JP6201301B2 - Battery module and intermediate member - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery module and an intermediate member that can be used in the battery module.

  Conventionally, a battery module having a configuration in which a plurality of battery cells and spacers are alternately arranged between a pair of plates is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-24445 A

  However, in the conventional battery module, the spacer simply maintains a constant distance between adjacent battery cells. For this reason, there exists a problem that the insulation between both battery cells cannot fully be ensured.

  An object of the present invention is to ensure appropriate insulation between adjacent battery cells.

The present invention provides, as means for solving the above problems, a restraining member for restraining a plurality of battery cells that are juxtaposed, the plurality of battery cells, the plurality of battery cells of the battery cells are juxtaposed A battery module comprising: an insulating sheet that faces a side surface perpendicular to a direction in a non-contact state; and an intermediate member having a spacer that abuts against the side surface of the battery cell. The battery module is characterized in that the entire surface is in contact with the entire area of the central portion of the side surface .

  With this configuration, the insulation between the battery cells can be secured by the insulating sheet while maintaining the distance between the battery cells by the spacer. Therefore, the insulation between the battery cells can be reliably improved by the insulating sheet, and the deformation of the battery cells can be prevented at a desired position by the spacer.

The intermediate member has a spacer at the center of both surfaces of the insulating sheet, has a first intermediate member disposed between the battery cells, and has a spacer at the center of one surface of the insulating sheet, It is preferable that the spacer includes a second intermediate member disposed between the battery cell and the restraining member positioned at both ends in a direction in which the battery cells are juxtaposed, and the spacer is in contact with the side surface of the battery cell. .

It is preferable that the said insulation sheet is arrange | positioned so that it may protrude from the bottom face of the battery container of the said battery cell over a cover body to the terminal side .

  With this configuration, it is possible to sufficiently secure an insulation distance at the welded portion that is closest to the battery cells.

The battery cell may have a recess in the abutting portion of the spacer, the spacer is preferably the entire surface contact with the bottom surface of the recess.

  With this configuration, it becomes easy to position the spacer with respect to the battery cell by forming a recess in advance in a portion that may bulge in the future.

The present invention, as means for solving the above problem, an intermediate member used for the battery modules formed by constraining the plurality of battery cells by captive member, said plurality of battery cells before SL cells provided opposite to the insulating sheet in a non-contact manner perpendicular sides in a direction arranged in parallel, the intermediate member and having a spacer to fully contact over the entire area of the side surface center portion of the battery cell .

  According to the present invention, since the intermediate member that integrates the insulating sheet that faces the side surface of the battery cell and the spacer that contacts the side surface of the battery cell is provided, while maintaining a desired interval between the battery cells, The insulation between battery cells can be enhanced.

It is a disassembled perspective view of the battery module which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the casing from FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed a battery cell and a part of intermediate member from FIG. It is a schematic plan view which shows the assembly state of the battery cell and intermediate member to the space comprised by the end plate etc. of FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows a part of battery cell of FIG. 4, and an insulating sheet. It is a top view which shows the example of the formation pattern of the spacer which concerns on other embodiment. It is a top view which shows the example of the formation pattern of the spacer which concerns on other embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view of the battery module which concerns on other embodiment which employ | adopts the intermediate member of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the casing main body of FIG. 8, a battery cell, and an intermediate member.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, terms indicating specific directions and positions (for example, terms including “up”, “down”, “side”, “end”) are used as necessary. Is for facilitating understanding of the invention with reference to the drawings, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited by the meaning of these terms. Further, the following description is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its application, or its use.

  FIG. 1 shows a battery module according to this embodiment. This battery module generally has a configuration in which the battery cell 2 and the electrical component 3 shown in FIG.

