JPWO2019123539A1 - Battery unit and assembled battery - Google Patents

Abstract

The battery unit has a plurality of lead-acid batteries each having a first portion and a second portion arranged along the first direction and an electrode terminal provided on the first portion, and one side surface provided with an opening. A housing that accommodates a plurality of lead-acid batteries with the first portion protruding along the first direction through the opening, and a cover member for preventing the plurality of lead-acid batteries from falling out of the housing. The first portion has an end face in the second direction intersecting the first direction, the electrode terminal is provided on the end face, and the cover member faces the first portion in the first direction. Be placed.

Description

The present invention relates to a battery unit and an assembled battery.

In order to obtain a desired output voltage, an assembled battery in which a plurality of lead-acid batteries are combined may be used. Patent Document 1 discloses an assembled battery including a plurality of battery units stacked in the vertical direction. Each of the battery units includes a frame body and a plurality of lead storage batteries housed in the frame body in a state of being arranged in one direction.

JP-A-2002-93397

In the assembled battery described in Patent Document 1, one surface of the lead storage battery is exposed from the frame (housing). Therefore, the lead-acid battery may fall off from the housing due to vibration or the like.

In the present technical field, it is desired to improve the vibration resistance of the assembled battery.

The battery unit according to one aspect of the present invention has a plurality of lead-acid batteries each having a first portion and a second portion arranged along a first direction and electrode terminals provided on the first portion, and an opening. A housing having one side surface and accommodating a plurality of lead-acid batteries with a first portion protruding along a first direction through an opening, and a housing in which the plurality of lead-acid batteries fall off from the housing. A cover member for prevention is provided. The first portion has an end face in the second direction that intersects the first direction. The electrode terminals are provided on the end face. The cover member is arranged so as to face the first portion in the first direction.

In this battery unit, a plurality of lead-acid batteries having a first portion and a second portion arranged along the first direction are arranged, and the first portion is in the first direction through an opening provided on one side surface of the housing. The cover member is housed in the housing in a protruding state along the above, and the cover member is arranged so as to face the first portion of the lead storage battery in the first direction. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the lead-acid battery will fall out from the opening of the housing in the first direction. Further, the lead storage battery has an end face in the second direction intersecting the first direction of the first portion, and the electrode terminal is provided on the end face. Therefore, since the cover member is arranged on the surface of the lead-acid battery where the electrode terminal is not provided, the area of the lead-acid battery covered by the cover member can be increased, and the lead-acid battery falls off from the housing. The possibility can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to improve the vibration resistance of the assembled battery including this battery unit.

The plurality of lead-acid batteries may be arranged along a third direction that intersects the first direction and the second direction. In this case, since the electrode terminals are arranged along the third direction, it is possible to facilitate the connection work of two lead storage batteries adjacent to each other.

The cover member may be arranged so as to cover the central portion of the first portion in the second direction. In this case, the lead storage battery is firmly supported by the cover member. As a result, the possibility that the lead-acid battery will fall out of the housing can be further reduced.

The second portion may protrude from the end face in the second direction. For example, even if a plurality of battery units are stacked in the second direction, the working space for the connection work of connecting the electrode terminals of the lead storage battery with the connecting member can be increased by the protrusion amount of the second portion. As a result, the length of the housing in the second direction can be shortened. Therefore, in an assembled battery having a configuration in which a plurality of battery units are stacked in the second direction, the length in the second direction can be shortened. As a result, the influence of vibration can be reduced, so that the vibration resistance of the assembled battery including this battery unit can be improved.

The cover member may be in contact with the first portion. In this case, it is possible to more reliably prevent the lead-acid battery from falling off due to the cover member, and it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the lead-acid battery will fall off from the housing.

The assembled battery according to another aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of the above-mentioned battery units. Since this assembled battery includes the above-mentioned battery unit, the possibility that the lead storage battery will fall out of the housing can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to improve the vibration resistance of the assembled battery.

The plurality of battery units may be stacked along the second direction so that one side surface faces the same direction. The housings of the plurality of battery units may form an assembled battery housing. One side surface of the plurality of battery units may form a housing surface on which a plurality of lead storage batteries can be taken in and out of the assembled battery housing. In this case, the lead-acid battery can be accommodated or taken out from the same direction of the assembled battery. Therefore, it is possible to improve workability when accommodating or taking out the lead storage battery.

