (eg 22D) and the leads (eg 41B-43B) are appropriately insulated from the exterior 3 by the insulating member 46B. Also in this modification, the structural body 52 can be opened and closed with respect to the structural body 51 when the structural body 52 is not pressed toward the structural body 51 . For this reason, similarly to the above-described embodiments, the work of inserting the electrode group 10 into the housing cavity 11 and the electrical connection of each of the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D to the corresponding one of the electrode terminals 31A and 31B are performed. Workability in work is ensured.

Moreover, unlike the second modification shown in FIG. 13, the insulating members 46A and 46B do not have to be provided with the projections 61 and 62, respectively. Also in this modification, structures 51 and 52 are integrally formed in each of the insulating members 46A and 46B. Therefore, in the space 45A, the collector tab (eg 21D) and the leads (eg 41A to 43A) are appropriately insulated from the exterior part 3 by the insulating member 46A in the space 45A, and the space 45B , the current collecting tab (eg 22D) and the leads (eg 41B-43B) are appropriately insulated from the exterior 3 by the insulating member 46B. Also in this modification, the structural body 52 can be opened and closed with respect to the structural body 51 when the structural body 52 is not pressed toward the structural body 51 . For this reason, similarly to the above-described embodiments, the work of inserting the electrode group 10 into the housing cavity 11 and the electrical connection of each of the current collecting tabs 21D and 22D to the corresponding one of the electrode terminals 31A and 31B are performed. Workability in work is ensured.

Further, in a third modification shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, an open valve 71 is formed in the second exterior member 6 . In this modification, the open valve 71 is formed in a range of the second exterior member 6 where the constituent (second constituent) 52 of the insulating member 46A is arranged. The open valve 71 has a groove 72 along the longitudinal direction of the battery 1 . At the groove 72, the thickness of the second exterior member 6 is thinner than at other portions. When the battery 1 is in use, the open valve 71 is opened when the internal pressure of the housing cavity 11 reaches or exceeds a predetermined value. By opening the open valve 71, a hole 73 is formed in the second exterior member 6 in a range where the structure 52 of the insulating member 46A is arranged. Through the hole 73 , the housing cavity 11 communicates with the outside of the exterior part 3 , and the gas in the housing cavity 11 is discharged to the outside of the exterior part 3 through the hole 73 . 14 and 15, the electrode group 10, current collecting tabs (eg 21D, 22D) and leads (eg, 41A to 43A, 41B to 43B) are omitted.

In this modification, the structure 52 is not pressed toward the structure 51 in the insulating member 46A by forming the hole 73 by opening the open valve 71 . Thereby, the structure 52 is opened with respect to the structure 51 in the insulating member 46A. By opening the structure 52 with respect to the structure 51 , the gas in the storage cavity 11 is appropriately discharged from the hole 73 to the outside of the exterior part 3 .

Note that, in a modification, in the second exterior member 6, instead of the range in which the constituents (second constituents) 52 of the insulating member 46A are arranged, or the constituents 52 of the insulating member 46A are arranged. An open valve similar to the open valve 71 is also formed in a range in which the structure (second structure) 52 of the insulating member 46B is arranged, in addition to the range where the insulating member 46B is arranged. Also in this case, the same actions and effects as in the third modified example are obtained.

Further, in a modification, in each of the insulating members 46A and 46B, the structure (first structure) 51 is provided with the first engaging piece, and the structure (second structure) 52 is provided with the first engaging piece. A second engagement piece is provided which is engageable with the engagement piece of. In this modification, the structure 52 is maintained in a closed state with respect to the structure 51 by engaging the first engagement piece with the second engagement piece. Further, in a state where the engagement between the first engaging piece and the second engaging piece is released and the constituent 52 is not pressed toward the constituent 51, the constituent 51 can be opened and closed against

Also, in some modifications, the housing cavity 11 may house a plurality of electrode groups. In another modification, the second exterior member (lid member) 6 is not plate-shaped, but is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with one side open, like the first exterior member 5 . In this case, the second exterior member 6 has a top wall facing the bottom wall 7 of the first exterior member 5 across the storage cavity 11, and has a peripheral wall and a flange like the first exterior member 5. . Then, the flange 15 of the first exterior member 5 and the flange of the second exterior member 6 are hermetically welded.

