Battery module

Abstract

To provide a battery module that can efficiently dissipate heat generated at an electrode terminal.SOLUTION: A battery module includes a battery cell packed in an exterior material, a cooling unit located on the side of a first surface of the battery cell, and a heat dissipation layer located between the battery cell and the cooling unit. The battery cell includes an electrode terminal that protrudes laterally from between the first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The electrode terminal is in contact with the heat dissipation layer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a metal plate is provided for each battery unit that constitutes each layer of a battery stack, and the electrode terminals of each battery unit are connected to the metal plate, thereby dissipating heat generated at the electrode terminals to the battery unit via the metal plate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-59585 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent battery modules, the capacity and energy density of ionization units (battery cells) have been increasing. As the capacity and energy density of battery cells increase, the current flowing through the electrode terminals increases, resulting in increased heat generation at the electrode terminals. To suppress heat generation at the electrode terminals, technology is needed to efficiently dissipate the heat generated at the electrode terminals.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a battery module that can efficiently dissipate heat generated in the electrode terminals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A battery module according to one aspect of the present invention includes battery cells packed in an exterior material, a cooling section located on the side of a first surface of the battery cells, and a heat dissipation layer located between the battery cells and the cooling section. The battery cells have electrode terminals that protrude laterally from between the first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The electrode terminals are in contact with the heat dissipation layer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery module capable of efficiently dissipating heat generated in electrode terminals. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of a battery module according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of a battery module according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of a battery module according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of a battery module according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of a battery module according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the surface of a tab according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA′ in the view shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of a battery module according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a tab according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a battery module according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of a battery module according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a side view showing a modified example (part 1) of the battery module according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a side view showing a modified example (part 2) of the battery module according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a side view showing a modified example (third example) of the battery module according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to in the following description, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the relationship between thickness and planar dimensions, the thickness ratio of each layer, etc. may differ from the actual ones.

[0010] In the following description, directions may be described using the terms X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction. The Z-axis direction is the thickness direction of the battery cell 1. The X-axis direction and Y-axis direction are directions parallel to the upper surface 11a or lower surface 11b of the battery cell 1, and are also directions perpendicular to the thickness direction of the battery cell 1.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a battery module 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of the battery module 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of the battery module 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the battery module 100 includes a plurality of battery cells 1 packed in an exterior material 11, a cooling section 2 located on the side of the lower surfaces 11b (an example of the "first surface" in the present invention) of the plurality of battery cells 1, a heat dissipation layer 3 located between the plurality of battery cells 1 and the cooling section 2, a support plate 4 located between the heat dissipation layer 3 and the cooling section 2, and an insulating layer 5.

[0012] The battery cell 1 is formed by stacking a predetermined number of flat-shaped unit cells, each having a positive electrode, an electrolyte, and a negative electrode, in the thickness direction of the unit cells (e.g., the Y-axis direction) to form a stack, and then housing this stack in an exterior material 11 such as a laminate film. Various types of batteries are conceivable, including, for example, an all-solid-state lithium ion battery that uses a solid electrolyte as the electrolyte and lithium metal or a lithium-containing alloy as the negative electrode. The battery is not limited to the all-solid-state type, and may also be, for example, a liquid-based lithium ion battery that uses a liquid electrolyte as the electrolyte.

[0013] The battery cell 1 has an upper surface 1a (an example of a "second surface" in the present invention) and a lower surface 1b. The battery cell 1 also has a positive electrode tab 12A (an example of a "first electrode terminal" in the present invention) and a negative electrode tab 12B (an example of a "second electrode terminal" in the present invention) that protrude laterally from between the upper surface 11a and the lower surface 11b. For example, the positive electrode tab 12A protrudes laterally from one end of the exterior material 11 of the battery cell 1 in the longitudinal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction). The negative electrode tab 12B protrudes laterally from the other end of the exterior material 11 of the battery cell 1 in the X-axis direction. In the following explanation, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B, they will be collectively referred to as tabs 12.