A surface different from the accommodating surface of the assembled battery housing may be closed. In this case, since the surface other than the accommodating surface of the assembled battery housing is closed, the restriction on the installation of the assembled battery can be relaxed.

The vibration resistance of the assembled battery can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an assembled battery according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the battery unit of FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the battery unit of FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view schematically showing the lead-acid battery of FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing the assembled battery housing of FIG. FIG. 6 is a rear view of the assembled battery housing of FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing a modified example of the battery unit.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description is omitted. The drawing shows the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system.

<Assembled battery>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an assembled battery according to an embodiment. The assembled battery 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a battery in which a plurality of lead storage batteries 10 are electrically connected, and is, for example, a battery for HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current). The lead storage battery 10 is, for example, a 12V battery. The assembled battery 1 includes a pedestal portion 2, a plurality of (six in this embodiment) battery units 3, a negative electrode output terminal 4, and a positive electrode output terminal 5. In the following description, "front", "rear", "left", and "right" refer to each direction when the direction in which the cover member 30 described later is provided in the assembled battery 1 is the "front" direction. May be shown. In addition, "upper" and "lower" in the following description may indicate vertically above and vertically below, respectively.

The pedestal portion 2 is arranged below the assembled battery 1. The pedestal portion 2 is a plate-shaped member. The pedestal portion 2 is made of, for example, a metal such as SS400. The pedestal portion 2 is provided on the floor surface on which the assembled battery 1 is installed. The pedestal portion 2 may be provided on the insulating sheet laid on the floor surface. The negative electrode output terminal 4 and the positive electrode output terminal 5 are terminals for outputting the electric power stored in the assembled battery 1 to the outside of the assembled battery 1. The negative electrode output terminal 4 and the positive electrode output terminal 5 are provided in the uppermost battery unit 3. The negative electrode output terminal 4 and the positive electrode output terminal 5 are arranged at both ends of the uppermost battery unit 3 in the left-right direction (X-axis direction; third direction) and project upward.

The plurality of battery units 3 are arranged on the pedestal portion 2 and are stacked along the vertical direction (Y-axis direction; second direction) intersecting the left-right direction. Specifically, the plurality of battery units 3 are stacked along the vertical direction so that the outer surface 20h (see FIGS. 2 and 3) of the side wall 20c faces the same direction (front). The two battery units 3 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction are fixed to each other by, for example, bolts 41 and nuts 42. The lowermost battery unit 3 is fixed to the pedestal portion 2 by, for example, bolts 41 and nuts 42.

An L-shaped reinforcing member 6 is attached to the battery unit 3 located below the plurality of battery units 3. The reinforcing member 6 is a member for suppressing the deformation of the battery unit 3 due to the weight of the stacked battery units 3. Specifically, the reinforcing member 6 has a plate material 61, a plate material 62 forming a right angle to the plate material 61, and a connecting portion 63 for connecting the plate material 61 and the plate material 62. The plate member 61 and the plate member 62 are provided with through holes (not shown) into which bolts can be inserted.

<Battery unit>
Next, the battery unit 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the battery unit of FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the battery unit of FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view schematically showing the lead-acid battery of FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the plurality of battery units 3 includes a plurality of lead storage batteries 10, a housing 20, and a cover member 30. In the assembled battery 1 of FIG. 1, the uppermost battery unit 3 includes three lead-acid batteries 10, and the other battery units 3 include five lead-acid batteries 10.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the lead-acid battery 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the front-rear direction (Z-axis direction; first direction) intersecting the left-right direction and the up-down direction. The lead-acid battery 10 includes an electric tank 11 having an open upper surface and a lid 12 that closes the opening of the electric tank 11. The battery case 11 and the lid 12 are made of, for example, polypropylene (PP), ABS, and polyphenylene ether (PPE). An electrode group (not shown) and an electrolytic solution such as dilute sulfuric acid are housed inside the battery case 11. The electrode group has a structure in which positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates are alternately laminated via a separator.