[Battery pack]
Next, a battery pack using the batteries of the above-described embodiments and the like will be described. FIG. 16 shows an example of a battery pack 80 using any of the batteries 1 described above. In one example such as FIG. 16 , a battery module 75 is formed from a plurality of batteries 1 . In the battery module 75, a plurality of batteries 1 are electrically connected in series. The batteries 1 are electrically connected to each other via bus bars (not shown) or the like. In another example, a plurality of batteries 1 may be electrically connected in parallel in the battery module 75 . In another example, in the battery module 75, both a series connection in which the batteries 1 are connected in series and a parallel connection in which the batteries 1 are connected in parallel may be formed.

In the battery module 75 of the battery pack 80, one corresponding positive electrode terminal (for example, 31A) of the plurality of batteries 1 is connected to the module terminal 91 on the positive electrode side via the positive electrode lead 93 or the like. In one of the plurality of batteries 1, which is different from the battery 1 to which the positive lead 93 is connected, the negative terminal (for example, 31B) is connected to the negative module terminal via the negative lead 94. 92.

Battery pack 80 is provided with printed wiring board 81 . The printed wiring board 81 is mounted with a protection circuit 82 , a thermistor 83 as a temperature detector, and an external terminal 85 for energization. In battery pack 80 , an insulating member (not shown) prevents unnecessary connection between the electrical path on printed wiring board 81 and the wiring of battery module 75 . The module terminal 91 on the positive electrode side is connected to the protection circuit 82 via the wiring 86 formed on the printed wiring board 81 and the like, and the module terminal 92 on the negative electrode side connects the wiring 87 formed on the printed wiring board 81 and the like. It is connected to the protection circuit 82 via.

A thermistor 83 that is a temperature detector detects the temperature of each of the plurality of batteries 1 forming the battery module 75 . The thermistor 83 then outputs a temperature detection signal to the protection circuit 82 .

The battery pack 80 has a current detection function and a voltage detection function. In the battery pack 80, the input current to the battery module 75 and the output current from the battery module 75 may be detected, and the current flowing through any one of the plurality of batteries 1 forming the battery module 75 is detected. good too. Moreover, in the battery pack 80 , the voltage of each battery 1 may be detected in the battery module 75 , or the voltage applied to the entire battery module 75 may be detected. In battery pack 80 , battery module 75 and protection circuit 82 are connected via wiring 84 . A current detection signal and a voltage detection signal are output to the protection circuit 82 via wiring 84 .

It should be noted that in one example, instead of detecting the voltage of each of the batteries 1, the positive potential or the negative potential of each of the batteries 1 forming the battery module 75 is detected. In this case, the battery module 75 is provided with a lithium electrode or the like as a reference electrode. Then, each positive electrode potential or negative electrode potential of the battery 1 is detected based on the potential at the reference electrode.

The external terminal 85 is connected to equipment outside the battery pack 80 . The external terminals 85 are used to output current from the battery module 75 to the outside and/or input current to the battery module 75 . When the battery module 75 of the battery pack 80 is used as a power source, current is supplied to the outside of the battery pack 80 through the external terminals 85 for conducting electricity. Also, when charging the battery module 75 , the charging current is supplied to the battery module 75 through the external terminals 85 for power supply. The charging current of the battery module 75 includes, for example, regenerative energy of motive power of a vehicle or the like. Also, the protection circuit 82 can be connected to the external terminal 85 via a plus wiring 88 and a minus wiring 89 .

The protection circuit 82 has a function capable of interrupting electrical connection between the battery module 75 and the external terminal 85 . The protection circuit 82 is provided with a relay, a fuse, or the like as a connection breaker. The protection circuit 82 also has a function of controlling charging and discharging of the battery module 75 . The protection circuit 82 controls charging/discharging of the battery module 75 based on the detection result regarding any one of the aforementioned current, voltage, temperature, and the like.

