JP6601254B2 - Battery module assembly method and battery module - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery module assembling method and a battery module.

  Conventionally, a battery pack used as a battery of a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a forklift is known. The battery pack includes a plurality of battery modules and a housing that houses these battery modules. Patent Document 1 describes an assembled battery in which a battery module assembly in which a plurality of battery modules are stacked vertically is housed in a battery case.

Japanese Patent No. 5648643

  However, in the battery module described above, there is no place for holding the battery module, and it is difficult to assemble the battery module inside the housing.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module and a method for assembling the battery module that can be easily assembled into the housing.

  A method according to an aspect of the present invention is a method of assembling a battery module inside a box-shaped housing, and the battery module includes an array formed by arranging a plurality of battery cells in a predetermined direction, and a predetermined direction. A first end plate provided at one end of the array body in a predetermined direction, and a second end plate provided at the other end of the array body in a predetermined direction, at least one of the first end plate and the second end plate is It has a pair of protrusion part which protrudes from one side of the cell area | region which projected the battery cell in the predetermined direction, and opening is provided between a pair of protrusion part. This method includes a step of inserting a fork-shaped holding device for holding a battery module into the opening (hereinafter referred to as “insertion step”), and a step of conveying the battery module with the holding device inserted into the opening (hereinafter referred to as “transporting step”). And a step of disposing the battery module inside the housing (hereinafter referred to as “arrangement step”).

  In the above method, at least one of the first end plate and the second end plate has a pair of protrusions protruding from one side of the cell region, and an opening is provided between the pair of protrusions. This opening is provided outside the cell region, and a space is formed on an extension line of the opening in a predetermined direction. With such a configuration, it is possible to insert a holding tool for holding the battery module from the opening. Therefore, the battery module can be easily held and transported, and the battery module can be easily assembled inside the housing.

  In some embodiments, an opening is provided between the protrusions of the first end plate, and the second end plate has a closing portion that extends to a region obtained by projecting the opening of the first end plate in a predetermined direction. ing. According to this configuration, the holding device can be inserted only from the first end plate side. Therefore, by attaching the first end plate and the second end plate in correspondence with a predetermined direction to be assembled to the casing, the battery module is placed in a direction different from the predetermined direction when the battery module is arranged in the casing. Arrangement is prevented. Moreover, the position of the front-end | tip part of the holding | maintenance instrument inserted from the opening of the 1st end plate is restrict | limited to the 1st end plate side from the 2nd end plate by the closing part of the 2nd end plate. Therefore, it is prevented that the front-end | tip part of a holding fixture protrudes from the 2nd end plate side of a battery module.

  In some embodiments, one or more other battery modules are stacked on the battery module. According to this configuration, a plurality of battery modules can be transported simultaneously and placed inside the housing. Therefore, the battery module can be efficiently assembled inside the housing.

  The method according to some embodiments further includes a step of performing electrical connection in the battery module (hereinafter referred to as “connection step”) prior to the step of arranging the battery module inside the housing (arrangement step). According to this method, since the connection process is performed outside the housing, the work space is not limited by the housing. Therefore, electrical connection in the battery module can be easily performed.

  A battery module according to an aspect of the present invention is a battery module assembled in a box-shaped housing, and the battery module includes an array formed by arranging a plurality of battery cells in a predetermined direction, and a predetermined direction. And a second end plate provided at the other end of the array body in a predetermined direction. The first end plate has a pair of projecting portions projecting from one side of the cell region in which the battery cells are projected in a predetermined direction, and an opening is provided between the pair of projecting portions. It has a closing portion extending to a region where the opening of the end plate is projected in a predetermined direction.

  The first end plate of the battery module has a pair of projecting portions projecting from one side of the cell region, and an opening is provided between the pair of projecting portions. The opening is provided outside the cell region, and a space is formed on an extension line of the opening. With such a configuration, it is possible to insert a holding tool for holding the battery module from the opening. The second end plate has a closing portion that extends to a region obtained by projecting the opening of the first end plate in a predetermined direction. According to this configuration, the holding device can be inserted only from the first end plate side. Therefore, by attaching the first end plate and the second end plate in correspondence with a predetermined direction to be assembled to the casing, the battery module is placed in a direction different from the predetermined direction when the battery module is arranged in the casing. Arrangement is prevented. Moreover, the position of the front-end | tip part of the holding | maintenance instrument inserted from the opening of the 1st end plate is restrict | limited to the 1st end plate side from the 2nd end plate by the closing part of the 2nd end plate. Therefore, it is prevented that the front-end | tip part of a holding fixture protrudes from the 2nd end plate side of a battery module.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the assembly method of the battery module and battery module which are easy to assemble | attach to the inside of a housing | casing is provided.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the battery cell unit of the battery module shown in FIG. (A) is a figure which shows roughly the 1st end plate of the battery module shown in FIG. 1, (b) is a figure which shows the 2nd end plate schematically. It is a figure for demonstrating the assembly method of the battery module which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematically the 1st end plate which the battery module which concerns on one modification has.

