JP2013114952A - Power supply unit and vehicle and power storage device incorporating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A gas duct can be efficiently arranged in a limited space.
A power supply device including a plurality of battery blocks (10) in which a plurality of rectangular battery cells including safety valves are stacked, and a gas duct (30) communicating with the safety valves of the battery cells, wherein an end plate (7) has an internal structure. In addition, an end plate pipe 8 for guiding the exhaust gas discharged through the safety valve is provided. The end plate pipe 8 communicates with one end side of the safety valve of the battery cell and the other end side with the gas duct 30. Can be communicated with. With the above configuration, the end plate can be used as a pipe for guiding the exhaust gas discharged from the safety valve to the gas duct. For this reason, the advantage that piping can be performed in the existing space is obtained without preparing a space for arranging the piping around the battery block.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply device having a battery cell provided with a safety valve, a vehicle including the battery cell, and a power storage device.

  A power supply device including a plurality of battery cells is used for a power supply device for a vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle. Such a battery cell is provided with a safety valve so that the internal gas (hereinafter referred to as exhaust gas) can be discharged to the outside when the internal pressure rises at a high temperature or the like. In order to safely induce and discharge such exhaust gas, the safety valve is communicated with the gas duct, and is further hermetically sealed by a seal member in order to prevent gas leakage at the connecting portion between the gas duct and the safety valve. For example, in the power supply device shown in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 17, in a state where four battery blocks 10X are arranged, the gas duct 30X is arranged on the upper surface so as to straddle them.

  However, for example, in the case of an in-vehicle power supply device, it is not easy to store a battery block in a limited space, and securing a piping space for a gas duct is extremely difficult. In particular, since the safety valve is provided on the sealing plate that closes the top surface of the battery cell, the gas duct must be disposed on the upper surface of the battery cell. In the battery block in which the battery cells are stacked, the gas duct needs to be provided on the upper surface. This results in a shape protruding in the height direction of the battery block, and becomes bulky in the height direction. It is very difficult to secure such a space in a limited vehicle. In particular, in an in-vehicle application, it is desired to secure a wide indoor space as much as possible and to increase the number of battery cells in order to increase the output. Therefore, it becomes more difficult to secure a space for arranging the gas duct. Moreover, since it will interfere with a high voltage harness if it tries to pull out to a side surface, the space for avoiding interference is needed.

JP 2011-14321 A JP 2007-157633 A

  The present invention has been made to solve such conventional problems. A main object of the present invention is to provide a power supply device capable of efficiently arranging a gas duct in a limited space, a vehicle including the same, a power storage device, and a gas duct.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  The power supply device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a battery block 10 having a plurality of rectangular battery cells 1 including safety valves 3, end plates 7 provided at both ends of the battery block 10, and the battery cells 1. A power supply device comprising gas ducts (30, 31) communicated with a safety valve (3), wherein the end plate (7) has an end plate pipe (8) for guiding exhaust gas discharged through the safety valve (3) into the end plate (7). The end plate pipe 8 can communicate with one end side of the safety valve 3 of the battery cell 1 and the other end side thereof with the gas ducts 30 and 31. With the above configuration, the end plate can be used as a pipe for guiding the exhaust gas discharged from the safety valve to the gas duct. For this reason, the advantage that piping can be performed in the existing space is obtained without preparing a space for arranging the piping around the battery block.

  In the power supply device according to the second aspect, the safety valve 3 is positioned on the upper surface of the battery block 10, the gas ducts 30 and 31 are disposed on the lower surface side of the battery block 10, and the end plate piping 8 can be provided on the lower surface side of the end plate 7 with a connection port 8b which is an edge on the other end side of the end plate pipe 8. With the above configuration, it is possible to arrange the gas duct for gas discharge, which has been a problem of securing the space in the past, on the lower surface side of the battery block so that the battery blocks are spaced from each other. More flexible arrangement design is possible as compared with the piping of

  Further, in the power supply device according to the third aspect, the gas duct 30 is provided with a piping portion 32 for communicating with the end plate piping 8, and the end plate 7 has the piping portion 32 mounted on the lower surface thereof. A notch 9 is formed, and the connection port 8b is opened in the notch 9, and the piping part 32 is provided with a connection hole 33 opened on the upper surface. By inserting from the upper surface of 32 so that the notch 9 of the end plate 7 is located, the connection hole 33 and the connection port 8b can be communicated with each other. With the above configuration, it is possible to easily perform piping of the gas duct by attaching the end plate so as to cover the notch from above the piping portion.