[0014] The positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B are each arranged relative to the battery cell 1 so that, in the thickness direction of the battery cell 1 (for example, the Z-axis direction), the center position ZC between the upper surface 11a and the lower surface 11b of the battery cell 1 coincides (or nearly coincides) with the respective center positions of the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B.

[0015] The positive electrode tab 12A is joined to the positive electrode current collector of the battery cell 1. The negative electrode tab 12B is joined to the negative electrode current collector of the battery cell 1. The positive electrode tab 12A is connected to each positive electrode in the battery cell 1, and the negative electrode tab 12B is connected to each negative electrode, making it possible to extract current from each electrode (to move electrons to the outside of the battery cell 1).

[0016] The positive electrode current collector is mainly made of aluminum (Al), for example. Therefore, the positive electrode tab 12A is also made of aluminum. The negative electrode current collector is mainly made of copper (Cu), for example. Therefore, the negative electrode tab 12B is also made of copper.

[0017] In the battery module 100, the multiple battery cells 1 may be connected in parallel or in series. When the multiple battery cells 1 are connected in parallel, the positive electrode tabs 12A of the multiple battery cells 1 are connected to each other by a conductor (for example, a bus bar 6 shown in Figures 13 and 14 described later), and the negative electrode tabs 12B of the multiple battery cells 1 are connected to each other by a conductor. When the multiple battery cells 1 are connected in series, the positive electrode tab 12A of one adjacent battery cell 1 and the negative electrode tab 12B of the other adjacent battery cell 1 are connected to each other by a conductor.

[0018] The cooling unit 2 cools the battery cells 1 via the support plate 4 and the heat dissipation layer 3. The cooling unit 2 has, for example, a piping for flowing a refrigerant (for example, water) and a housing. The piping is arranged inside the housing.

[0019] The heat dissipation layer 3 is made of an adhesive resin with high thermal conductivity. The heat dissipation layer 3 may also be referred to as a heat dissipation gap filler or glue. The heat dissipation layer 3 is interposed between the exterior packaging material 11 of the battery cell 1 and the support plate 4, and is in contact with both the exterior packaging material 11 and the support plate 4. As a result, the heat dissipation layer 3 bonds the exterior packaging material 11 of the battery cell 1 to the support plate 4 and conducts heat from the battery cell 1 to the support plate 4.

[0020] The heat dissipation layer 3 is in contact with both the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B. For example, the heat dissipation layer 3 is provided continuously from below the positive electrode tab 12A, passing under the exterior material 11 of the battery cell 1, to below the negative electrode tab 12B. As a result, the heat dissipation layer 3 bonds the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B to the support plate 4, and also conducts heat from the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B to the support plate 4. From the viewpoint of preventing current from flowing from the positive electrode tab 12A to the negative electrode tab 12B via the heat dissipation layer 3, the heat dissipation layer 3 is preferably made of an insulating material.

[0021] The support plate 4 is made of a material with high thermal conductivity, and is, for example, a metal plate made of a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel. A plurality of battery cells 1 are arranged on one surface (the upper surface in FIGS. 1 to 3) of the support plate 4 with a heat dissipation layer 3 interposed therebetween. A cooling section 2 is arranged on the other surface (the lower surface in FIGS. 1 to 3) of the support plate 4. Although not shown, the support plate 4 may be tray-shaped. A plurality of battery cells 1 may be arranged on the tray-shaped support plate 4.

[0022] The insulating layer 5 is made of, for example, an insulating resin. The insulating layer 5 covers the lower end of the positive electrode tab 12A and the lower end of the negative electrode tab 12B. This improves the insulation between the positive electrode tab 12A and the support plate 4, and also improves the insulation between the negative electrode tab 12B and the support plate 4. This further prevents current from flowing from the positive electrode tab 12A to the negative electrode tab 12B via the heat dissipation layer 3 and the support plate 4.

