JP7338532B2 - battery module - Google Patents

Description

The disclosure provided herein relates to a battery module comprising a plurality of battery cells.

As disclosed in Patent Document 1, a battery module is known in which a plurality of unit batteries are housed in a case.

Japanese Patent No. 4834376

In the battery module described in Patent Document 1, when the unit battery expands, the case tends to expand accordingly. As a result, the relative positions of the plurality of unit batteries within the case may fluctuate.

A plurality of unit batteries are electrically connected via a conductive member or the like. However, if the relative positions of the plurality of unit batteries fluctuate as described above, an electrical connection failure may occur between the unit batteries and the conductive member.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a battery module in which occurrence of electrical connection failure is suppressed.

A battery module according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises an insulating housing (31) comprising a bottom wall (33) and an annular wall (34) annularly rising from the bottom wall;
Electrode terminals (12, 13) formed in a battery case in which a power generation element is accommodated are respectively provided, and the electrode terminals are positioned on the tip side of the annular wall relative to the bottom wall in the erecting direction of the annular wall. a plurality of battery cells (11) housed in an insulating housing in a manner aligned in an alignment direction orthogonal to the direction;
a connecting portion (14) for electrically connecting the electrode terminals of each of the plurality of battery cells;
a rigid portion (42) connected to the annular wall;
The annular wall comprises a first end wall (35) and a second end wall (36) spaced apart in the alignment direction, and a first end wall and a second end wall spaced apart in a lateral direction orthogonal to the standing direction and alignment direction respectively. having a first side wall (37) and a second side wall (38) connecting the walls;
The material forming the first end wall and the second end wall is a resin material,
The rigid part has higher rigidity than the resin material, and the length in the standing direction is longer than the length in the horizontal direction ,
The position of the part of the rigid portion in the standing direction is the same as the position of the geometric center of the battery case in the standing direction.

According to this, deformation in the alignment direction of the tip side separated from the bottom wall (33) in the upright direction of each of the first end wall (35) and the second end wall (36) is suppressed. Therefore, the electrode terminals (12, 13) of the plurality of battery cells (11) aligned in the alignment direction are suppressed from being displaced in the alignment direction. As a result, the application of stress to the connecting portion of the electrode terminals (12, 13) in the connecting portion (14) is suppressed. The occurrence of electrical connection failure between the connection portion (14) and the electrode terminals (12, 13) is suppressed.
A battery module according to another aspect of the present disclosure comprises an insulating housing (31) comprising a bottom wall (33) and an annular wall (34) annularly upstanding from the bottom wall (31);
Electrode terminals (12, 13) formed in a battery case in which a power generation element is accommodated are respectively provided, and the electrode terminals are positioned on the tip side of the annular wall relative to the bottom wall in the erecting direction of the annular wall. a plurality of battery cells (11) housed in an insulating housing in a manner aligned in an alignment direction orthogonal to the direction;
a connecting portion (14) for electrically connecting the electrode terminals of each of the plurality of battery cells;
a rigid portion (42) connected to the annular wall;
The annular wall comprises a first end wall (35) and a second end wall (36) spaced apart in the alignment direction, and a first end wall and a second end wall spaced apart in a lateral direction orthogonal to the standing direction and alignment direction respectively. having a first side wall (37) and a second side wall (38) connecting the walls;
The material forming the first end wall and the second end wall is a resin material,
The rigid part has higher rigidity than the resin material, and the length in the standing direction is longer than the length in the horizontal direction,
The position of part of the rigid portion in the standing direction is closer to the bottom wall in the standing direction than the geometric center of the battery case.
A battery module according to another aspect of the present disclosure comprises an insulating housing (31) comprising a bottom wall (33) and an annular wall (34) annularly upstanding from the bottom wall (31);
Electrode terminals (12, 13) formed in a battery case in which a power generation element is accommodated are respectively provided, and the electrode terminals are positioned on the tip side of the annular wall relative to the bottom wall in the erecting direction of the annular wall. a plurality of battery cells (11) housed in an insulating housing in a manner aligned in an alignment direction orthogonal to the direction;
a connecting portion (14) for electrically connecting the electrode terminals of each of the plurality of battery cells;
a rigid portion (42) connected to the annular wall;
The annular wall comprises a first end wall (35) and a second end wall (36) spaced apart in the alignment direction, and a first end wall and a second end wall spaced apart in a lateral direction orthogonal to the standing direction and alignment direction respectively. having a first side wall (37) and a second side wall (38) connecting the walls;
The material forming the first end wall and the second end wall is a resin material,
The rigid part has higher rigidity than the resin material, and the length in the standing direction is longer than the length in the horizontal direction,
The lateral position of the portion of the rigid portion is the same as the lateral position of the electrode terminal.
A battery module according to another aspect of the present disclosure comprises an insulating housing (31) comprising a bottom wall (33) and an annular wall (34) annularly upstanding from the bottom wall (31);
Electrode terminals (12, 13) formed in a battery case in which a power generation element is accommodated are respectively provided, and the electrode terminals are positioned on the tip side of the annular wall relative to the bottom wall in the erecting direction of the annular wall. a plurality of battery cells (11) housed in an insulating housing in a manner aligned in an alignment direction orthogonal to the direction;
a connecting portion (14) for electrically connecting the electrode terminals of each of the plurality of battery cells;
a rigid portion (42) connected to the annular wall;
The annular wall comprises a first end wall (35) and a second end wall (36) spaced apart in the alignment direction, and a first end wall and a second end wall spaced apart in a lateral direction orthogonal to the standing direction and alignment direction respectively. having a first side wall (37) and a second side wall (38) connecting the walls;
The material forming the first end wall and the second end wall is a resin material,
The rigid part has higher rigidity than the resin material, and the length in the standing direction is longer than the length in the horizontal direction,
A plurality of rigid portions are connected to each of the first end wall and the second end wall,
Each of the first end wall and the second end wall is connected with a connecting portion (43) that integrally connects the plurality of rigid portions.
A battery module according to another aspect of the present disclosure comprises an insulating housing (31) comprising a bottom wall (33) and an annular wall (34) annularly upstanding from the bottom wall (31);
Electrode terminals (12, 13) formed in a battery case in which a power generation element is accommodated are respectively provided, and the electrode terminals are positioned on the tip side of the annular wall relative to the bottom wall in the erecting direction of the annular wall. a plurality of battery cells (11) housed in an insulating housing in a manner aligned in an alignment direction orthogonal to the direction;
a connecting portion (14) for electrically connecting the electrode terminals of each of the plurality of battery cells;
a rigid portion (42) connected to the annular wall;
The annular wall comprises a first end wall (35) and a second end wall (36) spaced apart in the alignment direction, and a first end wall and a second end wall spaced apart in a lateral direction orthogonal to the standing direction and alignment direction respectively. having a first side wall (37) and a second side wall (38) connecting the walls;
The material forming the first end wall and the second end wall is a resin material,
The rigid part has higher rigidity than the resin material, and the length in the standing direction is longer than the length in the horizontal direction,
In addition to the bottom wall and the annular wall, the insulating housing has a plurality of partition walls (40) aligned in the row direction between the first end wall and the second end wall,
Protrusions locally protruding in the row direction are provided on the partition walls (40a) on the battery cell side of each of the plurality of partition walls and on the inner end faces (34h) on the battery cell side of each of the first end wall and the second end wall. A part (41) is formed,
The battery cells are sandwiched between the protrusions in the direction in which they are arranged.