  Hereinafter, various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the following description, when “upper and lower” is used, the state where the battery module M is erected so that the electrode terminal 20 of the battery cell 10 faces upward is used as a reference.

  With reference to FIG.1 and FIG.2, the structure of a battery module is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 1, the battery module M includes an array body 2 in which a plurality of battery cell units 1 are arrayed in a predetermined direction, and a first end plate 3 provided at one end of the array body 2 in the predetermined direction. And a second end plate 4 provided at the other end of the array 2 in the predetermined direction. The first end plate 3 and the second end plate 4 are provided so as to sandwich the array body 2, and are fixed by, for example, four bolts (not shown) that pass through the first end plate 3 and the second end plate 4. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each battery cell unit 1 includes a battery cell 10 and a battery cell holder 12 that holds the battery cell 10.

  The battery cell 10 includes a case 14, an electrode assembly 16 accommodated in the case 14, and a pair of electrode terminals 20 provided in the case 14. The battery cell 10 is a storage battery such as a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery. The case 14 includes a bottomed rectangular tube-shaped case main body 22 and a cover plate 24 that covers the opening of the case main body 22. The case 14 is made of a conductive material such as aluminum, for example. The case main body 22 includes a rectangular flat plate-shaped bottom plate 22a and four side plates 22b to 22e erected from four sides of the bottom plate 22a. The side plates 22b and 22c are substantially orthogonal to a predetermined direction of the battery cell 10 (the short side direction of the case 14 shown in FIG. 2). The electrode assembly 16 is accommodated in the space defined by the opening of the case main body portion 22 being closed by the lid plate 24, and the electrolytic solution is filled therein. Examples of the electrolytic solution include an organic solvent-based or non-aqueous electrolytic solution.

  The battery cell holder 12 is, for example, a frame integrally formed of resin, and includes a wiring portion 30 disposed on the cover plate 24, a bottom surface portion 32 facing the bottom plate 22 a of the battery cell 10, and the battery cell 10. The side plates 22d and 22e have a pair of side portions 34 that oppose each other. The battery cell holder 12 does not have a portion that covers the side plate 22b and the side plate 22c of the case body 22.

  The wiring portion 30 includes a peripheral wall 36 erected so as to surround each electrode terminal 20 of the battery cell 10, a pair of outer walls 38 extending vertically upward from the pair of side surface portions 34, and an outer wall sandwiching the peripheral wall 36. And a pair of first bolt guide portions 42 provided between the peripheral wall 36 and the partition wall 40, respectively.

  The partition wall 40 extends along the direction in which the battery cell units 1 are arranged side by side. A pair of first bolt guide portions 42 are provided on the electrode terminal 20 side of the partition wall 40, and guide holes 44 </ b> A and 44 </ b> B for guiding bolts are formed in the pair of first bolt guide portions 42. .

  The battery cell holder 12 is provided with a protruding portion 48 that protrudes below the bottom surface portion 32 at a corner portion where the bottom surface portion 32 and each of the pair of side surface portions 34 are connected. The protruding portion 48 is provided with a pair of second bolt guide portions 46 in which guide holes 44C and 44D are formed. The protruding portion 48 protrudes downward from the bottom surface portion 32, and an opening 50 is formed between the protruding portions 48.

