WO2023079695A1

WO2023079695A1 - Battery module and power storage system

Info

Publication number: WO2023079695A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/040831
Authority: WO
Inventors: 博史山本; 博昭吉成; 敬三萩原
Original assignee: 株式会社東芝; 東芝インフラシステムズ株式会社
Priority date: 2021-11-05
Filing date: 2021-11-05
Publication date: 2023-05-11
Also published as: CN117256071A; JPWO2023079695A1

Abstract

A battery module of an embodiment comprises a plurality of batteries, a housing that that houses the batteries, a terminal board, and an electrically insulating base member. A circuit in which current flows through the batteries is connected to the terminal board at a first connection position, and an external terminal is connected to the terminal board at a second connection position set apart from the first connection position outward in a first direction. The base member comprises a bottom wall part adjacent to the terminal board from one side in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a pair of side wall parts adjacent to the terminal board from opposite sides with respect to each other in a third direction intersecting the first and second directions. The terminal board is fastened to the bottom wall part, and each of the side wall parts is fastened to the housing.

Description

Battery modules and power storage systems

Embodiments of the present invention relate to battery modules and power storage systems.

In a battery module, multiple batteries (single cells) are housed inside a housing. Also, in the battery module, a pair of terminal plates is provided, and a circuit (main circuit) through which current flows through the plurality of batteries is formed between the pair of terminal plates. In the battery module, one of the pair of terminal plates forms a plus side (high potential side) module terminal, and the other of the pair of terminal plates forms a minus side (low potential side) module terminal. An external terminal provided at one end of a cable or the like is connected to each of the terminal plates, and the battery module is electrically connected to another battery module or the like via the cable or the like.

In the battery module as described above, by electrically connecting a plurality of batteries with a bus bar or the like, the aforementioned circuit (electrical path) in which current flows through the plurality of batteries is configured. In a circuit in which current flows through multiple batteries, the busbar electrically connected to the terminal plate through the batteries has a different potential than the terminal plate.

In addition, the battery module is provided with an electronic substrate on which electronic components including a detection circuit, a control circuit, a communication circuit, etc. are mounted, and the electronic components, wiring patterns, etc. form a conductive portion of the electronic substrate. In the conductive portion of the electronic board, the detection circuit or the like is electrically connected to the aforementioned circuit through which current flows through the battery and is at the same potential as anywhere in the circuit between the pair of terminal strips. On the other hand, the control circuit and the like of the electronic board have a predetermined level of potential with respect to the ground. In a case where a plurality of battery modules each having an electronic board as described above are provided and electrically connected to each other for use, especially in the battery module on the high potential side, the potential of each terminal plate is different from that of the electronic board. It becomes much more expensive than the control circuit etc. of the board. Therefore, even on the electronic substrate, there are conductive portions having a different potential from the terminal plate, and in particular, the potential difference between the terminal plate and the conductive portion forming the control circuit or the like may be large. In the battery module, it is required that the electrical insulation of the terminal plate, which is the connection portion of the external terminal to the conductive portions having different potentials, be appropriately ensured.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-125799 International Publication No. 2017/158733

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery module in which the electrical insulation of a terminal plate, which is a connection portion of an external terminal to a conductive portion having a different electric potential, is appropriately ensured, and an electric storage system including the battery module. to do.

The battery module of the embodiment includes a plurality of batteries, housings, terminal plates and base members. The housing accommodates a plurality of batteries inside and has electrical insulation. The terminal strip is electrically conductive and is connected at a first connection position to a circuit through which current flows through the plurality of batteries. a terminal plate extending outward in a first direction from a first connection position; the terminal plate having a second connection position spaced outward in the first direction from the first connection position; An external terminal is connected. The base member has electrical insulation properties and is attached to the terminal board at a portion spaced outwardly in the first direction from the first connection position. The base member has a bottom wall and a pair of side walls. The bottom wall portion is adjacent to the terminal plate from one side in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the terminal plate is fastened to the bottom wall portion. A pair of sidewalls adjoin the terminal plate from opposite sides in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and each of the sidewalls is fastened to the housing.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of a single battery according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the battery module according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the battery module according to the first embodiment, disassembled for each member. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the battery module according to the first embodiment with the housing cover omitted. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of one of the pair of connection units and its vicinity in the battery module according to the first embodiment, with the housing cover omitted. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of one of the pair of connection units and its vicinity in the battery module according to the first embodiment, with the upper case and cover of the housing omitted. FIG. 7 shows the configuration of one of the pair of connection units and the vicinity thereof in the battery module according to the first embodiment, in which the housing cover is omitted and the cable terminals (external terminals) are connected to the terminal plate. It is a perspective view shown in a state. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of one of the pair of connection units and its vicinity in the battery module according to the first embodiment in a cross section perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the third direction. 9 is a perspective view showing the configuration of one of a pair of connection units in the battery module according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of one of the pair of connection units in the battery module according to the first embodiment, viewed from a direction different from that of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing one of the pair of connection units in the battery module according to the first embodiment, with the cover member attached to the base member. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a cover member detachably attached to the base member of the connection unit in the battery module according to the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the configuration of one of the pair of connection units and its vicinity in the battery module according to the first modification, with the housing cover omitted. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the configuration of one of the pair of connection units in the battery module according to the first modification. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a connector unit and its vicinity in a battery module according to a second modification, with a housing cover omitted. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a connector unit in a battery module according to a second modified example. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a power storage system according to the embodiment;

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

A battery module according to an embodiment includes a plurality of batteries (single cells) and a housing in which the plurality of batteries are accommodated. Each of the plurality of batteries is, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery.

[battery]
First, the battery (single cell) will be described. FIG. 1 shows an example of a battery 1 alone. A battery 1 includes an electrode group 2 and an outer container 3 in which the electrode group 2 is accommodated. In one example, such as FIG. 1, the exterior container 3 is formed from metals, such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, iron, or stainless steel. The exterior container 3 includes a container body 5 and a lid 6. Here, in the battery 1 and the outer container 3, the depth direction (direction indicated by arrows X1 and X2) and the lateral direction (direction indicated by arrows Y1 and Y2) crossing (perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to) the depth direction , and a height direction (direction indicated by arrow Z1 and arrow Z2) that intersects (orthogonal or substantially orthogonal) to both the depth direction and the lateral direction are defined. In one example such as FIG. 1 , the dimension in the depth direction is much smaller than the dimension in the lateral direction and the dimension in the height direction in each of the battery 1 and the outer container 3 .

The container body 5 includes a bottom wall 7 and a peripheral wall 8. An internal cavity 10 in which the electrode group 2 is housed is defined by a bottom wall 7 and a peripheral wall 8 . In the battery 1, the internal cavity 10 opens toward the side opposite to the side where the bottom wall 7 is located in the height direction. The peripheral wall 8 surrounds the inner cavity 10 along the entire circumference. A lid 6 is attached to the container body 5 at the opening of the internal cavity 10 . The lid 6 is thus attached to the peripheral wall 8 at the end opposite the bottom wall 7 . The lid 6 and the bottom wall 7 face each other across the internal cavity 10 in the height direction.

The electrode group 2 includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode (both not shown). Further, in the electrode group 2, a separator (not shown) is interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The separator is electrically insulating and electrically insulates the positive electrode from the negative electrode.

The positive electrode includes a positive electrode current collector such as a positive electrode current collector foil, and a positive electrode active material-containing layer carried on the surface of the positive electrode current collector. The positive electrode current collector is, but not limited to, aluminum foil or aluminum alloy foil, etc., and has a thickness of about 5 μm to 20 μm. The positive electrode active material-containing layer comprises a positive electrode active material and may optionally contain a binder and a conductive agent. Examples of positive electrode active materials include, but are not limited to, oxides, sulfides, and polymers that can intercalate and deintercalate lithium ions. The positive electrode current collector has a positive electrode current collecting tab as a portion on which the positive electrode active material-containing layer is not supported.

The negative electrode includes a negative electrode current collector such as a negative electrode current collector foil, and a negative electrode active material-containing layer (not shown) carried on the surface of the negative electrode current collector. The negative electrode current collector is, but not limited to, aluminum foil, aluminum alloy foil, copper foil, or the like, and has a thickness of about 5 μm to 20 μm. The negative electrode active material containing layer comprises a negative electrode active material and may optionally contain a binder and a conductive agent. Examples of the negative electrode active material include, but are not limited to, metal oxides, metal sulfides, metal nitrides, and carbon materials that can occlude and release lithium ions. The negative electrode current collector includes a negative electrode current collecting tab as a portion where the negative electrode active material-containing layer is not supported.

In the electrode group 2, a pair of current collecting tabs is formed by the positive electrode current collecting tab and the negative electrode current collecting tab. A pair of current collecting tabs protrude from the electrode group 2 . In one example, in the electrode group 2, the positive electrode current collecting tab protrudes to one side of the battery 1 in the lateral direction, and the negative electrode current collecting tab is on the opposite side of the lateral direction of the battery 1 to the side from which the positive electrode current collecting tab protrudes. protrude to In another example, each of the pair of current collecting tabs in the electrode group 2 protrudes in the height direction of the battery 1 toward the side where the lid 6 is located. In this case, the pair of current collecting tabs are positioned apart from each other in the lateral direction of the battery 1 .

In addition, in the internal cavity 10, the electrode group 2 is held (impregnated) with an electrolytic solution (not shown). The electrolytic solution may be a non-aqueous electrolytic solution in which an electrolyte is dissolved in an organic solvent, or an aqueous electrolytic solution such as an aqueous solution. A gel electrolyte may be used instead of the electrolytic solution, or a solid electrolyte may be used. When a solid electrolyte is used as the electrolyte, the solid electrolyte may be interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode in place of the separator in the electrode group. In this case, the solid electrolyte electrically insulates the positive electrode from the negative electrode.

