JP7149233B2 - Cell fixing parts and battery packs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to cell fixing components and battery packs.

Batteries used in electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and the like are configured by using a plurality of battery cells (simply referred to as “cells” in this specification) such as lithium-ion secondary batteries. In general, a plurality of cells are stacked in the thickness direction to form a cell laminate. The cell stack is compressed in the stacking direction of the cells by bind bars arranged on both sides and bound together to be modularized (see, for example, Patent Literature 1, etc.).

International Publication No. 2017/163696

In recent years, there has been a demand for a further increase in the number of cells due to the demand for higher output of batteries. However, when a cell stack in which a plurality of cells are stacked is bound together by a bind bar, there is a limit to the number of cells that can be bound at once, and the cell mounting density is low. For this reason, increasing the number of cells to be mounted on the battery is a problem.

In order to increase the number of cells to be mounted, it is being studied to construct a battery pack by directly housing a cell stack in which a plurality of cells are stacked in a battery case. By constructing a battery pack using a battery case, it becomes possible to mount a larger number of cells than in the case of modularizing a cell stack with a bind bar, and the cell mounting density can be improved.

However, if the cell stack is not bound together by the bind bar, it is necessary to directly fix the cell stack within the battery case in order to stabilize the behavior of the cells within the battery case. Therefore, it is required to directly and easily fix the cell stack in the battery case to the battery case.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cell fixing component that can directly and easily fix a cell stack housed in a battery case in the battery case.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack in which a cell stack housed in a battery case is directly and simply fixed in the battery case.

(1) A cell fixing component according to the present invention is a battery case (for example, a The cell stack is arranged in the battery case 4) and connected in the cell stacking direction (for example, the X direction described later) so that the cell stack is connected to the wall portion of the battery case (for example, the bottom wall portion 41b, which will be described later). A cell fixing component (for example, cell fixing components 5, 5A to 5F, 50, 500, and 501 to be described later) that is pressed against and fixed to the side wall portion 41c), wherein the cell fixing component is attached to one side of the cell in the stacking direction. on the other side in the stacking direction of the cells, and a pressing function portion (for example, a pressing function portion 51 to be described later) configured to apply an elastic pressing force to the cell stack. It has a connecting function part (for example, a connecting function part 52 to be described later) configured to be connectable to the function part, and the pressing function part of one of the cell fixing parts adjacent in the stacking direction of the cells is connected to the other function part. By connecting the connecting function part of the cell fixing part, an elastic pressing force is generated by the pressing function part against the cell laminate.

According to the above (1), by connecting the pressing function part and the connecting function part of the plurality of cell fixing parts, an elastic pressing force is applied to the cell stack in the battery case, and the cell stack is fixed. It can be directly and easily fixed in the battery case. Since each of the plurality of cell fixing parts can press against the cell stack, the fixing load per cell fixing part can be reduced. Moreover, it is easier to deal with dimensional errors in the cell stack than in the case where the cell stack is fixed by a single part.

(2) In the cell fixing component described in (1), the pressing function portion includes a pair of pressing plate pieces (for example, pressing plate pieces 511 to be described later) extending toward the opposite side of the connecting function portion, and the pair of and a pair of receiving pieces (for example, a receiving piece 512 to be described later) that are folded inward so as to be close to each other from the respective tip portions (for example, a tip portion 511a to be described later) of the pressing plate pieces, and the connecting function The part consists of a plate-like piece (for example, a plate-like piece 521 to be described later) that can be inserted between the pair of receiving pieces, and the pair of receiving pieces of one of the cell fixing parts adjacent to each other in the stacking direction of the cells. By inserting the plate-shaped piece of the other cell fixing component between the two, the pair of pressing plate pieces are spread apart, and the cell laminate is elastically A pressing force may be generated.

According to the above (2), by simply inserting the plate-shaped piece of one of the cell fixing parts adjacent to the cell stacking direction between the pair of receiving pieces of the other cell fixing part, the cell stacking is performed by the pair of pressing plate pieces. An elastic pressing force can be generated against the body, and a plurality of cell fixing parts can be easily connected in the stacking direction of the cells.

(3) In the cell fixing component described in (2), the tips of the pair of receiving pieces (for example, tips 512a to be described later) are not connected to each other, and the plate-like piece has, at its tips, It may have a retaining portion (for example, retaining portion 524 to be described later) that is engaged with the distal end portions of the pair of receiving pieces to prevent it from being detached when it is inserted into the pair of receiving pieces.

Due to the above (3), it is possible to prevent the plurality of connected cell fixing components from coming off from each other.

(4) In the cell fixing component described in (2) or (3), the plate-like piece may be formed so that the thickness increases from the tip toward the pressing function portion.

According to the above (4), the pair of pressing plate pieces can be widened by inserting the plate-shaped pieces, so that the pressing force of the pair of pressing plate pieces against the cell stack can be increased.

(5) In the cell fixing component according to any one of (2) to (4), the plate-like piece may be detachable from the pressing function portion.

Due to the above (5), it is not necessary to separately manufacture the cell fixing parts at the ends that are not connected to the pressing function parts of the other cell fixing parts, and the cell fixing parts having the same configuration can be used for all of them. The number of parts for configuring the battery pack can be reduced.