It should be noted that the reference numbers in parentheses above merely indicate the correspondence with the configurations described in the embodiments described later, and do not limit the technical scope in any way.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a battery module; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a battery module; 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal configuration of the battery module; FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal configuration of the battery module; FIG. It is a top view of a housing|casing. It is a side view of a housing|casing. FIG. 4 is a top view of a housing in which battery cells are housed; FIG. 3 is a side view of a housing in which battery cells are housed; FIG. 4 is an end view of a housing in which battery cells are housed; FIG. 4 is a top view for explaining how the battery cells are housed in the housing; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining how the battery cells are housed in the housing; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining how the battery cells are housed in the housing; It is an end elevation for demonstrating the modification of a connection part. FIG. 5 is a chart for explaining a modification of the rigid portion; FIG.

A plurality of modes for carrying out the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each form, the same reference numerals may be given to the parts corresponding to the matters described in the preceding form, and overlapping explanations may be omitted. When only a part of the configuration is described in each form, the previously described other forms can be applied to other parts of the configuration.

It is possible to combine the parts that are specifically stated to be combinable in each embodiment. In addition, if there is no particular problem with the combination, it is possible to partially combine the embodiments, the embodiments and the modified examples, and the modified examples even if it is not explicitly stated that the combination is possible. be.

(First embodiment)
A battery module according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. FIG. The battery module of this embodiment is applied to electric vehicles such as electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

10 to 12 schematically show the battery module. FIG. 10 corresponds to FIG. 7, shows part of it, and additionally adds a serial bus bar 14, which will be described later. FIG. 11 corresponds to a cross section taken along line XI-XI shown in FIG. 7, shows a part of it, and adds one serial bus bar 14. FIG. FIG. 12 corresponds to a cross section along line XII-XII shown in FIG.

In the following, the three directions that are orthogonal to each other are referred to as x-direction, y-direction, and z-direction. In the drawings, description of "direction" is omitted, and simply x, y, and z are illustrated. The x direction corresponds to the horizontal direction. The y direction corresponds to the alignment direction. The z direction corresponds to the standing direction.

<Automotive battery>
A battery module 100 is shown in FIGS. A plurality of battery modules 100 are mounted on a vehicle. A plurality of battery modules 100 are connected in series or in parallel by a wire harness or the like. This constitutes an in-vehicle power supply. The onboard power supply functions to supply power to various electrical loads mounted on the vehicle. Note that one battery module 100 may constitute an in-vehicle power source.

A vehicle duct is connected to the battery module 100 . A fluid for adjusting the temperature of the plurality of battery cells 11 provided in the battery module 100 is supplied from this duct. As a result, excessive temperature changes in the battery cells 11 are suppressed.

For example, the space under the front seats of the vehicle, the space under the rear seats, the space between the rear seats and the trunk room, and the like can be appropriately adopted as the location of the on-vehicle power supply.

<Battery module>
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the battery module 100 has a battery stack 10, a case 30, a monitoring section 50, and a cover 70. FIG. The battery stack 10 is housed in the housing space of the case 30 . The monitoring unit 50 is provided outside the case 30 . The cover 70 is connected to the case 30 so as to cover the monitoring section 50 .

The battery stack 10 has a plurality of battery cells 11 arranged in the y direction. A case 30 holds the plurality of battery cells 11 arranged in the y direction.

The case 30 has a housing 31 having an opening and a lid body 32 fixed to the housing 31 in a manner to close the opening. The housing 31 is formed with a plurality of slits 34f for communicating between the storage space formed by the housing 31 and the lid 32 and the space outside the storage space (external space). The fluid supplied from the duct flows into the storage space through this slit 34f. The fluid that has flowed through the storage space flows out of the storage space through this slit 34f.

A plurality of openings are formed in the lid 32 to expose the negative terminal 12 and the positive terminal 13 of each of the plurality of battery cells 11 to the outside of the housing space. A series bus bar 14 is provided on the outer wall of the lid 32 so as to close the opening. The series bus bar 14 is joined to one negative terminal 12 and the other positive terminal 13 of the two battery cells 11 arranged adjacent to each other in the y direction. Thereby, the plurality of battery cells 11 are electrically connected in series via the series bus bar 14 .

Among the plurality of battery cells 11 connected in series, the negative terminal 12 of the battery cell 11 with the lowest potential and the positive terminal 13 of the battery cell 11 with the highest potential are also exposed from the opening of the lid 32 . A negative connection terminal 15 is connected to the negative terminal 12 . A positive connection terminal 16 is connected to the positive terminal 13 . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , a portion of each of the negative electrode connection terminal 15 and the positive electrode connection terminal 16 is located outside the cover 70 .

Further, the lid 32 is provided with a plurality of voltage detection lines for detecting output voltages of the plurality of battery cells 11 . One end of each of the plurality of voltage detection lines is connected to each of the series busbars 14, the negative connection terminals 15, and the positive connection terminals 16. As shown in FIG. The other ends of the multiple voltage detection lines are brought together in a sensor connector.

