JP7347257B2 - battery pack - Google Patents

Description

The disclosure described herein relates to a battery pack that includes a plurality of battery cells.

As shown in Patent Document 1, a battery module is known that includes a case and a plurality of battery cells housed in the case. A plurality of battery cells are arranged in a stacked manner within the case. These plurality of battery cells constitute a first cell group and a second cell group.

Patent No. 6257951

In Patent Document 1, in order to make the battery module approximately cubic, the stacking direction of a plurality of battery cells constituting a first cell group and the stacking direction of a plurality of battery cells constituting a second cell group are made to intersect. . A fuse is provided in the space created by this difference in stacking direction.

Due to the stacked arrangement of a plurality of battery cells, as the number of battery cells housed in the case increases, the space becomes larger accordingly. This may increase the size of the battery module.

Therefore, an object of the disclosure described in this specification is to provide a battery pack in which increase in size is suppressed by changing the number of battery cells.

One of the disclosures is a plurality of battery stacks (213, 214) each including a plurality of battery cells (210) lined up in the arrangement direction and arranged next to each other in a horizontal direction intersecting the arrangement direction;
an insulating case (220) that houses a plurality of battery stacks;
It has a first external connection terminal and a second external connection terminal (232, 233) having different potentials,
A first external connection terminal and a first external connection terminal are arranged in a space (228a, 229) partitioned by an insulating case that lines up with a part of the plurality of battery stacks in the arrangement direction and lines up with the rest of the plurality of battery stacks in the lateral direction. 2 external connection terminals are provided ,
The insulating case includes a first end wall (223) and a second end wall (224) that are spaced apart in the arrangement direction, and a connecting wall (225, 226) that connects the first end wall and the second end wall. We are equipped with
The second end wall includes a recess (224a), a spaced part (224b) that is farther from the first end wall than the recess in the arrangement direction, and a connecting part (224c) that connects the recess and the spaced part,
Some of the plurality of battery stacks are lined up in the arrangement direction between the recessed part and the first end wall, and the rest of the plurality of battery stacks are arranged in the arrangement direction between the spacing part and the first end wall,
The space is an area where a projected area of the concave portions in the arrangement direction and a projected area of the separated portion in the lateral direction overlap,
It has a monitoring unit (391) that monitors the voltage of a plurality of battery cells, and a connector (393) that outputs the output of the monitoring unit to an external device,
The connector is provided closer to the recess than the first end wall in the arrangement direction.

According to this, in the arrangement direction, while keeping the number of battery cells (210) provided on the space (228a, 229) side of each of the plurality of battery stacks (213, 214) unchanged, the battery cells (210) are separated from the space (228a, 229). The setting of the number of battery cells (210) on the side that has been changed is changed. By doing so, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the space (228a, 229) while changing the setting of the number of battery cells (210). As a result, an increase in the size of the battery pack due to a change in the number of battery cells (210) is suppressed.
Another disclosure provides a plurality of battery stacks (213, 214) each including a plurality of battery cells (210) lined up in the arrangement direction and arranged next to each other in a lateral direction intersecting the arrangement direction;
an insulating case (220) that houses a plurality of battery stacks;
It has a first external connection terminal and a second external connection terminal (232, 233) having different potentials,
A first external connection terminal and a first external connection terminal are arranged in a space (228a, 229) partitioned by an insulating case that lines up with a part of the plurality of battery stacks in the arrangement direction and lines up with the rest of the plurality of battery stacks in the lateral direction. 2 external connection terminals are provided,
The insulating case includes a first end wall (223) and a second end wall (224) that are spaced apart in the arrangement direction, a connecting wall (225, 226) that connects the first end wall and the second end wall, and It has a plurality of intervening walls (228) spaced apart in the arrangement direction between the plurality of battery cells included in some of the plurality of battery stacks,
The space is a region between a plurality of intervening walls that are arranged in a manner that faces each other in the arrangement direction.
Another disclosure provides a plurality of battery stacks (213, 214) each including a plurality of battery cells (210) lined up in the arrangement direction and arranged next to each other in a lateral direction intersecting the arrangement direction;
an insulating case (220) that houses a plurality of battery stacks;
It has a first external connection terminal and a second external connection terminal (232, 233) having different potentials,
A first external connection terminal and a first external connection terminal are arranged in a space (228a, 229) partitioned by an insulating case that lines up with a part of the plurality of battery stacks in the arrangement direction and lines up with the rest of the plurality of battery stacks in the lateral direction. 2 external connection terminals are provided,
The first external connection terminal and the second external connection terminal are spaced apart in the arrangement direction.
Another disclosure provides a plurality of battery stacks (213, 214) each including a plurality of battery cells (210) lined up in the arrangement direction and arranged next to each other in a lateral direction intersecting the arrangement direction;
an insulating case (220) that houses a plurality of battery stacks;
It has a first external connection terminal and a second external connection terminal (232, 233) having different potentials,
A first external connection terminal and a first external connection terminal are arranged in a space (228a, 229) partitioned by an insulating case that lines up with a part of the plurality of battery stacks in the arrangement direction and lines up with the rest of the plurality of battery stacks in the lateral direction. 2 external connection terminals are provided,
The first external connection terminal and the second external connection terminal are spaced apart from each other in the height direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction and the lateral direction.
Another disclosure provides a plurality of battery stacks (213, 214) each including a plurality of battery cells (210) lined up in the arrangement direction and arranged next to each other in a lateral direction intersecting the arrangement direction;
an insulating case (220) that houses a plurality of battery stacks;
It has a first external connection terminal and a second external connection terminal (232, 233) having different potentials,
A first external connection terminal and a first external connection terminal are arranged in a space (228a, 229) partitioned by an insulating case that lines up with a part of the plurality of battery stacks in the arrangement direction and lines up with the rest of the plurality of battery stacks in the lateral direction. 2 external connection terminals are provided,
A first bus bar (333) provided at the first external connection terminal and a second bus bar (334) provided at the second external connection terminal,
At least one of the first bus bar and the second bus bar has a relay portion (338) extending away from the other bus bar.

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

It is a perspective view showing a battery pack. It is an exploded perspective view for explaining a battery pack. FIG. 3 is a top view showing the battery case. FIG. 3 is a top view showing a battery case in which battery cells are housed. FIG. 3 is a top view for explaining a state in which a bus bar case is provided in a battery case. It is a top view showing a bus bar. It is a top view showing a sensor. FIG. 3 is a top view showing a state in which a bus bar and a sensor are provided in a battery cell. FIG. 3 is a top view for explaining a state in which a wiring case is provided in a battery case. It is a top view for explaining the state in which the monitoring board is provided in the bus bar case. It is a top view for explaining the modification of a battery pack. It is a top view for explaining the modification of a battery pack. It is a side view for explaining the modification of a battery pack. It is a top view for explaining the modification of a battery pack. It is a side view for explaining the modification of a battery pack. It is a top view which shows the modification of a bus bar. It is a top view for explaining the modification of a battery pack. It is a top view for explaining the modification of a battery pack. It is a top view for explaining the modification of a battery pack.

Embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure will be described below based on the drawings. Each of these embodiments and variations includes common elements. When this common element is explained in one embodiment, the explanation of that common element will be omitted in other embodiments and modified examples. These common elements are given the same reference numerals in each of the plurality of embodiments and modifications.

In addition, in each drawing, in order to avoid complication of notation, codes are mainly given to the constituent elements explained based on the drawing and related constituent elements, rather than to all of the constituent elements shown in each drawing. are doing.

(First embodiment)
The battery pack according to this embodiment will be explained based on FIGS. 1 to 10. The battery pack of this embodiment is applied to a two-wheeled vehicle.

In the following, three directions that are orthogonal to each other will be referred to as an x direction, a y direction, and a z direction. The x direction corresponds to the left and right direction for a driver riding a two-wheeled vehicle. The y direction corresponds to the traveling direction of the two-wheeled vehicle. The z direction is along the vertical direction when the two-wheeled vehicle is traveling straight on a horizontal plane. The z direction corresponds to the arrangement direction. The y direction corresponds to the horizontal direction. The x direction corresponds to the height direction.

FIG. 1 shows a battery pack 100. The battery pack 100 is housed in a casing of a two-wheeled vehicle. The wind from a two-wheeled vehicle hits the outer wall of this casing. This running wind suppresses excessive temperature changes in the battery pack 100.

Note that the battery pack 100 may be applied not only to a two-wheeled vehicle but also to an electric vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The temperature of the battery pack 100 may be adjusted using wind supplied from a fan mounted on the vehicle or cooling water circulating within the vehicle. In the case of such a modification, the battery pack 100 is provided, for example, in a space under a front seat of a vehicle, a space under a rear seat, a space between a rear seat and a trunk room, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the battery pack 100 includes a battery module 200, a busbar module 300, and a cover 400. The battery module 200 has a plurality of battery cells 210 and a battery case 220. The bus bar module 300 includes a bus bar case 310, a bus bar 330, a sensor 350, a wiring case 370, and a monitoring board 390.

The plurality of battery cells 210 are housed in a battery case 220. The open side of the battery case 220 of the plurality of battery cells 210 is covered by the bus bar module 300. This bus bar module 300 is covered with a cover 400.

<Battery cell>
Each of the plurality of battery cells 210 is a secondary battery. Examples of secondary batteries that can be used in the battery cell 210 include lithium ion secondary batteries, nickel hydride secondary batteries, and organic radical batteries. These secondary batteries generate electromotive voltage through chemical reactions.

Battery cell 210 includes a power generation element and a metal case that houses the power generation element. The metal case has a flat plate shape with a thin thickness in the z direction. The metal case has a first main surface 210a and a second main surface 210b arranged in the z direction, a first end surface 210c and a second end surface 210d arranged in the x direction, and a first side surface 210e and a second side surface 210f arranged in the y direction. . Among these six surfaces of the metal case, the first main surface 210a and the second main surface 210b are larger in area than the other four surfaces.

A negative electrode terminal 211 and a positive electrode terminal 212 are formed on the first end surface 210c of the metal case. These negative electrode terminals 211 and positive electrode terminals 212 are spaced apart from each other in the y direction. The negative electrode terminal 211 is located on the first side surface 210e side. The positive electrode terminal 212 is located on the second side surface 210f side.

