JP2008159328A - Battery module - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery module easy to handle, wherein control components disposed to be attached to the battery module is prevented from being affected by heat, for example, and a case housing the battery module is prevented from being deformed because the internal pressure of a unit cell rises and the unit cell expands thereby. <P>SOLUTION: This battery module has a cell unit 20 in which unit cells 30 are laminated and connected in series or in parallel, and a laminated conductive plate 42 in which two conductive plates 41 formed by a conductive material are laminated through an insulating material 40. The laminated conductive plate is disposed at least one side of the outsides of the cell unit in the laminated direction of the unit cells, and one conductive plate of the laminated conductive plate is connected to the positive electrode output terminal 14 of the cell unit, and the other conductive plate is connected to the negative electrode output terminal 15 of the cell unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery module.

  In recent years, as a power source for an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle that requires high output, an assembled battery configured by connecting a plurality of battery modules forming unit units in series or in parallel according to a desired voltage and capacity has been used. Yes.

A battery module that is a unit unit of an assembled battery is known in which a plurality of single cells that are flat secondary batteries are stored in a battery storage container. This unit cell has a configuration in which a power generating element in which a positive electrode material, a negative electrode material, and an electrolyte are laminated is covered with a flexible laminate film, and is lightweight and thin plate-like, so that it is suitable for laminating a plurality ( For example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP 2006-92984 A JP2004-6122

  In a battery module mounted on a vehicle, it is conceivable that a sharp conductive foreign substance penetrates through a single cell when the battery module is replaced.

  When the conductive foreign matter penetrates the single cell and contacts the positive electrode material and the negative electrode material inside the single cell, a current flows through the conductive foreign material, and the single cell generates heat. As a result, for example, the control parts arranged attached to the battery module are affected by heat, or the internal pressure of the unit cell rises and the unit cell expands, and the case housing the battery module is deformed. there is a possibility.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a battery module that is easy to handle.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a laminated conductive plate in which unit cells are laminated and connected in series or in parallel, and two conductive plates formed of a conductive material are laminated via an insulating material. The laminated conductive plate is disposed on at least one outside the cell unit in the unit cell stacking direction, and one conductive plate of the laminated conductive plate is connected to the positive electrode output terminal of the cell unit, and the other conductive The plate is a battery module connected to a negative electrode output terminal of the cell unit.

  In the present invention, when the conductive foreign material penetrates the battery module in the stacking direction, it penetrates the laminated conductive plate before penetrating the single cell, so that the electric power of the single cell penetrates the single cell. It is consumed before, and the heat generation inside the unit cell can be suppressed. Therefore, a battery module that can be easily handled can be provided.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
1 is a perspective view showing a battery module that is a unit unit of a battery pack, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a cell unit that performs charging and discharging, and FIG. 4 is a cell unit. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. .

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery module 10 includes a lower case 12 that is an exterior material, an upper case 13, a cell unit 20 that performs charging and discharging, and a laminated conductive plate 42 that is connected to the cell unit 20.

  The lower case 12 and the upper case 13 are fastened to each other, accommodate the cell unit 20, the laminated conductive plate 42, and the like, and protect the contents from external vibration and impact. It also serves to dissipate heat transferred from the contents. In order to fulfill such a role, the lower case 12 and the upper case 13 are made of, for example, a relatively thin steel plate or aluminum plate.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cell unit 20 that actually performs charging and discharging holds a plurality of unit cells 30 that form the minimum unit of the battery, electrode terminals of the unit cell 30, and insulates each electrode terminal of the unit cell 30 from each other. The insulating spacer 21, the cell unit 20, and the positive electrode output terminal 14 and the negative electrode output terminal 15 for electrically connecting the outside are provided. The positive electrode output terminal 14 and the negative electrode output terminal 15 are led out through a notch 22 formed in a part of the peripheral wall of the lower case 12.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the unit cell 30 has, for example, a rectangular shape, and a positive electrode tab 31 and a negative electrode tab 32 that are electrode terminals are led out from opposite ends in the longitudinal direction. The positive electrode tab 31 and the negative electrode tab 32 are connected to a battery element that is accommodated in the unit cell 30 and that is actually charged and discharged.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the unit cells 30 thus formed are stacked in the cell unit 20 so that the positive electrode tab 31 and the negative electrode tab 32 face each other. The single cells 30 are fixed to each other with a double-sided tape or an adhesive.

  The positive electrode tab 31 of the single cell 30 arranged on the outermost side in the stacking direction is connected to the positive electrode output terminal 14, and the negative electrode tab 32 of the single cell 30 arranged on the other outermost side in the stacking direction is a negative electrode. Connected to the output terminal 15. The other positive electrode tab 31 and negative electrode tab 32 are joined to each other by welding or the like, and as a result, the plurality of stacked unit cells 30 are connected in series.

  In the present embodiment, four unit cells 30 are stacked and connected in series. However, the number and connection method of the unit cells 30 are not limited thereto, and a desired voltage or capacity and the unit cell 30 can be connected. It is determined by the relationship of voltage or capacity.