(6) In the cell fixing component described in (5), the plate-like piece may have a thin portion (for example, a thin portion 522 described later) at a boundary portion with the pressing function portion.

Due to the above (6), the thin portion forms a fragile portion in the plate-like piece, and the plate-like piece can be easily broken off at the thin-walled portion. By breaking off, it is possible to easily form a cell fixing component that does not have a connecting functional portion.

(7) In the cell fixing component according to any one of (1) to (6), the length of the pressing function portion along the cell stacking direction (for example, the length L described later) is It may be equal to or less than the thickness of the cell along the direction (for example, the thickness D described later).

According to the above (7), the cell fixing component can apply a pressing force corresponding to each cell of the cell stack, so that the dimensional error in the height direction of each cell can be easily absorbed.

(8) A battery pack according to the present invention includes a cell laminate (for example, a cell laminate 3 to be described later) formed by stacking a plurality of cells (for example, a cell 2 to be described later), and a cell laminate containing the cell stack. a battery case (for example, a battery case 4 to be described later), and a cell fixing component (for example, a cell fixing component 5, 5A to 5F described later) according to any one of (1) to (7) accommodated in the battery case. , 50), and a plurality of the cell fixing parts are connected in the stacking direction of the cells (for example, the X direction described later) so that the cell stack is attached to the wall portion of the battery case (for example, the A battery pack (for example, battery packs 1 and 1A described later) that is pressed and fixed against a bottom wall portion 41b), and the cells have electrode terminals (for example, electrodes described later) on one surface (for example, an upper surface 2a described later). The battery case is a hexahedral prismatic cell having a terminal 21), and the battery case includes an upper wall portion (for example, an upper wall portion 41a described later), a bottom wall portion (for example, a bottom wall portion 41b described later), and a side wall portion ( For example, a cylindrical casing (for example, a cylindrical casing 41 described later) having a side wall portion 41c described later) and an opening in the stacking direction of the cells (for example, an opening 41d described later), and the opening and a lid member (for example, a lid member 42 described later) that covers the cell, and the cell fixing component is between the one surface of the cell and the upper wall portion of the battery case facing the one surface , and the cell stack is pressed against and fixed to the bottom wall of the battery case.

According to (8) above, a plurality of cell fixing components are pushed in the cell stacking direction between the cell stack and the upper wall portion while connecting the pressing function portion and the connecting function portion. The laminate can be elastically pressed against the bottom wall and fixed directly and easily in the battery case. Since the cell stack is directly fixed in the battery case by the cell fixing parts, separate fixing points and fixing parts for fixing the cell stack can be reduced or eliminated, and the battery pack can be fixed. The structure can be simplified.

(9) In the battery pack described in (8), the cell fixing component is positioned between the one surface of the cell and the cell fixing component in the width direction of the cell perpendicular to the stacking direction of the cells (for example, Y direction) may have a regulating member (for example, a regulating member 64 to be described later).

Since the movement of the cell fixing parts in the width direction of the cell is restricted by the above (9), the cell fixing parts can be smoothly inserted in a straight line along the stacking direction of the cells without shifting in the width direction. can go

(10) In the battery pack described in (9), an insulating member (for example, an insulating member 6 described later) is provided between the cells adjacent in the stacking direction, and the regulating member is integrated with the insulating member. may be formed.

According to the above (10), by providing an insulating member between adjacent cells, the regulating member can be easily provided, and insulation between the cell fixing component and the cell can be achieved. Parts can also be used.

(11) A battery pack according to the present invention includes a cell laminate (for example, a cell laminate 3 to be described later) configured by stacking a plurality of cells (for example, a cell 2 to be described later), and a cell laminate containing the cell stack. a battery case (for example, a battery case 4 described later), and the cell fixing components (for example, cell fixing components 500 and 501 described below) according to any one of (1) to (7) accommodated in the battery case , and a plurality of the cell fixing parts are connected in the stacking direction of the cells (for example, the X direction to be described later) so that the cell stack is attached to the wall portion of the battery case (for example, the bottom wall portion 41b to be described later). , side wall portion 41c) to be fixed by pressing (for example, a battery pack 1A described later), the cell has an electrode terminal (for example, an electrode terminal 21 described later) on one surface (for example, an upper surface 2a described later) The two cell stacks are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the cells (for example, the Y direction described later), and the battery case includes an upper wall portion (for example, , an upper wall portion 41a to be described later), a bottom wall portion (for example, a bottom wall portion 41b to be described later) and a side wall portion (for example, a side wall portion 41c to be described later). A cylindrical housing (for example, a cylindrical housing 41 to be described later) having an opening 41d) and a lid member (for example, a lid member 42 to be described later) that covers the opening, and the cell is fixed. A component is placed between the two cell stacks that are juxtaposed, and presses and fixes the two cell stacks against the side walls of the battery case, respectively.