<Battery case>
As shown in FIG. 3, the battery case 220 has a bottom wall 221 and side walls 222. The bottom wall 221 and the side wall 222 are integrally connected. The bottom wall 221 and the side walls 222 are each made of an insulating resin material. Battery case 220 corresponds to an insulating case.

The bottom wall 221 has a flat shape with a small thickness in the x direction. The bottom wall 221 has an inner bottom surface 221a and an outer bottom surface on the back side thereof, which are spaced apart from each other in the x direction.

The side wall 222 stands up in the x direction from the inner bottom surface 221a. The side wall 222 extends along the edge of the inner bottom surface 221a and has an annular shape in the circumferential direction around the x direction.

To explain in detail, the side wall 222 has an upper wall 223 and a lower wall 224 that are spaced apart in the z direction, and a front wall 225 and a rear wall 226 that are spaced apart in the y direction. The upper wall 223, the rear wall 226, the lower wall 224, and the front wall 225 are connected in this order in the circumferential direction around the x direction. As a result, the side wall 222 has an annular shape in the circumferential direction around the x direction. The upper wall 223 corresponds to the first end wall. The lower wall 224 corresponds to the second end wall. The front wall 225 and the rear wall 226 correspond to a connecting wall.

The battery case 220 of this embodiment has a dividing wall 227 that divides the storage space of the battery case 220 in the y direction. The dividing wall 227 extends from the upper wall 223 to the lower wall 224. As a result, the storage space of the battery case 220 is divided into a first storage space on the front wall 225 side and a second storage space on the rear wall 226 side.

The first storage space is configured by the front wall 225 side of the upper wall 223, the dividing wall 227, the front wall 225 side of the lower wall 224, and the front wall 225. The second storage space is configured by the rear wall 226 side of the upper wall 223, the rear wall 226, the rear wall 226 side of the lower wall 224, and the dividing wall 227.

Hereinafter, in order to simplify the notation, a plurality of walls constituting the first storage space in the battery case 220 will be collectively referred to as a first partition wall. A plurality of walls constituting the second storage space are collectively referred to as a second partition wall. In order to avoid cluttering the notation, no symbols are given to these partition walls.

<Bulkhead>
The battery case 220 has a plurality of partition walls 228 for dividing each of the first storage space and the second storage space into a plurality of individual storage spaces. A plurality of partition walls 228 are spaced apart and lined up in the z direction in each of the first storage space and the second storage space. As a result, each of the first storage space and the second storage space is divided into a plurality of individual storage spaces lined up in the z direction.

Each wall of the battery case 220 constituting the individual storage space is formed with a plurality of minute protrusions that protrude toward the center of the individual storage space. The second end surface 210d side of the battery cell 210 is press-fitted into each of the plurality of individual storage spaces in such a manner that the protrusion is elastically deformed. Thereby, the second end surface 210d side of each of the plurality of battery cells 210 is fixed to the battery case 220. A plurality of battery cells 210 are provided between the upper wall 223 and the lower wall 224. Note that a slit for communicating two adjacent individual storage spaces may be formed in the partition wall 228.

As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of battery cells 210 are lined up in the z direction in each of the first storage space and the second storage space. The plurality of battery cells 210 housed in the first storage space and a part of the plurality of battery cells 210 housed in the second storage space are lined up in the y direction.

Below, in order to simplify the notation, the plurality of battery cells 210 stored in the first storage space will be collectively referred to as a first battery stack 213. The plurality of battery cells 210 stored in the second storage space are collectively referred to as a second battery stack 214.

Any two battery cells 210 that are arranged adjacent to each other in the z direction are arranged to face each other with their first main surfaces 210a or second main surfaces 210b facing each other. Due to this facing arrangement, one of the negative electrode terminals 211 and the other positive electrode terminal 212 of the two battery cells 210 that are arranged adjacent to each other in the z direction are arranged in a row in the z direction. In each of the first battery stack 213 and the second battery stack 214, negative electrode terminals 211 and positive electrode terminals 212 are arranged alternately in the z direction.

Further, of any two battery cells 210 that are arranged adjacent to each other in the y direction, one first side surface 210e and the other second side surface 210f are opposed to each other. As a result, one of the negative electrode terminals 211 and the other positive electrode terminal 212 of the two battery cells 210 arranged adjacent to each other in the y direction are arranged in the y direction.

<Lower wall>
By the way, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper wall 223 has a flat plate shape with a thin thickness in the z direction. For this reason, the upper wall 223 has a linear shape in a plane facing the x direction. In contrast, the lower wall 224 has a partially bent shape in the z direction. For this purpose, the lower wall 224 has a crank-shaped plane facing in the x direction.

To explain in detail, the lower wall 224 includes a first recessed wall 224a on the front side wall 225 side, a first separation wall 224b on the rear side wall 226 side, and a position between the first recessed wall 224a and the first separation wall 224b. The first connecting wall 224c has a first connecting wall 224c. The first concave wall 224a corresponds to a concave portion. The first separation wall 224b corresponds to a separation part. The first connecting wall 224c corresponds to a connecting portion.

The first recessed wall 224a extends in the y direction from the front side wall 225 toward the dividing wall 227 side. The first separation wall 224b extends in the y direction from the rear wall 226 toward the dividing wall 227. The first spacing wall 224b and the first recessed wall 224a are spaced apart in the z direction. The first connecting wall 224c extends in the z direction so as to be continuous with the dividing wall 227. The first connecting wall 224c connects the first concave wall 224a and the first separating wall 224b.

The first concave wall 224a corresponds to the front wall 225 side of the lower wall 224. The first concave wall 224a is included in the first partition wall. The first separation wall 224b corresponds to the rear wall 226 side of the lower wall 224. The first separating wall 224b and the first connecting wall 224c are included in the second partition wall.

The first recessed wall 224a is located closer to the upper wall 223 than the first separation wall 224b in the z direction. Therefore, the separation distance between the first recessed wall 224a and the upper wall 223 is shorter than the separation distance between the first separation wall 224b and the upper wall 223. The first storage space has a shorter length in the z direction than the second storage space.

Due to this configuration, the number of battery cells 210 stored in the first storage space is smaller than the number of battery cells 210 stored in the second storage space. The number of battery cells 210 included in the first battery stack 213 is smaller than the number of battery cells 210 included in the second battery stack 214. In this embodiment, the first battery stack 213 includes a total of ten battery cells 210. A total of 12 battery cells 210 are included in the second battery stack 214.

In order to store the battery cells 210 of the first battery stack 213 and the second battery stack 214 in individual storage spaces, a total of nine partition walls 228 are provided in the first storage space, as shown in FIG. A total of 11 partition walls 228 are provided in the two storage spaces. As a result, the first storage space is divided into a total of 10 individual storage spaces, and the second storage space is divided into a total of 12 individual storage spaces.

<Concave space>
As shown in FIG. 4, each of the 10 battery cells 210 included in the first battery stack 213 has a dividing wall 227 with each of 10 of the 12 battery cells 210 included in the second battery stack 214. They are lined up in the y direction through the However, of the total of 12 battery cells 210 included in the second battery stack 214, the two battery cells 210 located closest to the lower wall 224 are lined up in the y direction with the battery cells 210 included in the first battery stack 213. Not there.

These two battery cells 210 face the first connecting wall 224c in the y direction. These two battery cells 210 are lined up in the y direction in a concave space 229 where the projection area of the first connection wall 224c in the y direction and the projection area of the first concave wall 224a in the z direction overlap. In FIGS. 3 to 5 and 8 to 10, this concave space 229 is shown surrounded by broken lines. The concave space 229 corresponds to the space.

The concave space 229 is pseudo-divided by a first concave wall 224a and a first connecting wall 224c of the lower wall 224. The length of the concave space 229 in the y direction is equal to the length of the first concave wall 224a in the y direction. The length of the concave space 229 in the z direction is equal to the length of the first connecting wall 224c in the z direction.

<First flange part>
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a first flange portion 230 is formed on the outer wall surface of the side wall 222 and extends in the z direction or the y direction so as to be spaced apart from the storage space of the battery case 220. The first flange portion 230 has a flat shape with a thin thickness in the x direction. In this embodiment, one first flange portion 230 is formed on the upper wall 223, two on the first separating wall 224b, three on the front wall 225, and one on the rear wall 226.

A metal collar 230a is insert molded into the first flange portion 230. The collar 230a has an annular shape opening in the x direction. A hollow portion of the collar 230a is exposed from the first flange portion 230. The shaft of the bolt is passed through this hollow space. The shaft portion of this bolt is then fastened to the body of the two-wheeled vehicle.

<Small flange part>
A plurality of small flanges 231 are formed on the outer surface of the side wall 222 and extend in the z direction or the y direction so as to be spaced apart from the storage space of the battery case 220 . The small flange portion 231 has a flat shape with a thin thickness in the x direction. The small flange portion 231 is smaller in size than the first flange portion 230. The tip of the small flange portion 231 is located closer to the opening of the battery case 220 than the tip of the first flange portion 230 .

As shown in FIG. 3, first bolt holes 231a are formed in each of the small flange portion 231 and the dividing wall 227. The first bolt holes 231a are open to the upper surface of the small flange portion 231 and the tip end surface of the dividing wall 227. A thread groove is formed in the wall surface that partitions the first bolt hole 231a. As will be described later, the bus bar module 300 is bolted to the battery case 220 by fastening a screw to the first bolt hole 231a.

<Output terminal>
A negative output terminal 232 and a positive output terminal 233 are integrally connected to the lower wall 224 . Each of the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 includes a terminal block 234 extending from the lower wall 224 in a manner separated from the storage space of the battery case 220, and an external connection terminal 235 fixed to the terminal block 234. . The negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 correspond to a first external connection terminal and a second external connection terminal.

Terminal block 234 is made of the same insulating material as side wall 222. The terminal block 234 has a flat shape with a small thickness in the z direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the terminal block 234 is located between the first flange portion 230 and the small flange portion 231 in the x direction.