[0023] As described above, the battery module 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes battery cells 1 packed in an exterior material 11, a cooling section 2 located on the side of the upper surface 11a of the battery cells 1, and a heat dissipation layer 3 located between the battery cells 1 and the cooling section 2. The battery cells 1 have positive electrode tabs 12A and negative electrode tabs 12B that protrude laterally from between the upper surface 11a and the lower surface 11b opposite the upper surface 11a. At least one of the positive electrode tabs 12A and the negative electrode tabs 12B (for example, both) is in contact with the heat dissipation layer 3.

[0024] This allows heat generated in at least one (for example, both) of the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B to be efficiently dissipated to the cooling section 2 via the heat dissipation layer 3. The positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B can be directly cooled via the heat dissipation layer 3, and the temperatures of the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B can be efficiently reduced.

[0025] As the capacity and energy density of the battery cell 1 increase, the current flowing through the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B increases, and the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B tend to generate more heat. However, by using the technology of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the heat generation in the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B. This prevents the output of the battery cell 1 from being limited due to a rise in the temperature of the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B, thereby improving the input / output characteristics of the battery cell 1 and increasing the volume / weight energy density.

[0026] (Embodiment 2) 4 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of a battery module 100A according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, in the battery module 100A, the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B are arranged offset toward the lower surface 11b of the battery cell 1 from a center position ZC between the upper surface 11a and the lower surface 11b of the battery cell 1. For example, the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B are arranged offset downward from the center position ZC so that the lower end of the positive electrode tab 12A and the lower end of the negative electrode tab 12B are at the same height as the lower surface 11b of the exterior material 11 when viewed from the support plate 4. The other configurations are the same as those of the battery module 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0027] Even in this configuration, the battery module 100A can efficiently dissipate heat generated in the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B to the cooling unit 2 via the heat dissipation layer 3, thereby achieving the same effect as the battery module 100 according to the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the battery module 100A, the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B are positioned closer to the cooling unit 2, so the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B can be cooled more efficiently. This makes it possible to further improve the cooling performance for the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B.

[0028] (Embodiment 3) Fig. 5 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of a battery module 100B according to embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the battery module 100B shown in Fig. 5, of the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B, only the positive electrode tab 12A is positioned offset toward the lower surface 11b of the battery cell 1 from the center position ZC between the upper surface 11a and the lower surface 11b. The negative electrode tab 12B is not positioned offset toward the lower surface 11b (or the upper surface 11a) from the center position ZC. The other configuration is the same as that of the battery module 100 according to embodiment 1.

[0029] Even in this embodiment, the battery module 100B can efficiently dissipate heat generated in the positive electrode tab 12A to the cooling unit 2 via the heat dissipation layer 3. The positive electrode tab 12A can be directly cooled via the heat dissipation layer 3, and the temperature of the positive electrode tab 12A can be efficiently reduced. Furthermore, in the battery module 100A, the positive electrode tab 12A is positioned closer to the cooling unit 2 than in the battery module 100 according to the first embodiment, and therefore the positive electrode tab 12A can be cooled more efficiently. This makes it possible to further improve the cooling performance for the positive electrode tab 12A.

[0030] 5 shows a state in which the lower end of the positive electrode tab 12A is covered with an insulating layer 5, whereas the lower end of the negative electrode tab 12B is not covered with an insulating layer 5. The negative electrode tab 12B is separated from the heat dissipation layer 3 and is not electrically connected to the support plate 4 via the heat dissipation layer 3, so the insulating layer 5 covering its lower end can be omitted. This reduces the number of parts in the battery module 100B and enables reduction in manufacturing costs. However, the third embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and the lower end of the negative electrode tab 12B may also be covered with an insulating layer 5, similar to the positive electrode tab 12A.