In the battery 1 , a pair of electrode terminals 11 are attached to the outer surface (upper surface) of the lid 6 of the outer container 3 . The electrode terminal 11 is made of a conductive material such as metal. One of the electrode terminals 11 is the positive terminal of the battery 1 and the other of the electrode terminals 11 is the negative terminal of the battery 1 . An insulating member 12 is provided between each of the electrode terminals 11 and the lid 6 . Each of the electrode terminals 11 is electrically insulated from the outer container 3 including the lid 6 by the insulating member 12 .

The positive electrode current collecting tab of the electrode group 2 is electrically connected to the corresponding positive electrode terminal of the electrode terminals 11 via one or more leads (positive electrode lead). Further, the negative electrode current collecting tab of the electrode group 2 is electrically connected to one of the corresponding negative electrode terminals 11 via one or more leads (negative lead). Each of the leads is formed from a conductive material such as metal. In addition, in the internal cavity 10 of the outer container 3, each of the pair of current collecting tabs and leads is electrically connected to the outer container 3 (container body 5 and lid 6) by one or more insulating members (not shown). insulated to

In addition, in the example of FIG. 1, the lid 6 is formed with a gas release valve 13 and an injection port. A sealing plate 15 is welded to the outer surface of the lid 6 to close the injection port. It should be noted that the gas release valve 13, the injection port, and the like may not be provided in the battery.

Also, the configuration of the battery (single cell) is not limited to the example shown in FIG. In one example, the exterior of the battery may be formed from a laminate film. In this case, in the battery casing, the metal layer is sandwiched between two electrically insulating insulating layers, and the outer surface of the casing is formed by one of the two insulating layers. Then, the electrode group is housed inside the exterior portion formed from the laminate film.

[Battery module]
The battery module will be described below. A battery module includes a plurality of batteries (single cells). In one example, each of the plurality of batteries has the same configuration as battery 1 described above.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment will be described below. 2 and 3 show a battery module 20 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 3, the battery module 20 is shown disassembled for each member. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the battery module 20 includes a plurality of batteries 1 and a housing 21 in which the plurality of batteries 1 are accommodated. Housing 21 has electrical insulation. Examples of materials forming the housing 21 include resins such as polyphenylene ether (PPE), polycarbonate (PC), and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

In a battery module 20 including a plurality of batteries 1 and a housing 21, a first direction (the directions indicated by arrows Y3 and Y4) and a second direction (perpendicular or substantially perpendicular) intersecting (perpendicular to) the first direction ( directions indicated by arrows Z3 and Z4) and a third direction (directions of arrows X3 and X4) that intersects (perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly) both the first direction and the second direction, Defined. 2 and 3, the first direction corresponds to the horizontal direction, the second direction corresponds to the height direction, and the third direction corresponds to the depth direction. 2 and 3, the housing 21 is made up of three members: a lower case 22, an upper case 23, and a cover 25. As shown in FIG. The lower case 22 is attached to the upper case 23 from one side in the second direction (lower side in the height direction). The cover 25 is attached to the upper case 23 from the side opposite to the lower case 22 in the second direction.

The housing 21 includes a top wall 31, a bottom wall 32, a pair of

side walls

33A, 33B, and a pair of

side walls

35A, 35B. Housing 21 defines an internal cavity by top wall 31, bottom wall 32 and

side walls

33A, 33B, 35A, 35B. The top wall 31 and the bottom wall 32 are spaced apart from each other with the inner cavity interposed in the second direction (height direction). Moreover, in the housing 21, the

side walls

33A, 33B, 35A, and 35B form a peripheral wall that surrounds the internal cavity along the entire circumference of the battery module 20 in the circumferential direction. Each of the

side walls

33A, 33B, 35A, 35B, ie the peripheral wall, extends from the top wall 31 to the bottom wall 32 along the second direction.

The pair of

side walls

33A, 33B are arranged apart from each other in the first direction (lateral direction) with the internal cavity interposed therebetween. Also, the pair of

side walls

35A and 35B are arranged apart from each other with the internal cavity interposed therebetween in the third direction (depth direction). Each of

sidewalls

33A and 33B extends along the third direction from sidewall 35A to sidewall 35B. Each of

sidewalls

35A and 35B extends along the first direction from sidewall 33A to sidewall 33B. In one example, such as FIGS. 2 and 3 , top wall 31 is formed from cover 25 and bottom wall 32 is formed from lower case 22 . Moreover, each of the

side walls

33A, 33B, 35A, 35B, that is, the peripheral wall is formed from the lower case 22 and the upper case 23. As shown in FIG.

Also, as shown in FIG. 3 , the upper case 23 of the housing 21 has an intermediate wall 36 . The intermediate wall 36 is arranged in the internal cavity of the housing 21 and is arranged between the top wall 31 and the bottom wall 32 in the second direction (height direction). The intermediate wall 36 extends along the first direction (horizontal direction) from the side wall 33A to the side wall 33B, and extends along the third direction (depth direction) from the side wall 35A to the side wall 35B. The interior cavity of housing 21 is divided by intermediate wall 36 into space 26 between top wall 31 and intermediate wall 36 and space 27 between bottom wall 32 and intermediate wall 36 . That is, the intermediate wall 36 serves as a partition wall (partition wall) separating the two

spaces

26 and 27 . Inside housing 21 , a plurality of batteries 1 are arranged in space 27 between bottom wall 32 and intermediate wall 36 .

In addition, in the space 27 between the bottom wall 32 and the intermediate wall 36, a partition wall 37 is formed by the lower case 22 and the upper case 23 of the housing 21. In one example such as FIG. It is formed. The two partition walls 37 are spaced apart from each other in a first direction (transverse direction) and are arranged between the

side walls

33A, 33B in the first direction. Each partition wall 37 extends from the bottom wall 32 to the intermediate wall 36 in the second direction (height direction), and extends from the side wall 35A to the side wall 35B in the third direction (depth direction). extended along. The space 27 is divided into three areas by the partition wall 37 and the three areas are separated from each other by the partition wall 37 .

In addition, in an example such as FIG. 3 , three battery lines 28 are formed by a plurality of batteries 1 arranged in the space 27 . Each of the battery strings 28 is arranged in a corresponding one of the three regions partitioned by partition walls 37 . A partition wall 37 separates the battery rows 28 adjacent to each other in the first direction. A plurality of batteries 1 are arranged in each of the battery rows 28, and eight batteries 1 are arranged in each of the battery rows 28 in an example such as FIG. In each of the battery rows 28, the batteries 1 are arranged so that the arrangement direction of the batteries 1 coincides or substantially coincides with the third direction (depth direction).

Also, in each of the battery rows 28 , the depth direction of each battery 1 coincides or substantially coincides with the third direction of the battery module 20 , and the lateral direction of each battery 1 coincides with the first direction of the battery module 20 . matches or substantially matches. In each of the battery rows 28 , the height direction of each battery 1 matches or substantially matches the second direction of the battery module 20 . Each of the batteries 1 is arranged so that the outer surface of the bottom wall 7 faces the side where the bottom wall 32 of the housing 21 is located and the outer surface of the lid 6 faces the side where the intermediate wall 36 of the housing 21 is located. , are arranged in the space 27 . Moreover, in each of the battery rows 28, a partition plate (separator) 38 is provided between the batteries 1 adjacent to each other in the arrangement direction (third direction). Each partition plate 38 has electrical insulation at least on its outer surface.

Further, the intermediate wall 36 is formed with a plurality of holes 41 penetrating through the intermediate wall 36 in the second direction (height direction). Here, each of the plurality of batteries 1 arranged in the space 27 has a pair of electrode terminals 11 . Holes 41 are formed in the same number as the total number of electrode terminals 11 provided in battery module 20 , and are formed in the number twice the number of batteries 1 . In each battery 1 , each of the pair of electrode terminals 11 is inserted through a corresponding one of the holes 41 . Each of the electrode terminals 11 then protrudes through a corresponding one of the holes 41 into the space 26 between the top wall 31 and the intermediate wall 36 .

4 shows the battery module 20 with the cover 25 omitted. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and the like, a plurality of busbars 42 are arranged in the space 26 between the top wall 31 and the intermediate wall 36 . Each of the busbars 42 is electrically conductive and made of metal such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. In each of the plurality of batteries 1, a corresponding one of the busbars 42 is connected to each of the pair of electrode terminals. Also, the battery module 20 is provided with a pair of terminal plates 43 . Each of the terminal plates 43 has electrical conductivity and is made of metal such as copper, copper alloy, aluminum, or aluminum alloy. In the battery module 20, the plurality of batteries 1 are electrically connected via the busbars 42 and the like other than the

busbars

42A and 42B. The electrical connection structure between a plurality of batteries 1 includes a series connection structure in which two or more batteries 1 are electrically connected in series, and a series connection structure in which two or more batteries 1 are electrically connected in parallel. At least one of the parallel connected structures is formed.

Each of the

busbars

42A, 42B connects one or more corresponding ones of the plurality of batteries 1 to corresponding ones of the pair of terminal plates 43 in the space 26 . In an example such as FIGS. 3 and 4, two batteries 1A are connected to one terminal plate 43A of a pair of terminal plates 43 by a bus bar 42A. Two batteries 1B other than the battery 1A are connected to a terminal plate 43B, which is one of the pair of terminal plates 43 other than the terminal plate 43A, by a bus bar 42B. Therefore, the plurality of batteries 1 are electrically connected to each of the pair of terminal plates 43 by the

busbars

42A and 42B.

Since the busbars 42 and the terminal plates 43 are provided as described above, in the battery module 20 , a circuit (main circuit) in which current flows through the plurality of batteries 1 and the busbars 42 is formed between the pair of terminal plates 43 . . In the battery module 20, one of the pair of terminal plates 43 (43A, 43B) forms a module terminal on the plus side (high potential side), and the other of the pair of terminal plates 43 forms a module terminal on the minus side (low potential side). Module terminals are formed. 2 to 4, each terminal plate 43 is attached to the upper case 23 and arranged between the upper case 23 and the cover 25 in the second direction (height direction). In the upper case 23, one corresponding base member 48, which will be described later, is attached to a boss (not shown) provided on the intermediate wall 36, and each terminal plate 43 is attached to one corresponding base member 48. be done. Each of the pair of terminal plates 43 protrudes from the space 26 between the top wall 31 and the intermediate wall 36 to the outside of the housing 21 and extends outward in the first direction (horizontal direction) with respect to the outer surface of the side wall 33A. protrude. Also, the pair of terminal plates 43 are arranged apart from each other in the third direction (depth direction).