The external connection terminal 235 is a bolt made of a conductive material such as metal. The head of the external connection terminal 235 is embedded in the terminal block 234. The shaft portion of the external connection terminal 235 is exposed from the top surface of the terminal block 234. This shaft portion extends in the x direction in a manner that is spaced apart from the bottom wall 221.

The terminal blocks 234 of the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 extend from the first recessed wall 224a of the lower wall 224 in the z direction. Therefore, both the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 are located in the concave space 229.

The positions of the terminal blocks 234 of the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 in the x direction are the same. Therefore, the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 are lined up so as to face each other in the direction (y direction) that connects them.

<Busba case>
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the bus bar case 310 includes a first bus bar case 311 and a second bus bar case 312. Each of the first bus bar case 311 and the second bus bar case 312 is manufactured from an insulating resin material.

The first bus bar case 311 is provided on the tip end surface of the first partition wall that constitutes the first storage space. The second busbar case 312 is provided on the tip end surface of the second partition wall that constitutes the second storage space.

As described above, the first storage space has a shorter length in the z direction than the second storage space. Therefore, the first bus bar case 311 has a shorter length in the z direction than the second bus bar case 312.

Each of the first bus bar case 311 and the second bus bar case 312 has a frame portion 313 and an inner plate 314. The frame portion 313 has an annular shape in the circumferential direction around the x direction. The hollow part of the frame part 313 is defined by the annular inner surface of the frame part 313.

To explain in detail, the frame portion 313 has an upper plate 315 and a lower plate 316 that are spaced apart in the z direction and a lower plate 316, and a front plate 317 and a rear plate 318 that are spaced apart and lined up in the y direction. The upper plate 315 and the lower plate 316 each have a flat plate shape with a thin thickness in the z direction and extend in the y direction. The front plate 317 and the rear plate 318 each have a flat plate shape with a thin thickness in the y direction and extend in the z direction. An upper plate 315, a rear plate 318, a lower plate 316, and a front plate 317 are connected in order in the circumferential direction around the x direction. As a result, the frame portion 313 has an annular shape in the circumferential direction around the x direction.

The inner plate 314 has a flat shape with a thin thickness in the x direction. The inner plate 314 is connected to the inner surface of the frame portion 313. A hollow part of the frame portion 313 is occupied by the inner plate 314 .

To explain in more detail, the inner plate 314 is connected to the center side of each of the four plates of the frame portion 313 in the x direction. The inner plate 314 roughly divides the hollow space of the frame portion 313 into two parts, an upper surface side and a lower surface side, in the x direction. A portion of the battery cell 210 exposed from the battery case 220 is accommodated in the hollow space on the lower surface side of the frame portion 313 .

The first bus bar case 311 is provided in the battery case 220 in such a manner that the lower surface of the inner plate 314 faces the first end surface 210c of each of the plurality of battery cells 210 of the first battery stack 213 in the x direction. As a result, the lower surface of the frame portion 313 is arranged to face the front end surface of the first partition wall constituting the first storage space in the x direction. Between the upper plate 315 and the lower plate 316, exposed portions of each of the plurality of battery cells 210 from the first storage space are arranged in the z direction. In this way, the first bus bar case 311 and the first partition wall function to house the plurality of battery cells 210 included in the first battery stack 213.

The second busbar case 312 is provided in the battery case 220 in such a manner that the lower surface of the inner plate 314 faces the first end surface 210c of each of the plurality of battery cells 210 of the second battery stack 214 in the x direction. As a result, the lower surface of the frame portion 313 is arranged to face the front end surface of the second partition wall constituting the second storage space in the x direction. Between the upper plate 315 and the lower plate 316, exposed portions of each of the plurality of battery cells 210 from the second storage space are arranged in the z direction. In this way, the second busbar case 312 and the second partition wall function to house the plurality of battery cells 210 included in the second battery stack 214.

<Second flange part>
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, on the outer surfaces of the front plate 317 and rear plate 318 of the first bus bar case 311 and the second bus bar case 312, a second A flange portion 319 is formed. The second flange portion 319 is also formed on the upper plate 315 and lower plate 316 of the first busbar case 311 in this embodiment. A second bolt hole 319a penetrating in the x direction is formed in the second flange portion 319.

The second bolt hole 319a communicates with the first bolt hole 231a of the battery case 220 in the x direction when the bus bar case 310 is provided in the battery case 220. The shaft portion of the bolt is passed through the second bolt hole 319a and the first bolt hole 231a. Then, the tip side of the shaft portion of the bolt is fastened to the thread groove of the first bolt hole 231a. As a result, the busbar case 310 is bolted to the battery case 220.

<Wiring pedestal>
A wiring pedestal 320 is integrally connected to the outer surface of the upper plate 315 of each of the first bus bar case 311 and the second bus bar case 312, and extends in the y direction while being spaced apart from the hollow of the frame portion 313 in the z direction. In a state where the first bus bar case 311 and the second bus bar case 312 are each provided in the battery case 220, the wiring pedestal 320 is located outside the projection area in the x direction of the storage space of the battery case 220. A part of the wiring case 370 is provided on this wiring pedestal 320. That is, the wiring pedestal 320 of the first busbar case 311 is provided with a first upper portion 376, which will be described later. A second upper portion 380, which will be described later, is provided on the wiring pedestal 320 of the second busbar case 312.

<Fixed part>
A first fixing portion 321 is formed on the outer surface of the rear plate 318 of the first bus bar case 311 . A second fixing portion 322 is formed on the outer surface of the front plate 317 of the second bus bar case 312 . The first fixing portion 321 extends from the rear plate 318 toward the second bus bar case 312. The second fixing portion 322 extends from the front plate 317 toward the first bus bar case 311.

The first fixing part 321 and the second fixing part 322 are arranged to face each other in the x direction. These two fixing parts are connected by fitting. Alternatively, these two fixed parts are connected by bolts. This connection mechanically connects the first bus bar case 311 and the second bus bar case 312.

<1st male part>
A first male portion 323 is formed on the outer surface of each of the front plate 317 of the first bus bar case 311 and the rear plate 318 of the second bus bar case 312 so as to protrude from the hollow of the frame portion 313 in the y direction. The first male part 323 serves to assemble the wiring case 370 to the busbar case 310.

In this embodiment, three first male parts 323 are formed on the front plate 317 of the first bus bar case 311. Three first male parts 323 are formed on the rear plate 318 of the second busbar case 312.

<Second male part>
A second male portion 324 is formed on the outer surface of the upper plate 315 and the lower plate 316 of the first bus bar case 311 and the second bus bar case 312, respectively, so as to protrude from the hollow of the frame portion 313 in the z direction. The second male portion 324 serves to attach the cover 400 to the busbar case 310.

In this embodiment, two second male parts 324 are formed on the upper plate 315 of each of the first bus bar case 311 and the second bus bar case 312. One second male portion 324 is formed on the lower plate 316 of the first bus bar case 311 . Two second male parts 324 are formed on the lower plate 316 of the second bus bar case 312.

<Opening window>
A plurality of opening windows 325 are formed in the inner plate 314 of each of the first bus bar case 311 and the second bus bar case 312 to allow the tips of the negative terminal 211 and the positive terminal 212 of each battery cell 210 to protrude. The opening window 325 is a through hole that opens into the lower surface of the inner plate 314 on the battery case 220 side and the upper surface on the back side thereof. The plurality of open windows 325 are spaced apart from each other in the z direction and the y direction.

<Placement hole>
An arrangement hole 326 and a fixed arm portion 327 are formed in the inner plate 314 of each of the first bus bar case 311 and the second bus bar case 312. The arrangement hole 326 is a through hole that opens to the lower surface and the upper surface of the inner plate 314. The arrangement hole 326 is spaced apart from the opening window 325 in the y direction.

The fixed arm portion 327 extends in the x direction so as to be spaced apart from the upper surface of the inner plate 314, and then extends in the y direction. A portion of the fixed arm portion 327 extending in the y direction faces the arrangement hole 326 while being spaced apart from it in the x direction.

With the first bus bar case 311 and the second bus bar case 312 each provided in the battery case 220, the first end surface 210c of some of the plurality of battery cells 210 and the portion of the fixed arm portion 327 extending in the y direction are arranged. They are arranged opposite to each other through the hollow of the hole 326. A temperature sensor 351, which will be described later, is provided between the battery cell 210 and the fixed arm portion 327.

Note that a third bolt hole 314a for fixing the monitoring board 390 is formed in the inner plate 314 of the first busbar case 311. The third bolt hole 314a opens on the upper surface of the inner plate 314. A threaded groove is formed in the wall surface that partitions the third bolt hole 314a. The monitoring board 390 is bolted to the first busbar case 311 by fastening the shaft portion of the bolt to this thread groove.

<Busbar>
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the bus bar 330 includes a series bus bar 331, a connecting bus bar 332, a negative bus bar 333, and a positive bus bar 334. Each of these four types of bus bars is manufactured from conductive copper, aluminum, or the like.

<Series bus bar and connected bus bar>
Each of the series bus bar 331 and the connection bus bar 332 has two terminal conductive parts 335 and one connection conductive part 336. The series bus bar 331 and the connection bus bar 332 have equivalent components.

However, the serial bus bar 331 and the connected bus bar 332 have different functions. The series bus bar 331 functions to electrically connect the plurality of battery cells 210 included in the battery stack. The connection bus bar 332 functions to electrically connect each battery stack.

Due to the difference in function, the arrangement of the connection bus bar 332 and the series bus bar 331 with respect to the battery cell 210 is different. When placed in the battery cell 210, the two terminal conductive parts 335 of the series bus bar 331 are spaced apart from each other in the z direction. The two terminal conductive parts 335 of the connecting bus bar 332 are spaced apart from each other in the y direction. Note that the connected bus bar 332 is larger than the serial bus bar 331.

The terminal conductive portion 335 has a flat plate shape with a thin thickness in the x direction. The thickness of the terminal conductive portion 335 is determined so as to prevent the temperature from increasing to the extent that the performance of the battery cell 210 changes due to the laser during laser welding between the terminal conductive portion 335 and the electrode terminal of the battery cell 210. There is.