Furthermore, the lid 32 is provided with a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the battery stack 10 . The temperature sensor has a thermistor arranged in contact with at least one of the plurality of battery cells 11 forming the battery stack 10, and a temperature detection line having one end connected to the thermistor. The other end of the temperature detection line is combined with the other ends of the plurality of voltage detection lines into a sensor connector. An analog signal as a detection result indicating the output voltage of the battery cell 11 and the temperature of the battery stack 10 is input to the monitoring unit 50 from the voltage detection line and the temperature detection line.

The monitoring unit 50 has a circuit board 51 , a first connector 52 and a second connector 53 . The circuit board 51 has a printed board, a high voltage circuit section, a low voltage circuit section, and an insulation circuit section. The first connector 52, the second connector 53, the high voltage circuit section, the low voltage circuit section, and the insulation circuit section are each mounted on a printed circuit board.

A sensor connector is electrically connected to the first connector 52 via a wire harness. An external battery ECU is electrically connected to the second connector 53 via a wire harness.

The high voltage circuit section is electrically connected to the first connector 52 . The low voltage circuit section is electrically connected to the second connector 53 . The isolation circuit section functions to electrically insulate the high-voltage circuit section and the low-voltage circuit section while transmitting and receiving signals to and from each other.

The high voltage circuit section has a monitoring IC chip. The monitoring IC chip converts an analog signal as a detection result input from the sensor unit into a digital signal. The isolation circuit section outputs the digital signal input from the high voltage circuit section to the low voltage circuit section. The low voltage circuit section has a microcomputer for communication. Through communication with the battery ECU, the microcomputer outputs to the battery ECU a digital signal as a detection result input from the insulating circuit section.

The battery ECU determines equalization of the SOC of each of the plurality of battery cells 11 based on the input voltage and temperature detection results. Then, the battery ECU outputs an instruction for equalization processing to the monitoring unit 50 based on the determination. This instruction signal is input to the monitoring IC chip of the high voltage circuit section through the low voltage circuit section and the insulating circuit section.

The monitoring IC chip includes a switch for selectively charging and discharging the battery cells 11 by connecting the negative terminals 12 and the positive terminals 13 of at least two of the plurality of battery cells 11 . . The monitoring IC chip controls opening and closing of the switch according to instructions input from the battery ECU. As a result, some of the plurality of battery cells 11 are individually charged and discharged. As a result, the SOCs of the plurality of battery cells 11 are equalized. SOC is an abbreviation for state of charge.

The cover 70 is connected to the case 30 so as to face the outer wall of the lid 32 while being spaced apart in the z-direction. A space is formed between the cover 70 and the lid body 32 by this connection. In this space, the series busbar 14, a part of the negative connection terminal 15 and the positive connection terminal 16, a sensor section, and a monitoring section 50 are provided. These are covered with a cover 70 .

The cover 70 has an opening for exposing the second connector 53 to the outside of the space between the lid 32 and the cover 70 . A connector of a wire harness can be inserted into and removed from the second connector 53 through this opening. Snap fit, for example, can be used to connect the cover 70 and the case 30 .

<Battery stack>
As described above, the battery stack 10 has a plurality of battery cells 11 arranged in the y direction. A battery cell 11 is a secondary battery that generates an electromotive voltage through a chemical reaction. Specifically, a lithium ion battery, a nickel-hydrogen secondary battery, an organic radical battery, or the like can be used as the battery cell 11 .

Each of the plurality of battery cells 11 has a power generation element and a metal battery case that houses the power generation element. A power generation element has a negative electrode, a separator, a positive electrode, and an electrolytic solution. A negative electrode and a positive electrode are laminated with a separator interposed therebetween. These three layers are wet with electrolyte. The separator has the property of allowing electrons to pass but not to molecules. Electrons (current) flow between the negative electrode and the positive electrode via the separator.

The power generation element is charged and discharged by an oxidation-reduction reaction. The power generation element generates gas such as hydrogen by this oxidation-reduction reaction. Also, the electrolyte generates gas due to deterioration over time. The generation of this gas causes the battery cell 11 to expand.

The battery case has a flat shape with a thin thickness in the y direction. The battery case is shorter in the z direction than in the x direction. As the battery case, a shape in which the length in the z direction is longer than the length in the x direction, or a shape in which the lengths in these two directions are equal can be adopted.

The battery case has a square prism shape. Therefore, the battery case (battery cell 11) has six sides. The battery cell 11 has an upper surface 11a and a lower surface 11b aligned in the z direction. The battery cell 11 has a first main surface 11c and a second main surface 11d arranged in the y direction. The battery cell 11 has a first horizontal surface 11e and a second horizontal surface 11f arranged in the x direction.

Of the six surfaces of the battery cell 11, the first main surface 11c and the second main surface 11d are larger than the other four surfaces. Therefore, the battery cell 11 easily expands in such a manner that the first main surface 11c and the second main surface 11d are separated from each other in the y direction. More specifically, the battery cell 11 easily expands in the y-direction in a mode in which the middle point CP between the x-direction and the z-direction on the main surface is the apex. The position of the midpoint CP in the x and z directions is the same as the position of the geometric center of the battery cell 11 in the x and z directions.

A negative terminal 12 and a positive terminal 13 are formed on the upper surface 11 a of the battery cell 11 . The negative terminal 12 and the positive terminal 13 are arranged in the x direction. The negative terminal 12 is positioned on the side of the first horizontal surface 11e. The positive electrode terminal 13 is positioned on the second horizontal surface 11f side.

Two battery cells 11 adjacent to each other in the y-direction face each other at their first main surfaces 11c and at their second main surfaces 11d. As a result, one negative terminal 12 and the other positive terminal 13 of two adjacent battery cells 11 are arranged in the y direction. As a result, in the battery stack 10, two electrode terminal groups are formed in which the negative terminals 12 and the positive terminals 13 are alternately arranged in the y direction.

The negative electrode terminal 12 and the positive electrode terminal 13 included in these electrode terminal groups and arranged side by side in the y direction are electrically connected via a series bus bar 14 as shown in FIG. 10, for example. Thereby, the plurality of battery cells 11 forming the battery stack 10 are electrically connected in series. The negative terminal 12 and the positive terminal 13 correspond to electrode terminals. The serial bus bar 14 corresponds to the connecting portion.