  The casing 1 is formed by forming a synthetic resin material into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape whose upper surface is open. A bottom plate 5 is disposed on the bottom surface of the casing 1. As shown in FIG. 2, end plates 6 a and 6 b functioning as restraining members for the battery cells 2 arranged side by side are arranged at both ends of the bottom plate 5. The bottom plate 5 and the end plates 6 a and 6 b are fixed with screws from the bottom surface side of the casing 1. Both sides of the end plates 6a and 6b are connected by side plates 8a and 8b. The upper ends of the end plates 6a and 6b are connected by the top plate 1a.

  The battery cell 2 has a configuration in which a power generation element (not shown) or the like is accommodated in a box-shaped battery container 9 whose upper surface is open and is closed with a lid 10. Electrode portions 11 protrude from both end portions of the lid body 10. The lid body 10 is integrated with the battery container 9 by fitting the step 12 to the opening on the upper surface of the battery container 9 and welding the boundary formed at the peripheral edge. In the battery cell 2 having such a configuration, the rigidity in the peripheral portion, particularly in the peripheral portion, is higher than that in the central portion of the side surface. Further, the welded portion becomes a bulging portion 13 and rises to the side.

  The battery cell 2 is inserted into a space surrounded by the bottom plate 5, the end plates 6a and 6b, and the side plates 8a and 8b in a state of being sideways, that is, in a state of protruding sideways so that the electrode 11 is positioned vertically. The And the battery cell 2 is prevented from coming off by connecting the side plates 8a and 8b with the top plate 1a.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the intermediate member 30 includes a first intermediate member 30 </ b> A in which a spacer 15 is formed at the center of both surfaces of the insulating sheet 14 and a second intermediate member 30 in which the spacer 15 is formed at a central portion on one side of the insulating sheet 14. It is comprised with the intermediate member 30B. However, the second intermediate member 30B may also have a configuration in which the spacer 15 is provided at the same center on both sides as the first intermediate member 30A.

  The insulating sheet 14 is formed in a rectangular shape having substantially the same size as the side surface of the battery cell 2. The insulating sheet 14 is disposed between the battery cells 2 and between the battery cells 2 and the end plates 6a and 6b. In this state, the insulating sheet 14 protrudes from the one side plate 8b to the other side plate 8a side beyond the lateral position of the bulging portion 13 of the battery cell 2. This protruding dimension is a value that can ensure a predetermined insulation distance between the bulging portions 13. Thereby, the insulation between the bulging parts 13 that are closest to each other between the adjacent battery cells 2 can be ensured. Moreover, the thickness of the insulating sheet 14 is suppressed to such an extent that the welded portion that swells from the side surface of the battery cell 2 does not interfere or contact. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the displacement such as the battery cell 2 from being inclined due to interference of the bulging portion 13 having a large rigidity. Furthermore, the insulating sheet 14 has a rigidity capable of maintaining a planar shape at a substantially central position between the battery cells 2.

  The spacer 15 has a rectangular shape in plan view and a certain thickness. The spacer 15 is attached to the insulating sheet 14 by sticking. The battery cell 2 is in pressure contact with or in contact with the center of the side surface. Specifically, the spacer 15 is formed in a size that does not press contact or contact at least a highly rigid portion of the peripheral edge of the side surface of the battery cell 2. For example, the spacer 15 may have a size of about 60% of the horizontal width and about 50% of the vertical width with respect to the side surface of the battery cell 2, but may have a size smaller than this. In addition, the spacer 15 may have some elasticity, but it is necessary to prevent the battery cell 2 from bulging out at the central portion with low rigidity.

  Thus, by integrating the spacer 15 with the insulating sheet 14, both can be reliably maintained in a fixed positional relationship. Therefore, desired insulation between the battery cells 2 can be maintained by the insulating sheet 14, and the center of the side surface of the battery cell 2 can be reliably guided by the spacer 15.