The connecting conductive part 336 integrally connects the two terminal conductive parts 335. The connecting conductive portion 336 extends away from one of the two terminal conductive portions 335 in the x direction, then turns back and extends in the x direction toward the other of the two terminal conductive portions 335. Due to this configuration, the connecting conductive portion 336 has a property of being easily deformed in the direction in which the two terminal conductive portions 335 are lined up.

This is because the connecting conductive portion 336 is deformed in accordance with the expansion of the battery cell 210. Further, as will be explained below, this is to facilitate changing the positions of the two terminal conductive parts 335 in accordance with the relative positions of the negative electrode terminal 211 and the positive electrode terminal 212 to be connected.

As described above, the plurality of battery cells 210 are individually press-fitted into the plurality of individual storage spaces provided in the battery case 220. This press-fitting causes the minute projections to be elastically deformed. The plurality of battery cells 210 are fixed to the battery case 220 by the restoring force of this protrusion.

There are variations in the shapes of these plurality of minute protrusions due to manufacturing errors. Therefore, there is a possibility that the fixing positions of the plurality of battery cells 210 with respect to the battery case 220 may vary. There is a possibility that variations may occur in the positions of the electrode terminals of the plurality of battery cells 210 included in each battery stack in the z direction. There is a possibility that variations may occur in the positions of the electrode terminals of the battery cells 210 included in the first battery stack 213 and the electrode terminals of the battery cells 210 included in the second battery stack 214 in the y direction.

The two terminal conductive parts 335 of the series bus bar 331 are laser welded to the negative terminal 211 and the positive terminal 212 at different positions in the z direction. The two terminal conductive parts 335 of the connecting bus bar 332 are laser welded to the negative terminal 211 and the positive terminal 212 at different positions in the y direction.

Before this laser welding, the connecting conductive portion 336 of the series bus bar 331 is deformed in the z direction. The connecting conductive portion 336 of the connecting bus bar 332 is deformed in the y direction. By doing so, the positions of the two terminal conductive parts 335 are aligned with the positions of the negative electrode terminal 211 and the positive electrode terminal 212 to be connected. One of the two terminal conductive parts 335 is brought into contact with the positive electrode terminal 212, and the other of the two terminal conductive parts 335 is brought into contact with the negative electrode terminal 211. In this contact state, the terminal conductive portion 335 and the electrode terminal are irradiated with a laser to weld them together.

By laser welding the series bus bar 331 and the electrode terminals of the battery cells 210, the plurality of battery cells 210 included in each battery stack are electrically connected in series. A plurality of battery cells 210 included in each battery stack are arranged in the z direction in order of potential. The battery cell 210 with the lowest potential is located on one side of both ends of the plurality of battery cells 210 lined up in the z direction, and the battery cell 210 with the highest potential is located on the other side.

In the first battery stack 213, the battery cell 210 with the lowest potential is located on the first concave wall 224a side of the lower wall 224, and the battery cell 210 with the highest potential is located on the upper wall 223 side. In the second battery stack 214, the battery cell 210 with the lowest potential is located on the upper wall 223 side, and the battery cell 210 with the highest potential is located on the first separation wall 224b side.

The highest potential battery cell 210 of the first battery stack 213 and the lowest potential battery cell 210 of the second battery stack 214 are lined up in the y direction on the upper wall 223 side. The connection bus bar 332 is connected to the positive terminal 212 of the battery cell 210 having the highest potential and the negative terminal 211 of the battery cell 210 having the lowest potential. Thereby, the first battery stack 213 and the second battery stack 214 are electrically connected in series.

Due to the electrical series connection described above, the battery cell 210 with the lowest potential among the plurality of battery cells 210 included in the two battery stacks is located on the first concave wall 224a side. The battery cell 210 with the highest potential is located on the first separation wall 224b side. A negative bus bar 333 is connected to the negative terminal 211 of the battery cell 210 at the lowest potential. A positive bus bar 334 is connected to the positive terminal 212 of the battery cell 210 at the highest potential.

<Negative bus bar and positive bus bar>
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, each of the negative bus bar 333 and the positive bus bar 334 has one terminal conductive portion 335, an output conductive portion 337, and a relay conductive portion 338. The terminal conductive portion 335 is integrally connected to the output conductive portion 337 via a relay conductive portion 338.

Terminal conductive portion 335 is laser welded to the electrode terminal of battery cell 210. The relay conductive portion 338 extends in the y direction so as to be spaced apart from the terminal conductive portion 335. The output conductive part 337 extends in the x direction in a manner that is spaced apart from the relay conductive part 338, then folds back and extends in the x direction, and extends in the z direction in a manner that it is spaced apart from each of the terminal conductive part 335 and the relay conductive part 338. The output conductive portion 337 is arranged to face the lower plate 316 of the first bus bar case 311 and the first concave wall 224a of the battery case 220 in the z direction.

The terminal conductive portion 335 of the negative bus bar 333 is laser welded to the negative terminal 211 of the battery cell 210 at the lowest potential. The relay conductive portion 338 of the negative bus bar 333 extends in the y direction from the terminal conductive portion 335 toward the front wall 225 side. The output conductive portion 337 of the negative bus bar 333 is arranged to face the lower plate 316 of the first bus bar case 311 and the front wall 225 side of the first recessed wall 224a in the z direction. This output conductive portion 337 is arranged to face the terminal block 234 of the negative output terminal 232 in the x direction. The relay conductive portion 338 of the negative bus bar 333 corresponds to a relay portion.

The terminal conductive portion 335 of the positive bus bar 334 is laser welded to the positive terminal 212 of the battery cell 210 at the highest potential. The relay conductive portion 338 of the positive bus bar 334 extends in the y direction from the terminal conductive portion 335 toward the recessed space 229. The output conductive portion 337 of the positive bus bar 334 is arranged to face the lower plate 316 of the second bus bar case 312 and the first connection wall 224c side of the first recessed wall 224a in the z direction. This output conductive portion 337 is arranged to face the terminal block 234 of the positive output terminal 233 in the x direction.

An output hole 337a penetrating in the x direction is formed in a portion of the output conductive portion 337 of each of the negative bus bar 333 and the positive bus bar 334 that extends in the z direction. The shaft portion of the external connection terminal 235 is passed through this output hole 337a.

Further, a terminal of a wire harness is passed through the shaft portion of this external connection terminal 235. A nut is then fastened to the shaft portion of the external connection terminal 235. As a result, the output conductive portion 337 and the terminal of the wire harness are held between the terminal block 234 and the nut. The output conductive portion 337 and the terminal of the wire harness come into contact, and the two are electrically connected.

<Power converter>
A wire harness electrically connected to the output conductive portion 337 is electrically connected to a power conversion device that controls driving of a motor as a power source of the two-wheeled vehicle. DC power from the battery pack 100 is supplied to this power converter. The power conversion device corresponds to the external device.

The power converter converts the supplied DC power into AC power. This AC power is supplied to the motor. This causes the motor to run. Conversely, AC power generated by the motor is converted to DC power by the power converter. This DC power is supplied to the battery pack 100. This charges the battery pack 100.

<Conductive extension>
A conductive extension portion 339 extends from each of the two terminal conductive portions 335 provided in the series bus bar 331 described above. A conductive extension portion 339 extends from a terminal conductive portion 335 that is connected to the negative electrode terminal 211 of the battery cell 210 of the second battery stack 214 out of the two terminal conductive portions 335 of the connecting bus bar 332 . The conductive extension portion 339 extends from the terminal conductive portion 335 in such a manner that it is spaced apart from the current path between the connection portion of one of the two terminal conductive portions 335 with the negative electrode terminal 211 and the connection portion of the other terminal conductive portion 335 with the positive electrode terminal 212. ing.

A conductive extension portion 339 extends from one terminal conductive portion 335 provided in the negative electrode bus bar 333 . The conductive extension portion 339 extends from the terminal conductive portion 335 in a manner that it is spaced apart from the current path between the connection portion of the terminal conductive portion 335 with the negative electrode terminal 211 and the connection portion of the output conductive portion 337 with the negative output terminal 232. ing.

A conductive extension portion 339 extends from one relay conductive portion 338 provided in the positive bus bar 334 . The conductive extension portion 339 extends from the relay conductive portion 338 in such a manner that it is spaced apart from the current path between the connecting portion of the terminal conductive portion 335 with the positive electrode terminal 212 and the connecting portion of the output conductive portion 337 with the positive output terminal 233. ing.

As shown above, the conductive extension portion 339 extends away from the current paths of the various bus bars. Therefore, it is difficult for current to flow through the conductive extension portion 339.

A voltage detection hole 339a penetrating in the x direction is formed in this conductive extension portion 339. A voltage detection terminal 355 of a voltage sensor 352, which will be described later, is electrically connected to this voltage detection hole 339a by a detection screw 357. In addition, in the series bus bar 331, the voltage detection hole 339a is formed in only one of the conductive extension parts 339 extending from each of the two terminal conductive parts 335.

<Sensor>
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the sensor 350 includes a temperature sensor 351 and a voltage sensor 352. The temperature sensor 351 detects the temperature of a representative battery cell 210 to be detected among the plurality of battery cells 210. Voltage sensor 352 detects the output voltage of each of the plurality of battery cells 210 connected in series.

<Temperature sensor>
The temperature sensor 351 includes a thermistor 353 and a temperature detection wiring 354 that electrically connects the thermistor 353 and the monitoring board 390. Furthermore, the temperature sensor 351 includes a resin body that protects the thermistor 353 and a spring body fixed to the resin body.

The temperature sensor 351 is placed on the first end surface 210c of the battery cell 210 to be detected through the placement hole 326 of the busbar case 310. Thermistor 353 is brought into contact with this first end surface 210c. At the same time, the spring body is brought into contact with the fixed arm portion 327.

In this arrangement state, the spring body contracts in the x direction. This generates a restoring force that moves away from the spring body along the x direction. This restoring force presses the thermistor 353 against the first end surface 210c.