  Furthermore, the power supply device according to the fourth aspect further includes a pipe base 35 that communicates the gas duct 31 and the end plate pipe 8, and the gas duct 31 is configured by a flexible hose. A plurality of the pipe bases 35 are provided, and the pipe bases 35 can be piped with a flexible hose. With the above configuration, the piping work can be performed more flexibly.

  Furthermore, the power supply device according to the fifth aspect includes a plurality of the battery blocks 10, further includes a safety valve duct 24 that covers the safety valve (3) and is connected to the end plate pipe 8, and the end plate 7 includes a connection structure that opens to the main surface side a connection port that communicates with the end plate pipe 8 and that can be connected to the connection port of another battery block 10, and at least one of the battery blocks 10 includes: The end plate pipe 8 and the connection port are provided in the end plates 7 at both ends, the connection port of one end plate pipe 8 and the gas duct are connected, and the connection port of the other end plate pipe 8 is connected. Another safety valve 3 of the battery block 10 may be communicated with the gas duct via the safety valve duct 24 of the battery block 10. Kill.

  Furthermore, the vehicle according to the sixth aspect can include the power supply device described above.

  Furthermore, a power storage device according to a seventh aspect can include the power supply device described above.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the power supply device which concerns on embodiment. It is the disassembled perspective view which decomposed | disassembled the gas duct, the press part, and the sealing member from the power supply device of FIG. It is the disassembled perspective view which decomposed | disassembled the battery cell, the separator, and the end plate from the power supply device of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which connected the gas duct to the some battery block. It is a top view which shows the state which piped the gas duct in the power supply system which connected the some battery block. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the state which connects a gas duct to the battery block of FIG. It is sectional drawing which looked at the battery block from the side. It is sectional drawing which looked at the battery block of FIG. 6 from VIII-VIII. It is a front view which shows the state which connected the battery block of FIG. 8 to the gas duct. It is a perspective view of a piping base. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the state which connects piping bases with a hose. It is sectional drawing which shows Embodiment 3 which enabled direct connection of end plates. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification which made it possible to connect end plates through a joint. It is a block diagram which shows the example which mounts a power supply device in the hybrid vehicle which drive | works with an engine and a motor. It is a block diagram which shows the example which mounts a power supply device in the electric vehicle which drive | works only with a motor. It is a block diagram which shows the example applied to the power supply device for electrical storage. It is a perspective view which shows the power supply device which fixed the conventional gas duct. It is a top view which shows the modification of a piping base. It is a top view which shows the other modification of a piping base.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below exemplifies a power supply device for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, a vehicle including the power supply device, a power storage device, and a connecting unit. The vehicle, power storage device, and connection unit provided are not specified as follows. Further, in the present specification, in order to facilitate understanding of the scope of claims, numbers corresponding to the members shown in the embodiments are indicated in the “claims” and “means for solving problems” sections. It is appended to the members shown. However, the members shown in the claims are not limited to the members in the embodiments. In particular, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the constituent members described in the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to the description unless otherwise specified. It is just an example. Note that the size, positional relationship, and the like of the members shown in each drawing may be exaggerated for clarity of explanation. Furthermore, in the following description, the same name and symbol indicate the same or the same members, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, each element constituting the present invention may be configured such that a plurality of elements are constituted by the same member and the plurality of elements are shared by one member, and conversely, the function of one member is constituted by a plurality of members. It can also be realized by sharing. In addition, the contents described in some examples and embodiments may be used in other examples and embodiments.
(Embodiment 1)

Hereinafter, an example applied to a vehicle power supply device as an embodiment of the power supply device will be described with reference to FIGS. In these drawings, FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the battery block 10 constituting the power supply device, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view in which the safety valve duct 24, the pressing portion 22, and the seal member 20 are disassembled from FIG. The exploded perspective view which decomposed | disassembled the battery cell 1, the separator 6, and the end plate 7 from each is shown. The battery block 10 has a box shape as shown in FIG. A plurality of battery blocks 10 are connected in series or in parallel to constitute a power supply device. As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 2, each battery block 10 includes a battery block 10 in which a plurality of battery cells 1 are stacked, a seal member 20, a pressing portion 22, and a safety valve duct 24. The safety valve duct 24 is in communication with the safety valve 3 of the battery cell 1.
(Battery block 10)