  A laminated conductive plate 42 in which a conductive plate 41 that is a conductive plate member is laminated via an insulating material is disposed on both outsides of the cell units in the unit cell stacking direction.

  The two conductive plates 41 of the laminated conductive plate 42 are, for example, a positive electrode tab 31 connected to the positive electrode output terminal 14 and a negative electrode tab connected to the negative electrode output terminal 15 by connection means 43 such as a conductive wire or a conductive plate material. 32 respectively. Alternatively, a tab formed by extending the conductive plate 41 may be connected to the positive electrode tab 31 and the negative electrode tab 32 described above.

  The material of the conductive plate 41 is, for example, copper or aluminum, and the insulating material between the conductive plates 41 is, for example, resin.

  The thickness and material of the conductive plate 41 are determined such that the resistance of the two conductive plates 41 superimposed is smaller than the internal resistance of the unit cell 30.

  With such a configuration, for example, when a sharp conductive foreign object penetrates the battery module 10 from the stacking direction of the unit cells 30 due to carelessness when handling the battery module 10, the foreign object reaches the unit cell 30. Before, the two conductive plates 41 are electrically connected to each other by a foreign substance, and a current flows through the foreign substance, so that power in the unit cell 30 can be consumed. As a result, the heat generation inside the unit cell 30 is suppressed, and the expansion due to the heat of the unit cell 30 and the influence on the control components arranged around the battery module 10 can be reduced.

  As described above, the first embodiment can provide a battery module that is easy to handle.

  In the present embodiment, the laminated conductive plate 42 is arranged on both the outside of the cell unit in the unit cell stacking direction. However, for example, one of the lower case 12 or the upper case 13 is formed of a strong member, and conductive foreign matter is formed. When there is a low possibility of the penetration, it may be arranged on one side outside the cell unit.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of the contents in the battery module 23 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the same code | symbol is used for the member which is common in the member shown to FIGS.

  In the battery module 23 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, one of the conductive plates 51, 52 of the stacked conductive plates 53 arranged on both outsides of the cell units in the unit cell stacking direction Are formed in an integral plate shape, and are arranged so as to be bent so as to pass between the single cells 30.

  The conductive plate 51 functions as a heat radiating plate by being disposed between the single cells 30 and is generated from the single cell 30 when the battery module 23 is operating or when a conductive foreign object penetrates. Can dissipate heat.

  As described above, the second embodiment can provide a battery module that is easy to handle.

  In FIG. 7, the conductive plate 51 formed integrally is shown, but unlike this, a plurality of independent conductive plates 51 are arranged between the single cells 30, and each conductive plate 51 is arranged, for example, It may be electrically connected by connecting means such as a conductive wire or a conductive plate material.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VV of the contents in the battery module 33 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a schematic view taken along line VI-VI of the contents in the battery module 33. It is sectional drawing. In addition, the same code | symbol is used for the member which is common in the member shown to FIGS. 1-7, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the battery module 33 according to the present embodiment, the laminated conductive plate 63 is disposed both outside the cell unit in the unit cell stacking direction and between the unit cell 30 and the unit cell 30. The conductive plates 61 and 62 of the laminated conductive plate 63 arranged outside the cell unit in the unit cell stacking direction are respectively connected to the positive electrode tab 31 connected to the positive electrode output terminal 14 and the negative electrode tab 32 connected to the negative electrode output terminal 15. Connected.

  One conductive plate 61 of the plurality of laminated conductive plates 63 arranged between the single cells 30 and 30 is arranged outside the cell unit in the single cell stacking direction and connected to the positive electrode tab 31 as shown in FIG. The conductive plate 61 is integrally formed in a comb shape. Similarly, the other conductive plate 62 of the plurality of laminated conductive plates 63 arranged between the single cells 30 is arranged outside the cell unit in the single cell lamination direction and connected to the negative electrode tab. 62 is integrally formed in a comb shape.

  By setting it as such a structure, when an electroconductive foreign material penetrates the battery module 33, the possibility of penetrating the laminated conductive plate 63 can be increased. The laminated conductive plate 63 provided between the single cells 30 serves as a heat sink, and when the battery module 33 is operating or when a conductive foreign object penetrates, the single cell 30 The heat generated from can be dissipated.

  As described above, the third embodiment can provide a battery module that is easy to handle.

  In the third embodiment, the plurality of conductive plates 61 and 62 are integrally formed in a comb-like shape. However, the conductive plates 61 and 62 are not limited to such an integrated shape. It may be electrically connected by connecting means such as a conducting wire or a conductive plate material.

<Fourth embodiment>
FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VV of the accommodation of the battery module 44 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of the accommodation of the battery module 44. FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VV of the accommodation of the battery module 45 according to a modification of the present embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is used for the member which is common in the member shown to FIGS.