Due to the electrical connection configuration described above, the plurality of battery cells 11 are arranged in order of potential in the y direction. Among the plurality of battery cells 11 arranged in the y direction, the battery cell 11 with the lowest potential is located on one side of both ends. Among the plurality of battery cells 11 arranged in the y direction, the battery cell 11 with the highest potential is positioned on the other side of both ends. The negative terminal 12 is connected to the negative connection terminal 15 shown in FIG. 1, and the positive terminal 13 is connected to the positive connection terminal 16 shown in FIG.

As described above, the battery cells 11 expand in the y direction due to gas generation. As a result, the relative positions in the y direction between the negative terminal 12 and the positive terminal 13 that are adjacent to each other in the y direction may be displaced. The serial bus bar 14 has a shape that is easily deformed in the y direction so as to correspond to this displacement.

<Serial bus bar>
As schematically shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the series bus bar 14 has two terminal conductive portions 17 and one connecting conductive portion 18 when subdivided and explained. Two terminal conductive portions 17 spaced apart in the y direction are integrally connected via one connecting conductive portion 18 .

The terminal conductive portion 17 has a flat plate shape with a thin thickness in the z direction. The thickness of the terminal conductive portion 17 is determined so as to avoid temperature rise to the extent that the performance of the battery cell 11 changes due to the laser when the terminal conductive portion 17 and the electrode terminal of the battery cell 11 are laser-welded. there is

The connecting conductive portion 18 extends away from one of the two terminal conductive portions 17 in the z-direction, then folds back and extends in the z-direction toward the other of the two terminal conductive portions 17 . Due to this shape, the connecting conductive portion 18 has a property of being easily deformed in the y direction in which the two terminal conductive portions 17 are arranged.

The length between the two terminal conductive portions 17 of the connecting conductive portion 18 is, in terms of design, the gap between the plurality of battery cells 11 housed in the case 30 and the gap between the battery cells 11 and the case 30 in the y direction. is longer than the president combined.

<Case>
As described above, case 30 has housing 31 and lid 32 . The housing 31 and the lid 32 are each made of an insulating resin material. The melting point of this resin material is higher than the melting point of the separator included in the power generating element.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the housing 31 has a box shape with an opening in the z direction and a bottom. The housing 31 has a bottom wall 33 with a thin thickness in the z-direction, and an annular wall 34 annularly rising from the edge of the inner bottom surface 33 a of the bottom wall 33 . The opening of the housing 31 is defined by the distal end side of the annular wall 34 . The housing 31 corresponds to an insulating housing.

Specifically, annular wall 34 has first and second end walls 35 and 36 spaced apart in the y-direction and first and second sidewalls 37 and 38 spaced apart in the x-direction. A first end wall 35, a first side wall 37, a second end wall 36, and a second side wall 38 are annularly connected in order in the circumferential direction around the z-direction.

A bolt hole 34a for bolting the cover 32 is formed in each of these four walls. The lid 32 is fixed to the housing 31 with bolts so as to close the opening of the housing 31 . This forms a storage space.

A negative output terminal 34b for connecting and fixing the negative connection terminal 15 and the terminal of the wire harness is insert-molded outside the storage space in the first end wall 35 . A positive output terminal 34c for connecting and fixing the positive connection terminal 16 and the terminal of the wire harness is insert-molded outside the storage space in the second end wall 36 .

These output terminals are bolt shafts whose heads are embedded in the end walls. A shaft portion of the output terminal extends from the bottom wall 33 toward the opening of the housing 31 . A hole formed in the end of the connection terminal and a hole formed in the terminal of the wire harness are passed through the shaft. A nut is then fastened to this shaft. Thereby, the connection terminal and the terminal of the wire harness are electrically connected. Strictly speaking, the head of the output terminal is insert-molded in a connecting portion 43, which will be described later.

A plurality of slits 34f are formed in each of the first side wall 37 and the second side wall 38 and open to an inner side surface 34d on the storage space side and an outer side surface 34e on the back side thereof. The slits 34f formed in the first side wall 37 and the slits 34f formed in the second side wall 38 are arranged in the x direction. A plurality of slits 34f are arranged in the y-direction on each of the first side wall 37 and the second side wall 38 at predetermined intervals.

<Mouth>
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the housing 31 has a mouth portion 39 in addition to the bottom wall 33 and the annular wall 34 described above. The opening 39 is for attaching and fixing the duct to the battery module 100 .

The mouth portion 39 is formed on the outer side surface 34 e of the first side wall 37 . The mouth portion 39 stands up in the x-direction from the outer surface 34e in a manner separated from the storage space of the case 30. As shown in FIG. The mouth portion 39 extends annularly on the outer surface 34e. The mouth portion 39 surrounds the openings of all the slits 34f formed in the first side wall 37 on the side of the outer surface 34e. The duct is attached and fixed to the mouth portion 39 in such a manner that the hollow defined by the mouth portion 39 communicates with the supply passage of the duct.

<Groove>
As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of grooves 34g extending along the z-direction are formed in inner side surfaces 34d of the first side wall 37 and the second side wall 38 of the annular wall 34, respectively. The groove portion 34g is formed on the bottom wall 33 side of the slit 34f and the opening side of the housing 31 in these side walls.

The space defined by the groove 34g on the bottom wall 33 side and the groove 34g on the opening side of the housing 31 communicates with the hollow defined by the slit 34f in the z direction. The plurality of grooves 34g on the bottom wall 33 side and the plurality of grooves 34g on the opening side are arranged in the y-direction at predetermined intervals on the first side wall 37 and the second side wall 38 in the same manner as the plurality of slits 34f. I'm in.

<Partition wall>
As shown in FIG. 5, the housing 31 has a plurality of partition walls 40 in addition to the bottom wall 33, the annular wall 34, and the mouth portion 39 described above. These plurality of partition walls 40 have a flat plate shape with a thin thickness in the y direction. The partition wall 40 having such a shape is inserted into the groove portion 34g of the first side wall 37 and the groove portion 34g of the second side wall 38 which are aligned in the x direction. Like the plurality of grooves 34g, the plurality of partition walls 40 are arranged in the y direction at predetermined intervals.

Each of the plurality of partition walls 40 inserted into each of the plurality of grooves 34g is aligned with each of the plurality of slits 34f in the x direction. The partition 40 is located between the slit 34f formed in the first side wall 37 and the slit 34f formed in the second side wall 38 in the x direction.