For example, when the temperature detected by the thermistor 83 exceeds a predetermined temperature, the protection circuit 82 determines that a predetermined condition has been met. Moreover, when any one of overcharge, overdischarge, overcurrent, or the like is detected in the battery module 75, the protection circuit 82 determines that the battery module 75 meets a predetermined condition. Then, when it is determined that the battery module 75 satisfies the above-described predetermined condition, the protection circuit 82 can cut off the conduction between the protection circuit 82 and the external terminal 85 for conducting electricity. By interrupting the conduction between the protection circuit 82 and the external terminal 85 for conducting current, the current output from the battery module 75 to the outside and the current input to the battery module 75 are stopped. This effectively prevents overcurrent or the like from continuously occurring in the battery module 75 .

In one example, a circuit formed in a device that uses the battery pack 80 (battery module 75) as a power source may be used as the protection circuit. Also, instead of the battery module 75 formed from a plurality of batteries 1 , only a single battery 1 may be provided in the battery pack 80 . Also, in the battery pack 80, a plurality of battery modules 75 may be provided and the battery modules 75 may be electrically connected in series and/or in parallel.

[Battery pack applications]
The configuration and the like of the battery pack 80 including one or more batteries 1 described above are appropriately changed depending on the application. The application of the battery pack 80 is preferably a device or the like that requires charging and discharging with a large current. Specific uses of the battery pack 80 include power supplies for digital cameras, on-board vehicles, stationary power supplies, and the like. In this case, vehicles on which the battery pack 80 is mounted include two- to four-wheeled hybrid electric vehicles, two- to four-wheeled electric vehicles, assisted bicycles, railway vehicles, and forklifts.

FIG. 17 shows an application example to a vehicle 100 as an application example of the battery pack 80 described above. In the example shown in FIG. 17 , vehicle 100 includes vehicle body 101 and battery pack 80 . In the example shown in FIG. 17, vehicle 100 is a four-wheeled automobile. Vehicle 100 may be equipped with a plurality of battery packs 80 .

In one example of FIG. 17 , the battery pack 80 is mounted in the engine room located in front of the vehicle body 101 . Note that the battery pack 80 may be mounted, for example, on the rear side of the vehicle body 101 or under the seat. In particular, the battery pack 80 including one or more batteries 1 described above can be arranged even in a narrow space under the seat. As described above, battery pack 80 can be used as a power source for vehicle 100 . Also, the battery pack 80 can recover the regenerated energy of the power of the vehicle 100 .

According to at least one of these embodiments or implementations, in the insulating member of the battery, the first structure and the second structure are integrally formed. The connecting portion allows the second structure to be opened and closed with respect to the first structure in a state in which the second structure is not pressed toward the first structure. As a result, it is possible to provide an insulating member that appropriately insulates the current collecting tab and the lead from the exterior part and ensures workability in manufacturing the battery.

While several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims (13)