  Next, the first end plate 3 and the second end plate 4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3A is a diagram schematically showing the first end plate 3, and FIG. 3B is a diagram schematically showing the second end plate 4.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the first end plate 3 protrudes from a rectangular main body 31 including a cell region 10a obtained by projecting the case 14 of the battery cell 10 in a predetermined direction, and one side 10a1 of the cell region 10a. A pair of projecting portions 33 and a pair of projecting portions 35 projecting from one side 10a2 opposite to one side 10a1 of the cell region 10a. The projecting portion 33 is provided with through holes 33A and 33B through which bolts for fixing the first end plate 3 and the second end plate 4 are inserted. The through holes 33A and 33B are formed so as to overlap with the guide holes 44A and 44B formed in the first bolt guide portion 42 of the battery cell holder 12 when viewed from the predetermined direction. Similar to the protrusion 33, the protrusion 35 is provided with through holes 35C and 35D through which bolts are inserted. The through holes 35C and 35D are formed so as to overlap with the guide holes 44C and 44D formed in the second bolt guide portion 46 of the battery cell holder 12, respectively, when viewed from the predetermined direction. An opening 37 is provided between the pair of projecting portions 35.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (b), the second end plate 4 has substantially the same shape as the first end plate 3. The second end plate 4 includes a rectangular main body 41 including a cell region 10a obtained by projecting the case 14 of the battery cell 10 in a predetermined direction, a pair of protrusions 43 protruding from one side 10a1 of the cell region 10a, and a cell region. And a protruding portion 45 protruding from one side 10a2 of 10a. The projecting portion 43 is formed with through holes 43A and 43B through which the bolts are inserted. The through holes 43A and 43B are formed so as to overlap the guide holes 44A and 44B, respectively, when viewed from the predetermined direction. The protrusion 45 is formed with through holes 45C and 45D through which bolts are inserted. The through holes 45C and 45D are formed so as to overlap the guide holes 44C and 44D, respectively, when viewed from the predetermined direction. The second end plate 4 has a closing portion 47 that extends to a region 37a obtained by projecting the opening 37 of the first end plate 3 in a predetermined direction.

  One side 10a2 of the cell region 10a in the first end plate 3 corresponding to the bottom plate 22a of the battery cell 10 and the lower side of the pair of protruding portions 35 of the first end plate 3 are parallel to each other. The opening 37 is formed so as to be recessed above the straight line along the lower side of the protruding portion 35 (one side 10a2 side of the cell region 10a). Further, the opening 37 is formed so as to extend over a length of at least half of the entire width of the first end plate 3 between the through hole 35C and the through hole 35D. One side 10a2 of the cell region 10a in the second end plate 4 corresponding to the bottom plate 22a of the battery cell 10 and the lower side of the second end plate 4 are parallel. The lower side of the closing portion 47 coincides with a straight line along the lower side of the protruding portion 45, and the protruding portion 45 and the closing portion 47 form a lower side on a straight line of the second end plate 4.

  Next, a method of assembling the battery module M to the housing H will be described with reference to FIG. In this method, first, one or a plurality of other battery modules M are stacked on the battery module M. In the example shown in FIG. 4, three battery modules M are stacked vertically. Next, electrical connection in the battery module M, such as wiring between battery cells and wiring between battery modules, is performed (connection process). Thereafter, the holding device F is inserted from the opening 37 of the first end plate 3 of the battery module M (insertion step). Subsequently, the battery module M is lifted and held by the holding tool F inserted from the opening 37, and is transported to the housing H in which the battery module M is assembled with the holding tool F inserted (transporting process). Thereafter, the battery module M is disposed inside the housing H (arrangement step), and the holding fixture F is pulled out. The battery module M disposed inside the housing H is fixed via a first end plate and a second end plate by, for example, a metal fixing plate. By such a method, the battery module M can be easily held and transported, and the battery module M can be easily assembled inside the housing H. In FIG. 4, only the holding device F is illustrated, and illustration of a drive device that drives the holding device F up and down is omitted.

  As described above, the first end plate 3 of the battery module M has the pair of projecting portions 35 projecting from the one side 10a2 of the cell region 10a, and the opening 37 is provided between the projecting portions 35. Yes. The opening 37 corresponds to a region formed between the pair of second bolt guide portions 46 provided in the battery cell holder 12 in a predetermined direction. In other words, a space in which the opening 50 of the battery cell holder 12 is continuously formed is formed on the extension line of the opening 37 in the predetermined direction. With this configuration, when the battery module M is placed so that 22a is positioned vertically downward, the holding tool F for holding the battery module M can be inserted from the opening 37. Moreover, since the holding fixture F does not protrude outward from the battery module M when viewed from the predetermined direction, the clearance between the battery module M and the housing H can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the housing H.