An electronic board 45 is arranged in the space 26 between the top wall 31 and the intermediate wall 36 . The electronic board 45 is mounted with electronic components including a detection circuit, a control circuit, a communication circuit, and the like. The electronic substrate 45 is, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB), on which wiring patterns and the like for electrically connecting electronic components to be mounted are formed. The electronic substrate 45 includes a conductive portion formed by electronic components, wiring patterns, and the like. One or more of the aforementioned busbars 42 are connected to the detection circuitry, which is part of the conductive portion of the electronic board 45 . Therefore, the aforementioned circuit (electrical path) formed by the battery 1 and the bus bar 42 between the pair of terminal plates 43 is electrically connected to the detection circuit which is part of the conductive portion of the electronic board 45. . In the electronic board 45, the voltage of the entire battery 1 (the voltage between the terminal plates 43), one or more voltages of the batteries 1, one or more temperatures of the batteries 1, and , the current flowing in the circuit (electrical path) between the terminal strips 43 is detected.

In addition, two connectors 46 are mounted on the electronic board 45 in one example of FIGS. 2 to 4 and the like. Each of the connectors 46 is arranged between the upper case 23 and the cover 25 in the second direction (height direction). Each of the connectors 46 has an opening, and each opening of the connector 46 opens to the outside of the housing 21 on the outer surface of the side wall 33A and opens outward in the first direction (horizontal direction). . Also, the two connectors 46 are arranged apart from each other in the third direction (depth direction) and arranged between the pair of terminal plates 43 in the third direction.

A connector (external connector) provided at one end of a cable such as a LAN cable can be connected to each of the connectors 46 . When the cable connector is connected to the connector 46, the electronic board 45 can communicate with an external terminal, control device, or the like via the cable or the like. From the electronic board 45 to an external control device or the like, for example, detection results of the above-described current, voltage, temperature, etc. detection circuits are transmitted. Further, for example, a control signal or the like related to charging or discharging of the plurality of batteries 1 is transmitted from an external control device or the like to the electronic board 45 .

In the electronic board 45 of the battery module 20 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connector 46 and the area 45A in the vicinity thereof are provided with a control circuit, a communication circuit, and the like. The control circuit, communication circuit, and the like communicate with an external terminal, control device, or the like via a cable or the like connected to the connector 46 . Further, the above-described detection circuit is provided on the electronic substrate 45 in a region other than the region 45A. A conductive portion such as a detection circuit formed in a region other than the region 45A on the electronic board 45 is electrically connected to the above-described circuit (electrical path) formed by the bus bar 42 and the battery 1 .

In addition, in the electronic substrate 45 of the battery module 20 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, there is an electrical gap between the control circuit, the communication circuit, etc. arranged in the area 45A and the detection circuit, etc. arranged in the area other than the area 45A. An insulating portion having insulating properties is formed. Therefore, in the electronic board 45, the control circuit, the communication circuit, and the like are electrically insulated from the detection circuit. Also, in the electronic board 45, the control circuit, the communication circuit, and the like communicate with the detection circuit via an isolation IC, a photocoupler, or the like.

3 and 4, in the space 26, the electronic board 45 is arranged between each of the busbars 42 and the top wall 31 in the second direction. An insulating case 47 having electrical insulation is arranged between the region 45A of the electronic substrate 45 and each of the busbars 42 . Insulating case 47 prevents each of bus bars 42 from contacting area 45 A of electronic board 45 . The insulating case 47 effectively prevents the occurrence of a short circuit between the circuit (electrical path) formed by the busbar 42 and the battery 1 and the conductive portion of the electronic substrate 45 . In addition, the insulating case 47 appropriately secures an insulating distance between the conductive portion (control circuit, etc.) of the area 45A of the electronic board 45 and the circuit (electrical path) formed by the busbar 42 and the battery 1 .

Also, the battery module 20 is provided with a pair of base members 48 . Each of the base members 48 has electrical insulation. Each of the base members 48 is made of resin, for example, the same material as the housing 21 . Each of the base members 48 is separate from the members forming the housing 21 such as the lower case 22 , the upper case 23 and the cover 25 . Each of the pair of terminal plates 43 is attached to the upper case 23 of the housing 21 with one of the pair of base members 48 interposed therebetween. Each of the pair of terminal plates 43 constitutes the connection unit 40 together with the corresponding one of the pair of base members 48 . For this reason, the battery module 20 includes a pair of connection units 40 , each of which includes a terminal plate 43 and a base member 48 . In one of the pair of connection units 40, the terminal plate 43 forms a module terminal on the positive side (high potential side), and in the other of the pair of connection units 40, the terminal plate 43 forms a module terminal on the negative side (low potential side). Module terminals are formed.

5 to 8 show the configuration of one of the pair of connection units 40 and its vicinity, and FIGS. 9 and 10 show the configuration of one of the pair of connection units 40. FIG. The configuration of the other of the pair of connection units 40 and its vicinity is also the same as the configuration shown in FIGS. is similar to 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cover 25 is omitted, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the upper case 23 and the cover 25 are omitted. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cover 25 is omitted and a terminal (external terminal) 102 provided at one end of the cable 101 is connected to the terminal plate 43. As shown in FIG. FIG. 8 also shows a state in which the terminal (external terminal) 102 of the cable 101 is connected to the terminal plate 43 in a cross section orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the third direction (depth direction). 9 and 10 are perspective views from different viewing directions.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 10 and the like, in each of the connection units 40, the terminal board 43 is formed in a plate shape. In each of the terminal plates 43, the plate length direction, the plate width direction that intersects (perpendicularly or substantially perpendicular to) the plate length direction, and the plate length direction and the plate width direction that intersect (perpendicular or substantially perpendicular) (orthogonal) thickness directions are defined. Each of the terminal plates 43 has extension ends E1 and E2, and extends along the plate length direction from the extension end E1 to the extension end E2. Each of the terminal plates 43 is attached to the upper case 23 of the housing 21 with the plate width direction matching or substantially matching the third direction (depth direction) of the battery module 20 . In each of the terminal strips 43, the extension end E2 is positioned outwardly with respect to the extension end E1 in the first direction.

Each of the terminal plates 43 includes

extended portions

51 and 52 , a relay portion 53 and a bent portion 55 . In each extended portion 51 of the terminal plate 43 , the plate length direction matches or substantially matches the first direction (horizontal direction) of the battery module 20 , and the plate thickness direction corresponds to the second direction (height direction) of the battery module 20 . direction). In each of the terminal plates 43, the extension end E1 is formed by an extension portion 51, and the extension portion (first extension portion) 51 extends outward in the first direction from the extension end E1. is set. Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, each terminal plate 43 is formed with a through hole H1 penetrating through the extension portion 51 in the plate thickness direction (second direction). In each terminal plate 43, the extension portion 51 extends outward in the first direction beyond the through hole H1.

Each of the terminal plates 43 is connected to a corresponding one of the

busbars

42A and 42B at the through hole H1. Therefore, in each of the terminal plates 43, the through hole H1 and its vicinity are formed by the above-described circuit through which current flows through the plurality of batteries 1, that is, by the plurality of batteries 1 and the bus bar 42 between the pair of terminal plates 43. It becomes a connection position (first connection position) connected to a circuit (electrical path). 3 to 10, etc., each of the terminal plates 43 is connected to the bus bars 42A, 42B by a fastening screw 58 and a nut 59 (see FIGS. 3 and 6) at the through hole H1 and the first connection position in the vicinity thereof. is connected to the aforementioned circuit (electrical path) by being fastened with the corresponding one of Further, in each of the terminal plates 43, the extension portion 51 passes through a connection position (first connection position) to the circuit formed by the plurality of batteries 1 and the bus bars 42, and extends from the extension end E1 to the first connection position. It extends toward the outside of the direction.

Each of the terminal plates 43 extends outward in the first direction from the connection position (through hole H1) to the circuit described above. Further, in each of the terminal plates 43, the extension portion (second extension portion) 52 is positioned outside the extension portion (first extension portion) 51 in the first direction, and the through hole It is positioned outwardly in a first direction (lateral direction) away from the first connection position of H1 and its vicinity. In each extended portion 52 of the terminal plate 43 , the plate length direction coincides or substantially coincides with the first direction (horizontal direction) of the battery module 20 , and the plate thickness direction coincides with the second direction (height direction) of the battery module 20 . direction).

Further, in each of the terminal plates 43 , the

extension portions

51 and 52 are relayed by the relay portion 53 . In each of the terminal plates 43, one end of the relay portion 53 is connected to the end of the extension portion 51 opposite to the extension end E1. Connected. In each terminal plate 43, the end of the relay portion 53 opposite to the extension portion 51 is connected to the extension portion 52, and the extension portion 52 is connected to the relay portion 53 from the outside in the first direction. Connected. In each terminal plate 43 , the extension portion 52 extends outward in the first direction from the connection position to the relay portion 53 . In each terminal plate 43 , the relay portion 53 is bent in the second direction (height direction) with respect to the

extension portions

51 and 52 . Therefore, in each relay portion 53 of the terminal plate 43 , for example, the plate length direction matches or substantially matches the second direction of the battery module 20 , and the plate thickness direction matches or substantially matches the first direction of the battery module 20 . Almost match.