The thickness of the partition wall 40 in the y direction is thinner than the length of the slit 34f in the y direction. Therefore, the partition wall 40 prevents the entire opening of the slit 34f on the inner side surface 34d side from being blocked. The opening of the slit 34f on the side of the inner side surface 34d is divided into two in the y direction by the partition wall 40 .

The housing space of the housing 31 is partitioned into a plurality of layout spaces by a plurality of partition walls 40 . Specifically, the housing space of the housing 31 is defined between the first end wall 35 and the partition wall 40, between two partition walls 40 adjacent to each other in the y direction, and between the partition wall 40 and the second end wall 36. are partitioned into a layout space between A battery cell 11 is provided in each of the plurality of arrangement spaces.

<Distribution route>
Each of the plurality of battery cells 11 is provided in the above arrangement space in such a manner that its lower surface 11b approaches the inner bottom surface 33a. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the upper surface 11a side of the battery cell 11 is positioned outside the housing 31 when the battery cell 11 is provided in the arrangement space. Outside the housing 31, the main surfaces of the two battery cells 11 adjacent to each other in the y direction face each other and are separated from each other.

On the other hand, in the housing 31 , two battery cells 11 adjacent to each other in the y direction are arranged in the y direction with one partition wall 40 interposed therebetween. The main surface of the battery cell 11 and the partition wall surface 40a of the partition wall 40 facing in the y direction face each other while being separated from each other. A gap is formed between the battery cell 11 and the partition wall 40 .

The gap between the battery cells 11 and the partitions 40 that are adjacent to each other in the y direction is between the slit 34f formed in the first side wall 37 and the slit 34f formed in the second side wall 38 in the x direction. positioned. These two slits 34f and the gap constitute a flow path for the fluid to pass through the storage space.

The fluid supplied from the duct flows through the slit 34f formed in the first side wall 37 into the storage space. This fluid passes through the major surfaces of the battery cells 11 that form part of the voids. Thereby, heat exchange is performed between the fluid and the battery cell 11 . The fluid that has exchanged heat with the battery cell 11 flows out of the storage space through the slit 34f formed in the second side wall 38. As shown in FIG.

<Protrusion>
As shown in FIG. 11, each of the two partition walls 40a of the partition 40 is formed with a minute protrusion 41 that locally protrudes in the y direction. The inner end surfaces 34h of the first end wall 35 and the second end wall 36 on the storage space side are also formed with minute protrusions 41 that locally protrude in the y direction. Further, the inner side surfaces 34d of the first side wall 37 and the second side wall 38 are formed with minute protrusions 41 that locally protrude in the x direction.

As schematically shown in FIG. 11, the plurality of protrusions 41 extend from the inner bottom surface 33a toward the opening of the housing 31 in the z direction. The tip surface of the protrusion 41 on the opening side of the housing 31 is sharpened. The distal end side of the protrusion 41 is tapered toward the opening of the housing 31 .

<Press fit>
Each of the plurality of battery cells 11 is press-fitted into the above arrangement space in such a manner that the lower surface 11b of the battery cell 11 approaches the inner bottom surface 33a. As a result of this press-fitting, the protrusions 41 that locally protrude in the y direction come into contact with the lower surfaces 11b of the first main surface 11c and the second main surface 11d of the battery cell 11 . At the same time, the partition walls 40 and the protrusions 41 formed on the end walls are deformed so as to contract in the z direction and the y direction. Similarly, projections 41 that locally project in the x-direction contact the lower surface 11b side of each of the first horizontal surface 11e and the second horizontal surface 11f of the battery cell 11 . At the same time, the protrusions 41 formed on the side walls are deformed so as to contract in the z direction and the x direction.

Due to the deformation caused by the press-fitting described above, the partition wall 40 and the protrusion 41 of the end wall generate a restoring force in the z-direction and the y-direction. The protrusions 41 on the sidewalls generate restoring forces in the z-direction and the x-direction. Due to the restoring force of these protrusions 41 , the plurality of battery cells 11 are kept aligned in the y direction in the housing space as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 . Each of the plurality of battery cells 11 is sandwiched by projections 41 in the housing space of case 30 .

The partition walls 40 and the protrusions 41 formed on the end walls are in contact with the first horizontal surface 11e side and the second horizontal surface 11f side of the respective main surfaces of the plurality of battery cells 11 . More specifically, the projecting portion 41 is in contact with the electrode terminal on the lower surface 11b side of the main surface of each of the plurality of battery cells 11 at the same position in the y direction.

<Rigid part>
As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the rigid portion 42 is integrally connected to the back sides of the inner end surfaces 34h of the first end wall 35 and the second end wall 36, respectively. The rigid portion 42 is made of a metal material such as SUS having higher rigidity than the first end wall 35 and the second end wall 36, respectively.

The rigid portion 42 has a tubular shape whose axial direction is the z direction. The rigid portion 42 has a shape in which the length Lz in the z direction is longer than the length Lx in the x direction. The rigid portion 42 extends continuously between the bottom wall 33 and the opening of the housing 31 in the z-direction.

The outer ring surface of the rigid portion 42 is covered with an insulating resin material forming the end wall of the housing 31 . On the other hand, the inner annular surface of the rigid portion 42 is not covered with this resin material, and the shaft portion of the bolt can be inserted into the hollow. A shaft portion of a bolt for connecting and fixing the battery module 100 to the vehicle body is passed through the hollow of the rigid portion 42 .

As shown in FIG. 11, the bottom wall 33 side of the rigid portion 42 is aligned with the tip end side of the protrusion 41 in the y direction. An intermediate portion of the rigid portion 42 between the bottom wall 33 and the opening is aligned in the y direction with a portion of the battery cell 11 passing through the center line CL that passes through the midpoint CP and is perpendicular to the z direction. The opening side of the rigid portion 42 is aligned in the y direction with a portion of the battery cell 11 between the center line CL and the upper surface 11a.

In this embodiment, two rigid portions 42 are integrally connected to each of the first end wall 35 and the second end wall 36 . As shown in FIG. 12, these two rigid sections 42 are spaced apart in the x-direction.