As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 3, the battery block 10 is a block body in which a plurality of battery cells 1 are stacked via insulating separators 6 and end plates 7 are arranged on both end faces and fastened. It is. The end plates 7 on both end surfaces are fastened with a bind bar (not shown). The bind bar is disposed on the side surface or the upper surface of the battery block 10. This bind bar is configured by bending a metal plate. Thus, the battery block 10 can be firmly held by sandwiching the laminated body of the battery cells 1 between the end plates 7 fastened by the bind bar.
(Battery cell 1)

  As shown in FIG. 3, the battery cell 1 uses a thin outer can 2 whose thickness is thinner than the width of the upper side. The outer can 2 has a substantially box shape in which corners at the four corners of the outer can 2 are chamfered. The sealing plate 4 that seals the outer can 2 on the upper surface of the outer can 2 has a pair of electrode terminals 5 protruding and a safety valve 3 provided between the electrode terminals 5. The safety valve 3 is configured to open when the internal pressure of the outer can 2 rises to a predetermined value or more, and to release the internal gas. By opening the safety valve 3, the increase in the internal pressure of the outer can 2 can be stopped. Here, in order to efficiently guide the exhaust gas discharged from the safety valve 3, the battery cells 1 are stacked so that the safety valve 3 is arranged on one surface (upper surface in the present embodiment) of the battery block.

The unit cell constituting the battery cell 1 is a rechargeable secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, a nickel-hydrogen battery, or a nickel-cadmium battery. In particular, when a lithium ion battery is used for a thin battery, there is an advantage that the charge capacity with respect to the capacity of the whole pack battery can be increased.
(Safety valve duct 24)

  In such a battery cell, the internal gas pressure may increase due to charging / discharging with a large current. For this reason, the power supply device incorporating the battery cell has a gas discharge path for guiding the gas to a predetermined path so that the gas does not leak from an unintended part when the safety valve 3 is opened to release the gas. Provided. In the present embodiment, a gas discharge path is formed by arranging the safety valve duct 24 on the upper surface of the battery block 10. The safety valve duct 24 is designed to have sufficient strength so as not to be destroyed when high-pressure and high-temperature gas is discharged, and is preferably made of a metal such as stainless steel having excellent heat resistance and rigidity. In the example shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the safety valve duct 24 is formed in a hollow box shape and is in airtight communication with a gas discharge path (not shown), and is safely discharged to the outside by being guided by this gas discharge path. In addition, a seal member 20 is provided to allow the safety valve duct 24 to communicate with the safety valve 3 of the battery block 10 in an airtight manner.

  The seal member 20 is a sheet-like member having elasticity, and a silicone resin or the like can be used. When the seal member 20 is placed on the upper surface of the battery block 10 as shown in FIG. 2, seal openings 21 are opened at positions corresponding to the positions of the safety valves 3. The seal opening 21 is formed to have a size substantially equal to or slightly larger than the outer periphery of the safety valve 3.

Further, a pressing portion 22 that presses the sealing member 20 against the upper surface of the sealing plate 4 is provided on the upper surface of the sealing member 20 so that no gap is generated between the sealing member 20 and the sealing plate 4. Thus, airtightness is maintained by holding the seal member 20 and elastically deforming the seal member 20. Similarly to the seal member 20, a pressing opening 23 is opened at the position of the safety valve 3 in the pressing portion 22, and a safety valve duct 24 is fixed on the pressing portion 22. As a result, the safety valve 3 and the safety valve duct 24 communicate with each other via the seal opening 21 and the pressing opening 23. Moreover, it is preferable to fix these by applying an adhesive or the like to the interface between the pressing portion 22 and the seal member 20. In the above embodiment, the seal member 20 is formed of a sheet-like member. However, it is sufficient that the safety valve duct 24 and the safety valve 3 can be communicated with each other in an airtight manner. Each may be provided with an O-ring surrounding the safety valve. In the case of such a configuration, it is preferable to provide a rib on the periphery of the safety valve 3 so that the O-ring can be easily fixed.
(Gas duct 30)

  A gas duct 30 is connected to the battery block 10. In the example shown in the perspective view of FIG. 4, the gas discharge path that communicates with the safety valve 3 and the safety valve duct 24 of each battery block 10 is communicated with the gas duct 30 in a state where three battery blocks 10 are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction. Yes. The exhaust gas discharged from the safety valve 3 of each battery cell 1 is collected in the safety valve duct 24 and then guided to the gas duct 30 and safely discharged to the outside.