In each terminal plate 43 , a bent structure is formed between the

extended portions

51 and 52 by providing the relay portion 53 . In each terminal plate 43 , a step is formed between the

extension portions

51 and 52 by the relay portion 53 . In each terminal plate 43 , the

extension portions

51 and 52 are displaced from each other in the second direction due to the step formed by the relay portion 53 . 3 to 10 , in each of the terminal plates 43 , the extension portion (second extension portion) 52 is located at the top wall 31 with respect to the extension portion (first extension portion) 51 . placed on the side closest to the

In each terminal plate 43 , a bent portion 55 is connected to the end of the extended portion 52 opposite to the connection position to the relay portion 53 . Therefore, in each terminal plate 43, the bent portion 55 is connected to the extended portion 52 from the outside in the first direction. In each of the terminal plates 43 , the bent portion 55 bends with respect to the extended portion 52 toward the intermediate wall 36 and the battery 1 in the second direction (height direction). Therefore, in each bent portion 55 of the terminal plate 43 , for example, the plate length direction matches or substantially matches the second direction of the battery module 20 , and the plate thickness direction matches or substantially matches the first direction of the battery module 20 . Almost match. In each terminal plate 43 , the bent portion 55 extends from the connection position to the extended portion 52 toward the side where the battery 1 is located along the second direction. Further, in each of the terminal plates 43, the extended end E2 is formed by a bent portion 55, and the bent portion 55 extends toward the side where the battery 1 (intermediate wall 36) in the second direction is located. It extends to E2.

In each terminal plate 43, the bent portion 55 is positioned outside in the first direction with respect to the extension portion 51 and the through hole H1. In addition, in each of the terminal plates 43, the end portion of the extended portion 52 on the side where the bent portion 55 is located and the bent portion 55 extend outward in the first direction (horizontal direction) with respect to the outer surface of the side wall 33A. protrude towards. Each of the terminal plates 43 is formed with a through hole H2 penetrating through the bent portion 55 in the plate thickness direction (first direction). In each terminal plate 43, the bent portion 55 extends beyond the through hole H2 toward the battery 1 side in the second direction. In each of the terminal plates 43, the through hole H2 is positioned outside in the first direction away from the through hole H1, which is the circuit connection position.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each of the terminal plates 43 is connected to a terminal (external terminal) 102 provided at one end of the cable 101 through the through hole H2. Therefore, in each terminal plate 43 , the through hole H2 and its vicinity serve as connection positions (second connection positions) where terminals 102 are connected. In each of the terminal plates 43, the bent portion 55 passes through the connection position (second connection position) of the cable 101 to the terminal 102, and extends from the connection position to the extension portion 52 to the extension end E2. is extended along the direction of In the cable 101 , the terminal 102 is connected to a conductive wire (not shown) inside the cable 101 . In the cable 101, the conductive wires are covered with a cable coating 103 having electrical insulation.

A bolt 56 is detachably attached to a through hole H2 formed in the bent portion 55 of each of the terminal plates 43 . A bolt 56 attached to each terminal plate 43 has a head 56A. In each of the terminal plates 43 , the terminal 102 of the cable 101 is connected at the through hole H2 and its vicinity at the second connection position using the bolt 56 and the nut 57 screwed with the bolt 56 . In each terminal plate 43, the bolt 56 is inserted through the through hole H2 from the outside in the first direction. In each connection unit 40 , the bolt 56 is threaded (engaged) with the nut 57 while being inserted through the through hole H2 of the terminal plate 43 .

In each connection unit 40, when the bolt 56 is attached to the terminal plate 43 through the through hole H2, the head 56A of the bolt 56 approaches the bent portion 55 of the terminal plate 43 from the outside in the first direction. Then, the nut 57 approaches the bent portion 55 of the terminal plate 43 from the inside in the first direction. In each connection unit 40 , the bent portion 55 of the terminal plate 43 is sandwiched between the head 56 A of the bolt 56 and the nut 57 . In each of the connection units 40 , in the operation of connecting the terminal 102 of the cable 101 to the terminal plate 43 , the terminal 102 is attached to the terminal plate 43 by sandwiching it between the head of the bolt 56 and the bent portion 55 of the terminal plate 43 . Connected. By connecting the terminal 102 to each of the terminal plates 43, the battery module 20 is electrically connected to another battery module or the like via the cable 101 or the like. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the terminal (external terminal) 102 of the cable 101 is a round terminal, but the terminal 102 may be either a C-shaped terminal, a Y-shaped terminal, or the like.

In each of the pair of connection units 40 , the base member 48 is attached to the extended portion (second extended portion) 52 of the terminal plate 43 . For this reason, each of the terminal plates 43 has a portion spaced outwardly in the first direction from the through hole H1, that is, from a connection position (first connection position) to the circuit formed by the battery 1 and the bus bar 42. A base member 48 is attached at a portion spaced outwardly in the first direction. Further, in each of the connection units 40 , the base member 48 is arranged outside in the first direction with respect to the extension portion (first extension portion) 51 and the relay portion 53 of the terminal plate 43 .

Each of the pair of base members 48 has a bottom wall portion 61 and a pair of side wall portions 62 . In each of the connection units 40, the bottom wall portion 61 is adjacent to the extension portion 52 of the terminal plate 43 from one side in the second direction (height direction), and extends from the battery 1 (bus bar 42) and the terminal plate 43 in the second direction. It adjoins the extended portion 52 from the side where the intermediate wall 36 is located. Further, in each of the connection units 40, the side wall portion 62A, which is one of the pair of side wall portions 62, extends from one side of the terminal plate 43 in the third direction (depth direction) (second extending portion). 52 and the bend 55 are adjacent. In each of the connection units 40, the side wall portion 62B, which is one of the pair of side wall portions 62 other than the side wall portion 62A, extends from the side opposite to the side wall portion 62A in the third direction. Adjacent to portion 52 and bend 55 . For this reason, in each of the connection units 40, the pair of side wall portions 62 are adjacent to the terminal plate 43 from opposite sides in the third direction, and the terminal plate 43 passes between the pair of side wall portions 62. deferred.

Also, in each of the base members 48 , a recessed portion 63 is formed by the bottom wall portion 61 and the pair of side wall portions 62 . In each of the connection units 40, the recess 63 is recessed toward the side where the battery 1 and the intermediate wall 36 are located in the second direction, and opens toward the side where the top wall 31 is located in the second direction. In each of the base members 48 , the bottom wall portion 61 forms the bottom surface of the recess 63 , and the pair of side wall portions 62 form the side surfaces of the recess 63 . In each bottom wall portion 61 of the base member 48, a bottom surface of a recess 63 is formed from the inner end to the outer end in the first direction. In each of the connection units 40 , the extension portion 52 of the terminal plate 43 extends along the first direction through the recess 63 . In each of the connection units 40 , the end of the extended portion 52 on the side where the bent portion 55 is located and the bent portion 55 protrude outward in the first direction (horizontal direction) with respect to the concave portion 63 . .

In each connection unit 40 , the extended portion (second extended portion) 52 of the terminal plate 43 is fastened to the bottom wall portion 61 of the base member 48 in the concave portion 63 of the base member 48 . Therefore, in each of the connection units 40 , the extended portion 52 of the terminal plate 43 extends along the first direction through the fastening position of the terminal plate 43 with the base member 48 . 3 to 10, etc., in each of the connection units 40, the extending portion 52 is fastened to the bottom wall portion 61 via three fastening screws 65 (65A to 65C). Therefore, in each of the connection units 40, the extended portion of the terminal plate 43 is fastened to the bottom wall portion 61 of the base member 48 at a plurality of fastening positions. , and is fastened to the bottom wall portion 61 .

3 to 10, three through-holes 91 (see FIG. 8, etc.) are formed in each extended portion 52 of the terminal plate 43, and each bottom wall portion 61 of the base member 48 has , three holes 92 (see FIGS. 8 and 10, etc.) are formed. One nut 93 (see FIG. 8, etc.) is installed in each of the three holes 92 in each bottom wall portion 61 of the base member 48 . In each connection unit 40 , each fastening screw 65 is inserted through a corresponding one of the through holes 91 and connected to a corresponding one of the nuts 93 in a corresponding one of the holes 92 by screwing or the like. 10 and the like, in each of the connection units 40, each of the holes 92 of the bottom wall portion 61 opens to the side opposite to the side on which the terminal plate 43 (extending portion 52) is located in the second direction. ing. However, in each of the connection units 40, each of the holes 92 of the bottom wall portion 61 does not have to open to the side opposite to the side on which the terminal plate 43 is located in the second direction.

3 to 10, in each of the connection units 40, the fastening position of the fastening screw 65C is separated inward in the first direction from the fastening positions of the fastening screws 65A and 65B. located. Therefore, in each of the connection units 40, at least one of the plurality of fastening positions of the terminal plate 43 to the bottom wall portion 61 is located away from the other fastening positions in the first direction. 3 to 10 and the like, the fastening positions of the fastening screws 65A and 65B in each of the connection units 40 are not displaced or hardly displaced with respect to each other in the first direction.

Also, in each of the connection units 40, the fastening positions of the fastening screws 65A and 65B are located apart from each other in the third direction and arranged side by side along the third direction. In each of the connection units 40, the fastening position of the fastening screw 65C is shifted in the third direction from the fastening positions of the fastening screws 65A and 65B. In each of the connection units 40, at least one of the plurality of fastening positions of the terminal plate 43 to the bottom wall portion 61 is located away from the other fastening positions in the third direction.

Also, in each of the connection units 40 , each of the pair of side wall portions 62 of the base member 48 is provided with a projecting piece 66 . In each of the connection units 40 , each projecting piece 66 of the side wall portion 62 protrudes in the third direction opposite to the side where the terminal plate 43 is located, and protrudes outward in the plate width direction of the terminal plate 43 . In each of the pair of base members 48 , each of the pair of side walls 62 is fastened to the upper case 23 of the housing 21 . 3 to 10 , each of the pair of projecting pieces 66 in each connection unit 40 is fastened to the housing 21 via fastening screws 67 . Further, in each of the pair of base members 48 , one through hole 95 (see FIG. 10 etc.) is formed in each of the pair of projecting pieces 66 . In each connection unit 40 , each fastening screw 67 is inserted through one corresponding through hole 95 of the projecting piece 66 and connected to a boss or the like installed in the intermediate wall 36 .