An electrode group including a positive electrode and a negative electrode is housed in a housing cavity inside an exterior made of metal, and a first exterior member of the exterior is formed with a bottom wall and a peripheral wall covering the outer periphery of the housing cavity. In the peripheral wall of the first exterior member, a flange protrudes toward the outer peripheral side from the end opposite to the bottom wall, and the second exterior member of the exterior portion extends from the bottom wall in the height direction. and an electrode terminal is attached to the outer surface of the first exterior member. In a battery in which a current-collecting tab protrudes and the current-collecting tab is electrically connected to the electrode terminal via a lead, an insulating member that electrically insulates the exterior from the current-collecting tab and the lead There is
a first structure disposed on the inner surface of the bottom wall of the first exterior member in the storage cavity;
It is arranged on the inner surface of the second exterior member in the housing cavity in a state of being pressed from the second exterior member toward the first structure, and is integrally formed with the first structure. a second structure in which the current collecting tab and the lead are arranged between the first structure and the first structure in the height direction;
When connecting between the first structure and the second structure and the second structure is not pressed toward the first structure, the second structure is a connecting portion that is openable and closable with respect to the first structure;
An insulating member comprising: The insulating member of claim 1;
the first exterior member comprising the bottom wall, the peripheral wall and the flange; and the second exterior member, wherein the second exterior member faces the first structure in the storage cavity. the exterior portion that presses the second structure;
the electrode group arranged in the housing cavity of the exterior part;
the electrode terminal attached to the outer surface of the first exterior member;
the leads electrically connecting the current collecting tabs of the electrode group to the electrode terminals;
A battery comprising: The connection portion includes a thin portion having a thickness smaller than that of the other portion of the connection portion, the first structure, and the second structure,
In a state in which the second structure is not pressed toward the first structure, the second structure rotates about the rotation axis passing through the thin portion, thereby causing the second structure to rotate. open or close to one construct,
3. The battery of claim 2. The insulating member is arranged between the electrode group and the peripheral wall in the horizontal direction, with the rotation axis along the vertical direction that intersects both the height direction and the horizontal direction.
The battery of Claim 3. The second structure of the insulating member is formed by forming a hole in the range where the second structure is arranged in the second exterior member, which communicates the housing cavity with the outside of the exterior part. , open to said first structure. The second exterior member is provided in a range in which the second structure is arranged, and includes an open valve that is opened when the internal pressure of the storage cavity reaches or exceeds a predetermined value,
In the second exterior member, when the open valve is opened, the hole that communicates the storage cavity with the exterior of the exterior is formed.
The battery of Claim 5. The first structure includes a first protrusion projecting toward the second structure at an end portion of the side on which the electrode group is positioned in the horizontal direction,
The second structure includes a second protrusion that protrudes toward the first structure at an end portion of the side on which the electrode group is positioned in the horizontal direction,
7. The battery of any one of claims 2-6. The first protrusion has a first protrusion inclined surface that slopes toward a side opposite to the side on which the electrode group is located in the horizontal direction as the projecting end of the first protrusion is approached,
The second projection has a second projection inclined surface that is inclined toward the side opposite to the side on which the electrode group is located in the horizontal direction as the projecting end of the second projection is approached,
Each of the first protrusion inclined surface and the second protrusion inclined surface faces the electrode group,
The battery of Claim 7. 3. The first projection and each of the second projections are spaced apart from the peripheral wall in a longitudinal direction transverse to both the height direction and the lateral direction in the storage cavity. 7 or 8 batteries. The current collecting tabs include a positive electrode current collecting tab projecting to one side in the horizontal direction in the electrode group, and a negative electrode current collecting tab projecting in the electrode group to the side opposite to the side where the positive electrode current collecting tab projects in the horizontal direction. a current collecting tab;
the electrode terminal comprises a positive terminal and a negative terminal;
the lead comprises a positive lead electrically connecting the positive current collecting tab to the positive terminal and a negative lead electrically connecting the negative current collecting tab to the negative terminal;
The insulating member includes a positive electrode-side insulating member that electrically insulates the positive electrode lead and the positive current collecting tab from the inner surface of the exterior part, and the negative electrode lead and the negative electrode lead from the inner surface of the exterior part. a negative electrode side insulating member that electrically insulates the negative electrode current collecting tab,
each of the positive electrode-side insulating member and the negative electrode-side insulating member includes the first structure, the second structure, and the connection portion;
10. The battery of any one of claims 2-9. A battery pack comprising one or more batteries according to any one of claims 2 to 10. A vehicle comprising the battery pack of claim 11 . a first exterior member including a bottom wall, a peripheral wall covering the outer peripheral side of the storage cavity, and a flange projecting from an end of the peripheral wall opposite the bottom wall to the outer peripheral side; and the first exterior. Forming a second exterior member, which is separate from the member, from metal;
An insulating member in which the first structure and the second structure are integrated and the first structure and the second structure are connected via a connection part, forming the second structure that is not pressed toward the structure so as to be openable and closable with respect to the first structure;
attaching an electrode terminal to the outer surface of the first exterior member;
disposing the first structure of the insulating member on the inner surface of the bottom wall of the first exterior member with the second structure open to the first structure; ,
With the first structure disposed on the inner surface of the bottom wall, an electrode group including a positive electrode and a negative electrode is inserted into the housing cavity of the first exterior member to cross the height direction. arranging the electrode group and the current collecting tab in the housing cavity in a state in which the current collecting tab of the electrode group protrudes toward the peripheral wall in the lateral direction;
electrically connecting the current collecting tab to the electrode terminal via a lead;
While the current collecting tab is electrically connected to the electrode terminal, the second structure is closed with respect to the first structure, and from the side opposite to the bottom wall in the height direction. By attaching the second exterior member to the flange, the second structure is arranged on the inner surface of the second exterior member in the storage cavity, and the first structure is arranged in the height direction. locating the current collecting tab and the lead between and the second structure;
A method for manufacturing a battery comprising:

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