  The gas duct 30 is provided not on the upper surface side of the battery block 10 but on the lower surface side. Thereby, the enlargement of the external shape of the battery block 10 can be suppressed. That is, the conventional gas duct is arranged on the upper side where gas is easily collected. With such an arrangement, the height of the battery block is increased, leading to enlargement of the power supply device. In particular, in the power supply device in which the electrode terminal 5 and the safety valve 3 are arranged on the same surface of the battery block as in the present embodiment, interference with harnesses dedicated to high voltage distribution occurs. It is necessary to pipe the gas duct to avoid it. Therefore, in the configuration including the gas duct having the conventional configuration, it becomes an obstacle to disposing the power supply device in a limited space. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the gas duct 30 is arranged on the lower surface side of the battery block 10 to avoid such a problem of increasing the size and to reduce the size of the power supply device. Further, exhaust gas can be efficiently discharged by arranging the gas duct 30 along the side surface of the battery block 10 or by using a gap between adjacent battery blocks 10. In the example of the plan view shown in FIG. 5, with respect to the plurality of battery blocks 10 arranged in various patterns, the gas duct 30 can be arranged in a gap portion between the battery blocks 10 to constitute an exhaust gas discharge path.

In the present embodiment, a pipe for guiding the exhaust gas discharged from the safety valve 3 to the upper surface side of the battery cell 1 to the gas duct 30 arranged on the lower surface side is built in the end plate 7. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the need for providing a space for piping necessary for guiding the exhaust gas discharged from the safety valve 3 from the upper surface to the lower surface side of the battery cell 1. This is advantageous for downsizing. Further, by arranging the gas duct 30 on the lower surface side of the battery block, the gas duct 30 can be fixed to a surface on which the battery block 10 is placed (for example, a frame of a storage box that stores the power supply device). Hereinafter, this state will be described with reference to FIGS.
(End plate piping 8)

  The end plate 7 is preferably made of metal in order to maintain sufficient strength. However, in order to improve insulation, it is possible to use a resin end plate. An end plate pipe 8 for discharging gas is provided inside the end plate 7. As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 6 and the cross-sectional view of FIG. 7, the end plate pipe 8 connects the intake port 8 a that is the open end on the upper surface side to the safety valve duct 24. Further, the connection port 8 b that is the open end on the lower surface side of the end plate pipe 8 is connected to the gas duct 30. As a result, as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 7, the safety valve 3 of each battery cell 1 communicated with the safety valve duct 24 and the end plate pipe 8 are communicated. As a result, the exhaust gas discharged from each battery cell 1 is once collected in the safety valve duct 24, and the exhaust gas discharged from each battery cell 1 can be guided to the lower side gas duct 30 via the end plate pipe 8. It becomes easy.

  As shown in the front views of FIGS. 8 and 9, the end plate 7 forms a notch portion 9 for arranging the piping portion 32 of the gas duct 30 on the lower surface. The depth of the notch 9 is substantially equal to the thickness of the gas duct 30. Further, the connection port 8 b for connecting to the gas duct 30 is opened facing the notch portion 9. Thereby, in the state which has arrange | positioned the gas duct 30 in the notch part 9 of the end plate 7, the situation which protrudes from the lower surface of the end plate 7 by the thickness of the gas duct 30 can be avoided.

  In the above example, only one end plate pipe 8 is provided at the center of the end plate 7. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a plurality of end plate pipes are provided inside the end plate. You may branch to.

  Further, in the example shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 7, among the end plates 7 arranged on the left and right sides of the battery block 10, the end plate pipe 32 is provided inside the right end plate 7, while the left end plate 7 ′ The end plate piping is not provided. Thereby, piping work can be performed only by any one end plate with a sufficient space. However, it is needless to say that when there is enough space, end plate piping may be provided on both end plates.