In each of the connection units 40, each of the projecting pieces 66 of the base member 48 is fastened to the housing 21 as described above. Therefore, in each of the connection units 40, the base member 48 is fastened to the housing 21 at positions spaced apart from the terminal plate 43 on both sides in the third direction. It is fastened to the housing 21 at each position apart from the extended portion 52 on the other side. In each connection unit 40, the terminal plate 43 is fastened to the bottom wall portion 61 of the base member 48 as described above, and the pair of side wall portions 62 of the base member 48 are fastened to the housing 21 as described above. As a result, the terminal plate 43 is attached to the housing 21 with the base member 48 interposed therebetween.

Also, as shown in FIG. 8, in each of the base members 48, the bottom wall portion 61 has an outer end surface 64, and the outer end surface 64 is the outer end surface of the bottom wall portion 61 in the first direction. In each of the base members 48, the outer end surface 64 of the bottom wall portion 61 faces outward in the first direction. In each of the connection units 40 , the end portion of the extension portion 52 on the side where the bent portion 55 is located and the bent portion 55 extend outward in the first direction (horizontal direction) from the outer end surface 64 of the bottom wall portion 61 . protrude towards. Also, in each terminal plate 43 of the connection unit 40 , the bent portion 55 is bent with respect to the extension portion 52 in the second direction toward the side adjacent to the bottom wall portion 61 of the base member 48 . In each connection unit 40 , the bent portion 55 of the terminal plate 43 extends from the connection position with the extension portion 52 toward the side adjacent to the bottom wall portion 61 in the second direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, in each of the base members 48, each of the pair of side wall portions 62 has a projecting portion 68 projecting outward in the first direction from the outer end surface 64 of the bottom wall portion 61 and the recessed portion 63. Prepare. In each of the base members 48, the protruding portions 68 of the pair of side wall portions 62 protrude outward in the first direction (lateral direction) with respect to the outer surface of the side wall 33A of the housing 21 and mutually extend in the third direction. away from In each of the connection units 40, the bent portion 55 of the terminal plate 43 extends through between the protruding portions 68 of the pair of side wall portions 62 to provide a connection position (second connection position) for the terminal (external terminal) 102. The through hole H2 is located between the pair of projections 68 in the third direction. Further, in each of the connection units 40, the bent portion 55 of the terminal plate 43 faces the outer end surface 64 of the bottom wall portion 61 of the base member 48 from the outside in the first direction. In each of the connection units 40, the bent portion 55 of the terminal plate 43 has a gap with the outer end surface 64 of the bottom wall portion 61, and the through hole H2 is separated from the outer end surface 64 outward in the first direction. located.

In each of the connection units 40, when the bolt 56 and the nut 57 are attached to the bent portion 55 of the terminal plate 43 at the through hole H2 and the second connection position in the vicinity thereof, the nut 57 is attached to the bent portion 55 and the bottom wall. It is located in the gap between the portion 61 and the outer end surface 64 . Further, in each of the connection units 40, in a state where the terminals (external terminals) 102 are connected to the terminal plate 43 through the through holes H2 as described above, the terminals 102 are projected from the pair of side wall portions 62 of the base member 48. It is sandwiched between 68. At this time, in each of the connection units 40, the terminal 102 is sandwiched between the pair of side wall portions 62 (the pair of projecting portions 68) in the third direction. In each of the connection units 40, when the terminals (external terminals) 102 are connected to the terminal plate 43 through the through holes H2 as described above, the projecting portions 68 of the pair of side wall portions 62 of the base member 48 are , may be in contact with the terminal 102 or may not be in contact with the terminal 102 .

As shown in FIG. 8 and the like, in each connection unit 40, a cover member 70 is detachably attached to the base member 48. As shown in FIG. The cover member 70 has electrical insulation and is made of the same material as the base member 48, for example. 11 shows a state where the cover member 70 is attached to the base member 48 on one side of the connection unit 40, and FIG. 12 shows the configuration of the cover member 70. As shown in FIG. Also in the other connection unit 40, the cover member 70 is attached to the base member 48 in the same manner as in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 8, 11 and 12, the cover member 70 includes a top plate portion 71, a front plate portion 72 and a pair of side plate portions 73. In the cover member 70 , an internal space is defined by the top plate portion 71 , the front plate portion 72 and the pair of side plate portions 73 . Further, in the cover member 70, the internal space is opened to the side opposite to the side where the top plate portion 71 is located and to the side opposite to the side where the front plate portion 72 is located. In each connection unit 40, the cover member 70 is attached to the base member 48 so that the terminal plate 43 protrudes outward in the first direction from the outer surface of the side wall 33A of the housing 21. A portion of the base member 48 that protrudes from the outer end surface 64 of the bottom wall portion 61 is covered with the cover member 70 . Therefore, in each of the connection units 40 , the connection position (second connection position) of the terminal 102 on the terminal plate 43 is covered by attaching the cover member 70 to the base member 48 . That is, in each connection unit 40 , the cover member 70 is attached to the base member 48 so that the bent portion 55 or the bent portion 55 , the terminal 102 and the bolt 56 are covered with the cover member 70 .

In each of the connection units 40, in a state where the cover member 70 is attached to the base member 48, the top plate portion 71 of the terminal plate 43 extends from the outer surface of the side wall 33A to the one side in the second direction. That is, the second direction is covered from the side where the top wall 31 is located. Further, in each of the connection units 40 , the front plate portion 72 covers the projecting portion of the terminal plate 43 from the outside in the first direction when the cover member 70 is attached to the base member 48 . A side plate portion 73A, which is one of the pair of side plate portions 73, covers the protruding portion of the terminal plate 43 from one side in the third direction, and is a side plate which is another side plate portion of the pair of side plate portions 73A. The portion 73B covers the projecting portion of the terminal plate 43 from the side opposite to the side plate portion 73A in the third direction. In each connection unit 40, when the cover member 70 is attached to the base member 48, each of the top plate portion 71 and the side plate portion 73 of the cover member 70 extends to or near the outer surface of the side wall 33A of the housing 21. It extends inward in the first direction. In one example, when each of the cover members 70 is attached to the corresponding one of the base members 48, the top plate portion 71 of each of the cover members 70 is positioned between the top wall 31 (cover 25) and the intermediate wall 36. may be inserted in the space 26 between the

In each of the connection units 40, when the cover member 70 is attached to the base member 48, the internal space of the cover member 70 opens to the side opposite to the top plate portion 71 in the second direction. do. In each connection unit 40 , the cover member 70 is attached to the base member 48 and the terminal (external terminal) 102 is connected to the terminal plate 43 , and the cable 101 connects the terminal 102 to the terminal plate 43 . From the position, it extends to the outside of the cover member 70 through the opening of the cover member 70 . Cable 101 extends from the position where terminal 102 is connected to terminal plate 43 toward the side where battery 1 is located in the second direction.

Further, the cover member 70 is provided with a pair of protruding plate portions 75, and each of the protruding plate portions 75 protrudes from the corresponding one of the pair of side plate portions 73 to the side opposite to the side where the internal space is located. . Also, in the cover member 70 , one or more engaging pieces 76 are formed on each of the pair of projecting plate portions 75 . In each projecting plate portion 75, the engaging piece 76 projects to the side opposite to the side where the front plate portion 72 is located.

In each of the base members 48 , an engagement groove 77 is formed in each projecting portion 68 of the pair of side wall portions 62 . In one example such as FIG. 11, in each of the base members 48, the number of engaging grooves 77 formed in the projecting portion 68 of the side wall portion 62A is equal to the number of engaging pieces formed in the projecting plate portion 75A projecting from the side plate portion 73A. 76, and the number of engaging grooves 77 formed in the projecting portion 68 of the side wall portion 62B is the same as the number of engaging pieces 76 formed in the projecting plate portion 75B projecting from the side plate portion 73B. Become. The cover member 70 is attached to each of the base members 48 by engaging each of the engaging pieces 76 with one of the engaging grooves 77 . That is, cover member 70 is attached to each of base members 48 by a snap fit.

In the battery module 20, in the aforementioned circuit (electrical path) formed by the battery 1 and the busbar 42, a portion (conductive portion) having a potential different from that of the terminal plate 43A such as the busbar 42 other than the busbar 42A is formed. In the circuit formed by the battery 1 and the busbar 42, a portion (conductive portion) having a potential different from that of the terminal plate 43B such as the busbar 42 other than the busbar 42B is formed.

Also, in the electronic board 45 , the detection circuit and the like, which are part of the conductive portion, are electrically connected to the aforementioned circuit formed from the battery 1 and the bus bar 42 . Therefore, the detection circuit or the like formed in the area other than the area 45A of the electronic substrate 45 has the same potential as any position of the circuit (main circuit) between the pair of terminal plates 43 . On the other hand, the control circuit or the like formed in the area 45A of the electronic substrate 45 has a predetermined level of potential with respect to the ground, and in one example, the potential difference with the ground is about 20V. Here, when a plurality of battery modules 20 are provided and used by electrically connecting the plurality of battery modules 20 in series, especially in the battery module 20 on the high potential side, the potential of each terminal plate 43 is , is much higher relative to the conductive portion formed in region 45A of electronic substrate 45. FIG. Therefore, even in the electronic substrate 45, there are conductive portions that differ in potential from each of the terminal plates 43. In particular, the potential difference between the terminal plates 43 and the conductive portions (control circuits, etc.) formed in the region 45A is large. There is something.

In this embodiment, in each connection unit 40 , a base member 48 is attached to the terminal plate 43 and the base member 48 is attached to the housing 21 . In each of the connection units 40, the base member 48 is attached to the terminal plate 43 at a portion spaced outward in the first direction from the through hole H1, which is the circuit connection position (first connection position). be done. In each of the connection units 40, the bottom wall portion 61 of the base member 48 is adjacent to the terminal plate 43 from one side in the second direction (the side on which the battery 1 is positioned), and the pair of side wall portions of the base member 48 are adjacent to each other. 62 adjoin the terminal strip 43 from opposite sides with respect to each other in the third direction. As described above, the base member 48 is provided with the bottom wall portion 61 and the side wall portion 62 , so that in the battery module 20 , the terminal plates 43 , which are the connection portions of the external terminals such as the terminals 102 , have different potentials. Properly insulated against conductive parts. That is, the electrical insulation of each of the terminal plates 43 with respect to the conductive portions having different potentials is appropriately ensured.