According to (11) above, a plurality of cell fixing parts are pushed in the cell stacking direction between two cell stacks placed side by side while connecting the pressing function part and the connection function part. Each of the cell stacks can be elastically pressed against the side wall and directly and easily fixed in the battery case. Since each cell stack is directly fixed in the battery case by the cell fixing parts, separate fixing points and fixing parts for fixing the cell stack can be reduced or eliminated, and the battery pack structure can be simplified. Moreover, since the cell fixing parts commonly apply a pressing force to the two cell stacks, the number of cell fixing parts can be reduced.

(12) In the battery pack according to any one of (8) to (11), the inner surface of the lid member (for example, an inner surface 42a described later) is connected to one end of the plurality of cell fixing components. By being connected to the pressing function part of the arranged cell fixing parts (for example, cell fixing parts 5, 5A to 5F, 50, 500, which will be described later), the pressing function part is elastically applied to the cell stack. A connecting functional component (for example, a connecting functional component 7 described later) that generates a pressing force may be arranged.

According to (12) above, the pressing function part of the cell fixing part at the end is also connected to the connecting function part fixed to the lid member, so that an elastic pressing force can be applied to the cell laminate.

(13) In the battery pack according to any one of (8) to (12), the cell fixing component (for example, a 50, 501) may consist of only the above-mentioned pressing function part.

Due to the above (13), since the connecting function portion does not protrude outward in the cell stacking direction from the battery case, the opening is covered with the lid member while the cell stack is pressed by the lid member. be able to. Also, the pressing force can be applied by the cell fixing member to the cell at the end of the cell stack.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cell fixing component that can directly and easily fix a cell stack housed in a battery case in the battery case.
Moreover, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery pack in which a cell stack housed in a battery case is directly and easily fixed in the battery case.

1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a battery pack; FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an enlarged part of the battery pack shown in FIG. 1; 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a battery pack according to one embodiment; FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a partially exploded cell stack. FIG. 11 is a side view showing one cell fixing component; FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which cell fixing parts are connected together; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a side view of a cell fixing component inside the battery case; 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part A in FIG. 3; FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the end of the battery pack corresponding to the leading side in the insertion direction of the cell fixing component; FIG. 4 is a side view showing an embodiment of a cell fixing component with a detachable connecting function; FIG. 11 is a side view showing another embodiment of a cell fixing component with a detachable connecting function part; FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which the cell fixing parts are connected; FIG. 13 is a side view showing a state in which the cell fixing parts shown in FIG. 12 are connected; FIG. 11 is a side view showing still another embodiment of the cell fixing component; FIG. 11 is a side view showing still another embodiment of the cell fixing component; FIG. 11 is a side view showing still another embodiment of the cell fixing component; It is a perspective view which expands and shows a part of battery pack which concerns on other embodiment. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a battery pack according to another embodiment;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a battery pack. 2 is a perspective view showing an enlarged part of the battery pack shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a partially exploded cell stack.
As shown in FIG. 1, a battery pack 1 includes a plurality (two in this embodiment) of cell stacks 3 each composed of a plurality of cells 2, and a battery case 4 that accommodates the plurality of cell stacks 3. , and a plurality of cell fixing parts 5 for pressing and fixing the cell stack 3 against the wall surface of the battery case 4 .

In addition, in the directions shown in the drawing, the X direction indicates the length direction of the battery pack 1 and the cell stack 3 . The X direction is not only the stacking direction of the cells 2 forming the cell stack 3 but also the thickness direction of the cells 2 . The Y direction indicates the width direction of the battery pack 1 . The Y direction is also the width direction (terminal-to-terminal direction) of the cell 2 and cell stack 3 . The Z direction indicates the height direction of the battery pack 1 . This Z direction is also the height direction (terminal-bottom direction) of the cell 2 and cell stack 3 .

The cell stack 3 is configured by stacking a plurality of cells 2 along the X direction. The upper surface 2a of each cell 2 is arranged to face upward (in the Z direction). The cell 2 shown in this embodiment is a prismatic cell composed of a hexahedron having a pair of positive and negative electrode terminals 21, 21 on the upper surface 2a. be done. As shown in FIG. 4, insulating members 6 are arranged between the cells 2, 2 adjacent to each other in the stacking direction to insulate the cells 2, 2 from each other.

The insulating member 6 includes a body portion 61 sandwiched between the cells 2 adjacent in the stacking direction, a bottom portion 62 disposed along the bottom surface 2b of the cell 2, and both ends of the cell 2 in the width direction. and a side surface portion 63 arranged along one side surface 2d of the two side surfaces 2c and 2d extending from the main body portion 61 to both widthwise end portions of the upper surface 2a of the cell 2, and cell fixing components 5 described later. and a pair of regulating members 64, 64 for regulating the movement of the . The body portion 61, the bottom portion 62, the side portions 63, and the regulating members 64, 64 are integrally formed of an insulating resin material such as PE (polyethylene) or PP (polypropylene). Details of the restricting member 64 will be further described later.