  As described above, the gas duct 30 is provided not on the upper surface side of the battery block 10 but on the lower surface side. With this arrangement, the arrangement space of the gas duct 30 for discharging gas can be extended to the gap between the battery blocks 10 and the like, and the arrangement design is more flexible than the conventional piping on the upper surface of the battery block 10. Is possible. A perspective view of the gas duct 30 is shown in FIG. The gas duct 30 shown in this figure has a hollow portion, has an external appearance extended into a square shape, and includes a piping portion 32 that partially protrudes from the side surface. The piping portion 32 has a connection hole 33 for connecting to the connection port 8 b of the end plate 7 on the upper surface thereof. Furthermore, the piping part 32 is set to a size that can be arranged in the notch part 9 of the end plate 7. In the example of FIG. 10, the piping portion 32 is formed in a block shape having the same thickness as the prismatic gas duct 30, and is projected from the side surface of the gas duct 30 in a T shape in plan view so as to be integrated with the gas duct 30. Is provided. Further, the connection hole 33 is protruded in a cylindrical shape substantially at the center of the upper surface of the pipe portion 32 and communicated with the space inside the gas duct 30.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to easily perform piping of the gas duct 30 by mounting the cutout portion 9 of the end plate 7 from the upper surface side so as to cover the piping portion 32. Further, by opening the connecting hole 33 toward the upper surface, the end plate 7 can be inserted / removed from above, and the end plate 7 and the gas duct 30 can be easily disassembled during maintenance of the power supply device. That is, in the configuration in which the gas ducts are arranged on the upper surface side of the battery block as in the prior art, as shown in FIG. 17, even if only some of the battery blocks 10X are to be removed at the time of maintenance, the gas ducts 30X are all in the battery block 10X. Therefore, it is necessary to remove all the gas ducts 30X once, which requires a laborious work. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, since the gas duct 30 is arranged on the lower surface side of the battery block 10, the gas duct 30 does not get in the way when the battery block 10 is disassembled. The advantage that the disassembling work can be easily performed is obtained. Further, when the battery block 10 is mounted, the gas duct 30 and the battery block 10 can be communicated with each other by inserting the connection port 8b of the end plate 7 from the upper surface side of the gas duct 30. As described above, since the battery block 10 can be inserted and removed without disassembling the gas duct 30, there is an advantage of excellent partial workability such that only a deteriorated arbitrary battery block is replaced.

In the above example, the connecting hole 33 on the piping part 32 side is formed in a cylindrical male shape protruding upward from the piping part 32, while the connecting port 8 b on the end plate 7 side is male in the opening part. The connecting hole 33 is formed in a female mold. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the male connection port is formed on the male mold, the connection hole is formed on the female mold receiving the male mold, and the male connection port is formed on the female mold. It is good also as a structure inserted in a connection hole.
(Piping base 35)

  In the above example, the example which provided the connection structure connected with the end plate 7 in gas duct 30 itself was demonstrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and a configuration in which a connecting structure of another member is interposed between the end plate and the gas duct may be employed. Such an example is shown in the perspective view of FIG. In this figure, a piping base 35 is provided as a connecting structure for connecting to the end plate 7. The piping base 35 has substantially the same configuration as the piping portion 32 described above, and has a connection hole 33 ′ opened on the upper surface of the piping portion 32 ′ protruding from the side surface. The connecting hole 33 ′ protrudes in a cylindrical shape from the upper surface of the pipe base 35.

  Moreover, the gas duct 31 is comprised with the flexible hose, and the piping bases 35 are connected with the hose. In the example of FIG. 11, hose connection ports 36 for connecting to the hose are provided on both side surfaces of the piping base 35. In this configuration, the pipe base 35 for connecting to the end plate 7 can also be used as a pipe joint for connecting the hose-shaped gas ducts 31 to each other. Furthermore, since the gas duct 31 has flexibility, more flexible arrangement and handling are possible, and piping of the gas duct 31 can be performed more flexibly between the battery blocks 10 installed according to the arrangement space. The piping base 35 is fixed to a housing or the like that forms the base of the power supply device with screws or the like.

Furthermore, the attitude of the pipe base 35 is changed according to the connection form of the battery block 10 by matching the connecting hole 33 ′ protruding in a cylindrical shape with the diameter of the hose connection port 36, thereby connecting The hole 33 ′ and the hose connection port 36 can be used together. In particular, the shape of the piping base is such that four squares (cubes) are combined, such as a piping base 35 ″ shown in the plan view of FIG. 18, and one side constituting the piping portion 32 ″ is connected to a square-shaped piping. Matching with the width and thickness of the base 35 ″, and further matching with the distance from the end face of the piping base 35 ″ to the position where the piping portion 32 ″ is provided, and in addition, a connecting hole 33 ″ protruding in a cylindrical shape is provided in the piping portion 32. The hose connection port 36 "is also provided at the center of the end surface of the piping base 35", so that the connecting hole 33 "and the hose connection port 36" can be replaced and used. By matching the shape of the notch portion with the rectangular parallelepiped shape of the pipe portion 32 ″, the end face side of the pipe base 35 ″ provided with the hose connection port 36 ″ can be inserted into the notch portion side. Possible It made. Further, by combining differently shaped piping bases such as a L-shaped piping base 37 in plan view as shown in FIG. 19, battery blocks can be connected to each other in various postures. As a connection form, the degree of freedom of connection can be increased.
(Linked structure)