3 to 10 and the like, each of the base members 48 has the above-described configuration, so that each of the connection units 40 has a terminal for a conductive portion including a control circuit provided in the area 45A of the electronic substrate 45. The insulation distance of the plate 43 is increased by the base member 48 . This improves the electrical insulation of each of the terminal strips 43 with respect to the conductive portions of the electronic substrate 45 . In particular, each of the terminal strips 43 is appropriately insulated with respect to the conductive portion of the region 45A where the potential difference with each of the terminal strips 43 may be large.

In addition, in the present embodiment, in each bottom wall portion 61 of the connection unit 40, the holes 92 of the bottom wall portion 61 do not open to the side opposite to the side where the terminal plate 43A (extending portion 52) is located. are applicable. With this configuration, in each of the connection units 40 , the terminal plate 43 is also connected by the bottom wall portion 61 to the conductive portion arranged adjacent to the side on which the battery 1 is located in the second direction. of insulation distance is ensured. Therefore, in each of the connection units 40, even if the busbars 42 and the like having different potentials from the terminal plate 43 are arranged adjacent to the battery 1 side in the second direction, the busbars 42 and the like having different potentials are , the terminal strip is properly insulated.

Also, if the connection unit 40 is not provided with the base member 48 , each terminal plate 43 needs to be directly fastened to the upper case 23 of the housing 21 . Here, in a region adjacent to each of the terminal plates 43 on the side where the battery 1 is positioned in the second direction, a conductive portion having a potential different from that of the terminal plate 43 (a bus bar 42 and an electrode of the battery 1 having different potentials) is provided. terminal 11, etc.) may be placed. Therefore, severe restrictions are imposed on the fastening position of each terminal plate 43 to the upper case 23 , and the positions at which each terminal plate 43 can be fastened to the upper case 23 are limited. A protruding portion protruding outward in the first direction is formed on the upper case 23, and the terminal plate 43 can be fastened to the protruding portion, thereby securing a wide position where each of the terminal plates 43 can be fastened to the upper case 23. It becomes possible. However, in this case, the volume of the upper case 23 increases due to the portion that protrudes outward in the first direction, and the volume of the housing 21 increases. Further, each of the terminal plates 43 can be fastened to an insulating member such as the upper case 23 of the housing 21 in the vicinity of the aforementioned circuit connection position (first connection position). However, in this case, since the extension length of each of the terminal plates 43 is increased, the insulation of each of the terminal plates 43 with respect to conductive portions with different potentials, such as the busbars 42 with different potentials, is reduced.

In this embodiment, since the base member 48 is provided for each of the connection units 40, there is no need to form the first outward projecting portion or the like on the upper case 23. Therefore, the volume of the upper case 23 does not increase, and the volume of the housing 21 does not increase. In addition, in the present embodiment, since it is not necessary to fasten each of the terminal plates 43 to the upper case 23 of the housing 21 near the connection position (first connection position) of the circuit or the like, the extension of each of the terminal plates 43 is eliminated. It is possible to reduce the installation length. By shortening the extension length, each of the terminal plates 43 can more appropriately secure an insulating distance for conductive portions with different potentials, such as the busbars 42 with different potentials.

In addition, in the present embodiment, in each of the connection units 40, the base member 48 extends in the first direction from the connection position (first connection position) to the terminal plate 43 of the circuit through which current flows through the plurality of batteries 1. Spaced apart on the outside. Therefore, even if each of the connection units 40 is provided with the aforementioned base member 48 , in each of the connection units 40 , after the terminal plate 43 is fastened to the base member 48 by the fastening screw 65 , the terminal plate 43 is connected to the circuit described above. , the working efficiency in the work of connecting each of the terminal plates 43 to the circuit described above, that is, the work of connecting the corresponding one of the

bus bars

42A and 42B to each of the terminal plates 43 is improved. In each of the connection units 40, when connecting the terminal plate 43 to the circuit described above after fastening the terminal plate 43 to the base member 48 with the fastening screw 65, each of the terminal plates 43 with respect to the conductive portions having different potentials With insulation ensured by the corresponding base member 48, the operation of connecting each of the terminal strips 43 to the circuit is performed. Therefore, the safety in the work of connecting each of the terminal plates 43 to the circuit described above is improved.

Also, in each connection unit 40 , the terminal plate 43 is fastened to the bottom wall portion 61 of the base member 48 , and each side wall portion 62 of the base member 48 is fastened to the housing 21 . Therefore, even if each of the connection units 40 is composed of the terminal plate 43 and the base member 48 , the terminal plate 43 can be easily attached to the housing 21 via the base member 48 in each of the connection units 40 .

Further, in each of the connection units 40, the terminal plate 43 is fastened to the bottom wall portion 61 of the base member 48, so that the

side walls

33A, 33B, 35A, and 35B of the housing 21 (peripheral wall of the housing 21) are inside (inner side). The terminal plate 43 can be fastened to the bottom wall portion 61 of the base member 48 at the peripheral side) position. Therefore, in this embodiment, in each of the connection units 40, the terminal plate 43 can be fastened to the bottom wall portion 61 at a position inside the peripheral wall of the housing 21, such as a fastening position with the fastening screw 65C. As a result, in each of the connection units 40, in addition to the fastening position of the fastening screws 65A and 65B, the terminal plate 43 can be secured at the fastening position of the fastening screw 65C which is distant in the first direction from the fastening position of the fastening screws 65A and 65B. It is fastened to the bottom wall portion 61 .

Here, in each of the connection units 40, in a state in which the terminal (external terminal) 102 is connected to the terminal plate 43 through the through hole H2 as described above, a force acts on the cable 101 outward in the first direction. I have something to do. In this embodiment, since the terminal plate 43 is fastened to the bottom wall portion 61 in each of the connection units 40 as described above, at least one of the plurality of fastening positions of the terminal plate 43 to the bottom wall portion 61 is are spaced apart in a first direction with respect to the other fastening positions. Therefore, in each of the connection units 40, the strength of the terminal plate 43 is improved against the load caused by the force acting on the cable 101 outward in the first direction.

Further, in each of the connection units 40, in a state in which the terminal (external terminal) 102 is connected to the terminal plate 43 through the through hole H2 as described above, a force to rotate the cable 101 around the central axis of the bolt 56 is applied. may work. In this embodiment, in each of the connection units 40, at least one of the plurality of fastening positions of the terminal plate 43 to the bottom wall portion 61 is positioned away from the other fastening positions in the third direction. do. For example, in each of the connection units 40, fastening positions by the fastening screws 65A to 65C are located apart from each other in the third direction. Therefore, in each connection unit 40 , the strength of the terminal plate 43 is improved against the load caused by the force that rotates the cable 101 about the central axis of the bolt 56 .

Further, in each of the connection units 40, in a state in which the terminals (external terminals) 102 are connected to the terminal plate 43 through the through holes H2, the terminals 102 are arranged in the pair of side wall portions 62 (the pair of projecting portions 68) in the third direction. ). In each of the connection units 40 , the terminal 102 is sandwiched between the side wall portions 62 , thereby effectively suppressing rotation of the terminal 102 about the central axis of the bolt 56 .

In addition, in each of the terminal plates 43 of the present embodiment, an extension portion 51 extends through a through hole H1 serving as a connection position to the circuit formed by the battery 1 and the bus bar 42, and extends from the bottom of the base member 48. An extension portion 52 is formed through the fastening position to the wall portion 61 . In each terminal plate 43 , the

extension portions

51 and 52 are displaced from each other in the second direction due to the step formed by the relay portion 53 . In each terminal plate 43 , a step is formed between the

extended portions

51 and 52 , so that thermal stress or the like at the connection position to the circuit formed by the battery 1 and the bus bar 42 is relieved. That is, in each of the connection units 40, even if the terminal plate 43 thermally expands, the terminal plate 43 is connected to the circuit (

bus bar

42A or 42B) formed by the battery 1 and the bus bar 42 (the first connection position). ) is appropriately reduced. Further, in each of the connection units 40, a step is formed between the

extension portions

51 and 52 in the terminal plate 43, so that even if the terminal plate 43 vibrates, the circuit formed by the battery 1 and the bus bar 42 is not connected. The load acting on the connection position (first connection position) of the terminal plate 43 is appropriately reduced.

A cover member 70 having electrical insulation is attached to each of the base members 48 . In each connection unit 40 , the cover member 70 covers the second connection position and the vicinity thereof on the terminal plate 43 when the cover member 70 is attached to the base member 48 . In each of the connection units 40, the cover member 70 covers the terminal plate 43 at the second connection position and its vicinity on the outside in the first direction, on the side where the top wall 31 is located in the second direction, and Cover from both sides in the third direction. In each of the connection units 40, a portion of the terminal plate 43 is covered with the cover member 70 as described above, so that electrical insulation of the terminal plate 43 with respect to conductive portions having different potentials is more appropriately ensured.

Further, in this embodiment, when each of the cover members 70 is attached to the corresponding one of the base members 48, the top plate portion 71 of each of the cover members 70 is positioned between the top wall 31 (cover 25) and the intermediate wall 36. Configurations inserted in the space 26 between are applicable. By adopting such a configuration, the electrical insulation of each of the terminal plates 43 from the conductive portions outside the battery module 20 (housing 21) is more appropriately ensured.