As shown in FIG. 8, one temperature sensor 351 is provided in the first battery stack 213 in this embodiment. Three temperature sensors 351 are provided in the second battery stack 214. A temperature detection wiring 354 extends from the thermistor 353 of each of these four temperature sensors 351 toward a wiring connector 373, which will be described later. The temperature detection wiring 354 is an insulated wire whose conducting wire is covered with an insulating film. Note that in each drawing, only one end side of the temperature detection wiring 354 is shown to avoid complication of notation.

<Voltage sensor>
Voltage sensor 352 has voltage detection terminal 355, voltage detection wiring 356, and detection screw 357. A through hole penetrating in the x direction is formed in the voltage detection terminal 355. The voltage detection terminal 355 is arranged to face the conductive extension part 339 in such a manner that this through hole and the voltage detection hole 339a of the conductive extension part 339 communicate with each other in the x direction. The shaft portion of the detection screw 357 is passed through this through hole and the voltage detection hole 339a, and a nut is fastened to this shaft portion.

The shaft side of the head of the detection screw 357 contacts the upper surface of the voltage detection terminal 355, and the nut contacts the lower surface of the conductive extension portion 339. The voltage detection terminal 355 and the conductive extension part 339 are held between the head of the detection screw 357 and the nut, and the two are in contact with each other.

Thereby, each of the plurality of voltage detection terminals 355 and each of the plurality of conductive extension parts 339 are individually electrically connected. One of the plurality of voltage detection terminals 355 is electrically connected to one of the series bus bar 331, the connection bus bar 332, the negative bus bar 333, and the positive bus bar 334. Each of the plurality of voltage detection terminals 355 is electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells 210.

Each of the plurality of voltage detection wirings 356 extends from each of the plurality of voltage detection terminals 355 toward the wiring connector 373. The voltage detection wiring 356 is an insulated wire whose conducting wire is covered with an insulating film. In each drawing, only one end of the voltage detection wiring 356 is shown to avoid complication of notation.

<Detection screw arrangement>
As shown in FIG. 8, the series bus bar 331, the connecting bus bar 332, the negative bus bar 333, and the positive bus bar 334 described above are arranged in the z direction. At the same time, a plurality of detection screws 357 connected to the conductive extensions 339 of these four types of bus bars are arranged in the z direction.

Five series bus bars 331 are lined up in the z direction on the front plate 317 side of the first bus bar case 311. On the rear plate 318 side of the first bus bar case 311, a negative bus bar 333, four series bus bars 331, and a connecting bus bar 332 are arranged in the z direction. Five heads of the detection screws 357 are lined up in the z direction on the front plate 317 side, and five heads are lined up in the z direction on the rear plate 318 side.

On the front plate 317 side of the second bus bar case 312, a positive bus bar 334, five series bus bars 331, and a connecting bus bar 332 are arranged in the z direction. Six series bus bars 331 are arranged in the z direction on the rear plate 318 side of the second bus bar case 312. Seven heads of the detection screws 357 are lined up in the z direction on the front plate 317 side, and six heads are lined up in the z direction on the rear plate 318 side.

Two detection screws 357 arranged next to each other in the z direction have different battery cells 210 to which they are electrically connected. Therefore, these two detection screws 357 have different potentials. A part of the wiring case 370 is provided between these two detection screws 357 having different potentials. This suppresses electrical connection between the two detection screws 357.

<Wiring case>
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, the wiring case 370 includes a first wiring case 371, a second wiring case 372, and a wiring connector 373. The first wiring case 371, the second wiring case 372, and the wiring connector 373 are each manufactured from an insulating resin material.

Each of the first wiring case 371 and the second wiring case 372 has a wiring frame portion 374 that is annular in the circumferential direction around the x direction. The first wiring case 371 further includes a relay wiring section 375.

The wiring frame portion 374 of the first wiring case 371 has a first upper part 376 and a first lower part 377 that are spaced apart from each other in the z direction, and a first exterior 378 and a first interior 379 that are spaced apart from each other in the y direction. The first upper part 376, the first inner part 379, the first lower part 377, and the first outer part 378 are connected in order in the circumferential direction around the x direction. The hollow space of the wiring frame 374 is defined by the inner surfaces of the four components of the wiring frame 374 of the first wiring case 371.

The wiring frame portion 374 of the second wiring case 372 has a second upper portion 380 and a second lower portion 381 that are spaced apart from each other in the z direction, and a second interior 382 and a second exterior 383 that are spaced apart from each other in the y direction. The second upper part 380, the second outer part 383, the second lower part 381, and the second inner part 382 are connected in order in the circumferential direction around the x direction. The hollow space of the wiring frame part 374 is defined by the inner surfaces of the four components of the wiring frame part 374 of the second wiring case 372.

The first upper part 376 of the first wiring case 371 has a cylindrical shape with the y-direction as its axis. Of the two ends of the first upper part 376, the first exterior 378 side is closed, and the first interior 379 side is open. The second upper part 380 of the second wiring case 372 has a cylindrical shape whose axis is in the y direction. Of the two ends of the second upper part 380, the second interior 382 side is closed, and the second exterior 383 side is open.

The first wiring case 371 and the second wiring case 372 are lined up in the y direction with the first interior 379 and the second interior 382 facing each other. Thereby, the opening of the first upper part 376 and the opening of the second upper part 380 are opposed to each other in the y direction.

A communication hole that opens in the z direction is formed on the inner side of the two ends of each of the first upper part 376 and the second upper part 380. A first exterior 378 and a first interior 379 are connected to a portion of the first upper portion 376 where the communication hole is formed. A second inner portion 382 and a second outer portion 383 are connected to a portion of the second upper portion 380 where the communication hole is formed.

<First passage section>
Each of the first exterior 378 and the second exterior 383 has a box-shaped first passage portion 384 that extends in the z direction and opens in the x direction. A communication hole is formed at the first upper portion 376 side of the two ends of the first passage portion 384 of the first exterior 378 . A communication hole is formed on the second upper portion 380 side of the two ends of the first passage portion 384 of the second exterior 383 .

The first exterior 378 and the first upper part 376 are connected in such a manner that the communication hole of the first passage section 384 of the first exterior 378 and the communication hole of the first upper part 376 communicate with each other. The second exterior 383 and the second upper part 380 are connected in such a manner that the communication hole of the first passage section 384 of the second exterior 383 and the communication hole of the second upper part 380 communicate with each other.

<Second passage section and intervening wiring section>
Each of the first interior 379 and the second interior 382 has a second passage section 385 and a plurality of intervening wiring sections 386. The second passage portion 385 has a hollow space extending in the z direction. The plurality of intervening wiring sections 386 extend in the z direction and have a box shape that opens in the x direction.

One of the two ends of the second passage section 385 is open and the other is closed. The first interior 379 and the first upper portion 376 are connected in such a manner that the opening of the second passage portion 385 provided in the first interior 379 and the communication hole of the first upper portion 376 communicate with each other. The second interior 382 and the second upper part 380 are connected in such a manner that the opening of the second passage section 385 provided in the second interior 382 and the communication hole of the second upper part 380 communicate with each other.

A plurality of communication holes are formed on the inner surface of the second passage portion 385 of the first interior 379 . A plurality of communication holes are formed on the outer surface of the second passage portion 385 of the second interior 382 . Communication holes are also formed on each side of the plurality of intervening wiring parts 386. A plurality of intervening wiring sections 386 are connected to the second passage section 385 in such a manner that the communication hole of the second passage section 385 and the communication hole of the intervening wiring section 386 communicate with each other.

The first lower part 377 and the second lower part 381 each have a plate shape extending in the y direction.

In the first wiring case 371, a first passage portion 384 of a first exterior 378 is connected to a first lower portion 377. An intervening wiring part 386 located closest to the first lower part 377 among the plurality of intervening wiring parts 386 included in the first interior 379 is connected to the first lower part 377 .

In the second wiring case 372, the intervening wiring part 386 located closest to the second lower part 381 among the plurality of intervening wiring parts 386 included in the second interior 382 is connected to the second lower part 381. A first passage portion 384 of the second exterior 383 is connected to the second lower portion 381 .

As will be described later, a monitoring board 390 is provided in the hollow of the wiring frame portion 374 of the first wiring case 371. On the other hand, the monitoring board 390 is not provided in the hollow part of the wiring frame part 374 of the second wiring case 372.

Because of this arrangement, the wiring frame portion 374 of the first wiring case 371 has a longer length in the y direction than the wiring frame portion 374 of the second wiring case 372. The first upper part 376 and the first lower part 377 are each longer in length in the y direction than the second upper part 380 and the second lower part 381, respectively.

<First female part>
A first female part 387 is formed on the outer surface of each of the first external part 378 and the second external part 383 so as to extend away from the wiring frame part 374 along the x direction. In this embodiment, three first female portions 387 are formed on the first exterior 378. Three first female portions 387 are formed on the second exterior 383.

The first female part 387 has a hole that opens in the y direction. The first male part 323 of the first busbar case 311 is inserted into the hollow of the first female part 387 of the first wiring case 371 . The first male part 323 of the second bus bar case 312 is inserted into the hollow of the first female part 387 of the second wiring case 372 . As a result, the wiring case 370 is assembled and fixed to the bus bar case 310.

<Storage of detection screw and voltage detection wiring>
The first wiring case 371 is provided in the battery case 220 in such a manner that it partially overlaps the bus bar 330 provided in the first bus bar case 311 in the x direction. Five detection screws 357 arranged in the z direction on the front plate 317 side are provided in the hollow of the first passage portion 384 of the first exterior 378 . At the same time, one end side of five voltage detection wirings 356 is housed in the first passage portion 384. These five voltage detection wires 356 extend toward the hollow side of the first upper portion 376 in the first passage portion 384 .

The plurality of intervening wiring parts 386 of the first wiring case 371 are provided between the five detection screws 357 arranged in the z direction on the rear plate 318 side of the first busbar case 311. One end side of the five voltage detection wirings 356 is housed in the hollows of the plurality of intervening wiring parts 386. These five voltage detection wires 356 extend toward the hollow side of the first upper portion 376 in the second passage portion 385.