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, the structure which provides the connection structure connected with the end plate piping 8 of the end plate 7 in the gas duct 30 itself, or the structure which connects the end plate piping 8 and the gas duct 31 via the piping base 35. Although shown, it can also be set as the structure which pipes end plates directly. Such an example is shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. In the battery block 10 shown in this figure, the connection port 8b 'of the end plate pipe 8 provided in the end plate 7B is opened not on the lower surface side but on the main surface side, that is, the side surface of the end plate 7B. Further, the connection port 8b 'is provided with a connection structure that can be connected to the connection port 8b' of the other end plate 7B. Here, in the right end plate 7B1 of the battery block 10B1 located on the left side in the drawing, the connection port 8b ′ is projected to form a convex connection portion 8b1, and the left end plate of the battery block 10B2 located on the right side in the drawing. In 7B2, the connection port 8b 'is recessed to form a concave connection portion 8b2. The recess of the concave connecting portion 8b2 has a size and shape that allows the protruding portion of the convex connecting portion 8b1 to be inserted. Further, an elastic member such as a packing is disposed at the interface between the convex coupling portion 8b1 and the concave coupling portion 8b2, and the coupling is performed in an airtight manner to avoid a situation in which exhaust gas leaks from the coupling interface. The end plate 7B having this structure inserts the convex connecting portion 8b1 into the concave connecting portion 8b2, thereby connecting the end plate pipes of the opposing end plates 7B1 and B2 to the end plate connecting structure (the convex connecting portions 8b1 and 8b1). It is possible to communicate directly with the concave connecting portion 8b2).

  With such a configuration, only one battery block 10 is connected to a gas duct (not shown), and the safety valve 3 of the other battery block 10 is connected to the end plate pipe 8 and the safety valve duct of the battery block 10 connected to the gas duct. 24 can communicate with the gas duct. According to this configuration, piping for connecting the battery blocks 10 is not required, and further miniaturization can be achieved.

  Moreover, the structure which connects the safety valve 3 and gas duct of another battery block 10 via the end plate piping 8 and safety valve duct 24 of such a battery block 10 is the above-mentioned gas duct 30 itself, the end plate 7 of The present invention can also be employed in a configuration in which a connection structure for connecting to the end plate pipe 8 is provided or in a configuration in which the end plate pipe 8 and the gas duct 31 are communicated with each other via the pipe base 35. In such a configuration, in particular, when the exhaust port (not shown) of the gas duct needs to be gathered in one place due to the convenience of the configuration of the vehicle, the arrangement space of the gas duct can be reduced. Can be reduced in size and workability can be improved.

  For example, the battery block located at the end may be configured to guide the exhaust gas through the end plate pipe 8 of the end plate 7 on one side of the safety duct 24. It is good also as a structure which provides the end plate piping 8 in one end plate. In this case, since only one end plate pipe 8 is used, it is preferable that the unused end plate pipe 8 is closed with a sealing cap (not shown). Needless to say, in such a battery block, another end plate that does not have the end plate pipe 8 can be adopted as the end plate that is not connected to the gas duct.

  In the example of FIG. 12, the convex coupling part 8b1 and the concave coupling part 8b2 are provided in the approximate center on the main surface side of the end plate 7B. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, for example, near the lower end or upper end of the main surface. It is also possible to provide it. Moreover, you may provide not only in the main surface side but in the side surface side of an end plate, for example. By providing on the side surface side, adjacent battery blocks can be directly piped with the battery blocks arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction.

  In addition to the configuration in which the convex connection portion and the concave connection portion are provided integrally with the end plate, they can be configured as separate members. For example, in the modification shown in FIG. 13, the connection structure is a joint 38 in which convex connection portions 8 b 3 protrude from both sides, and the joint 38 is inserted into a concave connection portion 8 b 2 formed on the end plate 7 B 2 and piped. It becomes possible. With this configuration, the end plate 7B2 can be unified into one type provided with the concave connecting portion 8b2, so that it is not necessary to prepare another type of end plate provided with the convex connecting portion, and different types of end plates 7B are provided. This eliminates the need to mix the components, so that advantages in manufacturing, management, and assembly can be obtained.