(Modification)
In addition, in the first modification shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 , the bent portion 55 is not provided in the terminal plate 43 in each of the connection units 40 . Here, FIG. 13 shows the configuration of one of the pair of connection units 40 and its vicinity, and FIG. 14 shows the configuration of one of the pair of connection units 40 . In this modification, the configuration of the other of the pair of connection units 40 and its vicinity is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 13 and the like, and the configuration of the other of the pair of connection units 40 is also the same as the configuration shown in FIG. be. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cover 25 is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 , in each of the terminal plates 43 in this modified example as well, the extended portions 51 are connected to a connection position (first connection position) where a circuit in which current flows through the plurality of batteries 1 and the bus bar 42 is connected. connection position) and the extension 52 extends through a fastening position to the base member 48 . However, in this modified example, each terminal plate 43 is formed with a through hole H2 penetrating through the extended portion 52 in the plate thickness direction (second direction). In each terminal plate 43, the extension portion 52 extends outward in the first direction beyond the through hole H2, and the extension portion 52 forms an extension end E2. In each connection unit 40, the terminal plate 43 (extending portion 52) does not protrude outward in the first direction with respect to the outer surface of the side wall 33A of the housing 21 and the base member 48. As shown in FIG. However, in each of the terminal plates 43 also in this modification, the through hole H2 is positioned outside in the first direction away from the through hole H1, which is the connection position of the circuit described above.

Each of the terminal plates 43 is connected to a terminal (external terminal) 102 of the cable 101 through the through hole H2. Therefore, in each of the terminal plates 43, the through hole H2 is also the connection position (second connection position) where the terminal 102 is connected in the present modification. However, in this modification, in each of the terminal plates 43, the extension portion 52 passes through the connection position (second connection position) of the cable 101 to the terminal 102 and extends in the first direction to the extension end E2. extended along. Further, in each of the connection units 40, the bottom wall portion 61 of the base member 48 is adjacent to the connection position (second connection position) of the terminal 102 located on the extension portion 52 from one side in the second direction. . That is, in each connection unit 40, the bottom wall portion 61 of the base member 48 is adjacent to the through hole H2 formed in the extension portion 52 from the side where the battery 1 and the intermediate wall 36 are located in the second direction. .

Also in this modified example, the terminal 102 of the cable 101 is connected to each of the terminal plates 43 using the bolt 56 and the nut 57 at the through hole H2 and the second connection position in the vicinity thereof. However, in this modification, in each terminal plate 43, the bolt 56 is inserted through the through hole H2 from the side where the top wall 31 is located in the second direction. In each of the connection units 40, when the bolt 56 is attached to the terminal plate 43 through the through hole H2, the head 56A of the bolt 56 extends from the side where the top wall 31 is located to the terminal plate 43 in the second direction. The nut 57 approaches the extension 52 of the terminal plate 43 from the side where the bottom wall 61 of the base member 48 and the battery are located in the second direction.

Also in this modified example, the terminal plate 43 is fastened to the bottom wall portion 61 of the base member 48 in each of the connection units 40 . 13 and 14, in each of the connection units 40, the extended portion 52 is fastened to the bottom wall portion 61 via two fastening screws 65 (65D, 65E). 13 and 14, in each of the connection units 40, the fastening position of the fastening screw 65E is positioned away inward in the first direction from the fastening position of the fastening screw 65D. Therefore, in each of the connection units 40, at least one of the plurality of fastening positions of the terminal plate 43 to the bottom wall portion 61 is located away from the other fastening positions in the first direction.

In addition, in this modification, each of the pair of side wall portions 62 in each of the base members 48 is not provided with the protruding portion 68 , and each of the side wall portions 62 is located at the first position with respect to the outer surface of the side wall 33A of the housing 21 . and does not protrude outward in the first direction with respect to the bottom wall portion 61 . However, in each of the base members 48 , each of the side wall portions 62 is provided with the protruding piece 66 also in this modified example. In each of the base members 48 , each projecting piece 66 of the side wall portion 62 is fastened to the upper case 23 of the housing 21 by fastening screws 67 .

In addition, in this modification, the relay portion 53 is not provided in each of the terminal plates 43 , and no step is formed between the

extension portions

51 and 52 by the relay portion 53 . Therefore, in each of the terminal plates 43, the

extensions

51 and 52 are not or hardly displaced with respect to each other in the second direction.

Also in this modified example, each of the terminal plates 43 extends outward in the first direction from the connection position (first connection position) of the circuit formed by the battery 1 and the bus bar 42 . In each of the terminal plates 43, the connection position (second connection position) of the terminal 102 is positioned outside in the first direction away from the connection position of the circuit. In each of the connection units 40, the base member 48 is attached to the terminal plate 43 at a portion away from the circuit connection position (first connection position) outward in the first direction. In each connection unit 40 , the bottom wall portion 61 of the base member 48 is adjacent to the terminal plate 43 from one side in the second direction, and the terminal plate 43 is fastened to the bottom wall portion 61 . Also, in each of the connection units 40 , a pair of side wall portions 62 of the base member 48 are adjacent to the terminal plate 43 from opposite sides in the third direction, and each of the side wall portions 62 is fastened to the housing 21 . be. Due to such a configuration, in this modified example as well as in the above-described embodiment, electrical insulation of each of the terminal plates 43 with respect to conductive portions having different potentials is appropriately ensured. Also in this modified example, the same actions and effects as those of the above-described embodiment and the like are obtained.

Further, in a modification, in each of the terminal plates 43, the through hole H2, which serves as the connection position (second connection position) of the terminal (external terminal) 102, is formed in the bent portion 55 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In addition, a step is not formed between the extending

portions

51 and 52 as in the first modification and the like. In another modified example, in each of the terminal plates 43, terminals (external terminals ) 102 (second connection position), and a step is formed between the

extension portions

51 and 52 by the relay portion 53 as in the first embodiment. be. In each of these modified examples, electrical insulation of each of the terminal plates 43 with respect to conductive portions having different potentials is appropriately ensured, as in the above-described embodiments and the like.

Also, in the battery module 20, the pair of connection units 40 may have different configurations as long as each of the pair of connection units 40 has the same configuration as one of the above-described embodiments. In one modification, one of the pair of connection units 40 has the same configuration as in the first embodiment, and the other of the pair of connection units 40 has the same configuration as in the first modification.

In addition, in the second modification shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the battery module 20 includes only one connection unit 40 of any of the above-described embodiments and the like, and includes one connector unit 80 . In this modification, one of the pair of module terminals of the battery module 20 is formed by the terminal plate 43 of the connection unit 40, as in the above-described embodiments. However, in this modification, one of the pair of module terminals of the battery module 20 other than the module terminals formed from the terminal plate 43 is formed from the connector unit 80 . In the battery module 20 , the connector unit 80 may form the module terminal on the plus side, and the connector unit 80 may form the module terminal on the minus side. 15 shows the configuration of the connector unit 80 and its vicinity with the cover 25 omitted, and FIG. 16 shows the configuration of the connector unit 80. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the connector unit 80 includes a conductive plate 81 and a connector housing 82. The conductive plate 81 has conductivity. In addition, in the conductive plate 81, the plate length direction, the plate width direction that intersects (perpendicularly or approximately perpendicular to) the plate length direction, and the plate length direction and the plate width direction that intersect (perpendicular or approximately orthogonal) through-thickness directions are defined. The conductive plate 81 has extension ends E3 and E4, and extends along the plate length direction from the extension end E3 to the extension end E4. In the conductive plate 81 , the plate length direction matches or substantially matches the first direction (horizontal direction) of the battery module 20 , and the plate thickness direction matches or substantially matches the second direction (height direction) of the battery module 20 . do. The width direction of the conductive plate 81 matches or substantially matches the third direction (depth direction) of the battery module 20 . In the conductive plate 81, the extended end E4 is positioned outside in the first direction with respect to the extended end E3, and the conductive plate 81 extends in the first direction from the extended end E3 to the extended end E4. It extends outward.

The conductive plate 81 is connected to corresponding one of the

bus bars

42A and 42B in the same manner as the terminal plate 43 of the above-described embodiment, and is connected to the above-described circuit through which current flows through the plurality of batteries 1. For this reason, the conductive plate 81 is formed with connection positions that are connected to circuits (electrical paths) formed by the plurality of batteries 1 and the bus bars 42 . As with the terminal plate 43, the conductive plate 81 is connected to the aforementioned circuit (electrical path) by being fastened to one of the

busbars

42A and 42B with fastening screws 58 and nuts 59. FIG.

In the connector unit 80 , the connector housing 82 is attached to the conductive plate 81 . The connector housing 82 is electrically insulating and made of the same material as the housing 21, for example. The connector housing 82 is attached to the conductive plate 81 at a portion spaced outward in the first direction from the connection position to the circuit formed from the battery 1 and the bus bar 42 . Therefore, in the conductive plate 81 , the connection position to the circuit described above is located inside the connector housing 82 in the first direction. An internal space 85 is formed inside the connector housing 82, and the connector housing 82 covers the internal space 85 from the inside in the first direction, both sides in the second direction, and both sides in the third direction. An internal space 85 of the connector housing 82 opens outward in the first direction and opens to the outside of the housing 21 . Therefore, in the connector housing 82, an inner space 85 opens to the side opposite to the side where the conductive plate 81 is inserted.

In the connector unit 80, the extension end E4 and its vicinity of the conductive plate 81 are inserted into the internal space 85 of the connector housing 82 and positioned in the internal space 85. However, the conductive plate 81 does not protrude outward in the first direction with respect to the connector housing 82 and does not protrude from the opening of the internal space 85 . Also, the connector housing 82 does not protrude outward in the first direction with respect to the side wall 33A of the housing 21 . In the connector unit 80, a portion of the conductive plate 81 located in the internal space 85 serves as a connector terminal. A connector terminal of the connector unit 80 is one of a pair of module terminals of the battery module 20 . In one example, the connector terminals may be formed of a conductive member separate from the conductive plate 81 , and the conductive plate 81 may be connected to the connector terminals in the internal space 85 of the connector housing 82 .

Also, in the connector unit 80 , the connector housing 82 has a pair of side wall portions 86 . A side wall portion 86A that is one of the pair of side wall portions 86 covers the internal space 85 from one side in the third direction (depth direction), and is a side wall portion that is a side wall portion that is different from the side wall portions 86A of the pair of side wall portions 86. 86B covers the internal space 85 from the side opposite to the side wall portion 86A in the third direction. Each of the pair of side wall portions 86 of the connector housing 82 has a projecting piece 87 . In the connector housing 82, each projecting piece 87 of the side wall portion 86 projects in the third direction opposite to the side where the internal space 85 is located, and projects outward of the conductive plate 81 in the plate width direction.