The cell 2 is accommodated inside the bottom portion 62 , the side portion 63 and the regulating members 64 , 64 of the insulating member 6 . A pair of positive and negative electrode terminals 21 , 21 are arranged between a pair of regulating members 64 , 64 . The cell stack 3 is configured by stacking a plurality of cells 2 in close contact in the X direction with the insulating member 6 arranged so as to sandwich the main body 61 between the adjacent cells 2 , 2 . . The electrode terminals 21 , 21 of the cells 2 , 2 adjacent in the stacking direction are electrically connected by bus bars 22 . In the cell stack 3 of this embodiment, adjacent cells 2, 2 are connected in series by busbars 22, but may be connected in parallel.

The insulating member 6 does not have a side surface portion corresponding to the other side surface 2d of the two side surfaces 2c and 2d of the cell 2, and substantially the entire surface of the side surface 2d is open. As shown in FIG. 4, a heat transfer sheet 23 is attached to the side surface 2d of each open cell 2. As shown in FIG.

The battery case 4 is composed of a cylindrical housing 41 and a lid member 42 made of, for example, aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The cylindrical housing 41 is elongated in the X direction and has a top wall portion 41a, a bottom wall portion 41b, and two side wall portions 41c, 41c. Both ends of the cylindrical housing 41 are provided with laterally long rectangular openings 41 d , 41 d , which are housing openings for the cell stack 3 . Two openings 41d are formed side by side at each end of the cylindrical housing 41 in this embodiment. The lid member 42 is a rectangular plate member. The lid member 42 is attached to the opening 41d of the cylindrical housing 41 in which the cell stack 3 is accommodated by welding, bolts, or the like, thereby covering the opening 41d.

As shown in FIG. 3, inside the side wall portions 41c, 41c, temperature control medium flow paths 41e, 41e are provided, respectively, extending along the length direction thereof. The temperature control medium flow paths 41e, 41e are connected to an external temperature control medium supply device (not shown), respectively, and configured to allow the flow of a temperature control medium such as a liquid or gas for cooling or heating.

Two cell stacks 3 and 2 are accommodated in the battery case 4 . The two cell stacks 3 and 2 are arranged side by side in the Y direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the cells 2 . The two cell laminates 3 and 2 have two openings 41d with the upper surface 2a of the cell 2 facing the upper wall portion 41a side and the side surface 20e to which the heat transfer sheet 24 is attached facing the side wall portion 32. , 31d are inserted into the cylindrical housing 41 respectively.

Next, the cell fixing component 5 will be further explained with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. FIG. FIG. 5 is a side view showing one cell fixing component; FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state in which the cell fixing parts are connected. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a side view of the cell fixing parts in the battery case. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion A in FIG. 3. FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cell fixing parts 5 are arranged between both ends in the width direction of the upper surface 2a of the cell 2 in the cell stack 3 and the upper wall portion 41a of the battery case 4. are accommodated by being connected in plurality along the

As shown in FIG. 5, the cell fixing member 5 includes a pressing function portion 51 arranged on one side (the left side in FIGS. 5 and 6) of the cell 2 in the stacking direction, and the other side of the cell 2 in the stacking direction (the left side in FIG. 6). 5 and FIG. 6 on the right side). The pressing function portion 51 and the connecting function portion 52 are connected to each other.

The pressing function part 51 is configured to apply an elastic pressing force to the cell stack 3 within the battery case 4 . Further, the connecting function portion 52 is configured to be connectable to the pressing function portion 51 . Specifically, the pressing function portion 51 and the connecting function portion 52 are connected to the cell stack 3 by connecting the pressing function portion 51 to the connecting function portion 52 of the other cell fixing component 5 in the battery case 4 . The pressing function portion 51 is configured to generate an elastic pressing force.

The specific structure of the pressing function part 51 and the connecting function part 52 is such that the adjacent cell fixing parts 5 , 5 are connected to each other, so that the pressing function part 51 exerts an elastic pressing force against the cell stack 3 . Although there is no limitation as long as it is possible to generate a A pair of receiving pieces 512, 512 folded inward so as to approach each other from their tip portions 511a, 511a (ends opposite to the connecting function portion 52) and the rear end portions of the pressing plate pieces 511, 511 are connected to each other. and a substrate portion 513 connected to form a U-shape.

Tip portions 511a, 511a of the pressing plate pieces 511, 511 are respectively bent back in an arc shape. The receiving pieces 512 , 512 are adjacent to or in contact with each other and extend toward the base portion 513 . The tips 512a, 512a of the receiving pieces 512, 512 are independent of each other and are not connected. The thickness (interval between the pair of pressing plate pieces 511, 511) T1 of the pressing function portion 51 of the cell fixing component 5 in the normal state shown in FIG. It is the same as or slightly smaller than the distance H (see FIG. 7) to the inner surface of the wall portion 41a.

The connecting function portion 52 of the present embodiment is composed of one plate-like piece 521 that can be inserted between the pair of receiving pieces 512 , 512 of the pressing function portion 51 . The plate-like piece 521 extends in a direction opposite to the extending direction of the pressing plate pieces 511 , 511 from an intermediate position between the connecting portions with the pair of pressing plate pieces 511 , 511 in the substrate portion 513 of the pressing function portion 51 . The length of plate-like piece 521 is approximately equal to the length of receiving piece 512 . The thickness of the plate-like piece 521 is sufficiently larger than the space between the pair of receiving pieces 512,512.