10, a plurality of negative terminals 12 and positive terminals 13 are arranged alternately in the y direction on the side of the first side wall 37 of the housing 31 to form a first electrode terminal group. there is Similarly, a second electrode terminal group is formed by arranging a plurality of negative terminals 12 and positive terminals 13 alternately in the y direction on the side of the second side wall 38 of the housing 31 . In each electrode terminal group, a series bus bar 14 is electrically and mechanically connected to one negative electrode terminal 12 and one positive electrode terminal 13 that are adjacent to each other in the y direction.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the x-direction position of one of the two rigid portions 42 is the same as the x-direction position of the first electrode terminal group. The x-direction position of the other of the two rigid portions 42 is the same as the x-direction position of the second electrode terminal group.

Due to this positional relationship, the battery of each of the plurality of battery cells 11 is located between the rigid portion 42 integrally connected to the first end wall 35 and the rigid portion 42 integrally connected to the second end wall 36 . Equivalent parts in the y-direction are located in the case with the electrode terminals. A rigid portion 42 integrally connected to the first end wall 35 and a rigid portion integrally connected to the second end wall 36 have projections 41 contacting the main surfaces of the same positions in the y direction. It is located between 42

<Connector>
10 and 12, as schematically shown by the two-dot chain line, on the back side of each of the first end wall 35 and the second end wall 36, a connection for increasing the connection strength of the two rigid portions 42 is provided. A portion 43 is integrally connected. The connecting portion 43 extends from one of the two rigid portions 42 to the other to connect them. This connecting portion 43 increases the thickness in the y direction of the portion between the two rigid portions 42 of each of the first end wall 35 and the second end wall 36 . The strength of the connecting portion between the rigid portion 42 and the connecting portion 43 in each of the first end wall 35 and the second end wall 36 is improved.

The connecting portion 43 of this embodiment extends in the x-direction and in the z-direction between the two rigid portions 42 . The connecting portion 43 is aligned in the y direction with a portion passing through the midpoint CP of the battery cell 11 and the center line CL of the battery cell 11 . Also, the connecting portion 43 has a shape whose length in the z direction is longer than the length in the x direction. The overall shape of the combination of the connecting portion 43 and the two rigid portions 42 connected thereby has a shorter length in the z-direction than in the x-direction.

The connecting portion 43 is located outside the storage space together with the rigid portion 42 . The connecting portion 43 is insert-molded with the head portion of the output terminal described above. The shaft portion of the output terminal protrudes in the z direction from the upper surface 43a of the connecting portion 43 on the opening side of the housing 31 .

<Challenge>
As described in this embodiment, the battery cells 11 expand in the y direction. Also, the battery module 100 is mounted on a vehicle. Therefore, the plurality of battery cells 11 included in the battery module 100 vibrate in the y-direction when an external force such as vehicle vibration is applied.

If the housing 31 is deformed in the y-direction due to this expansion, vibration, or the like, there is a possibility that the separation distance between the plurality of battery cells 11 in the y-direction may change significantly. Due to this change, stress is generated in the connecting portions between the negative terminal 12 and the positive terminal 13 in the series bus bar 14, and there is a possibility that an electrical connection failure may occur between the series bus bar 14 and the electrode terminals.

<Effect>
On the other hand, as described above, the plurality of battery cells 11 are arranged in the y direction between the first end wall 35 and the second end wall 36 of the housing 31 . A rigid portion 42 having higher rigidity than the end walls is connected to each of the first end wall 35 and the second end wall 36 that define the arrangement of the plurality of battery cells 11 in the y direction. The rigid portion 42 has a shape in which the length in the z direction is longer than the length in the x direction.

This suppresses deformation in the y direction due to expansion, vibration, or the like of the battery cell 11 on the opening side (front end side) of the housing 31 of each of the first end wall 35 and the second end wall 36 . Therefore, deformation of the end walls in the y-direction suppresses significant changes in relative positions in the y-direction of the plurality of electrode terminals included in the first electrode terminal group or the second electrode terminal group.

As a result, the generation of stress at the connecting portions between the negative terminal 12 and the positive terminal 13 included in the electrode terminal group and the series bus bar 14 is suppressed. The occurrence of electrical connection failure between the series bus bar 14 and the electrode terminals is suppressed.

Such suppression of electrical connection failure suppresses difficulty in outputting electric power from the battery module 100 in which the plurality of battery cells 11 are connected in series. It is possible to suppress the difficulty in supplying electric power to various electric loads of the vehicle from the on-vehicle power supply in which the plurality of battery modules 100 are connected in series or in parallel. As a result, imperfect running of the electric vehicle is suppressed.

A rigid portion 42 extending in the z-direction is aligned in the y-direction with a portion of the battery cell 11 passing through the center line CL. According to this, deformation of each of the first end wall 35 and the second end wall 36 due to expansion in the y direction of the battery cell 11 with the midpoint CP as the vertex is suppressed. As a result, expansion of the battery cells 11 is suppressed.

A rigid portion 42 extending in the z-direction is aligned in the y-direction with a portion of the battery cell 11 between the center line CL and the upper surface 11a. This suppresses deformation of the leading end sides of the first end wall 35 and the second end wall 36 in the y direction. As a result, displacement of the upper surface 11a side of each of the plurality of battery cells 11 in the y direction is suppressed. As a result of stress acting on the electrode terminal formed on the upper surface 11a and the series bus bar 14 due to this displacement, the occurrence of an electrical connection failure between the two is suppressed.

The rigid portion 42 extending in the z-direction is aligned in the y-direction with the projecting portion 41 that fixes the position of the battery cell 11 in the storage space. According to this, deformation of the bottom wall 33 side of each of the first end wall 35 and the second end wall 36 due to vibration of the plurality of battery cells 11 due to application of an external force is suppressed. Deformation of the bottom wall 33 suppresses displacement of the leading end sides of the first end wall 35 and the second end wall 36 in the y direction.

Between the rigid portion 42 of the first end wall 35 and the rigid portion 42 of the second end wall 36, a portion of the same position in the y direction as the electrode terminal in the battery case of each of the plurality of battery cells 11 is positioned. . According to this, it is effectively suppressed that the electrode terminal of each of the plurality of battery cells 11 vibrates in the y direction due to an external force. Therefore, the occurrence of electrical connection failure between the electrode terminals and the series bus bar 14 is effectively suppressed.

Two rigid portions 42 are integrally connected to each of the first end wall 35 and the second end wall 36 . Along with this, the two rigid portions 42 are integrally connected by a connecting portion 43 . According to this, the rigidity of not only the connecting portion of the rigid portion 42 in each of the first end wall 35 and the second end wall 36 but also the connecting portion of the connecting portion 43 is effectively increased. Therefore, deformations of the first end wall 35 and the second end wall 36 are effectively suppressed.