The lid 12 has a front lid portion 12a and a rear lid portion 12b. The front lid portion 12a and the rear lid portion 12b are arranged along the front-rear direction. The upper surface 12c (end surface) of the front lid portion 12a is located below the upper surface 12d of the rear lid portion 12b by a distance D in the vertical direction. That is, the rear lid portion 12b projects upward from the front lid portion 12a. The end surface 12e of the rear lid portion 12b faces the front lid portion 12a side (front), and is located at a step portion in the vertical direction between the front lid portion 12a and the rear lid portion 12b. The lid 12 is provided with a negative electrode terminal 13 (electrode terminal), a positive electrode terminal 14 (electrode terminal), and a plurality of control valves 15 for discharging excess gas to the outside of the battery case 11. Specifically, the negative electrode terminal 13 and the positive electrode terminal 14 are provided on the upper surface 12c of the front lid portion 12a and are arranged along the left-right direction. The plurality of control valves 15 are provided on the upper surface 12d of the rear lid portion 12b and are arranged along the front-rear direction.

The lead-acid battery 10 has a first portion 16 and a second portion 17. The first portion 16 and the second portion 17 are arranged along the front-rear direction. The first portion 16 is composed of a front lid portion 12a of the lid 12 and a portion of the electric tank 11 covered by the front lid portion 12a. The second portion 17 is composed of a rear lid portion 12b of the lid 12 and a portion of the electric tank 11 covered by the rear lid portion 12b. That is, since the first portion 16 has the upper surface 12c of the front lid portion 12a, the negative electrode terminal 13 and the positive electrode terminal 14 are provided on the first portion 16. The second portion 17 projects upward from the first portion 16 in the vertical direction. The amount of protrusion of the second portion 17 is equal to the distance D.

The plurality of lead-acid batteries 10 are housed in the housing 20 in a state of being arranged along the left-right direction. Therefore, the negative electrode terminals 13 and the positive electrode terminals 14 are alternately arranged along the left-right direction. Of the two lead-acid batteries 10 adjacent to each other, the negative electrode terminal 13 of the lead-acid battery 10 located on the left side and the positive electrode terminal 14 of the lead-acid battery 10 located on the right side are electrically connected by a conductive connecting member 7 (see FIG. 1). Connected to. The connecting member 7 is also referred to as a bus bar. As a result, two lead-acid batteries 10 adjacent to each other are electrically connected in series.

The housing 20 is a hollow box-shaped member that houses a plurality of (five in this embodiment) lead-acid batteries 10. The housing 20 is made of, for example, a metal such as SS400. The housing 20 may be coated with an insulating material such as melamine resin. The housing 20 has an upper wall 20a, a bottom wall 20b, a side wall 20c, a side wall 20d, a side wall 20e, and a side wall 20f. The upper wall 20a and the bottom wall 20b face each other in the vertical direction. The side wall 20c, the side wall 20d, the side wall 20e, and the side wall 20f connect the upper wall 20a and the bottom wall 20b. The side wall 20c and the side wall 20d face each other in the front-rear direction. The side wall 20e and the side wall 20f face each other in the left-right direction.

The side wall 20c is provided with an opening 20 g. That is, an opening 20 g is provided on the outer surface 20h (one side surface) of the side wall 20c. The upper wall 20a, the bottom wall 20b, the side wall 20d, the side wall 20e, and the side wall 20f are not provided with openings, and the upper wall 20a, the bottom wall 20b, the side wall 20d, the side wall 20e, and the side wall 20f are closed. There is. Here, the blockage means a state in which the cable is completely closed and no small hole for passing the cable is provided. The upper wall 20a, the bottom wall 20b, the side wall 20c, the side wall 20d, the side wall 20e, and the side wall 20f define a storage space S for accommodating a plurality of lead-acid batteries 10. The accommodation space S is connected to the outside of the housing 20 via an opening 20 g. The housing 20 accommodates each lead storage battery 10 in a state in which the first portion 16 of the lead storage battery 10 projects from the side wall 20c (outer surface 20h) to the outside of the housing 20 through the opening 20g. To do. In the present embodiment, the entire first portion 16 projects from the housing 20 (side wall 20c), and the entire second portion 17 is located in the housing 20 (accommodation space S). That is, the end surface 12e of the rear lid portion 12b constituting the second portion 17 and the outer surface 20h of the side wall 20c are located on the same plane (plane plane).