[0031] (Embodiment 4) Fig. 6 is a front view showing a configuration example of a battery module 100C according to embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the battery module 100C shown in Fig. 6, of the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B, only the negative electrode tab 12B is positioned offset toward the lower surface 11b of the battery cell 1 from the center position ZC between the upper surface 11a and the lower surface 11b. The positive electrode tab 12A is not positioned offset toward the lower surface 11b (or the upper surface 11a) from the center position ZC. The other configuration is the same as that of the battery module 100 according to embodiment 1.

[0032] Even in this embodiment, the battery module 100C can efficiently dissipate heat generated in the negative electrode tab 12B to the cooling unit 2 via the heat dissipation layer 3. The negative electrode tab 12B can be directly cooled via the heat dissipation layer 3, and the temperature of the negative electrode tab 12B can be efficiently reduced. Furthermore, in the battery module 100A, the negative electrode tab 12B is positioned closer to the cooling unit 2 than in the battery module 100 according to the first embodiment, and therefore the negative electrode tab 12B can be cooled more efficiently. This makes it possible to further improve the cooling performance for the negative electrode tab 12B.

[0033] As described above, due to the difference in thickness of the current collector (current collecting foil), the negative electrode tab 12B is thinner than the positive electrode tab 12A. Therefore, the negative electrode tab 12B has a smaller heat capacity than the positive electrode tab 12A and tends to be more susceptible to temperature rise than the positive electrode tab 12A. However, the battery module 100C can efficiently reduce the temperature of the negative electrode tab 12B.

[0034] 6 shows a state in which the lower end of the negative electrode tab 12B is covered with an insulating layer 5, whereas the lower end of the positive electrode tab 12A is not covered with an insulating layer 5. The positive electrode tab 12A is separated from the heat dissipation layer 3 and is not electrically connected to the support plate 4 via the heat dissipation layer 3, so the insulating layer 5 covering its lower end can be omitted. This reduces the number of parts in the battery module 100C and enables reduction in manufacturing costs. However, the fourth embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and the lower end of the positive electrode tab 12A may also be covered with an insulating layer 5, similar to the negative electrode tab 12B.

[0035] (Embodiment 5) 7 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of a battery module 100D according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In the battery module 100D shown in Fig. 7, the portion of the heat dissipation layer 3 that contacts at least one of the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B is thicker than the portion that contacts the exterior material 11 of the battery cell 1.

[0036] 7 , if the thickness of the heat dissipation layer 3 at the portion in contact with the positive electrode tab 12A or the negative electrode tab 12B is TA and the thickness of the portion in contact with the exterior material 11 of the battery cell 1 is TB, then TA > TB. Increasing only the thickness TA of the heat dissipation layer 3 at the portion in contact with the positive electrode tab 12A or the negative electrode tab 12B (i.e., increasing the height from the support plate 4) can increase the contact area between the positive electrode tab 12A and the heat dissipation layer 3 and the contact area between the negative electrode tab 12B and the heat dissipation layer 3. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the battery module 100A according to the second embodiment.

[0037] Even in this configuration, the battery module 100D can efficiently dissipate heat generated in the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B to the cooling unit 2 via the heat dissipation layer 3, thereby achieving the same effect as the battery module 100 according to the first embodiment. Furthermore, similar to the battery module 100A according to the second embodiment, the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B are disposed biased downward from the center position ZC and are close to the cooling unit 2. Furthermore, the contact area between the positive electrode tab 12A and the heat dissipation layer 3 and the contact area between the negative electrode tab 12B and the heat dissipation layer 3 are both increased. This further improves the cooling performance for the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B.

[0038] (Embodiment 6) Fig. 8 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of a battery module 100E according to embodiment 6 of the present invention. In the battery module 100E shown in Fig. 8, the battery cells 1 including the tabs 12 are arranged at a distance from the support plate 4, and the heat dissipation layer 3 is made thicker by the distance. In addition, because the support plate 4 and the tabs 12 are sufficiently far apart, the insulating layer 5 (see Fig. 4, for example) that covers the lower end of the tabs 12 is omitted. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the battery module 100A according to embodiment 2.