The above power supply apparatus can be used as a vehicle-mounted power supply. As a vehicle equipped with a power supply device, an electric vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle that runs with both an engine and a motor, or an electric vehicle that runs only with a motor can be used, and it is used as a power source for these vehicles. .
(Power supply for hybrid vehicles)

FIG. 14 shows an example in which a power supply device is mounted on a hybrid vehicle that runs with both an engine and a motor. A vehicle HV equipped with the power supply device shown in this figure includes an engine 96 and a travel motor 93 that travel the vehicle HV, a power supply device 100 that supplies power to the motor 93, and a generator that charges a battery of the power supply device 100. 94. The power supply apparatus 100 is connected to a motor 93 and a generator 94 via a DC / AC inverter 95. The vehicle HV travels by both the motor 93 and the engine 96 while charging / discharging the battery of the power supply device 100. The motor 93 is driven to drive the vehicle when the engine efficiency is low, for example, during acceleration or low-speed driving. The motor 93 is driven by power supplied from the power supply device 100. The generator 94 is driven by the engine 96 or is driven by regenerative braking when the vehicle is braked to charge the battery of the power supply device 100.
(Power supply for electric vehicles)

FIG. 15 shows an example in which a power supply device is mounted on an electric vehicle that runs only with a motor. A vehicle EV equipped with the power supply device shown in this figure includes a traveling motor 93 for traveling the vehicle EV, a power supply device 100 that supplies power to the motor 93, and a generator 94 that charges a battery of the power supply device 100. And. The motor 93 is driven by power supplied from the power supply device 100. The generator 94 is driven by energy when regeneratively braking the vehicle EV and charges the battery of the power supply device 100.
(Power storage device for power storage)

  Furthermore, this power supply apparatus can be used not only as a power source for a moving body but also as a stationary power storage facility. For example, as a power source for home and factory use, a power supply system that is charged with sunlight or midnight power and discharged when necessary, or a streetlight power supply that charges sunlight during the day and discharges at night, or during a power outage It can also be used as a backup power source for driving signals. Such an example is shown in FIG. The power supply apparatus 100 shown in this figure forms a battery unit 82 by connecting a plurality of battery packs 81 in a unit shape. Each battery pack 81 has a plurality of prismatic battery cells 1 connected in series and / or in parallel. Each battery pack 81 is controlled by a power controller 84. The power supply apparatus 100 drives the load LD after charging the battery unit 82 with the charging power supply CP. For this reason, the power supply apparatus 100 includes a charging mode and a discharging mode. The load LD and the charging power source CP are connected to the power supply device 100 via the discharging switch DS and the charging switch CS, respectively. ON / OFF of the discharge switch DS and the charge switch CS is switched by the power supply controller 84 of the power supply apparatus 100. In the charging mode, the power supply controller 84 switches the charging switch CS to ON and the discharging switch DS to OFF to permit charging from the charging power supply CP to the power supply apparatus 100. Further, when the charging is completed and the battery is fully charged, or in response to a request from the load LD in a state where a capacity of a predetermined value or more is charged, the power controller 84 turns off the charging switch CS and turns on the discharging switch DS to discharge. The mode is switched to permit discharge from the power supply apparatus 100 to the load LD. Further, if necessary, the charge switch CS can be turned on and the discharge switch DS can be turned on to supply power to the load LD and charge the power supply device 100 at the same time.

  A load LD driven by the power supply apparatus 100 is connected to the power supply apparatus 100 via a discharge switch DS. In the discharge mode of the power supply apparatus 100, the power supply controller 84 switches the discharge switch DS to ON, connects to the load LD, and drives the load LD with the power from the power supply apparatus 100. As the discharge switch DS, a switching element such as an FET can be used. ON / OFF of the discharge switch DS is controlled by the power supply controller 84 of the power supply apparatus 100. The power controller 84 also includes a communication interface for communicating with external devices. In the example of FIG. 16, it is connected to the host device HT according to an existing communication protocol such as UART or RS-232C. Further, if necessary, a user interface for the user to operate the power supply system can be provided.

  Each battery pack 81 includes a signal terminal and a power supply terminal. The signal terminals include a pack input / output terminal DI, a pack abnormality output terminal DA, and a pack connection terminal DO. The pack input / output terminal DI is a terminal for inputting / outputting signals from other pack batteries and the power supply controller 84, and the pack connection terminal DO is for inputting / outputting signals to / from other pack batteries which are child packs. Terminal. The pack abnormality output terminal DA is a terminal for outputting the abnormality of the battery pack to the outside. Furthermore, the power supply terminal is a terminal for connecting the battery packs 81 in series and in parallel. The battery units 82 are connected to the output line OL via the parallel connection switch 85 and are connected in parallel to each other.