The housing 20 has a plurality of (two in this embodiment) partition walls 21 in the accommodation space S. The two partition walls 21 are arranged substantially parallel to the side wall 20e and the side wall 20f, and partition the accommodation space S in the left-right direction to form the accommodation space S1, the accommodation space S2, and the accommodation space S3. The accommodation space S1, the accommodation space S2, and the accommodation space S3 are arranged in this order in the left-right direction from the side wall 20e to the side wall 20f. The accommodating space S1 and the accommodating space S3 can accommodate two lead-acid batteries 10 along the left-right direction. The accommodation space S2 can accommodate one lead storage battery 10.

The housing 20 has a pair of mounting portions 22 for mounting the battery unit 3 to another battery unit 3 or a pedestal portion 2. The pair of mounting portions 22 are located at both ends of the housing 20 in the left-right direction, and are provided on the side wall 20e and the side wall 20f. One mounting portion 22 is provided on the side wall 20e so as to extend from the side wall 20e toward the side opposite to the accommodation space S. The other mounting portion 22 is provided on the side wall 20f so as to extend from the side wall 20f toward the side opposite to the accommodation space S.

Each mounting portion 22 has a mounting plate 22a, a mounting plate 22b, a mounting plate 22c, and a mounting plate 22d. The mounting plate 22a is connected to the upper wall 20a and extends substantially parallel to the upper wall 20a from the upper ends of the side wall 20e and the side wall 20f. The mounting plate 22b is connected to the bottom wall 20b and extends substantially parallel to the bottom wall 20b from the lower ends of the side wall 20e and the side wall 20f. The mounting plate 22c is connected to the side wall 20c and extends substantially parallel to the side wall 20c from the front ends of the side wall 20e and the side wall 20f. The mounting plate 22d is connected to the side wall 20d and extends substantially parallel to the side wall 20d from the rear ends of the side wall 20e and the side wall 20f.

The mounting plate 22a is provided with a plurality of (four in this embodiment) insertion holes 22g that penetrate the mounting plate 22a in the vertical direction. The plurality of insertion holes 22g are holes for inserting the bolts 41, and are arranged along the front-rear direction. The mounting plate 22b is provided with a plurality of (four in this embodiment) insertion holes 22h that penetrate the mounting plate 22b in the vertical direction. The plurality of insertion holes 22h are holes for inserting the bolts 41, and are arranged along the front-rear direction.

The mounting plate 22c is provided with a plurality of (four in this embodiment) insertion holes 22i that penetrate the mounting plate 22c in the front-rear direction. The plurality of insertion holes 22i are holes for inserting the bolt 43, and are arranged along the vertical direction. The mounting plate 22d is provided with a plurality of (four in this embodiment) insertion holes 22j that penetrate the mounting plate 22d in the front-rear direction. The plurality of insertion holes 22j are holes for inserting the bolt 43, and are arranged along the vertical direction.

The cover member 30 is a member for preventing the lead storage battery 10 from falling off from the housing 20. The cover member 30 is made of, for example, a metal such as SS400. The cover member 30 is obtained, for example, by bending a single metal plate. The cover member 30 extends along the left-right direction and is attached to the mounting plate 22c of the mounting portion 22 in a state of being arranged so as to face the first portion 16 of the lead-acid battery 10 in the front-rear direction. The cover member 30 is arranged so as to cover the central portion of the first portion 16 in the vertical direction, and is in contact with the first portion 16.

Specifically, the cover member 30 has a first portion 31, a pair of second portions 32, a pair of third portions 33, a pair of ribs 34, and a pair of ribs 35. The first portion 31 is a plate-shaped portion extending in the left-right direction. The first portion 31 is arranged so as to face the first portion 16 (front surface 16a of the first portion 16) of the lead storage battery 10 in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the first portion 31 is arranged so as to cover the central portion of the front surface 16a of the first portion 16 in the vertical direction, and is in contact with the central portion of the front surface 16a in the vertical direction.