When connecting the cell fixing parts 5 , 5 , the plate-like piece 521 of one cell fixing part 5 is inserted between the pair of receiving pieces 512 , 512 of the other cell fixing part 5 . Since the pair of receiving pieces 512, 512 are formed by arcuately bending the tip portions 511a, 511a of the pressing plate pieces 511, 511, the plate-like piece 521 can be smoothly inserted.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the plate-like piece 521 is inserted between the pair of receiving pieces 512, 512 and the cell fixing parts 5, 5 are connected together, the receiving pieces 512, 512 have the thickness of the plate-like piece 521. are elastically separated from each other, and the pair of pressing plate pieces 511, 511 are expanded with the substrate portion 513 as the center. At this time, the maximum thickness (maximum distance between the pair of pressing plate pieces 511, 511) T2 of the pressing function portion 51 of the cell fixing component 5 is larger than the thickness T1 in the normal state (when not connected) shown in FIG. Become. The thickness T2 at the time of connection is greater than the distance H (see FIG. 7) between the upper surface 2a of the cell 2 in the battery case 4 and the inner surface of the upper wall portion 41a. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 7, a plurality of cell fixing parts 5 are provided at both ends in the width direction of the cell 2 between the cell stack 3 and the upper wall portion 41a in the battery case 4. When the pressing function portion 51 and the connecting function portion 52 are sequentially connected while being inserted, the pair of pressing plate pieces 511, 511 of each cell fixing component 5 are expanded to satisfy T2>H. As a result, each cell fixing member 5 exerts an elastic pressing force on the cell stack 3 toward the bottom wall portion 41b, as indicated by the white arrows in FIG.

That is, the cell fixing component 5 is accommodated in the battery case 4 together with the cell stack 3 , so that the cell stack 3 can be directly and easily fixed in the battery case 4 . Since each of the plurality of cell fixing parts 5 can press against the cell laminate 3, the fixing load per cell fixing part can be reduced. Moreover, it is easier to deal with dimensional errors in the cell stack 3 than in the case where the cell stack 3 is fixed by a single component. In addition, since the cell stack 3 housed in the battery case 4 is directly and easily fixed in the battery case 4 by the plurality of cell fixing parts 5, the battery pack 1 fixes the cell stack 3. Therefore, the structure of the battery pack 1 can be simplified by reducing or eliminating the need for separate fixing points and fixing parts for the purpose.

As shown in FIG. 5, the length L of the pressing function portion 51 along the stacking direction of the cells 2 may be equal to or less than the thickness D (see FIG. 7) of the cells 2 along the stacking direction of the cells 2 . In this case, since the cell fixing member 5 can apply a pressing force corresponding to each cell 2 of the cell stack 3, the dimensional error in the height direction of each cell 2 can be easily absorbed. .

The cell fixing parts 5 are inserted into both ends of the cell 2 in the width direction between the cell stack 3 and the upper wall portion 41a in the battery case 4 . Specifically, after the cell stack 3 is accommodated in the cylindrical housing 41 of the battery case 4 , the electrode terminals 21 and 21 of the cells 2 of the cell stack 3 are inserted on both sides. The cell fixing component 5 is inserted from the pressing function portion 51 side of the cell fixing component 5, and the pressing function portion 51 of the following cell fixing component 5 is inserted into the connecting function portion 52 of the previously inserted cell fixing component 5. While inserting and connecting, the cell fixing part 5 can be pushed inward. Also, the connecting function part 52 of the cell fixing part 5 is inserted from the side of the connecting function part 52, and the connecting function part 52 of the succeeding cell fixing part 5 is inserted into the pressing function part 51 of the previously inserted cell fixing part 5 to connect the cells. The fixing part 5 may be pushed inward.

In this embodiment, the cell fixing component 5 is inserted along the regulation member 64 arranged on the upper surface of the cell stack 3 . At this time, movement of the cell fixing component 5 in the width direction during insertion is restricted by restricting members 64 arranged on both outer sides of the electrode terminals 21 on the upper surface 2 a of the cell 2 . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the regulating member 64 is arranged on the upper surface 2a of the cell 2, and has a rectangular upper surface portion 641 extending in the thickness direction (X direction) of the cell 2, and the upper surface portion 641. A pair of width direction regulation plates 642, 642 extending in the thickness direction of the cell 2 are provided outside and inside the cell 641, respectively. The gap between the pair of width direction regulation plates 642, 642 is substantially equal to the width of the cell fixing component 5. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4 , when a plurality of cells 2 and insulating members 6 are alternately stacked to form a cell stack 3 , on the top surface 2 a of each cell 2 , the cells 2 are adjacent to each other in the stacking direction. The matching restricting members 64, 64 are sequentially connected to each other. Rail grooves 640, 640 extending along the length direction of the cell stack 3 are formed at both ends in the width direction of the upper surface of the cell stack 3 by connecting all the regulating members 64, 64 of the cell stack 3. be done. Therefore, when inserting the cell fixing member 5, the cell fixing member 5 can be pushed in sequentially from the front to the back while sliding the cell fixing member 5 in the rail grooves 640, 640 formed by the regulating member 64. .