  In the battery module 44 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the positive electrode tab 31 and the negative electrode tab 32 of each unit cell 30 are connected to the conductive plates 71 and 72 of at least one laminated conductive plate 73, respectively. The laminated conductive plates 73 are disposed adjacent to each other in the stacking direction of the single cells 30.

  With such a configuration, only the voltage of one unit cell 30 is applied to each laminated conductive plate 73. For this reason, when a conductive foreign substance penetrates the battery module 44, the current flowing through the laminated conductive plate 73 is smaller than when the voltages of the plurality of unit cells 30 connected in series are applied to the laminated conductive plate 73. . Therefore, the heat generation in the laminated conductive plate 73 can be suppressed, and the influence of heat on the control parts around the lower case 12, the upper case 13, or the battery module 44 can be reduced.

  As described above, also in the fourth embodiment, it is possible to provide a battery module that is easy to handle.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the laminated conductive plate 84 may be configured such that three conductive plates 80, 81, 82 are laminated via an insulating material 83.

  The conductive plates 80, 81, 82 of the laminated conductive plate 84 are respectively connected to the positive electrode tab 31, the negative electrode tab 32 of the two unit cells 30 connected in series, and the positive electrode tab 31 or the negative electrode connecting the two unit cells 30. Connected to tab 32.

  When the laminated conductive plate 73 is connected to each unit cell 30, four conductive plates 71 and 72 are connected to the two unit cells 30. On the other hand, with the configuration as described above, the three conductive plates 80, 81, 82 are connected to the two unit cells 30, and the number of conductive plates 71, 72 to be used can be reduced. This is advantageous.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. For example, in the above-described Embodiments 3 and 4, the laminated conductive plates 63 and 73 are arranged between all the single cells 30 and the single cells 30, but the laminated conductive plate is at least one place between the single cells 30 and the single cells 30. Plates 63 and 73 can also be arranged. In the modification of the fourth embodiment, among the conductive plates 71, 72, 80, 81, 82 of the laminated conductive plate 84 and the laminated conductive plate 73, the conductive plates 71, 72, 80, 81, 82 having the same potential are connected to each other. May be formed integrally.

It is a perspective view which shows the battery module which concerns on this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of a battery module. It is a perspective view which shows the cell unit which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the cell concerning this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the VV line | wire of the cell unit and laminated conductive board which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the VI-VI line of the cell unit and laminated conductive board which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the VI-VI line of the cell unit and laminated conductive board which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the VV line | wire of the cell unit and laminated conductive board which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the VI-VI line of the cell unit and laminated conductive board which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the VV line | wire of the cell unit and laminated conductive board which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the VI-VI line of the cell unit and laminated conductive board which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the VV line | wire of the cell unit which concerns on the modification of 4th Embodiment of this invention, and a laminated electrically conductive board.

Explanation of symbols

14 positive output terminal,
15 negative output terminal,
20 cell units,
30 cells,
41, 51, 52, 61, 62, 71, 72, 80, 81, 82 conductive plate,
42, 53, 63, 73, 84 Laminated conductive plates.

Claims (6)

A cell unit in which single cells are stacked and connected in series or in parallel;
A laminated conductive plate in which two conductive plates formed of a conductive material are laminated via an insulating material, and
The laminated conductive plate is disposed on at least one outside the cell unit in the unit cell lamination direction,
One of the laminated conductive plates is connected to a positive electrode output terminal of the cell unit, and the other conductive plate is connected to a negative electrode output terminal of the cell unit. The laminated conductive plate is disposed both outside the cell unit in the unit cell stacking direction,
2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the conductive plate connected to either the positive electrode output terminal or the negative electrode output terminal of the cell unit extends between the single cells of the cell unit. .   The conductive plate of the laminated conductive plate attached to the outside of the cell unit in the unit cell stacking direction and the conductive plate extended between the single cells of the cell unit are formed as a single plate and bent into a folded shape. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the battery module is disposed between the single cells. The laminated conductive plate is attached to both outside of the cell unit in the unit cell stacking direction, and is further disposed at least in one place between the unit cells of the cell unit,
Two conductive plates of the laminated conductive plate arranged outside the cell unit in the unit cell stacking direction are connected to the positive output terminal and the negative output terminal of the cell unit,
One conductive plate of the laminated conductive plate arranged between the conductive plate connected to the positive electrode output terminal and the single cell is connected to each other, and the laminated conductive plate arranged between the conductive plate connected to the negative electrode output terminal and the single cell. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the other conductive plates of the plates are connected to each other. A plurality of single cells stacked and connected in series or in parallel;
And at least one laminated conductive plate in which two conductive plates formed of a conductive material are laminated via an insulating material,
The laminated conductive plate is a battery module, wherein two conductive plates are respectively connected to a positive electrode output terminal or a negative electrode output terminal of a unit cell and arranged on at least one surface of the unit cell in the stacking direction. .   6. The battery according to claim 5, wherein the two laminated conductive plates are disposed adjacent to each other, and among the conductive plates of the adjacent laminated conductive plates, the conductive plates having the same potential are integrally formed. module.

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