The connecting portion 43 is aligned with the midpoint CP of the battery cell 11 in the y direction. Therefore, deformation of each of the first end wall 35 and the second end wall 36 due to expansion in the y direction of the battery cell 11 with the midpoint CP as the vertex is effectively suppressed. Expansion of the battery cell 11 is effectively suppressed.

The housing 31 and the lid 32 are each made of a resin material having a higher melting point than the separator included in the power generation element of the battery cell 11 . According to this, even if the separator melts inside the battery case when the battery cell 11 generates abnormal heat, the melting of the housing 31 and the lid 32 is suppressed. The melting of the housing 31 and the lid 32 prevents the plurality of battery cells 11 stored in the storage space defined by them from being unfixed. Exposing the battery cell 11 in the abnormal heat generation state to the outside of the storage space is suppressed.

The serial bus bar 14 is formed by integrally connecting two terminal conductive portions 17 spaced apart in the y direction and arranged via one connecting conductive portion 18 . The connecting conductive portion 18 extends away from one of the two terminal conductive portions 17 in the z-direction, then folds back and extends in the z-direction toward the other of the two terminal conductive portions 17 .

With such a configuration, when the two terminal conductive portions 17 are displaced away from each other in the y direction due to expansion of the battery cell 11 or the like, the length of the connecting conductive portion 18 in the z direction becomes equal to the length in the y direction. Transform in a transformed manner. When the deformation in which the length of the connecting conductive portion 18 in the z direction is converted to the length in the y direction is completed, the stress generated in the connection portion of the terminal conductive portion 17 with the electrode terminal increases rapidly. As a result, an electrical connection failure may occur between the series bus bar 14 and the electrode terminals.

On the other hand, the length between the two terminal conductive portions 17 of the connecting conductive portion 18 is the distance between the battery cells 11 housed in the case 30 and the distance between the battery cells 11 and the case 30 in the y direction. It is longer than the total length including the gaps between the Further, deformation of each of the first end wall 35 and the second end wall 36 is suppressed as described above.

Therefore, the distance between the two terminal conductive portions 17 in the y direction is suppressed to the extent that the deformation in which the length in the z direction of the connecting conductive portion 18 is converted to the length in the y direction is completed. This suppresses the occurrence of an electrical connection failure between the series bus bar 14 and the electrode terminals.

(First modification)
In the present embodiment, an example in which the connecting portion 43 is connected (formed) to each of the first end wall 35 and the second end wall 36 is shown. However, the connecting portion 43 may not be connected to these end walls. Also, the number of connecting portions 43 connected to these end walls may be singular as shown in the present embodiment, or may be plural.

For example, two connections 43 may be connected to the end wall as shown in FIG. In the modification shown in FIG. 13, the two connecting portions 43 extend in the z-direction and the x-direction, and partially cross each other. The crossing portion where the two connecting portions 43 intersect is aligned with the midpoint CP in the y direction. In the modification shown in FIG. 13, the negative output terminal 34b and the positive output terminal 34c are each connected not to the connecting portion 43 but to the end wall.

(Second modification)
In this embodiment, an example in which two rigid portions 42 are integrally connected to each of the first end wall 35 and the second end wall 36 is shown. However, the number of rigid portions 42 connected to these end walls is not particularly limited. The number of rigid portions 42 connected to one end wall may be singular or three or more.

(Third modification)
In the present embodiment, the rigid portion 42 continuously extending in the z-direction includes the projecting portion 41, the portion passing through the center line CL of the battery cell 11, and the portion between the center line CL and the upper surface 11a of the battery cell 11 and the y-direction. An example of lining up with However, it is also possible to employ a configuration in which the rigid portion 42 is not aligned with any of these in the y direction. Also, a configuration in which the rigid portion 42 is aligned in the y direction with a part of them can be adopted.

For example, as shown in column (a) of FIG. 14, the rigid portion 42 is aligned in the y-direction with a portion of the battery cell 11 passing through the center line CL and a portion of the battery cell 11 between the center line CL and the upper surface 11a. can be adopted. As shown in column (b) of FIG. 14, a configuration may be adopted in which the rigid portion 42 is aligned in the y direction with a portion of the battery cell 11 between the center line CL and the upper surface 11a.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to examples, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to such examples or structures. The present disclosure also includes various modifications and modifications within the equivalent range. In addition, while various combinations and configurations are shown in this disclosure, other combinations and configurations, including single elements, more, or less, are within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. It is a thing.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Battery stack, 11... Battery cell, 12... Negative electrode terminal, 13... Positive electrode terminal, 14... Series bus bar, 30... Case, 31... Case, 32... Cover body, 33... Bottom wall, 34... Annular wall, 34h Inner end surface 35 First end wall 36 Second end wall 37 First side wall 38 Second side wall 40 Partition wall 40a Partition wall surface 41 Protruding portion 42 Rigid portion 43 ... connection part, 100 ... battery module

Claims (14)