Movement of the cell fixing component 5 in the width direction of the cell 2 is restricted by a pair of width direction restriction plates 642 , 642 of the restriction member 64 . Therefore, the restricting member 64 allows the cell fixing component 5 to be smoothly inserted in a straight line along the stacking direction of the cells 2 without shifting in the width direction. In addition, since the regulation member 64 supports the lower surface side of the cell fixing component 5 by the upper surface portion 641, it is possible to prevent the cell 2 from being damaged when the cell fixing component 5 is inserted and pressed. Furthermore, the regulating member 64 of the present embodiment is made of the same insulating material as the insulating member 6, and the upper surface portion 641 can provide insulation between the cell fixing component 5 and the cell 2. Therefore, the cell fixing component 5 can be It can also be made of metal.

By sequentially connecting a plurality of cell fixing parts 5 , a long connected body of cell fixing parts 5 is formed in the stacking direction of the cells 2 . Since each cell fixing part 5 is oriented with the pressing function part 51 and the connecting function part 52 aligned in the same direction, the connecting body has the pressing function part 51 of the cell fixing part 5 arranged at one end, A connecting function portion 52 of the cell fixing component 5 is arranged at the other end portion. At this time, since the pressing function portion 51 of the cell fixing component 5 arranged at one end is not connected to the connecting function portion 52 of the cell fixing component 5, the cell fixing component 5 arranged at one end of the connecting body is , the pressing force from the pressing function portion 51 cannot be applied to the cell stack 3 . For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9, the inner surface 42a of the lid member 42 corresponding to one end of the connecting body of the cell fixing parts 5 is connected to the pressing function portion 51 to generate a pressing force by the pressing function portion 51. It is preferable to pre-arrange the connecting functional component 7 for the connection.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged part of the end portion of the battery pack corresponding to the leading side in the insertion direction of the cell fixing component.
As shown in FIG. 9, a rail-shaped engagement groove 421 extending in the width direction is provided at a position close to the upper wall portion 41a of the inner surface 42a of the lid member 42, and the connection functional component 7 is inserted into the engagement groove 421. is installed. The connecting functional component 7 has an engaging end portion 71 that can be engaged with the engaging groove 421 at one end, and the engaging end portion 71 engages with the engaging groove 421 while sliding in the width direction of the lid member 42 . By joining, it extends substantially perpendicularly from the inner surface 42a of the lid member 42. As shown in FIG. A flange portion 72 is provided in the vicinity of the engaging end portion 71 to prevent the connecting functional component 7 from wobbling by contacting the inner surface 42 a of the lid member 42 .

A portion of the connecting functional component 7 extending substantially vertically from the flange portion 72 is formed in the same shape as the plate-like piece 521 of the cell fixing component 5 . For this reason, the pressing function part 51 of the cell fixing part 5 arranged at one end of the connecting body is connected to the connecting function part 7, thereby expanding the pair of pressing plate pieces 511, 511, and stacking the cells. A pressing force against the body 3 can be generated. As a result, the cell fixing component 5 arranged at one end of the plurality of connected cell fixing components 5 is also connected to the connecting functional component 7 arranged on the lid member 42 by the pressing function portion 51 , so that the cell An elastic pressing force can be applied to the laminate 3 .

In addition, in the connected body of a plurality of cell fixing components 5, the cell fixing component 50 arranged at the other end does not require the connecting function portion 52. FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the cell fixing component 50 at the other end in the present embodiment consists only of the pressing function portion 51 and does not have the connecting function portion 52. As shown in FIG. Since the connecting functional part 52 does not protrude outward from the cell fixing part 50 at the other end of the connecting body, the opening 41d can be covered with the cell stack 3 pressed by the lid member 42. can be done. Further, the pressing force by the pressing function portion 51 of the cell fixing component 5 can be applied to the cell 2 at the end of the cell stack 3 as well.

The cell fixing part 50 without the connecting function part 52 may be formed as a dedicated part different from the cell fixing part 5 with the connecting function part 52. Configured cell fixtures may also be used. By using a cell fixing component having a detachable connecting function part 52, the cell fixing part 50 having only the pressing function part 51 without the connecting function part 52 can be easily constructed. By using a cell fixing part with such a detachable connecting function part 52 for all the cell fixing parts 5 connected in plurality, there is no need to manufacture separate cell fixing parts exclusively for the ends, and all of the cell fixing parts 5 have the same configuration. Since cell fixing parts can be used, the number of parts for configuring the battery pack 1 can be reduced.

10 and 11 are side views showing one embodiment of a cell fixing component with a detachable connecting function.
The cell fixing component 5A shown in FIG. 10 is configured such that the thin portion 522 can easily break off the plate-like piece 521 that is the connecting function portion 52 . The thin portion 522 is provided at the boundary between the plate-like piece 521 and the substrate portion 513 of the pressing function portion 51 . The thin portion 522 forms a weak portion in the plate-like piece 521 , and the plate-like piece 521 can be easily broken off at the portion of the thin portion 522 . Therefore, by breaking off the plate-like piece 521 from the pressing function portion 51 of the cell fixing component 5A arranged at the other end of the connecting body, the cell fixing component 50 without the connecting function portion 52 can be removed as needed. It can be easily formed.