The pair of second portions 32 are plate-shaped portions provided at both ends of the first portion 31 in the left-right direction. The pair of second portions 32 are arranged so as to sandwich the plurality of lead storage batteries 10 in the left-right direction. The pair of second portions 32 are arranged so as to face the side surfaces 16b of the first portion 16 of the lead storage batteries 10 located at both ends of the plurality of lead storage batteries 10. Specifically, the second portion 32 is arranged so as to cover the central portion of the side surface 16b of the first portion 16 in the vertical direction, and is in contact with the central portion of the side surface 16b in the vertical direction. One second portion 32 extends from one end of the first portion 31 toward the housing 20 in the front-rear direction. The other second portion 32 extends from the other end of the first portion 31 toward the housing 20 along the front-rear direction.

The pair of third portions 33 are plate-shaped portions located at both ends of the cover member 30. One third portion 33 extends in the left-right direction from the rear end of one second portion 32 so as to be separated from the first portion 31. The other third portion 33 extends in the left-right direction from the rear end of the other second portion 32 so as to be separated from the first portion 31. The third portion 33 is provided with a plurality of (two in the present embodiment) through holes 33h that penetrate the third portion 33 in the front-rear direction. The plurality of through holes 33h are holes for inserting the bolts 43, and are arranged in the vertical direction.

The pair of ribs 34 are portions for reinforcing the first portion 31. The pair of ribs 34 are provided along the vertical end edges of the first portion 31, and extend from both end edges in the front-rear direction in a direction away from the housing 20 (forward). The pair of ribs 35 are portions for reinforcing the third portion 33. The pair of ribs 35 are provided along the vertical end edges of the third portion 33, and extend from both end edges in the front-rear direction in a direction away from the housing 20 (forward).

<Manufacturing method of assembled battery>
Next, an example of a manufacturing method (assembly method) of the assembled battery 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing the assembled battery housing of FIG. FIG. 6 is a rear view of the assembled battery housing of FIG.

First, an assembly process for assembling the assembled battery housing 50 is performed. The assembled battery housing 50 is also referred to as a gantry. In the assembly process, an insulating sheet is laid on the floor surface where the assembled battery 1 is installed, and the pedestal portion 2 is placed on the insulating sheet. Then, a plurality of housings 20 are stacked on the pedestal portion 2 along the vertical direction so that the openings 20g face the same direction (front side). At this time, the bolts 41 are sequentially inserted into the insertion holes (not shown) of the pedestal portion 2 and the insertion holes 22h provided in the mounting plate 22b of the housing 20 located at the bottom, and the nuts 42 are used on the upper surface of the mounting plate 22b. To be concluded. As a result, the lowermost housing 20 is fixed to the pedestal portion 2.

Similarly, of the two housings 20 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction, the insertion holes 22g provided in the mounting plate 22a of the housing 20 located on the lower side and the mounting plate 22b of the housing 20 located on the upper side are provided. Bolts 41 are sequentially inserted into the inserted insertion holes 22h, and are fastened with nuts 42 on the upper surface of the mounting plate 22b. As a result, the two housings 20 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction are fixed to each other. The reinforcing member 6 may be attached to the housing 20 having several stages (two stages in the example of FIG. 1) from the bottom stage.

In this way, the housings 20 having a desired number of stages are stacked to obtain the assembled battery housing 50. That is, the plurality of housings 20 form the assembled battery housing 50. The outer surface 20h of the side wall 20c of the plurality of housings 20 forms a housing surface 50c in which the lead storage battery 10 can be taken in and out of the assembled battery housing 50. Since the upper wall 20a, the bottom wall 20b, the side wall 20d, the side wall 20e, and the side wall 20f of the housing 20 are closed, the surfaces (upper surface 50a, lower surface 50b, side surface) different from the accommodating surface 50c of the assembled battery housing 50 50d, side surface 50e, and side surface 50f) are closed.

Subsequently, a storage step of housing the lead storage battery 10 in the storage space S of each housing 20 is performed. At this time, the lead storage battery 10 is inserted into the accommodation space S from the opening 20 g of the accommodation surface 50c so that the first portion 16 is located on the front side. The lead-acid battery 10 is housed in order from, for example, the lowermost housing 20 to the uppermost housing 20.