  The power supply device according to the present invention, the vehicle including the power supply device, and the power storage device are suitably used as a power supply device for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, an electric vehicle, or the like that can switch between the EV traveling mode and the HEV traveling mode. it can. Also, a backup power supply device that can be mounted on a rack of a computer server, a backup power supply device for a wireless base station such as a mobile phone, a power storage device for home use and a factory, a power supply for a street light, etc. Also, it can be used as appropriate for applications such as a backup power source such as a traffic light.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Power supply device 1 ... Battery cell 2 ... Exterior can 3 ... Safety valve 4 ... Sealing plate 5 ... Electrode terminal 6 ... Separator 7, 7 ', 7B, 7B1, 7B2 ... End plate 8 ... End plate piping; 8a ... Inlet; 8b, 8b '... connection ports 8b1, 8b3 ... convex connection part; 8b2 ... concave connection part 9 ... notch part 10, 10B1, 10B2, 10X ... battery block 20 ... seal member 21 ... seal opening part 22 ... pressing part 23 ... Pressing opening 24 ... Safety valve ducts 30, 31, 30X ... Gas ducts 32, 32 ', 32 "... Pipe parts 33, 33', 33" ... Connecting holes 35, 35 ", 37 ... Pipe bases 36, 36" ... Hose Connection port 38 ... Joint 81 ... Battery stack 82 ... Battery unit 84 ... Power supply controller 85 ... Parallel connection switch 93 ... Motor 94 ... Generator 95 ... Inverter 96 ... Engine HV, EV ... Vehicle LD ... Load; CP ... Power supply for charging; DS ... Discharge switch; CS ... Charge switch OL ... Output line; HT ... Host device DI ... Pack input / output terminal; DA ... Pack abnormal output terminal;

Claims (7)

A battery block (10) having a plurality of rectangular battery cells (1) provided with a safety valve (3);
End plates (7) provided at both ends of the battery block (10),
A gas duct (30; 31) in communication with the safety valve (3) of the battery cell;
A power supply device comprising:
The end plate (7) is provided therein with an end plate pipe (8) for guiding exhaust gas discharged through the safety valve (3),
One end side of the end plate pipe (8) communicates with the safety valve (3) of the battery cell, and the other end side communicates with the gas duct (30; 31). The power supply device according to claim 1,
The safety valve (3) is located on the upper surface of the battery block (10),
The gas duct (30; 31) is disposed on the lower surface side of the battery block (10),
The end plate pipe (8) is characterized in that a connection port (8b) which is an edge on the other end side of the end plate pipe (8) is provided on the lower surface side of the end plate (7). Power supply. The power supply device according to claim 2,
The gas duct (30) is provided with a pipe part (32) for communicating with the end plate pipe (8),
The end plate (7) has a notch (9) for mounting the pipe portion (32) on the lower surface thereof, and the connection port (8b) is opened in the notch (9). And
And
The piping part (32) is provided with a connecting hole (33) opened on the upper surface,
By inserting from the upper surface of the piping part (32) so that the notch (9) of the end plate (7) is positioned, the connection hole (33) and the connection port (8b) are communicated. A power supply device characterized by comprising: The power supply device according to claim 1, further comprising:
A piping base (35) is provided for communicating the gas duct (31) and the end plate piping (8);
The gas duct (31) is composed of a flexible hose,
A power supply device comprising a plurality of the pipe bases (35), wherein the pipe bases (35) are piped with a flexible hose. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A plurality of the battery blocks (10),
Furthermore, the safety valve (3) is covered and a safety valve duct (24) connected to the end plate pipe (8) is provided,
The end plate (7) includes a connection structure that opens a connection port communicating with the end plate pipe (8) on the main surface side and can be connected to the connection port of another battery block (10). ,
At least one of the battery blocks (10) includes the end plate pipe (8) and the connection port in the end plates (7) at both ends,
The safety valve (3) of another battery block (10) connected to the connecting port of one end plate pipe (8) and the gas duct and connected to the connecting port of the other end plate pipe (8) A power supply device that is communicated with the gas duct via a safety valve duct (24) of the battery block (10).   A vehicle comprising the power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   A power storage device comprising the power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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