The cell fixing component 5B shown in FIG. 11 is configured such that the plate-like piece 521 serving as the connecting function portion 52 is separate from the pressing function portion 51 so that the plate-like piece 521 can be attached to and detached from the pressing function portion 51 . The plate-like piece 521 has a mounting plate 523 perpendicular to the extending direction of the plate-like piece 521 on its base end side (pressing function portion 51 side), thereby forming a T shape in a side view. On the other hand, the substrate portion 513 of the pressing function portion 51 is provided with a pair of claw portions 514, 514 that sandwich the mounting plate 523 therebetween. The plate-like piece 521 is attached to the pressing function portion 51 by sliding the plate-like piece 521 in the width direction with respect to the pressing function portion 51 or by snap-fitting the mounting plate 523 and the claw portions 514 , 514 . It is made removable. Therefore, by removing the plate-like piece 521 from the pressing function portion 51 of the cell fixing component 5B as necessary, the cell fixing component 50 without the connecting function portion 52 can be easily formed in the same manner as described above. .

FIG. 12 is a side view showing another embodiment of the cell fixing component; 13 is a side view showing a state in which the cell fixing parts shown in FIG. 12 are connected; FIG.
The cell fixing component 5C shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 has a retaining portion 524 at the tip of the plate-like piece 521 in the connecting function portion 52. As shown in FIG. The retaining portion 524 is formed in an arrow shape, a hemispherical shape, or the like with a sharp tip when viewed from the side. As shown in FIG. 13, by connecting a plurality of cell fixing parts 5C having the retaining portions 524, the retaining portions 524 are engaged with the distal end portions 512a, 512a of the pair of receiving pieces 512, 512. It is possible to prevent the connected cell fixing parts 5, 5 from coming off.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing still another embodiment of the cell fixing component;
A plate-like piece 521, which is the connecting function portion 52 of the cell fixing component 5D shown in FIG. For this reason, the surfaces of the pressing function portion 51 that come into contact with the pair of receiving pieces 512, 512 are inclined surfaces 521a, 521a that taper off toward the tip. According to this cell fixing component 5D, the pair of pressing plate pieces 511, 511 can be made larger while ensuring ease of insertion of the plate-like piece 521 between the pair of receiving pieces 512, 512 of the pressing function portion 51. Since it can be expanded, the force with which the pair of pressing plate pieces 511, 511 press against the cell stack 3 can be increased.

FIG. 15 is a side view showing still another embodiment of the cell fixing component;
In the pressing function portion 51 of the cell fixing member 5E shown in FIG. not. The distance between the tip portions 511a, 511a is smaller than the thickness of the plate-like piece 521. As shown in FIG. Therefore, when the plate-shaped piece 521 is inserted into the pressing function portion 51, the pressing plate pieces 511, 511 can be expanded by the cell fixing component 5E, and a force can be applied to press the cell stack 3. can.

FIG. 16 is a side view showing still another embodiment of the cell fixing component;
In the cell fixing component 5</b>F shown in FIG. 16 , the pressing function portion 51 is composed of only a pair of pressing plate pieces 511 and 511 and does not have the receiving piece 512 . The pair of pressing plate pieces 511, 511 has projections 515, 515 partially bent so as to be close to each other in the middle of the length direction. The distance between the pair of protrusions 515 and 515 is smaller than the thickness of the plate-like piece 521 . Therefore, when the plate-like piece 521 is inserted into the pressing function portion 51, the pressing plate pieces 511, 511 can be expanded by the cell fixing component 5F, and a force can be applied to press the cell stack 3. can.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing an enlarged part of a battery pack according to another embodiment. FIG. 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to another embodiment.
A battery pack 1A shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 has a plurality of cell fixing parts 500 inserted between two cell stacks 3, 3 juxtaposed in a battery case 4. As shown in FIG. This cell fixing component 500 has the same configuration as the cell fixing component 5 except that the size is different. 17 has the same configuration as that of the cell fixing component 50 except that the size is different from that of the cell fixing component 50. FIG.

The plurality of cell fixing components 500 are arranged such that the pair of pressing plate pieces 511, 511 are arranged along the side surfaces of the respective cell stacks 3, 3 (the side surface 2d of the cell 2 via the outer surface of the side surface portion 63 of the insulating member 6). and sequentially inserted while being connected between the two cell stacks 3,3. As a result, the battery pack 1A presses the cell stacks 3, 3 against the side walls 41c, 41c of the battery case 4 by the pressing force exerted by the cell fixing component 500 between the two cell stacks 3, 3. can be fixed.

In this case, the cell fixing member 5 between the cell stack 3 and the upper wall portion 41a is unnecessary, but as shown in FIG. and the cell fixing component 500 between the two cell laminates 3, 3 may be used together. As a result, the cell stacks 3, 3 can be pressed and fixed in two directions, ie, the bottom wall portion 41b and the side wall portions 41c, 41c, as indicated by the white arrows. can be fixed in the battery case 4 more reliably. Also, the side surface 21d of each cell 2 can be brought into close contact with the side wall portions 41c and 41c having the temperature control medium flow path 41e via the heat transfer sheet 23. FIG.