Subsequently, an attachment step of attaching the cover member 30 is performed. Bolts 43 are sequentially inserted into the through holes 33h of the third portion 33 and the insertion holes 22i of the mounting plate 22c, and are fastened with nuts 44 on the rear side of the mounting plate 22c. By this fastening, the cover member 30 is fixed to the housing 20 while pushing the first portion 16 of the lead storage battery 10 rearward. The cover member 30 may be attached after all the lead-acid batteries 10 are housed in the assembled battery housing 50, or every time all the lead-acid batteries 10 are housed in one housing 20. Good.

Subsequently, a wiring step of electrically connecting the plurality of lead-acid batteries 10 included in the assembled battery 1 is performed. In the wiring step, the negative electrode terminals 13 and the positive electrode terminals 14 adjacent to each other are connected by using the connecting member 7. Further, in the two battery units 3 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction, the positive electrode terminal 14 of the lead storage battery 10 located at the left end of the upper battery unit 3 and the negative electrode terminal 13 of the lead storage battery 10 located at the right end of the lower battery unit 3. And are connected by a cable. As a result, the plurality of lead-acid batteries 10 included in the assembled battery 1 are connected in series. Then, the negative electrode terminal 13 of the lead-acid battery 10 located at the right end of the uppermost battery unit 3 and the negative electrode output terminal 4 are connected by a cable, and the positive electrode terminal 14 of the lead-acid battery 10 located at the left end of the lowermost battery unit 3 is connected. And the positive electrode output terminal 5 are connected by a cable.

In addition, each step may be performed in the order of the accommodating step, the mounting step, the assembly step, and the wiring step. That is, the individual battery units 3 may be prepared first, and then the battery units 3 may be stacked in the vertical direction.

In the assembled battery 1 and the battery unit 3 described above, a plurality of lead-acid batteries 10 having the first portion 16 and the second portion 17 arranged along the front-rear direction are provided in the side wall 20c of the housing 20 with an opening of 20 g. The first portion 16 is housed in the housing 20 in a state of projecting along the front-rear direction. The negative electrode terminal 13 and the positive electrode terminal 14 of the lead storage battery 10 are provided on the upper surface 12c, which is the end surface of the first portion 16 in the vertical direction. Therefore, since the negative electrode terminal 13 and the positive electrode terminal 14 are located outside the housing 20, they are exposed from the housing 20.

Here, in the assembled battery 1, since a plurality of battery units 3 are stacked in the vertical direction, the negative electrode terminal 13 and the positive electrode terminal 14 of the lead storage battery 10 are connected by a connecting member 7 or the like for connection work (wiring process). It is necessary to secure a working space for. For example, when the upper surface 12c of the first portion 16 and the upper surface 12d of the second portion 17 are connected and are at the same position in the vertical direction, the upper surface 12c is above the housing 20 in order to secure a working space. It is necessary to provide a certain distance along the vertical direction to the upper surface of the wall 20a. That is, the work space is secured by increasing the length of the housing 20 along the vertical direction.

On the other hand, the second portion 17 of the lead storage battery 10 protrudes from the upper surface 12c in the vertical direction. Therefore, even if a plurality of battery units 3 are stacked in the vertical direction, the negative electrode terminal 13 and the positive electrode terminal 14 of the lead storage battery 10 are connected by a connecting member 7 or the like by the amount of protrusion (distance D) of the second portion 17. The work space for work (wiring process) can be increased. As a result, the length of the housing 20 in the vertical direction can be shortened. Therefore, in the assembled battery 1 having a configuration in which a plurality of battery units 3 are stacked in the vertical direction, the length in the vertical direction can be shortened, and the work range of the connection work can be narrowed in the vertical direction. As a result, the workability of the connection work can be improved. Further, by shortening the length of the assembled battery 1 in the vertical direction, the installation stability is improved. As a result, the influence of vibration can be reduced, so that the vibration resistance of the assembled battery 1 can be improved.

The housing 20 has an insertion hole 22g for inserting the bolt 41 in the vertical direction and an attachment portion 22 provided with the insertion hole 22h. In the assembled battery 1, two battery units 3 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction can be fixed by bolts 41 and nuts 42 via the insertion holes 22g and the insertion holes 22h.