The second wiring case 372 is provided in the battery case 220 so as to partially overlap the bus bar 330 provided in the second bus bar case 312 in the x direction. Six detection screws 357 arranged in the z direction on the rear plate 318 side are provided in the hollow of the first passage portion 384 of the second exterior 383 . At the same time, one end side of six voltage detection wirings 356 is accommodated in this first passage portion 384. These six voltage detection wires 356 extend toward the hollow side of the second upper portion 380 in the first passage portion 384 . These six voltage detection wirings 356 protrude from the opening of the second upper part 380 and extend into the hollow of the first upper part 376.

The plurality of intervening wiring sections 386 of the second wiring case 372 are arranged between the six detection screws 357 on the lower plate 316 side of the seven detection screws 357 arranged in the z direction on the front plate 317 side of the second busbar case 312. established in One end side of five voltage detection wirings 356 electrically connected to the five central detection screws 357 of the seven detection screws 357 is housed in the hollows of the plurality of intervening wiring parts 386. These five voltage detection wires 356 extend toward the hollow side of the second upper portion 380 in the second passage portion 385 . These five voltage detection wires 356 protrude from the opening of the second upper part 380 and extend into the first upper part 376.

Further, one end side of the voltage detection wiring 356 electrically connected to one detection screw 357 located closest to the upper plate 315 is housed in the hollow of the second upper part 380. One end of the voltage detection wiring 356 electrically connected to one detection screw 357 located closest to the lower plate 316 is housed in the second passage portion 385 . This voltage detection wiring 356 also extends toward the hollow side of the second upper portion 380 in the second passage portion 385 . This one voltage detection wiring 356 also protrudes from the opening of the second upper part 380 and extends into the hollow of the first upper part 376.

As described above, the potentials of the two detection screws 357 that are arranged next to each other in the z direction are different. The first passage section 384 and the intervening wiring section 386 each include an insulating wall provided between these two detection screws 357. In the second bus bar case 312, a plate portion protruding from the second wiring case 372 is provided between the two detection screws 357 located closest to the top plate 315 on the front plate 317 side.

<Storage of temperature detection wiring>
As described above, the first wiring case 371 has the relay wiring section 375. As shown in FIG. 9, the relay wiring section 375 is located in the hollow of the wiring frame section 374 of the first wiring case 371. The relay wiring section 375 extends in the z direction in such a manner as to bridge the first lower part 377 side of the first outer part 378 and the first upper part 376 side of the first inner part 379. The temperature detection wiring 354 of the temperature sensor 351 provided in the first battery stack 213 is housed in the hollow of the relay wiring section 375. The temperature detection wiring 354 extends from the first lower portion 377 side toward the first upper portion 376 side.

An opening is formed in the inner surface of the second passage portion 385 of the second interior 382 of the second wiring case 372 . Temperature detection wiring 354 of a plurality of temperature sensors 351 provided in the second battery stack 214 is housed in this opening. The plurality of temperature detection wires 354 extend toward the hollow side of the second upper portion 380 in the second passage portion 385 . The plurality of temperature detection wirings 354 protrude from the opening of the second upper part 380 and extend into the hollow of the first upper part 376.

<Bundling of detection wiring>
A wiring hole 376a that opens toward the hollow side of the wiring frame portion 374 of the first wiring case 371 in the z direction is formed on the inner surface of the center side of the first upper part 376 of the first wiring case 371. The other ends of the plurality of voltage detection wirings 356 and temperature detection wirings 354 extending into the hollow of the first upper part 376 extend toward the wiring hole 376a of the first upper part 376 of the first wiring case 371. . The other end sides of each of the plurality of voltage detection wirings 356 and temperature detection wirings 354 protrude out of the hollow of the first upper part 376 as a bundle from the wiring hole 376a.

The wiring connector 373 is connected to the first wiring case 371 so as to face the wiring hole 376a in the z direction. The bundle on the other end side of the plurality of detection wirings protruding from the wiring hole 376a is inserted into the wiring connector 373 from the first upper part 376 side. The other end sides of the plurality of detection wirings are electrically connected to the first upper part 376 side of the plurality of connection pins provided in the wiring connector 373. As a result, a plurality of detection wirings are bundled into the wiring connector 373. The first lower portion 377 side of the plurality of connection pins is electrically connected to the monitoring board 390.

<Monitoring board>
The monitoring board 390 has a circuit board 391, a first connector 392, and a second connector 393. The circuit board 391 has a flat plate shape with a thin thickness in the x direction. The circuit board 391 extends in the z direction. A first connector 392 is mounted on one of the two ends of the circuit board 391, and a second connector 393 is mounted on the other end.

As shown in FIG. 10, with the monitoring board 390 bolted to the inner plate 314 of the first bus bar case 311, the wiring connector 373 is disposed opposite to the first connector 392. These first connectors 392 and wiring connectors 373 are connected.

The second connector 393 is located on the first concave wall 224a side of the battery case 220 in the z direction. A portion of the second connector 393 is aligned with the lower plate 316 of the first bus bar case 311 and the first recessed wall 224a in the x direction. A battery ECU is electrically connected to this second connector 393 via a wire harness. The connection portion of this wire harness with the second connector 393 is provided in the projection area of the recessed space 229 in the x direction.

Although not shown, circuit parts electrically connected to the first connector 392 and the second connector 393 are formed on the circuit board 391. The circuit section includes a high voltage circuit section, a low voltage circuit section, and an insulation circuit section. The circuit board 391 corresponds to a monitoring section.

The high voltage circuit section is electrically connected to the first connector 392. The low voltage circuit section is electrically connected to the second connector 393. The insulating circuit section has the function of electrically insulating the high-voltage circuit section and the low-voltage circuit section and transmitting and receiving signals between the two.

The high voltage circuit section has a monitoring IC chip. The monitoring IC chip converts an analog signal as a detection result inputted from the sensor 350 into a digital signal. The insulation 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. The microcomputer communicates with the battery ECU to output a digital signal as a detection result input from the insulation circuit section to the battery ECU.

The battery ECU determines equalization of the SOCs of the plurality of battery cells 210 based on the input voltage and temperature detection results. The battery ECU then outputs an equalization processing instruction to the monitoring board 390 based on the determination. This instruction signal is input to the monitoring IC chip of the high voltage circuit section via the low voltage circuit section and the insulation circuit section.

The monitoring IC chip includes a switch for individually charging and discharging each of the plurality of battery cells 210. The monitoring IC chip controls opening and closing of the switch according to instructions input from the battery ECU. As a result, the plurality of battery cells 210 are individually charged and discharged. As a result, the SOCs of the plurality of battery cells 210 are equalized. SOC is an abbreviation for state of charge.

<Cover>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover 400 has a top plate 410 and an edge wall 420. The top plate 410 and the edge wall 420 are integrally connected. The top plate 410 and the edge wall 420 are each made of an insulating resin material.

The top plate 410 has a flat shape with a thin thickness in the x direction. The top plate 410 has an inner top surface 410a and an outer top surface 410b on the back side thereof, which are spaced apart in the x direction.

The edge wall 420 stands up in the x direction from the inner top surface 410a. The edge wall 420 extends along the edge of the inner top surface 410a and has an annular shape in the circumferential direction around the x direction.

To explain in detail, the edge wall 420 has an upper edge wall 421 and a lower edge wall 422 that are spaced apart in the z direction and a lower edge wall 422, and a front edge wall 423 and a rear edge wall 424 that are spaced apart and lined up in the y direction. An upper edge wall 421, a rear edge wall 424, a lower edge wall 422, and a front edge wall 423 are connected in order in the circumferential direction around the x direction.

The upper edge wall 421 has a flat plate shape with a thin thickness in the z direction. For this reason, the upper edge wall 421 has a linear shape in a plane facing the x direction. In contrast, the lower edge wall 422 has a partially bent shape in the z direction. Therefore, the lower edge wall 422 has a crank-shaped plane facing in the x direction.

To explain in detail, the lower edge wall 422 includes a second recessed wall 422a on the front edge wall 423 side, a second separation wall 422b on the rear edge wall 424 side, and a second recessed wall 422a and a second separation wall 422b. It has a second connecting wall 422c located between.

The second concave wall 422a extends in the y direction from the front edge wall 423 toward the second connecting wall 422c. The second separation wall 422b extends in the y direction from the rear edge wall 424 toward the second connection wall 422c. The second spacing wall 422b and the second recessed wall 422a are spaced apart in the z direction. The second connecting wall 422c extends in the z direction and connects the second concave wall 422a and the second separating wall 422b.

The second concave wall 422a is located closer to the upper edge wall 421 than the second separation wall 422b in the z direction. Therefore, the separation distance between the second recessed wall 422a and the upper edge wall 421 is shorter than the separation distance between the second separation wall 422b and the upper edge wall 421.

<Second female part>
A second female portion 425 is formed on the outer surface of each of the upper edge wall 421 and the lower edge wall 422 and extends away from the top plate 410 along the x direction. In this embodiment, four second female parts 425 are formed on the upper edge wall 421. Three second female portions 425 are formed on the lower edge wall 422.

More specifically, two second female portions 425 are formed on each of the front edge wall 423 side and the rear edge wall 424 side of the upper edge wall 421. One second female part 425 is formed in the second concave wall 422a, and two second female parts 425 are formed in the second separation wall 422b.

The second female part 425 has a hole that opens in the z direction. The second male portion 324 of the busbar case 310 is inserted into the hollow of the second female portion 425 . As a result, the cover 400 is assembled and fixed to the busbar case 310.

In this assembled and fixed state, the second female portion 425 formed in the second recessed wall 422a is spaced apart from each of the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 in the y direction.

<Communication>
With the second male part 324 inserted into the hollow of the second female part 425 , a part of the hollow of the second female part 425 is occupied by the second male part 324 . A hollow part of the second female part 425 is closed by the second male part 324 and the outer surface of the frame part 313.

However, a part of the hollow part of the second female part 425 is in an unoccupied state. A hollow part of the second female part 425 can communicate in the z direction and is not closed. Therefore, the upper space between the cover 400 and the bus bar case 310 and the external space can actively communicate with each other via the hollow non-occluded area of the second female part 425.