The cell fixing parts 500 inserted between the two cell laminates 3, 3 may be the cell fixing parts 5A to 5F. Further, the connecting functional component 7 may be provided on the inner surface 42 a of the lid member 42 corresponding to one end of the connecting body formed by the cell fixing component 500 .

1, 1A battery pack 2 cell 3 cell laminate 4 battery case 41b bottom wall 41c side wall 5, 5A to 5F, 50, 500, 501 cell fixing part 51 pressing function part 52 connecting function part 511 pressing plate piece 511a (pressing Plate piece tip 512 Receiving piece 512a (receiving piece) tip 521 Plate piece 522 Thin portion 524 Retaining portion 6 Insulating member 64 Regulating member 7 Coupling functional part

Claims (13)

A cell fixing that is placed in a battery case containing a cell stack in which a plurality of cells are stacked, and that is connected in the stacking direction of the cells to press and fix the cell stack against the wall of the battery case. is a part,
The cell fixing component has, on one side in the cell stacking direction, a pressing function portion configured to apply an elastic pressing force to the cell stack, and on the other side in the cell stacking direction. has a connecting function part configured to be connectable to the pressing function part, and the pressing function part of one of the cell fixing parts adjacent in the stacking direction of the cells is connected to the pressing function part of the other cell fixing part. A cell fixing component that generates an elastic pressing force against the cell laminate by the pressing function portion by connecting the connecting function portion. The pressing function portion includes a pair of pressing plate pieces extending toward the opposite side of the connecting function portion, and a pair of receiving pieces that are folded back inward from tip portions of the pair of pressing plate pieces so as to approach each other. and
The connecting function part is composed of a plate-like piece that can be inserted between the pair of receiving pieces,
By inserting the plate-shaped piece of one of the cell fixing components adjacent to the pair of receiving pieces of the other cell fixing component in the cell stacking direction, the pair of pressing plate pieces is expanded. 2. The cell fixing component according to claim 1, wherein the pair of pressure plate pieces generate an elastic pressing force against the cell stack. The tip portions of the pair of receiving pieces are not connected to each other,
3. The plate-like piece according to claim 2, wherein said plate-shaped piece has a retaining portion at its tip which is engaged with the tip of said pair of receiving pieces to prevent it from coming off when said plate-shaped piece is inserted into said pair of receiving pieces. cell fixing parts. 4. The cell fixing component according to claim 2, wherein said plate-like piece is formed so that its thickness increases from its tip toward said pressing function portion. The cell fixing component according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein said plate-like piece is configured to be removable from said pressing function portion. 6. The cell fixing component according to claim 5, wherein said plate-shaped piece has a thin portion at a boundary portion with said pressing function portion. The cell fixing component according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the length of the pressing function portion along the cell stacking direction is equal to or less than the thickness of the cell along the cell stacking direction. a cell laminate configured by stacking a plurality of cells;
a battery case that houses the cell stack;
and the cell fixing component according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which is housed in the battery case,
A battery pack in which a plurality of the cell fixing parts are connected in the stacking direction of the cells so that the cell stack is pressed against the wall of the battery case and fixed,
The cell is a prismatic cell consisting of a hexahedron having electrode terminals on one surface,
The battery case is composed of a cylindrical housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall and having an opening in the stacking direction of the cells, and a lid member covering the opening,
The cell fixing component is arranged between the one surface of the cell and the upper wall portion of the battery case facing the one surface, and presses the cell stack against the bottom wall portion of the battery case. Fixed battery pack. 9. The cell according to claim 8, further comprising a regulating member between the one surface of the cell and the cell fixing component, which regulates the movement of the cell fixing component in the width direction of the cell perpendicular to the stacking direction of the cells. battery pack. An insulating member is provided between the cells adjacent to each other in the stacking direction,
10. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein said regulating member is formed integrally with said insulating member. a cell laminate configured by stacking a plurality of cells;
a battery case that houses the cell stack;
and the cell fixing component according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which is housed in the battery case,
A battery pack in which a plurality of the cell fixing parts are connected in the stacking direction of the cells so that the cell stack is pressed against the wall of the battery case and fixed,
The cell is a prismatic cell consisting of a hexahedron having electrode terminals on one surface,
the two cell stacks are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the cells;
The battery case is composed of a cylindrical housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall and having an opening in the stacking direction of the cells, and a lid member covering the opening,
The battery pack, wherein the cell fixing component is disposed between the two cell stacks arranged side by side, and fixes the two cell stacks by pressing them against the side walls of the battery case. By connecting the pressing function part of the cell fixing part disposed at one end of the plurality of cell fixing parts connected to the inner surface of the lid member, the cell laminate is attached to the pressing function part. 12. The battery pack according to any one of claims 8 to 11, further comprising a connecting functional component that generates an elastic pressing force against the battery pack. The battery pack according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the cell fixing component arranged at the other end of the plurality of connected cell fixing components comprises only the pressing function portion.

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