[0039] Even in this configuration, the battery module 100E can efficiently dissipate heat generated in the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B to the cooling unit 2 via the heat dissipation layer 3, thereby achieving the same effects as the battery module 100 according to the first embodiment. Similarly to the battery module 100A, the tabs 12 are positioned below the center position ZC and are close to the cooling unit 2. Furthermore, the insulating layer 5 is omitted, eliminating the thermal resistance of the insulating layer 5. This further improves the cooling performance for the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B. Furthermore, omitting the insulating layer 5 can reduce the number of components in the battery module 100D, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0040] 8 does not include the insulating layer 5, the heat dissipation layer 3 is preferably made of an insulating material, which can prevent current from flowing from the positive electrode tab 12A to the negative electrode tab 12B via the heat dissipation layer 3.

[0041] Alternatively, in the battery module 100E shown in FIG. 8, the heat dissipation layer 3 does not have to be made of an insulating material. In that case, a slit may be provided in the heat dissipation layer 3 to the extent that the heat dissipation effect from the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B to the support plate 4 is not impaired. The slit may extend in the Y-axis direction. The slit may physically separate (i.e., separate) the portion of the heat dissipation layer 3 located under the positive electrode tab 12A from the portion located under the negative electrode tab 12B. This reduces the possibility of electrical connection between the positive electrode tab 12A and the negative electrode tab 12B via the heat dissipation layer 3, even if the heat dissipation layer 3 is not made of an insulating material.

[0042] (Embodiment 7) Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the surface of the tab 12 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA' in the diagram shown in Fig. 9. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the surface of the tab 12 (positive electrode tab 12A and negative electrode tab 12B) is provided with irregularities consisting of recesses 121 and protrusions 122. For example, the recesses 121 and protrusions 122 are arranged alternately in one direction and extend in another direction perpendicular to the one direction.

[0043] In this embodiment, the contact area between the tab 12 and the heat dissipation layer 3 can be increased, thereby further improving the cooling performance for the tab 12. The irregularities on the surface of the tab 12 shown in Figs. 9 and 10 can be applied to the tabs 12 and 22 of each battery module shown in the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 6 and the embodiments described below.

[0044] (Embodiment 8) Fig. 11 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of a battery module 100F according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention. Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a tab 22 according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 11, the battery module 100F has a tab 22 as at least one of the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab. The tab 22 is a modified example of the above-mentioned tab 12 (see, for example, Fig. 3) and has an L-shape when viewed from the side (i.e., when viewed from the longitudinal direction (for example, the X-axis direction) of the exterior material 11 of the battery cell 1).

[0045] 12, the tab 22 has a first portion 221 that is parallel to the thickness direction of the battery cell 1 (for example, the Z-axis direction) and a second portion 222 that is parallel to a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction (for example, the Y-axis direction). An end of the second portion 222 is connected to an end of the first portion 221 at a right angle or nearly a right angle, and the second portion 222 is arranged so as to be parallel or nearly parallel to the support plate 4. In this embodiment, the contact area between the tab 22 and the heat dissipation layer 3 can be increased, thereby further improving the cooling performance for the tab 22.

[0046] (Embodiment 9) FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a battery module 100G according to Embodiment 9 of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a side view showing a configuration example of a battery module 100G according to Embodiment 9 of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the battery module 100G includes a bus bar 6 that connects the positive electrode tabs 12A or the negative electrode tabs 12B of each of the plurality of battery cells 1. Although FIGS. 13 and 14 show an embodiment in which the bus bar 6 connects the negative electrode tabs 12B, the bus bar 6 may also connect the positive electrode tabs 12A. The battery module 100G may also include two bus bars 6, one of which connects the positive electrode tabs 12A and the other of which connects the negative electrode tabs 12B.