The second female portion 425 formed on the upper edge wall 421 and the second female portion 425 formed on the lower edge wall 422 are spaced apart from each other in the z direction. A second female part 425 formed in the upper edge wall 421 and a lower edge wall 422 are formed on the front edge wall 423 side, between the front edge wall 423 and the rear edge wall 424, and on the rear edge wall 424 side, respectively. The second female portions 425 are spaced apart from each other in the z direction. In this way, three sets of two second female parts 425 are formed which form a pair by being spaced apart and lined up in the z direction. The upper space can communicate with the external space through the hollow spaces of the two second female parts 425 forming the pair.

A series bus bar 331, a connecting bus bar 332, a negative bus bar 333, and a positive bus bar 334 are provided in the upper space. Five series bus bars 331 lined up on the front plate 317 side of the first bus bar case 311 are located between two second female parts 425 forming a first pair. On the front plate 317 side of the second bus bar case 312, a positive bus bar 334, five serial bus bars 331, and a connecting bus bar 332 are located between two second female parts 425 forming a second pair. Six series bus bars 331 lined up on the rear plate 318 side of the second bus bar case 312 are located between the two second female parts 425 forming a third pair.

Note that the positions of the two paired second female portions 425 in the y direction do not exactly match. The positions of the pair of second female parts 425 in the y direction may be separated by the width of any one of the plurality of bus bars located between them in the y direction.

The upper edge wall 421 is provided above the lower edge wall 422 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the cold air flowing into the upper space from the hollow of the second female part 425 of the lower edge wall 422 flows through the upper space while exchanging heat with the plurality of bus bars. The air heated by this heat exchange is discharged to the outside of the upper space through the hollow second female portion 425 of the upper edge wall 421.

<Notch>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a notch 422d is formed in the second recessed wall 422a to divide the second recessed wall 422a into a front edge wall 423 side and a rear edge wall 424 side. The second connector 393 of the monitoring board 390 is provided in this notch 422d.

The second connector 393 is located between the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 formed in the battery case 220 in the y direction. The positions in the y direction are the negative output terminal 232, the second connector 393, and the positive output terminal 233 in this order.

Due to this arrangement, the wire harness inserted into the second connector 393 is located between the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 in the y direction. This wire harness may be provided with a shield for shielding electromagnetic noise generated from the current flowing through these two output terminals. As this shield, for example, a metal thin film can be used. A configuration can be adopted in which a part of the wire harness is covered with this thin film.

Note that the top plate 410 has a shorter length in the y direction than the battery case 220. As shown in FIG. 1, when the cover 400 is assembled to the bus bar case 310, the first passage portions 384 of the first wiring case 371 and the second wiring case 372 are located outside the cover 400. The cover 400 is located between the first passage part 384 of the first wiring case 371 and the first passage part 384 of the second wiring case 372 in the y direction.

<Effect>
As described above, the terminal blocks 234 for the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 are formed in the first recessed wall 224a. For this purpose, the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 are provided in the recessed space 229, respectively.

According to this, for example, when an external force acts on the battery pack 100, the external force is suppressed from acting on the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233. This suppresses a short circuit due to contact between the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233.

Further, the recessed space 229 in which the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 are provided is pseudo-divided by the lower wall 224. A plurality of battery cells 210 included in each of the first battery stack 213 and the second battery stack 214 are arranged in the z direction between the lower wall 224 and the upper wall 223. In this way, the plurality of battery cells 210 included in each of the plurality of battery stacks are lined up in the z direction, and the plurality of battery cells 210 and the lower wall 224 that partitions the recessed space 229 are lined up in the z direction.

Due to this configuration, by changing the shape of the upper wall 223 side while keeping the shape of the concave space 229 side (lower wall 224 side) of the battery case 220 unchanged in the z direction, the battery stored in the battery case 220 can be The number of cells 210 can be changed. This suppresses an increase in the size of the concave space 229 due to a change in the number of battery cells 210. As a result, an increase in the size of the battery pack 100 due to a change in the number of battery cells 210 is suppressed.

Furthermore, as described above, the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 are each formed on the lower wall 224. Therefore, it is easy to connect each of the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 to the wire harness.

The second connector 393 is located on the first concave wall 224a side in the z direction. For this purpose, a connection portion of the wire harness with the second connector 393 is provided in the projection area of the concave space 229 in the x direction. This suppresses external force from acting on the connection portion of the wire harness.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the relay conductive portion 338 of the negative bus bar 333 extends in the y direction so as to be spaced apart from the positive bus bar 334. The output conductive portion 337 of the negative bus bar 333 and the output conductive portion 337 of the positive bus bar 334 are separated by the extension of the relay conductive portion 338 in the y direction. This suppresses the occurrence of a short circuit due to contact between the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233.

The upper edge wall 421 is arranged above the lower edge wall 422 in the vertical direction. The second female portion 425 formed on the lower edge wall 422 and the second female portion 425 formed on the upper edge wall 421 are spaced apart from each other in the z direction. The upper space between the cover 400 and the busbar case 310 communicates with the external space through the hollow spaces of these two second female parts 425. A plurality of bus bars electrically connected to the battery cells 210 are arranged between these two second female parts 425.

According to this, a flow of air from the second female part 425 of the lower edge wall 422 to the second female part 425 of the upper edge wall 421 is likely to occur in the upper space. The air flowing in the upper space can easily exchange heat with each of the plurality of bus bars. This suppresses the temperature rise of each of the plurality of bus bars. The temperature rise of each of the plurality of battery cells 210 connected to these plurality of bus bars is also suppressed.

The second female portion 425 formed on the lower edge wall 422 is spaced apart from each of the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 in the y direction.

According to this, air whose temperature has increased due to heat generated at the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 is suppressed from flowing into the upper space through the hollow part of the second female part 425. Therefore, the temperature difference between the air flowing into the upper space and each of the plurality of bus bars is suppressed from decreasing. This suppresses the heat generated in each of the plurality of bus bars from becoming difficult to radiate to the air in the upper space.

As described above, a hollow space that communicates the upper space with the outside atmosphere is formed in the second female part 425 for assembling and fixing the cover 400 and the bus bar case 310. According to this, the shapes of the cover 400 and the busbar case 310 are simplified.

The wiring connector 373 is located on the side of the upper wall 223 that is spaced apart in the z direction from the lower wall 224 where the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 are provided. Each of the plurality of voltage detection wirings 356 and temperature detection wirings 354 extends toward this wiring connector 373.

According to this, the portions provided on the lower wall 224 side of each of the plurality of voltage detection wirings 356 and temperature detection wirings 354 are reduced. Therefore, it becomes difficult for electromagnetic noise generated from the current flowing through the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 provided on the lower wall 224 to pass through each of the plurality of voltage detection wirings 356 and temperature detection wirings 354. As a result, a decrease in detection accuracy of the sensor 350 is suppressed.

Note that the voltage sensor 352 is electrically connected to a conductive extension portion 339 extending from the various bus bars in a manner that is spaced apart from the current path of the various bus bars. Due to this configuration, it is difficult for current to flow through the voltage detection wiring 356 of the voltage sensor 352. Therefore, current noise generated by PWM control of the power conversion device or the like is suppressed from flowing through the voltage detection wiring 356. The voltage detection wiring 356 is prevented from becoming a source of electromagnetic noise. In a configuration that detects voltage, a configuration that suppresses the flow of current in this way is adopted.

The other end sides of the plurality of voltage detection wirings 356 and temperature detection wiring 354 are inserted into the first upper part 376 side of the wiring connector 373. The other end sides of the plurality of voltage detection wirings 356 and the temperature detection wiring 354 are electrically connected to the first upper part 376 side of the plurality of connection pins of the wiring connector 373.

According to this, each of the plurality of voltage detection wirings 356 and temperature detection wirings 354 can easily move away from the lower wall 224 where the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 are provided. Therefore, electromagnetic noise generated from the current flowing through the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 is suppressed from passing through each of the plurality of voltage detection wirings 356 and temperature detection wirings 354.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

(First modification)
In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 are provided on the first recessed wall 224a of the lower wall 224. However, the locations where the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 are provided are not limited to the above example.

For example, as shown simply in FIG. 11, a configuration in which a negative output terminal 232 is provided on the first concave wall 224a and a positive output terminal 233 is provided on the first connecting wall 224c may be adopted. As shown in FIG. 12, a configuration in which a negative output terminal 232 and a positive output terminal 233 are provided on the first connecting wall 224c can also be adopted.

In the modified examples shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 are separated from each other in the z direction. Therefore, for example, the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 are prevented from coming into contact with each other due to the application of an external force along the traveling direction (y direction) of the two-wheeled vehicle.

In the modification shown in FIG. 11, the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 are spaced apart in the y direction. Therefore, contact between the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 due to the application of an external force along the z direction, for example, is suppressed.

In the modification shown in FIG. 12, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 are spaced apart in the x direction. According to this, the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 are prevented from coming into contact with each other due to the application of an external force along the z direction, for example.

(Second modification)
To further illustrate, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, for example, a configuration may be adopted in which the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 are spaced apart and facing each other in the x direction. In such a modification, contact between the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 is suppressed by application of an external force along the y direction or the z direction.

(Third modification)
In addition, in this embodiment, the example where the difference in the number of battery cells 210 with which the 1st battery stack 213 and the 2nd battery stack 214 are provided was shown. That is, an example was shown in which the difference in the number of battery cells 210 included in each battery stack is an even number. However, it is also possible to employ a configuration in which the number of battery cells 210 included in each battery stack is an odd number.

In the case of such a modification, the negative electrode terminal 211 of the lowest potential battery cell 210 included in the first battery stack 213 and the positive electrode terminal 212 of the highest battery cell 210 included in the second battery stack 214 are 2 The distance between the two terminals is greater than the distance between them. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, a negative output terminal 232 and a positive output terminal 233 are arranged. By doing so, the negative electrode output terminal 232 and the negative electrode terminal 211 of the battery cell 210 having the lowest potential are aligned in the z direction. The positive output terminal 233 and the positive terminal 212 of the battery cell 210 having the highest potential are arranged in the y direction. This simplifies the shape of the relay conductive portion 338 provided in the negative bus bar 333 and the positive bus bar 334. Alternatively, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, a configuration may be adopted in which each of the negative bus bar 333 and the positive bus bar 334 does not include the relay conductive portion 338.