  Since the second end plate 4 is provided with the closing portion 47, the holding device F can be inserted only from the first end plate 3 side. Therefore, when the battery module M is arranged in the housing H by attaching the first end plate 3 and the second end plate 4 so as to correspond to a predetermined direction to be assembled to the box-shaped housing H, the battery module is arranged. It is prevented that M is arranged in a direction different from the predetermined direction. Further, the position of the distal end portion of the holding device F inserted from the opening 37 of the first end plate 3 is limited to the first end plate 3 side from the second end plate 4 by the closing portion 47 of the second end plate 4. The Thereby, the front-end | tip part of the holding fixture F protrudes from the 2nd end plate 4 side of the battery module M, and it is prevented that it collides with the other battery module M or the housing | casing H. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, one or a plurality of other battery modules M can be stacked on the battery module M and conveyed into the housing H at a time. Thus, the battery module M can be efficiently assembled into the housing H by transporting the plurality of battery modules M at the same time and arranging them inside the housing H.

  Moreover, in said method, the connection process which performs the electrical connection in the battery module M is performed before an insertion process. Thus, since the connection process is performed outside the housing H by performing the connection process prior to the arrangement process, the work space is not limited by the housing H. Therefore, electrical connection in the battery module M can be easily performed.

  Next, a modified example of the first end plate 3 will be described. FIG. 5 shows a first end plate 5 according to a modification of the first end plate 3. The first end plate 5 is different from the first end plate 3 in that the first end plate 5 has three projecting portions 55a, 55b, and 55c projecting from one side 10a2 of the cell region 10a, and the projecting portions 55a and 55b An opening 57a is provided between the protrusions 55b and 55c, and an opening 57b is provided between the protrusions 55b and 55c. The shapes of the opening 57a and the opening 57b are the same as the shape of the pair of protruding portions 33 protruding from one side 10a1 of the cell region 10a.

  When two fork-shaped holding devices F are used, the first end plate 5 can be used instead of the first end plate 3. According to this configuration, the first end plate 5 can be produced by continuous punching. Therefore, the number of first end plates 5 that can be manufactured from a single base material can be increased, and the manufacturing cost of the first end plate 5 can be kept low.

  Although various embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be employed. For example, both end plates provided at both ends of the battery module M may be the first end plate 3 provided with the openings 37. Further, the battery modules M may be transported into the housing H one by one. The fixing member that fixes the first end plate 3 and the second end plate 4 is not limited to a bolt, and a clamp-like fixing member may be used. The battery cell 10 may be held by other members or structures without using the battery cell holder 12 described above. In the transporting process, the upper surface and the side surface of the battery module M may be supported supplementarily. The size, shape, and number of the holding devices F can be changed as appropriate as long as they can be inserted into the openings 37 and the openings 57a and 57b.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Battery cell unit, 2 ... Array, 3, 5 ... 1st end plate, 4 ... 2nd end plate, 10 ... Battery cell, 10a ... Cell area | region, 12 ... Battery cell holder, 14 ... Case, 16 ... Electrode assembly Solid, 20 ... electrode terminal, 22 ... case main body, 24 ... lid plate, 30 ... wiring, 31,41 ... main body, 33, 35, 43,45 ... projection, 37 ... opening, 47 ... closure, 48 ... projecting portion, 50 ... opening, 55a, 55b, 55c ... projecting portion, 57a, 57b ... opening, F ... holding fixture, H ... housing, M ... battery module.

Claims (5)

A method of assembling a battery module inside a box-shaped housing,
The battery module includes an array formed by arranging a plurality of battery cells in a predetermined direction;
A first end plate provided at one end of the array in the predetermined direction;
A second end plate provided at the other end of the array in the predetermined direction,
At least one of the first end plate and the second end plate has a pair of projecting portions projecting from one side of the cell region in which the battery cell is projected in the predetermined direction, and between the pair of projecting portions. An opening is provided,
Inserting a fork-shaped holding fixture for holding the battery module into the opening;
Transporting the battery module in a state in which the holding device is inserted into the opening;
Disposing the battery module inside the housing. The first end plate has the pair of protrusions protruding from the one side of the cell region, and the opening is provided between the pair of protrusions.
The method according to claim 1, wherein the second end plate has a closing portion extending to a region obtained by projecting the opening of the first end plate in the predetermined direction.   The method according to claim 1, wherein one or more other battery modules are stacked on the battery module.   The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of performing an electrical connection in the battery module prior to the step of arranging the battery module in the housing. A battery module assembled inside a box-shaped housing,
The battery module includes an array formed by arranging a plurality of battery cells in a predetermined direction;
A first end plate provided at one end of the array in the predetermined direction;
A second end plate provided at the other end of the array in the predetermined direction,
The first end plate has a pair of projecting portions projecting from one side of a cell region obtained by projecting the battery cell in the predetermined direction,
An opening is provided between the pair of protrusions,
The second end plate has a closing portion that extends to a region obtained by projecting the opening of the first end plate in the predetermined direction.

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