  By guiding the central portion of the side surface of the battery cell 2 with the spacer 15, there are the following advantages. That is, in the case where a uniform force is applied to the entire side surface of the battery cell 2, the end plate has a non-uniform rigidity, so that only a non-uniform force can actually be applied. For this reason, in the battery cell 2, lithium (Li) precipitates and there exists a possibility that the reliability may fall, such as a capacity fall occurring. However, by guiding (pressing) only the central portion of the side surface of the battery cell 2 with the spacer 15, it is possible to prevent such a problem from occurring. Moreover, the holding power of the element (power generation element) in the battery cell 2 can be improved. For this reason, it becomes possible to improve the vibration resistance performance in each battery cell 2.

  Moreover, you may make it form the insulating sheet 14 and the spacer 15 simultaneously by integral molding. In this case, since the positional relationship between the insulating sheet 14 and the spacer 15 can be accurately set by the mold, there is an advantage that variation in the positional relationship between products can be suppressed.

In the battery module having the above-described configuration, the battery cell 2 is assembled as follows.
The four battery cells 2 are inserted in a space surrounded by the bottom plate 5, the end plates 6a and 6b, and the side plates 8a and 8b in a state where the four battery cells 2 are juxtaposed in the short direction. As shown in the plan view of FIG. 4, the four battery cells 2 are arranged in a sideways state, that is, in a state of protruding sideways so that the electrodes 11 are positioned vertically.

  By the way, it is inevitable that an error occurs in the outer dimensions of the battery cell 2, particularly the outer dimensions of the welded portion. Further, on the side surface of the battery cell 2, the rigidity in the peripheral portion that directly affects the outer dimensions, particularly the welded portion, is higher than that in the central portion. For this reason, the space | interval of the end plates 6a and 6b which are restraining members is set so that it may become larger than the space | interval of the four battery cells 2 arranged in parallel, between each battery cell 2, and the battery cell 2 and end plate. A space can be formed between 6a and 6b.

  Thereafter, the first intermediate member 30 </ b> A is disposed between the battery cells 2, and the second intermediate member 30 </ b> B is disposed between the battery cell 2 and both end surfaces of the casing body 4. In the first intermediate member 30 </ b> A, one side edge portion of the insulating sheet 14 is brought into contact with one side plate 8 b, and the spacer 15 is brought into contact or pressure contact with the side surface central portion of the battery cell 2. In the second intermediate member 30B, one side edge of the insulating sheet 14 is brought into contact with one side plate 8b, and the spacer 15 is brought into contact with the center of the side surface of the battery cell 2 and the inner surfaces of the end plates 6a and 6b. Alternatively, press contact.

  As described above, since spaces are formed in advance between the battery cells 2 and between the battery cells 2 and the end plates 6a and 6b, the peripheral portions of the battery cells 2 having high rigidity, in particular, the lateral sides. Even if there is a dimensional tolerance in the welded portion that protrudes, interference at that portion can be reliably avoided. Further, the other side edge portion of the insulating sheet 14 protrudes toward the other side plate 8 a with respect to the lateral position of the bulging portion 13 of the battery cell 2. Therefore, a desired insulation distance can be secured between the battery cells 2 regardless of the presence of the bulging portion 13. Furthermore, the spacer 15 can be pressed against or contacted with the center of the side surface of the battery cell 2 to guide the most deformable portion of the battery cell 2 and prevent the deformation.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the structure described in the said embodiment, A various change is possible.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the spacer 15 of the intermediate member 30 has a predetermined thickness in a rectangular shape in plan view. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various configurations can be employed.

  In FIG. 6, the spacer 15 is constituted by a plurality of rows of protrusions 16 extending in the width direction of the insulating sheet 14 and arranged in parallel in the vertical direction. Thereby, the air flow along the protruding portion 16 can be formed, and the battery cell 2 can be effectively cooled while maintaining an appropriate interval between the battery cells 2.