One mounting portion 22 is provided so as to extend from the side wall 20e toward the side opposite to the accommodation space S, and the other mounting portion 22 is provided so as to extend from the side wall 20f toward the side opposite to the accommodation space S. Has been done. Therefore, since the mounting portion 22 is located outside the storage space S, the battery unit 3 can be mounted and removed while the lead storage battery 10 is housed in the housing 20.

The cover member 30 is arranged so as to face the first portion 16 of the lead storage battery 10 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the lead-acid battery 10 falls off from the opening 20 g of the housing 20 in the front-rear direction (forward). Further, since the cover member 30 is arranged on the surface (front surface 16a) of the lead storage battery 10 where the negative electrode terminal 13 and the positive electrode terminal 14 are not provided, the area of the lead storage battery 10 covered by the cover member 30 is increased. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility that the lead-acid battery 10 will fall out of the housing 20 (assembled battery housing 50). As a result, the vibration resistance of the assembled battery 1 can be improved.

Since the cover member 30 is arranged so as to cover the central portion of the first portion 16 in the vertical direction, the lead storage battery 10 is firmly supported by the cover member 30. As a result, the possibility that the lead-acid battery 10 will fall out of the housing 20 (assembled battery housing 50) can be further reduced.

Since the cover member 30 is in contact with the first portion 16, the lead-acid battery 10 can be more reliably prevented from falling off due to the cover member 30, and the lead-acid battery 10 is the housing 20 (assembled battery housing 50). The possibility of falling out of the battery can be further reduced. Specifically, the first portion 31 of the cover member 30 is arranged so as to cover the central portion of the front surface 16a of the first portion 16 in the vertical direction and is in contact with the central portion of the front surface 16a in the vertical direction. .. The second portion 32 of the cover member 30 is arranged so as to cover the central portion of the side surface 16b of the first portion 16 in the vertical direction and is in contact with the central portion of the side surface 16b in the vertical direction. In this way, the cover member 30 not only contacts the front surface 16a of the first portion 16, but also sandwiches the plurality of lead-acid batteries 10 in the left-right direction, so that the lead-acid batteries 10 may fall off from the housing 20. Can be further reduced.

Further, the entire first portion 16 projects from the housing 20 (opening 20 g), and the entire second portion 17 is located in the housing 20 (accommodation space S). That is, only the part of the lead-acid battery 10 necessary for the connection work is located outside the housing 20, and the other parts are housed in the housing 20. As a result, the lead-acid battery 10 can be stably held by the housing 20 while improving the workability of the connection work.

In the battery unit 3, the plurality of lead storage batteries 10 are arranged along the left-right direction. Therefore, the negative electrode terminal 13 and the positive electrode terminal 14 are arranged along the left-right direction. Specifically, since the negative electrode terminals 13 and the positive electrode terminals 14 are alternately arranged along the left-right direction, it is possible to facilitate the connection work of the two lead-acid batteries 10 adjacent to each other.

The plurality of battery units 3 are stacked along the vertical direction so that the outer surface 20h of the side wall 20c faces the same direction (front). The outer surface 20h of the plurality of battery units 3 forms an accommodating surface 50c in which the plurality of lead-acid batteries 10 can be taken in and out of the assembled battery housing 50. Therefore, the lead-acid battery 10 can be accommodated or taken out from the same direction of the assembled battery 1. Therefore, it is possible to improve workability when accommodating or taking out the lead storage battery 10.

The surfaces (upper surface 50a, lower surface 50b, side surface 50d, side surface 50e, and side surface 50f) different from the accommodating surface 50c of the assembled battery housing 50 are closed. Therefore, the limitation on the installation of the assembled battery 1 can be reduced. For example, when the assembled battery 1 is installed in a place other than the storage battery room, it may be required to make the assembled battery 1 a cubicle type. That is, it may be required to cover all the surfaces of the assembled battery 1. Even in such a case, the assembled battery 1 can be installed in a desired place only by covering the accommodating surface 50c without covering the upper surface 50a, the lower surface 50b, the side surface 50d, the side surface 50e, and the side surface 50f with separate members. Become.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The present invention is not limited to these examples, and is indicated by the scope of claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

For example, the bottom wall 20b of the housing 20 may project forward from the side wall 20c. As a result, the lower side of the first portion 16 is supported by the bottom wall 20b, so that the possibility that the lead-acid battery 10 will fall off from the housing 20 can be reduced.