(Fourth modification)
In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the battery pack 100 includes two battery stacks. However, battery pack 100 may have three or more battery stacks. A plurality of battery cells 210 included in these three or more battery stacks are connected in series. A negative output terminal 232 is connected to a battery cell 210 included at one end of the three or more battery stacks, and a positive output terminal 233 is connected to a battery cell 210 included at the other end.

In such a modification, for example, as shown simply in FIG. 17, one of the portions of the lower wall 224 that accommodate the battery stacks at both ends is locally protruded away from the upper wall 223. By adopting such a configuration, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which two output terminals are provided in the recessed space 229. In addition, in FIG. 17, the code 213 is given to each of the three battery stacks in order to avoid increasing the number of codes.

(Fifth modification)
In this embodiment, an example has been shown in which the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 are provided in a concave space 229 that is pseudo-divided by the lower wall 224. However, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, for example, a configuration in which the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 are provided in a part of the plurality of individual storage spaces included in the battery case 220 can also be adopted. .

In the modified example shown in FIG. 18, the battery cell 210 is not stored in one of the plurality of individual storage spaces provided in the second storage space in which the second battery stack 214 is stored, resulting in an empty space 228a. There is. The empty space 228a is an area where the projection areas in the z-direction of two partition walls 228 that are spaced apart from each other in the z-direction overlap. A terminal block 234 for the negative output terminal 232 extends from one of these two partition walls 228, and a terminal block 234 for the positive output terminal 233 extends from the other.

In the modification shown in FIG. 19, battery cells 210 are not stored in two of the plurality of individual storage spaces provided in the second storage space in which the second battery stack 214 is stored, and these two individual storage spaces is an empty space 228a. A negative output terminal 232 is provided in one of these two empty spaces 228a, and a positive output terminal 233 is provided in the other. In this way, the negative output terminal 232 and the positive output terminal 233 are provided in different individual storage spaces. Therefore, contact between these two output terminals due to external force is effectively suppressed.

Note that, in FIGS. 18 and 19, only the partition wall 228 that partitions the above-mentioned empty space 228a among the plurality of partition walls 228 is shown. The shape of the partition wall 228 that partitions this empty space 228a may be the same or different from the partition wall 228 that partitions other individual storage spaces. The partition walls 228 that partition these empty spaces 228a correspond to intervening walls.

(Sixth modification)
In this embodiment, an example is shown in which a plurality of battery stacks are connected in series. However, a configuration in which a plurality of these battery stacks are connected in parallel can also be adopted.

210... Battery cell, 213... First battery stack, 214... Second battery stack, 220... Battery case, 223... Upper side wall, 224... Lower side wall, 224a... First recessed wall, 224b... First separation wall, 224c... 1st connecting wall, 225... Front side wall, 226... Rear side wall, 228... Partition wall, 228a... Empty space, 229... Concave space, 232... Negative output terminal, 233... Positive electrode output terminal, 333... Negative electrode bus bar, 334... Positive electrode bus bar , 338...Relay conductive part, 391...Circuit board, 393...Second connector

Claims (11)

A plurality of battery stacks (213, 214) each including a plurality of battery cells (210) arranged in the arrangement direction and arranged next to each other in a lateral direction intersecting the arrangement direction;
an insulating case (220) that houses the plurality of battery stacks;
It has a first external connection terminal and a second external connection terminal (232, 233) having different potentials,
The space (228a, 229) defined by the insulating case is arranged in the arrangement direction with some of the plurality of battery stacks and in the horizontal direction with the rest of the plurality of battery stacks. 1 external connection terminal and the second external connection terminal are provided ,
The insulating case includes a first end wall (223) and a second end wall (224) that are spaced apart from each other in the arrangement direction, and a connecting wall (225) that connects the first end wall and the second end wall. 226),
The second end wall includes a recess (224a), a separation part (224b) that is farther from the first end wall than the recess in the arrangement direction, and a connecting part (224c) that connects the recess and the separation part. Equipped with
Some of the plurality of battery stacks are lined up in the arrangement direction between the recessed part and the first end wall, and the rest of the plurality of battery stacks are lined up between the spacing part and the first end wall. arranged in the arrangement direction between
The space is a region where a projected region of the recessed portions in the arrangement direction and a projected region of the separation portion in the lateral direction overlap,
It has a monitoring unit (391) that monitors the voltage of the plurality of battery cells, and a connector (393) that outputs the output of the monitoring unit to an external device,
In the battery pack , the connector is provided closer to the recess than the first end wall in the arrangement direction . A plurality of battery stacks (213, 214) each including a plurality of battery cells (210) arranged in the arrangement direction and arranged next to each other in a lateral direction intersecting the arrangement direction;
an insulating case (220) that houses the plurality of battery stacks;
It has a first external connection terminal and a second external connection terminal (232, 233) having different potentials,
The space (228a, 229) defined by the insulating case is arranged in the arrangement direction with some of the plurality of battery stacks and in the horizontal direction with the rest of the plurality of battery stacks. 1 external connection terminal and the second external connection terminal are provided ,
The insulating case includes a first end wall (223) and a second end wall (224) that are spaced apart from each other in the arrangement direction, and connecting walls (225, 226) that connect the first end wall and the second end wall. ), and a plurality of intervening walls (228) spaced apart from each other in the arrangement direction between the plurality of battery cells included in some of the plurality of battery stacks,
In the battery pack, the space is a region between the plurality of intervening walls arranged in a manner facing each other in the arrangement direction . The battery pack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first external connection terminal and the second external connection terminal are spaced apart in the arrangement direction. A plurality of battery stacks (213, 214) each including a plurality of battery cells (210) arranged in the arrangement direction and arranged next to each other in a lateral direction intersecting the arrangement direction;
an insulating case (220) that houses the plurality of battery stacks;
It has a first external connection terminal and a second external connection terminal (232, 233) having different potentials,
The space (228a, 229) defined by the insulating case is arranged in the arrangement direction with some of the plurality of battery stacks and in the horizontal direction with the rest of the plurality of battery stacks. 1 external connection terminal and the second external connection terminal are provided ,
In the battery pack , the first external connection terminal and the second external connection terminal are spaced apart in the arrangement direction . The insulating case includes a first end wall (223) and a second end wall (224) that are spaced apart from each other in the arrangement direction, and a connecting wall (225) that connects the first end wall and the second end wall. 226),
The second end wall includes a recess (224a), a separation part (224b) that is farther from the first end wall than the recess in the arrangement direction, and a connecting part (224c) that connects the recess and the separation part. Equipped with
Some of the plurality of battery stacks are lined up in the arrangement direction between the recessed part and the first end wall, and the rest of the plurality of battery stacks are lined up between the spacing part and the first end wall. arranged in the arrangement direction between
The battery pack according to claim 4 , wherein the space is an area where a projected area of the recessed portions in the arrangement direction and a projected area of the separation portion in the lateral direction overlap. 6. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the first external connection terminal and the second external connection terminal are spaced apart in a height direction perpendicular to each of the arrangement direction and the lateral direction. A plurality of battery stacks (213, 214) each including a plurality of battery cells (210) arranged in the arrangement direction and arranged next to each other in a lateral direction intersecting the arrangement direction;
an insulating case (220) that houses the plurality of battery stacks;
It has a first external connection terminal and a second external connection terminal (232, 233) having different potentials,
The space (228a, 229) defined by the insulating case is arranged in the arrangement direction with some of the plurality of battery stacks and in the horizontal direction with the rest of the plurality of battery stacks. 1 external connection terminal and the second external connection terminal are provided ,
The first external connection terminal and the second external connection terminal are spaced apart from each other in a height direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction and the lateral direction, respectively. The insulating case includes a first end wall (223) and a second end wall (224) that are spaced apart from each other in the arrangement direction, and a connecting wall (225) that connects the first end wall and the second end wall. 226),
The second end wall includes a recess (224a), a separation part (224b) that is farther from the first end wall than the recess in the arrangement direction, and a connecting part (224c) that connects the recess and the separation part. Equipped with
Some of the plurality of battery stacks are lined up in the arrangement direction between the recessed part and the first end wall, and the rest of the plurality of battery stacks are lined up between the spacing part and the first end wall. arranged in the arrangement direction between
The battery pack according to claim 7 , wherein the space is an area where a projected area of the recessed portions in the arrangement direction and a projected area of the spaced apart portion in the lateral direction overlap. A first bus bar (333) provided at the first external connection terminal and a second bus bar (334) provided at the second external connection terminal,
The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein at least one of the first bus bar and the second bus bar has a relay portion (338) extending away from the other bus bar. A plurality of battery stacks (213, 214) each including a plurality of battery cells (210) arranged in the arrangement direction and arranged next to each other in a lateral direction intersecting the arrangement direction;
an insulating case (220) that houses the plurality of battery stacks;
It has a first external connection terminal and a second external connection terminal (232, 233) having different potentials,
The space (228a, 229) defined by the insulating case is arranged in the arrangement direction with some of the plurality of battery stacks and in the horizontal direction with the rest of the plurality of battery stacks. 1 external connection terminal and the second external connection terminal are provided ,
A first bus bar (333) provided at the first external connection terminal and a second bus bar (334) provided at the second external connection terminal,
At least one of the first bus bar and the second bus bar includes a relay portion (338) that extends away from the other bus bar . The insulating case includes a first end wall (223) and a second end wall (224) that are spaced apart from each other in the arrangement direction, and a connecting wall (225) that connects the first end wall and the second end wall. 226),
The second end wall includes a recess (224a), a separation part (224b) that is farther from the first end wall than the recess in the arrangement direction, and a connecting part (224c) that connects the recess and the separation part. Equipped with
Some of the plurality of battery stacks are lined up in the arrangement direction between the recessed part and the first end wall, and the rest of the plurality of battery stacks are lined up between the spacing part and the first end wall. arranged in the arrangement direction between
The battery pack according to claim 10 , wherein the space is an area where a projected area of the recessed portions in the arrangement direction and a projected area of the separation portion in the lateral direction overlap.

Images