  FIG. 7 shows a structure in which the spacer 15 is composed of a plurality of protrusions 17 arranged in a lattice pattern. The planar view shape of the protrusion 17 can take various forms such as a square and a triangle in addition to the circle shown in FIG. The arrangement of the protrusions 17 is preferably aligned along the width direction of the insulating sheet 14. Thereby, like the said protrusion part 16, it is possible to form the air flow along the battery cell 2 while maintaining an appropriate space | interval between the battery cells 2, and to cool the battery cell 2 effectively. It becomes.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where an intermediate member was employ | adopted for the battery module of the structure shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2, this intermediate member is employable also for the battery module shown in FIG.8 and FIG.9. it can.

  In this battery module, the battery cell 2 and the intermediate member 30 having the same configuration as in the above-described embodiment are accommodated in the casing body 18 divided into a plurality of regions by the partition walls 19 whose bottom surfaces are juxtaposed in the longitudinal direction. Yes. In this case, both end surfaces of the casing body 18 function as a restraining member that restrains the battery cells 2 arranged side by side.

  However, the battery cell 2 is accommodated in the casing body 18 so that the electrode 11 faces upward. The upper surface opening of the casing body 18 is closed by a lid member 20 including an inner lid 21 and an upper lid 22. In addition, as long as it is a battery module of the structure which arranges the battery cell 2 side by side, it is possible to employ | adopt the intermediate member 30 of the said structure even if it is what has a structure.

  In the above embodiment, the intermediate member 30 is arranged in each space formed between the battery cells 2 in the battery module and between the battery cells 2 and the end plates 6a and 6b. It is not necessary to arrange in all the spaces, and it may be arranged in any one of the spaces.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the side surface of the battery cell 2 was made into the flat surface, you may form the recessed part in the position where the spacer 15 contact | abuts. Thereby, the spacer 15, that is, the intermediate member 30 can be positioned by the recess. However, the size of the recess may be larger than the spacer 15. Moreover, the effect which suppresses the swelling from the side surface of the battery cell 2 by forming a recessed part in the battery cell 2 can also be expected.

  The battery module according to the present invention can be employed in various batteries such as lead-acid batteries in addition to lithium ion batteries.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Casing 1a ... Top plate 2 ... Battery cell 3 ... Electrical component 4 ... Cover 5 ... Bottom plate 6a, 6b ... End plate 7 ... Spacer 8a, 8b ... Side plate 9 ... Battery container 10 ... Cover body 11 ... Electrode part 12 ... Step part 13 ... Swelling part 14 ... Insulating sheet 15 ... Spacer 16 ... Ridge part,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 17 ... Protrusion 18 ... Casing main body 19 ... Partition wall 20 ... Lid member 21 ... Middle lid 22 ... Upper lid 30 ... Intermediate member 30A ... 1st intermediate member 30B ... 2nd intermediate member

Claims (5)

A plurality of battery cells arranged side by side;
A restraining member for restraining the plurality of battery cells;
The insulating sheet facing in a noncontact manner sides perpendicular to the direction in which the plurality of battery cells of the battery cells are juxtaposed, and, equipped with an intermediate member having abutting spacer to said side surface of said battery cell A battery module,
The spacer, the battery module, which comprises the whole surface contact over the entire area of the side surface center portion of the battery cell. The intermediate member is
A first intermediate member disposed between each battery cell, each having a spacer at the center of both surfaces of the insulating sheet;
Wherein a spacer on one side central portion of the insulating sheet, the plurality of battery cells are arranged between the restraining member and the battery cells located at both ends of the direction in which it is juxtaposed, the spacer the said battery cell The battery module according to claim 1, further comprising a second intermediate member that contacts the side surface.   The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the insulating sheet is disposed so as to protrude from the bottom surface of the battery container of the battery cell to the terminal side beyond the lid. The battery cell has a recess in the contact portion of the spacer,
The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the spacer is in full contact with a bottom surface of the recess. An intermediate member used in a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are restrained by a restraining member,
Having an insulating sheet that faces in a non-contact manner sides perpendicular to the direction in which the plurality of battery cells of the battery cells are arranged, and a spacer to fully contact over the entire area of the side surface center portion of the battery cell An intermediate member characterized by that.

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