an insulating housing (31) comprising a bottom wall (33) and an annular wall (34) annularly erected from the bottom wall;
Electrode terminals (12, 13) formed in a battery case containing a power generating element are provided, respectively, and the electrode terminals are positioned on the front end side of the annular wall relative to the bottom wall in the erecting direction of the annular wall. a plurality of battery cells (11) housed in the insulating housing in a manner lined up in a row direction perpendicular to the standing direction;
a connecting portion (14) for electrically connecting the electrode terminals of each of the plurality of battery cells;
a rigid portion (42) connected to the annular wall;
The annular wall includes a first end wall (35) and a second end wall (36) spaced apart in the row direction, and spaced apart in a lateral direction orthogonal to each of the standing direction and the row direction, and the first end wall having a first side wall (37) and a second side wall (38) connecting the wall and the second end wall;
A material forming each of the first end wall and the second end wall is a resin material,
The rigid portion has higher rigidity than the resin material, and the length in the standing direction is longer than the length in the lateral direction ,
The position of the part of the rigid portion in the standing direction is the same as the position of the geometric center of the battery case in the standing direction. 2. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the position of the part of the rigid portion in the standing direction is closer to the bottom wall in the standing direction than the geometric center of the battery case. an insulating housing (31) comprising a bottom wall (33) and an annular wall (34) annularly erected from the bottom wall;
Electrode terminals (12, 13) formed in a battery case containing a power generating element are provided, respectively, and the electrode terminals are positioned on the front end side of the annular wall relative to the bottom wall in the erecting direction of the annular wall. a plurality of battery cells (11) housed in the insulating housing in a manner lined up in a row direction perpendicular to the standing direction;
a connecting portion (14) for electrically connecting the electrode terminals of each of the plurality of battery cells;
a rigid portion (42) connected to the annular wall;
The annular wall includes a first end wall (35) and a second end wall (36) spaced apart in the row direction, and spaced apart in a lateral direction orthogonal to each of the standing direction and the row direction, and the first end wall having a first side wall (37) and a second side wall (38) connecting the wall and the second end wall;
A material forming each of the first end wall and the second end wall is a resin material,
The rigid portion has higher rigidity than the resin material, and the length in the standing direction is longer than the length in the lateral direction ,
A battery module in which a position of a portion of the rigid portion in the erecting direction is closer to the bottom wall in the erecting direction than a geometric center of the battery case. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the lateral position of the part of the rigid portion is the same as the lateral position of the electrode terminal. an insulating housing (31) comprising a bottom wall (33) and an annular wall (34) annularly erected from the bottom wall;
Electrode terminals (12, 13) formed in a battery case containing a power generating element are provided, respectively, and the electrode terminals are positioned on the front end side of the annular wall relative to the bottom wall in the erecting direction of the annular wall. a plurality of battery cells (11) housed in the insulating housing in a manner lined up in a row direction perpendicular to the standing direction;
a connecting portion (14) for electrically connecting the electrode terminals of each of the plurality of battery cells;
a rigid portion (42) connected to the annular wall;
The annular wall includes a first end wall (35) and a second end wall (36) spaced apart in the row direction, and spaced apart in a lateral direction orthogonal to each of the standing direction and the row direction, and the first end wall having a first side wall (37) and a second side wall (38) connecting the wall and the second end wall;
A material forming each of the first end wall and the second end wall is a resin material,
The rigid portion has higher rigidity than the resin material, and the length in the standing direction is longer than the length in the lateral direction ,
The battery module , wherein the lateral position of the portion of the rigid portion is the same as the lateral position of the electrode terminal . A plurality of rigid portions are connected to each of the first end wall and the second end wall,
The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a connecting portion (43) for integrally connecting the plurality of rigid portions is connected to each of the first end wall and the second end wall. . an insulating housing (31) comprising a bottom wall (33) and an annular wall (34) annularly erected from the bottom wall;
Electrode terminals (12, 13) formed in a battery case containing a power generating element are provided, respectively, and the electrode terminals are positioned on the front end side of the annular wall relative to the bottom wall in the erecting direction of the annular wall. a plurality of battery cells (11) housed in the insulating housing in a manner lined up in a row direction perpendicular to the standing direction;
a connecting portion (14) for electrically connecting the electrode terminals of each of the plurality of battery cells;
a rigid portion (42) connected to the annular wall;
The annular wall includes a first end wall (35) and a second end wall (36) spaced apart in the row direction, and spaced apart in a lateral direction orthogonal to each of the standing direction and the row direction, and the first end wall having a first side wall (37) and a second side wall (38) connecting the wall and the second end wall;
A material forming each of the first end wall and the second end wall is a resin material,
The rigid portion has higher rigidity than the resin material, and the length in the standing direction is longer than the length in the lateral direction ,
A plurality of rigid portions are connected to each of the first end wall and the second end wall,
A battery module in which a connecting portion (43) for integrally connecting the plurality of rigid portions is connected to each of the first end wall and the second end wall. 8. The battery module according to claim 6, wherein the position of the part of the connecting portion in the standing direction is the same as the position of the geometric center of the battery case in the standing direction. The battery module according to any one of claims 6 to 8 , wherein the lateral position of the portion of the connecting portion is the same as the lateral position of the electrode terminal. The insulating housing has a plurality of partition walls (40) arranged in the row direction between the first end wall and the second end wall in addition to the bottom wall and the annular wall,
Partition walls (40a) on the battery cell side of each of the plurality of partition walls and inner end faces (34h) on the battery cell side of each of the first end wall and the second end wall are provided with A locally protruding protrusion (41) is formed,
10. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the battery cells are sandwiched between the protrusions in the alignment direction. an insulating housing (31) comprising a bottom wall (33) and an annular wall (34) annularly erected from the bottom wall;
Electrode terminals (12, 13) formed in a battery case containing a power generating element are provided, respectively, and the electrode terminals are positioned on the front end side of the annular wall relative to the bottom wall in the erecting direction of the annular wall. a plurality of battery cells (11) housed in the insulating housing in a manner lined up in a row direction perpendicular to the standing direction;
a connecting portion (14) for electrically connecting the electrode terminals of each of the plurality of battery cells;
a rigid portion (42) connected to the annular wall;
The annular wall includes a first end wall (35) and a second end wall (36) spaced apart in the row direction, and spaced apart in a lateral direction orthogonal to each of the standing direction and the row direction, and the first end wall having a first side wall (37) and a second side wall (38) connecting the wall and the second end wall;
A material forming each of the first end wall and the second end wall is a resin material,
The rigid portion has higher rigidity than the resin material, and the length in the standing direction is longer than the length in the lateral direction ,
The insulating housing has a plurality of partition walls (40) arranged in the row direction between the first end wall and the second end wall in addition to the bottom wall and the annular wall,
Partition walls (40a) on the battery cell side of each of the plurality of partition walls and inner end faces (34h) on the battery cell side of each of the first end wall and the second end wall are provided with A locally protruding protrusion (41) is formed,
A battery module in which the battery cells are sandwiched between the protrusions in the alignment direction . 12. The position in the erecting direction of the part of the rigid portion is the same as the position in the erecting direction of the projection formed on each of the first end wall and the second end wall. battery module. 13. Any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the lateral position of the portion of the rigid portion is the same as the lateral position of the protrusion formed on each of the first end wall and the second end wall. 2. The battery module according to item 1 . 14. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the position of the portion of the rigid portion in the erecting direction is closer to the tip side of the annular wall in the erecting direction than the geometric center of the battery case. .

Images