[0047] In the battery module 100G, not only the tabs 12 but also the bus bars 6 connecting the tabs 12 to each other are in contact with the heat dissipation layer 3. By cooling not only the tabs 12 but also the bus bars 6 connected to the tabs 12, it is possible to further improve the cooling performance for the tabs 12.

[0048] (Variation) 3, 11, and 14 show an embodiment in which a gap is provided between adjacent battery cells 1 (hereinafter also referred to as between cells) 1. However, in an embodiment of the present invention, a heat transfer layer or a heat insulating layer may be disposed between the cells for the purpose of providing additional functions, or no gap may be provided between the cells.

[0049] 15 to 17 are side views showing modified examples (Nos. 1 to 3) of the battery module according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 15, in the embodiment of the present invention, a heat transfer layer 7 may be disposed between the cells. This increases the heat capacity of the entire battery module. Furthermore, heat exchange between adjacent battery cells 1 is possible via the heat transfer layer 7, which allows for temperature equalization between the cells.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 16, in an embodiment of the present invention, a heat insulating layer 8 may be disposed between the cells. This prevents heat exchange between the cells. For example, even if the temperature of one adjacent battery cell 1 rises, the increased temperature can be prevented from being transmitted to the other adjacent battery cell 1, preventing the output of the other battery cell 1 from being limited.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 17, in an embodiment of the present invention, adjacent battery cells 1 may be closely attached to each other so that no gaps are formed between the cells. This increases the arrangement density of the battery cells 1. The modifications shown in Figs. 15 to 17 are applicable to the above-described embodiments.

[0052] (Application example) One or more of the above-described battery modules 100, 100A to 100G are housed in a battery case (not shown) and mounted on a vehicle. When mounted on a vehicle, for example, a plurality of battery modules 100 are housed in a battery case (not shown).

[0053] (Other embodiments) As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to embodiments, modifications, and application examples. However, the descriptions and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood to limit the present invention. Various alternative embodiments and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. It goes without saying that the present technology includes various embodiments not described herein. Various omissions, substitutions, and / or modifications of components may be made without departing from the spirit of the above-described embodiments. Furthermore, the effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not limiting, and other effects may also be present. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1 battery cell 1a Top surface 1b Bottom side 2 Cooling section 3 Heat dissipation layer 4 Support plate 5. Insulation layer 6 Busbar 7 Heat Transfer Layer 8. Insulation layer 11 Exterior materials 11a Top side 11b Bottom side Tabs 12 and 22 12A positive tab 12B negative electrode tab 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E, 100F, 100G battery modules 121 recess 122 convex part 221 Part 1 222 Part 2 ZC center position

Claims

1. a battery cell packed in an outer packaging material; a cooling section located on a side of the first surface of the battery cell; a heat dissipation layer located between the battery cell and the cooling unit, The battery cell is a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal protruding laterally from between the first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; At least one of the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal is in contact with the heat dissipation layer.

2. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the exterior material of the battery cell is in contact with the heat dissipation layer.

3. The battery module according to claim 1 , further comprising an insulating layer covering an end of at least one of the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal that is closer to the cooling portion.

4. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein both the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal are in contact with the heat dissipation layer.

5. 3 . The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal is arranged biased toward the first surface from a center position between the first surface and the second surface.

6. The battery module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal has an uneven surface.

7. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal has an L-shape when viewed from the side.

8. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the heat dissipation layer that contacts at least one of the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal is thicker than a portion that contacts the exterior material of the battery cell.

9. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the heat dissipation layer is made of an insulating material.

10. A plurality of the battery cells are provided, The plurality of battery cells are arranged in one direction, a bus bar connecting the first electrode terminals of the plurality of battery cells to each other or the second electrode terminals of the plurality of battery cells to each other, The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the bus bar is in contact with the heat dissipation layer.

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