The mounting portion 22 may be mounted on another housing 20 or a pedestal portion 2 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction, and its position and shape are not limited. For example, the mounting portion 22 may be provided on the upper wall 20a and the bottom wall 20b. The mounting portion 22 may be provided in the accommodation space S.

As shown in FIG. 7, the mounting portion 22 may further have a flange 22e. The flange 22e is an annular member provided along the peripheral edge formed by the mounting plate 22a, the mounting plate 22c, the mounting plate 22b, and the edge of the mounting plate 22d opposite to the accommodation space S. The flange 22e projects inward from the peripheral edge. The flange 22e is provided with a plurality of (eight in this embodiment) through holes 22k that penetrate the flange 22e in the left-right direction. The plurality of through holes 22k are holes for attaching reinforcing plates to the side surface 50e and the side surface 50f of the assembled battery 1. A plurality of through holes 22k are provided at the top and bottom of the flange 22e, and are arranged in the front-rear direction. According to this configuration, the strength of the assembled battery 1 and the battery unit 3 can be increased.

In order to easily make the assembled battery 1 a cubicle type, the upper surface 50a, the lower surface 50b, the side surface 50d, the side surface 50e, and the side surface 50f may be closed as the assembled battery 1. Therefore, an opening may be provided on the surface of each battery unit 3 that is not exposed to the outside of the assembled battery 1. For example, among the plurality of battery units 3, the battery units 3 other than the uppermost battery unit 3 may be provided with an opening in the upper wall 20a, and may not have the upper wall 20a. Similarly, among the plurality of battery units 3, the battery units 3 other than the bottom battery unit 3 may be provided with an opening in the bottom wall 20b, and may not have the bottom wall 20b. As long as the pedestal portion 2 is a member having no opening, the battery unit 3 in the lowermost stage may also have an opening in the bottom wall 20b, and may not have the bottom wall 20b. Holes may be provided on at least one of the upper surface 50a, the lower surface 50b, the side surface 50d, the side surface 50e, and the side surface 50f. In this case, when the assembled battery 1 is installed outside the storage battery chamber, the surface provided with the holes is covered with another member.

1 ... Assembly battery, 3 ... Battery unit, 7 ... Connection member, 10 ... Lead storage battery, 12c ... Top surface (end face), 13 ... Negative electrode terminal (electrode terminal), 14 ... Positive electrode terminal (electrode terminal), 16 ... First part , 17 ... 2nd part, 20 ... housing, 20g ... opening, 20h ... outer surface, 22 ... mounting part, 22g ... insertion hole, 22h ... insertion hole, 30 ... cover member, 41 ... bolt, 50 ... assembled battery housing , 50a ... upper surface, 50b ... lower surface, 50c ... accommodation surface, 50d ... side surface, 50e ... side surface, 50f ... side surface, S ... accommodation space.

Claims (8)

A plurality of lead-acid batteries each having a first portion and a second portion arranged along the first direction and an electrode terminal provided on the first portion.
A housing having one side surface provided with an opening and accommodating the plurality of lead-acid batteries in a state in which the first portion projects along the first direction through the opening.
A cover member for preventing the plurality of lead-acid batteries from falling off from the housing, and
With
The first portion has an end face in a second direction that intersects the first direction.
The electrode terminal is provided on the end face and
The cover member is a battery unit arranged so as to face the first portion in the first direction. The battery unit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of lead-acid batteries are arranged along a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction. The battery unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover member is arranged so as to cover a central portion of the first portion in the second direction. The battery unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second portion protrudes from the end face in the second direction. The battery unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cover member is in contact with the first portion. The battery unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the assembled battery includes a plurality of battery units. The plurality of battery units are stacked along the second direction so that one side surface faces the same direction.
The housing of the plurality of battery units forms an assembled battery housing.
The one side surface of the plurality of battery units forms a housing surface on which the plurality of lead storage batteries can be taken in and out of the assembled battery housing.
The assembled battery according to claim 6. The assembled battery according to claim 7, wherein a surface of the assembled battery housing different from the accommodating surface is closed.

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