In the connector unit 80 , each projection 87 of the connector housing 82 is fastened to the upper case 23 of the housing 21 via fastening screws 67 . The connector housing 82 can be fastened to the housing 21 at the same fastening position as the base member 48 of the connection unit 40 described above. Therefore, the connector unit 80 can be attached to the housing 21 instead of the connection unit 40 .

A connector (external connector) formed at one end of the cable can be attached to the connector housing 82 of the connector unit 80 . For example, by inserting the connector of the cable into the internal space 85 of the connector housing 82 from the outside in the first direction, that is, by inserting the connector of the cable into the internal space 85 from the opening to the outside of the housing 21, the connector A cable connector (external connector) is attached to the housing 82 . By attaching the connector of the cable to the connector housing 82 , the connector terminal of the cable is connected to the connector terminal of the connector unit 80 formed from the conductive plate 81 .

In this modified example, as in the above-described embodiments, etc., in the connection unit 40, the electrical insulation of the terminal plate 43 with respect to the conductive portions having different potentials is appropriately ensured. In the connector unit 80, the electrical insulation of the conductive plate 81 from the conductive portions having different potentials is appropriately ensured by the connector housing 82 and the like. Therefore, this modified example also has the same functions and effects as those of the above-described embodiment and the like.

In the above-described embodiments and the like, in the connection unit 40, the bottom wall portion 61 of the base member 48 is arranged in the second direction (height direction) from the side where the battery 1 (bus bar 42) and the intermediate wall 36 are located. It is adjacent to the extended portion 52 of the terminal plate 43 . However, in a modification, in the connection unit 40, the bottom wall portion 61 of the base member 48 extends from the side where the top wall 31 is located to the extension portion 52 of the terminal plate 43 in the second direction (height direction). may be adjacent.

In addition, in the connection unit 40 , rivets may be used instead of the fastening screws 65 to fasten the extended portions 52 of the terminal plate 43 to the bottom wall portion 61 of the base member 48 . Further, in the connection unit 40 , a projection projecting toward the extension portion 52 of the terminal plate 43 is formed on the bottom wall portion 61 of the base member 48 , and the projection of the bottom wall portion 61 is heat-sealed to the extension portion 52 . By doing so, the extension portion 52 of the terminal plate 43 may be fastened to the bottom wall portion 61 of the base member 48 . Moreover, in the connection unit 40, the terminal plate 43 and the base member 48 may be integrally formed by insert molding or the like. In this case, in the connection unit 40 , the extended portion 52 of the terminal plate 43 is fastened to the bottom wall portion 61 over the entire contact portion of the base member 48 with the bottom wall portion 61 . These modified examples also have the same actions and effects as the above-described embodiments and the like.

[Power storage system]
Next, a power storage system using the battery module described above will be described. FIG. 17 shows an example of a power storage system 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17 , the power storage system 100 includes a power storage unit 110 to which a large number of battery modules 20 are electrically connected. In the example of FIG. 17 , a large number of battery modules 20 are electrically connected in series in power storage unit 110 . The power storage system 100 is used, for example, in railway vehicles. Among the battery modules 20 forming the power storage unit 110, the battery module 20A is the battery module on the lowest potential side, and the battery module 20B is the battery module on the highest potential side. In addition, since a series connection structure is formed by a large number of battery modules 20 in power storage unit 110, a high voltage is applied to power storage unit 110 when power storage unit 110 is electrically connected to a power source and/or a load. applied.

Each of the battery modules 20 other than the

battery modules

20A and 20B includes a pair of connection units 40 described above. Each of the battery modules 20 other than the

battery modules

20A and 20B has a pair of module terminals corresponding to the connection unit 40, as in the battery modules 20 of the first embodiment and the first modification. It is formed from one terminal plate 43 . Moreover, each of the

battery modules

20A and 20B includes one connection unit 40 and one connector unit 80, like the battery modules 20 of the second modification. In the battery module 20A, the plus side (high potential side) module terminal is formed from the terminal plate 43 of the connection unit 40, and the minus side (low potential side) module terminal is formed from the connector terminal of the connector unit 80 (the conductive plate 81 ). In the battery module 20B, the negative module terminal is formed from the terminal plate 43 of the connection unit 40 , and the positive module terminal is formed from the connector terminal of the connector unit 80 .

Each of the module terminals of the battery modules 20 other than the

battery modules

20A and 20B, the plus side module terminal of the battery module 20A, and the minus side module terminal of the battery module 20B has the round shape formed on the cable 101 described above. A terminal (external terminal) 102 such as a terminal is connected. In each of these module terminals, as described above, the terminal 102 of the cable 101 is connected to the terminal plate 43 at the through hole H2 and the second connection position in the vicinity thereof. By connecting the terminals 102 corresponding to the respective module terminals as described above, in the power storage unit 110, the battery modules 20 are connected via the cable 101 having the terminals 102 such as round terminals formed at both ends. electrically connected.

A connector (external connector) 106 formed on a cable 105 is attached to the connector housing 82 of the connector unit 80 in each of the

battery modules

20A and 20B. As a result, the connector terminals of the connector 106 of the cable 105 are connected to the negative module terminal of the battery module 20A and the positive module terminal of the battery module 20B. By connecting the connector terminals corresponding to the terminals as described above, each of the

battery modules

20A and 20B is electrically connected to the power source and/or the load via the cable 105 formed with the connector 106. be done.

Here, in the connection unit 40 including the terminal plate 43, compared with the connector unit 80, labor and costs in manufacturing are reduced. Also, the cable 101 formed with the terminal 102 such as a round terminal can be manufactured with less labor and costs than the cable 105 formed with the connector 106 . 17 and the like, in the power storage unit 110, each of the module terminals other than the plus side module terminal of the battery module 20A and the minus side module terminal of the battery module 20B is connected to the terminal plate 43 of the corresponding connection unit 40. formed from A terminal 102 of a cable 101 is connected to each module terminal other than the positive module terminal of the battery module 20A and the negative module terminal of the battery module 20B. Therefore, the labor and cost in manufacturing power storage unit 110 are reduced.

Also, when performing electrical connection work in the power storage system 100 , the cable 101 is first used to electrically connect a large number of battery modules 20 . Then, in a state in which many battery modules 20 are electrically connected, the cables 105 are used to electrically connect each of the

battery modules

20A and 20B to a power supply and/or a load or the like. By performing the electrical connection work according to the procedure described above, the safety of the electrical connection work is improved.

According to at least one of these embodiments or examples, the terminal strip is connected at a first connection position with a circuit through which current flows through the battery and extends outwardly in the first direction away from the first connection position. An external terminal is connected at the second connection position. The base member includes a bottom wall portion adjacent to the terminal plate from one side in a second direction that intersects the first direction, and a bottom wall portion that is adjacent to the terminal plate in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction. A pair of side wall portions adjacent to the terminal plate from opposite sides is provided. A terminal plate is fastened to the bottom wall, and each of the side walls is fastened to the housing. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a battery module in which the electrical insulation of the terminal plate, which is the connection portion of the external terminal to the conductive portions having different potentials, is appropriately ensured, and an electric storage system including the battery module.

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

Claims

a plurality of batteries;
a housing that accommodates the plurality of batteries therein and has electrical insulation;
A terminal plate electrically conductive and connected at a first connection position to a circuit through which current flows through the plurality of batteries, the terminal plate extending outward in a first direction from the first connection position. , a terminal plate to which an external terminal is connected at a second connection position away from the first connection position outward in the first direction;
A base member having electrical insulation and attached to the terminal plate at a portion away from the first connection position outward in the first direction,
a bottom wall portion adjacent to the terminal plate from one side in a second direction intersecting the first direction and to which the terminal plate is fastened;
a pair of side wall portions adjacent to the terminal plate from opposite sides with respect to each other in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction and fastened to the housing;
a base member comprising
A battery module comprising:
further comprising a bolt having a head and removably attached to the second connection position of the terminal plate;
The bolt connects the external terminal to the terminal board by sandwiching the external terminal between the head and the terminal board in a state of being attached to the second connection position of the terminal board. ,
The battery module of claim 1.
3. The external terminal is sandwiched between the pair of side walls of the base member in the third direction when the external terminal is connected to the second connection position of the terminal plate. battery module.
the terminal plate is fastened to the bottom wall portion of the base member at each of a plurality of fastening positions;
at least one of the plurality of fastening positions is spaced apart in the first direction with respect to the other fastening positions;
The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
the terminal plate is fastened to the bottom wall portion of the base member at each of a plurality of fastening positions;
at least one of the plurality of fastening positions is located apart in the third direction with respect to the other fastening positions;
The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The terminal plate is
a first extension extending through the first connection location;
a second extension portion disposed outside the first extension portion in the first direction and extending through a fastening position of the base member with the bottom wall portion;
relaying between the first extension portion and the second extension portion so that the first extension portion and the second extension portion are displaced with respect to each other in the second direction; a relay portion forming a step;
with
wherein the second connection position where the external terminal is connected to the terminal plate is located on the side of the relay portion where the second extension portion is located with respect to the first direction;
The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
A cover member having electrical insulation and detachably attached to the base member, the cover member covering the second connection position of the terminal plate by being attached to the base member. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
The terminal plate is
an extension portion extending through a fastening position of the base member with the bottom wall portion;
A bent portion connected to the extended portion from the outside in the first direction and bent with respect to the extended portion in the second direction to a side adjacent to the bottom wall portion of the base member, a bend extending through the second connection location;
8. The battery module of any one of claims 1-7, comprising:
the terminal plate includes an extension portion extending through the second connection position and a fastening position with the bottom wall portion of the base member;
the bottom wall portion of the base member is adjacent to the second connection position located on the extension portion from one side in the second direction;
The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
a battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 9;
a cable having the external terminal at one end, the external terminal being connected to the terminal plate of the battery module at the second connection position;
A power storage system comprising: