Bus bar module, battery module, and method for manufacturing recycled battery module

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide a busbar module, a battery module, and a method for manufacturing a reused battery module that can be appropriately reused. The busbar module (1) comprises: a busbar (10) for electrically connecting electrode terminals (114) respectively provided by a plurality of battery cells (112); a detection conductor (30) electrically connected to the busbar; the busbar comprises a pair of electrode joints (11) respectively joined to different electrode terminals; a connecting portion (12) for connecting the pair of electrode joints to each other and capable of being cut between the pair of electrode joints when the pair of electrode joints are respectively joined to the electrode terminals; and a pair of reconnectable portions (13) respectively extending from the pair of electrode joints; the pair of electrode joints and the connecting portion constitute a conductive connection portion (14) for one-time use that is provided across different electrode terminals and electrically connects the different electrode terminals to each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a busbar module, a battery module and a method for manufacturing a recycled battery module. Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a busbar having multiple welded portions formed separately from each other and breakable portions provided between the welded portions. This busbar allows for re-welding without discarding a module's worth of material if a weld failure occurs.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-198071 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] Incidentally, in recent years, electric vehicles such as HEVs (Hybrid Electric Vehicles) and EVs (Electric Vehicles) have been equipped with numerous batteries. With the recent increase in the number of electric vehicles, the disposal of these batteries is expected to increase. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the amount of these batteries discarded through reuse and other means. For example, it is desirable that bus bars, such as those described in Patent Document 1, also have a structure that facilitates reuse.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a bus bar module, a battery module, and a method for manufacturing a recycled battery module that can be appropriately reused.

[0009] Technical means to solve the problem

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the busbar module involved in the present invention comprises: a busbar, which electrically connects the electrode terminals respectively possessed by a plurality of battery cells; and a detection conductor, which is electrically connected to the busbar, and the busbar includes: a pair of electrode joints, a pair of the electrode joints are respectively joined to different electrode terminals; a connecting portion, which connects the pair of electrode joints to each other and can be cut between the pair of electrode joints when the pair of electrode joints are respectively joined to the electrode terminals; and a pair of rejoinable portions, a pair of the rejoinable portions extend from the pair of electrode joints, respectively, and the pair of electrode joints and the connecting portion constitute a conductive connection portion for one use that is arranged across different electrode terminals and electrically connects different electrode terminals to each other.

[0011] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the bus bar module involved in the present invention comprises: a bus bar, which electrically connects the electrode terminals respectively possessed by multiple battery cells; and a detection conductor, which is electrically connected to the bus bar, and the bus bar includes: a pair of electrode joints, the pair of electrode joints are respectively joined to different electrode terminals and are separated from each other; a pair of rejoinable parts, the pair of rejoinable parts extend from the pair of electrode joints respectively; and a joining component, the joining component spans the pair of rejoinable parts and is joined to the pair of rejoinable parts, the pair of electrode joints, the pair of rejoinable parts and the joining component constitute a conductive connection part for secondary use that is arranged across different electrode terminals and electrically connects different electrode terminals to each other.

[0012] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the battery module involved in the present invention comprises: a plurality of battery cells; and a bus bar module, which is electrically connected to the battery cells, and the bus bar module includes: a bus bar, which electrically connects the electrode terminals respectively possessed by the plurality of battery cells; and a detection conductor, which is electrically connected to the bus bar, and the bus bar includes: a pair of electrode joints, which are respectively joined to different electrode terminals; a connecting portion, which connects the pair of electrode joints to each other and can be cut between the pair of electrode joints when the pair of electrode joints are respectively joined to the electrode terminals; and a pair of rejoinable portions, which extend respectively from a pair of electrode joints, and the pair of electrode joints and the connecting portion constitute a conductive connection portion for one use that is arranged across different electrode terminals and electrically connects different electrode terminals to each other.

[0013] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the battery module involved in the present invention comprises: a plurality of battery cells; and a bus bar module, which is electrically connected to the battery cells, and the bus bar module comprises: a bus bar, which electrically connects the electrode terminals respectively possessed by the plurality of battery cells; and a detection conductor, which is electrically connected to the bus bar, and the bus bar includes: a pair of electrode joints, a pair of the electrode joints are respectively joined to different electrode terminals and are disconnected from each other; a pair of rejoinable parts, a pair of the rejoinable parts extend from a pair of the electrode joints, respectively; and a joining component, the joining component is joined to a pair of the rejoinable parts across a pair of the rejoinable parts, and the pair of the electrode joints, the pair of the rejoinable parts and the joining component constitute a conductive connection part for secondary use that is set across different electrode terminals and electrically connects different electrode terminals to each other.

[0014] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the method for manufacturing a reused battery module involved in the present invention includes: a connection process during one use, wherein a pair of electrode junctions of a bus bar module are respectively joined to different electrode terminals, a conductive connection portion during one use is formed by a pair of the electrode junctions and a connecting portion, which is set across different electrode terminals and electrically connects different electrode terminals to each other, and a battery module is composed of a plurality of the battery cells, and the bus bar module has: a bus bar, which electrically connects the electrode terminals respectively possessed by a plurality of the battery cells; and a detection conductor, which is electrically connected to the bus bar, and the bus bar includes: a pair of the electrode junctions, a pair of the electrode junctions are respectively joined to different electrode terminals; the connecting portion, which connects a pair of the electrode junctions to each other; and a pair of rejoinable portions, a pair of the rejoinable portions from a pair of the The electrode joints are extended respectively; a cutting process, in a state where a pair of the electrode joints are respectively joined to the electrode terminals, the connecting portion is cut between the pair of the electrode joints to separate the pair of the electrode joints from each other, so that the multiple battery cells constituting the battery module become separable from each other; and a connecting process during secondary use, replacing the battery cell that needs to be replaced among the multiple battery cells in the separable state, and joining the joining parts across the rejoinable parts respectively provided on two of the battery cells including the replaced battery cell, and utilizing the pair of the electrode joints, the pair of the rejoinable parts and the joining parts to form a conductive connection part for secondary use that is provided across different electrode terminals and electrically connects different electrode terminals to each other, thereby forming a reused battery module including at least the replaced battery cell.

[0015] Effects of the Invention

[0016] The bus bar module, battery module, and recycled battery module manufacturing method according to the present invention achieve the effect of enabling appropriate recycling. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of a battery pack according to an embodiment before reuse.

[0018] Figure 2 It is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic structure of a battery pack according to an embodiment before reuse.

[0019] Figure 3 It is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of a bus bar before reuse included in the battery pack according to the embodiment.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of a battery pack after recycling according to the embodiment.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of a reused bus bar included in the battery pack according to the embodiment.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing a recycled battery module according to an embodiment.

[0023] Figure 7 It is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of a bus bar included in a battery pack according to a modification.

[0024] Figure 8 It is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of a bus bar included in a battery pack according to a modification.

[0025] Figure 9 It is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of a bus bar included in a battery pack according to a modification.

[0026] Explanation of symbols

[0027] 1 Busbar module

[0028] 1R Recycled Busbar Module

[0029] 10, 210, 310 busbars

[0030] 10R, 210R, 310R reused busbars

[0031] 11 Electrode joint

[0032] 12 Connection

[0033] 12a Connecting piece

[0034] 12b Cutting section

[0035] 13, 213 Rejoinable part

[0036] 14 Conductive connection for one-time use

[0037] 15R, 215R joint parts

[0038] Conductive connection section for secondary use of 16R and 216R

[0039] 20 housing

[0040] 30 Detection Conductor

[0041] 100 battery pack

[0042] 110 battery modules

[0043] 110R Recycled Battery Module

[0044] 111 batteries

[0045] 112 battery cells

[0046] 112R Recycled Battery Cell

[0047] 113 unit body

[0048] 114 electrode terminals

[0049] 115 electrode terminal group

[0050] 116 total positive bus

[0051] 117 total negative bus

[0052] 120 Monitoring Device

[0053] 213a Bolt insertion hole

[0054] 215Ra fastening components

[0055] 317 Polarity mark

[0056] X direction

[0057] Y width direction

[0058] Z height direction DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. In addition, the constituent elements in the following embodiments include elements that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art, or substantially the same elements.

[0060] In the following description, the first of the intersecting first, second, and third directions will be referred to as the "arrangement direction X," the second as the "width direction Y," and the third as the "height direction Z." Here, the arrangement direction X (the first direction), the width direction Y (the second direction), and the height direction Z (the third direction) are orthogonal to each other. Unless otherwise specified, the directions used in the following description refer to the directions in the assembled state.

[0061] [Implementation Method]

[0062] Figure 1 、 Figure 2 The bus bar module 1 according to the present embodiment shown is applied to a battery pack 100 mounted on a vehicle. The battery pack 100 is mounted on a vehicle (e.g., an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, etc.) that has an electric motor such as a motor as a drive source, and is used to supply power to the electric motor. The battery pack 100 includes a battery module 110 and a monitoring device 120. The battery module 110 includes a battery pack 111 and the bus bar module 1.

[0063] The assembled battery 111 is composed of a plurality of battery cells (single cells) 112 arranged along an arrangement direction X. The bus bar module 1 is electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells 112 that comprise the assembled battery 111. The monitoring device 120 is a computing device that constitutes a battery monitoring unit that monitors the status (voltage, current, temperature, etc.) of each battery cell 112, and is, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) or a microcomputer. The bus bar module 1 electrically connects each battery cell 112 to the monitoring device 120. The monitoring device 120 monitors the status of each battery cell 112 based on information indicating the status of the battery cell 112 (voltage, current, temperature, etc.) obtained via the bus bar module 1, and uses this information for various control functions, such as charge and discharge control.

[0064] Here, first, refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 2The battery cells 112 that are connected to the busbar module 1 are described below. Each battery cell 112 has a cell body 113 and two electrode terminals 114. The cell body 113 is the main component of the battery cell 112. The cell body 113 is formed into a roughly rectangular plate shape and houses the various components. The two electrode terminals 114 are provided at any location on the cell body 113, exposed to the outside. One of the two electrode terminals 114 is the positive electrode, and the other is the negative electrode. The electrode terminals 114 can be, for example, plate-shaped electrode terminals provided on the outer wall of the cell body 113, or columnar posts protruding from the outer wall of the cell body 113. Here, the electrode terminals 114 are described as being formed into roughly rectangular plates. The battery pack 111 arranges the battery cells 112 in a row, with one electrode terminal 114 of each battery cell 112 arranged in a row, and the other electrode terminal 114 also arranged in a row. Therefore, in this battery module 110, electrode terminal groups 115 composed of electrode terminals 114 arranged in a row are provided at two locations. Here, each unit body 113 of the battery cell 112 is formed into a roughly rectangular plate shape, and each positive and negative electrode terminal 114 is provided on one of its six outer wall surfaces. Therefore, the battery module 110 is formed into a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole by the battery cells 112 arranged along the arrangement direction X, and has six walls as an aggregate composed of a plurality of battery cells 112. Moreover, each electrode terminal group 115 is provided on one of the six walls of the aggregate. With respect to the battery module 110 having such a structure, the bus bar module 1 is electrically connected to at least one of the electrode terminal groups 115. Here, the bus bar module 1 is electrically connected to both of the two electrode terminal groups 115.

[0065] In such a structure, the bus bar module 1 of the present embodiment realizes a structure that can be appropriately reused by adding the rejoinable portion 13 to the bus bar 10 electrically connected to the electrode terminal 114 of the battery cell 112 . Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 1 and 2 represent the bus bar module 1 and the battery module 110 at the time of one use before reuse. Figure 4 、 Figure 5 The bus bar module 1 and the battery module 110 are shown in their secondary use after being reused. Hereinafter, the structure of the bus bar module 1 will be described in detail with reference to the respective drawings.

[0066] Below, first, refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 The bus bar module 1 and the battery module 110 before reuse will be described below. Figure 4 、 Figure 5The bus bar module 1 and the battery module 110 after reuse will be described. Figure 4 、 Figure 5 The reused battery module 110 shown is specifically referred to as a "reused battery module 110R." Similarly, the reused bus bar module 1 is sometimes specifically referred to as a "reused bus bar module 1R," the reused bus bar 10 is sometimes specifically referred to as a "reused bus bar 10R," and the reused battery cell 112 is sometimes specifically referred to as a "reused battery cell 112R."

[0067] Specifically, Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 The busbar module 1 shown before reuse includes a busbar 10, a housing 20, and a detection conductor 30. The busbar 10 is a connection terminal that electrically connects the electrode terminals 114 of each of the multiple battery cells 112. The housing 20 is a frame that accommodates and holds the busbar 10. The detection conductor 30 is electrically connected to the busbar 10 and serves as a detection line that electrically connects each busbar 10 to the monitoring device 120. The busbar module 1 may also include a thermistor, various sensors, and the like.

[0068] The bus bar 10 electrically connects at least one of the multiple arranged battery cells 112 to one of the two electrode terminals 114 of the battery cell 112. More specifically, the bus bar 10 serves as an electrode connection bus bar that electrically connects one of the two electrode terminals 114 of each of the battery cells 112 adjacent to each other along the arrangement direction X. The bus bar 10 electrically connects the electrode terminals 114 of adjacent battery cells 112 according to the desired connection method for the multiple battery cells 112 in the battery module 110. When multiple battery cells 112 are connected in series in the battery module 110, the bus bar 10 connects the positive electrode terminal 114 of one adjacent battery cell 112 to the negative electrode terminal 114 of another adjacent battery cell 112. In this case, in each electrode terminal group 115 of the battery module 110, the positive electrode terminals 114 and the negative electrode terminals 114 are alternately arranged. When multiple battery cells 112 are connected in parallel in the battery module 110, the bus bar 10 connects the electrode terminals 114 constituting the positive electrodes of adjacent battery cells 112, or connects the electrode terminals 114 constituting the negative electrodes of adjacent battery cells 112. In this case, in each electrode terminal group 115 of the battery module 110, the electrode terminals 114 of the same polarity are arranged side by side.

[0069] Furthermore, the battery module 110 has two electrode terminals 114 that are not connected by the busbar 10. One of these terminals serves as the common positive electrode, and the other serves as the common negative electrode. The figures illustrate a case where multiple battery cells 112 are connected in series in the battery module 110. In other words, positive and negative electrode terminals 114 are alternately arranged in each electrode terminal group 115, with both the common positive electrode and the common negative electrode located in a single electrode terminal group 115. Furthermore, in the battery module 110, a common positive busbar 116 and a common negative busbar 117 are electrically connected to these common positive and common negative electrode terminals 114, respectively. Similar to the busbar 10, these common positive busbars 116 and common negative busbars 117 can also have a reusable structure, as described below.

[0070] The bus bar 10 of this embodiment, in the bus bar module 1 before reuse, is configured to include a pair of electrode bonding portions 11, a connecting portion 12, and a pair of rebondable portions 13. These electrode bonding portions 11, connecting portion 12, and rebondable portions 13 are integrally formed from a conductive metal material. The bus bar 10 is formed as a whole into a generally U-shaped plate, comprising the pair of electrode bonding portions 11, connecting portion 12, and rebondable portions 13.

[0071] The pair of electrode joints 11 are portions that are joined to different electrode terminals 114. Each electrode joint 11 is electrically connected to the electrode terminal 114 by being joined to a different electrode terminal 114. Specifically, the first electrode joint 11 of the pair of electrode joints 11 is joined to the first electrode terminal 114 provided in the first battery cell 112. Meanwhile, the second electrode joint 11 of the pair of electrode joints 11 is joined to the second electrode terminal 114 provided in the second battery cell 112 adjacent to the first battery cell 112. In this embodiment, the electrode joints 11 and the electrode terminals 114 are joined by welding. Specifically, the pair of electrode joints 11 are each formed into a substantially rectangular weld region. Furthermore, each electrode joint 11 is electrically connected to the electrode terminal 114 by welding (e.g., laser welding). Furthermore, the joining method between the electrode joints 11 and the electrode terminals 114 is not limited to welding; for example, bolting or other methods may be used in place of welding.

[0072] The connecting portion 12 connects the pair of electrode joints 11. The connecting portion 12 extends between the pair of electrode joints 11 along the arrangement direction X of the multiple battery cells 112 and is integrally formed with the pair of electrode joints 11. Specifically, the pair of electrode joints 11 are connected in a row in the arrangement direction X, sandwiching the connecting portion 12.

[0073] The connection portion 12 includes a connecting piece 12a that is electrically connected to the detection conductor 30. The connecting piece 12a is formed in a plate shape and projects from the center of the connection portion 12 in the arrangement direction X toward one side along the width direction Y.

[0074] Furthermore, the connecting portion 12 of this embodiment can be cut between the pair of electrode joining portions 11 while the pair of electrode joining portions 11 are respectively joined (welded) to the electrode terminals 114. By cutting the connecting portion 12 between the pair of electrode joining portions 11, one electrode joining portion 11 can be separated from the other electrode joining portion 11.

[0075] Here, the connecting portion 12 has a cut-in portion 12b formed at a portion that can be cut. The cut-in portion 12b is a portion that serves as a mark for the portion that can be cut in the connecting portion 12. Here, the cut-in portion 12b is formed as a portion cut into a concave shape along the width direction Y. The cut-in portions 12b are respectively provided on both sides of the arrangement direction X of the connecting piece portion 12a in the connecting portion 12. In addition, each cut-in portion 12b is provided in a pair opposite to each other on both sides of the connecting portion 12 in the width direction Y. That is, here, the cut-in portions 12b are grouped as a pair that are opposite to each other in the width direction Y, and a group is provided on each side of the arrangement direction X of the connecting piece portion 12a, for a total of two groups.

[0076] The pair of rejoinable portions 13 are portions extending from the pair of electrode joints 11. The pair of rejoinable portions 13 extend from the pair of electrode joints 11 along the width direction Y and are integrally formed with each electrode joint 11. Specifically, the first rejoinable portion 13 of the pair of rejoinable portions 13 is connected to the first electrode joint 11 and extends from the first electrode joint 11 along the width direction Y. On the other hand, the second rejoinable portion 13 of the pair of rejoinable portions 13 is connected to the second electrode joint 11 and extends from the second electrode joint 11 along the width direction Y. In other words, the first electrode joint 11 and the first rejoinable portion 13 are integrally formed and are located on one side relative to the connecting portion 12 in the arrangement direction X. The second electrode joint 11 and the second rejoinable portion 13 are integrally formed and are located on the other side relative to the connecting portion 12 in the arrangement direction X. Furthermore, the pair of rejoinable portions 13 are separated from each other in the arrangement direction X by the aforementioned cutout portion 12b or a slit. As will be described later, the pair of re-joinable portions 13 are joined together by joining members 15R when the bus bar module 1 and the battery module 110 are reused to form a conductive connection portion 16R for secondary use (see FIG. Figure 4 、 Figure 5 Here, the pair of rejoinable portions 13 are each formed as a substantially rectangular welding region.

[0077] The pair of electrode joints 11 and connecting portions 12 constructed as described above constitute, before reuse, a single-use conductive connection portion 14 that spans different electrode terminals 114 and electrically connects the different electrode terminals 114 to one another. The single-use conductive connection portion 14 is a portion that conductively connects the electrode terminal 114 of one adjacent battery cell 112 to the electrode terminal 114 of another adjacent battery cell 112 in the bus bar module 1 before reuse. The single-use conductive connection portion 14 extends across the electrode terminal 114 of one adjacent battery cell 112 and the electrode terminal 114 of another adjacent battery cell 112 along the arrangement direction X, with each electrode joint portion 11 being bonded (welded) to a different electrode terminal 114.

[0078] The shell 20 accommodates and holds the busbars 10 constructed as described above by arranging a plurality of them along the arrangement direction X. The shell 20 is constructed by arranging a plurality of storage chambers for accommodating the busbars 10 along the arrangement direction X, and connecting the storage chambers to each other via a displacement absorbing structure such as a hinge. The shell 20 accommodates one busbar 10 in each storage chamber, and holds the busbars 10 in a posture capable of connecting each electrode joint 11 to the electrode terminal 114. One shell 20 is provided for each electrode terminal group 115, and two shells are provided in total. The shell 20 has a number of storage chambers corresponding to the number of busbars 10. Here, one shell 20 is constructed to also include a storage chamber for accommodating and holding the above-mentioned total positive busbar 116 and total negative busbar 117.

[0079] The detection conductor 30 is electrically connected to the plurality of bus bars 10 constructed as described above, respectively, and electrically connects each bus bar 10 to the monitoring device 120. The detection conductor 30 can be composed of, for example, a flexible printed circuit (FPC). That is, in this case, the detection conductor 30 is composed of a circuit body (conductor layer) that constitutes the flexible printed circuit. The detection conductor 30 is electrically connected to each bus bar 10 by being welded or fastened to the connecting piece 12a of the bus bar 10. The detection conductor 30 can also be electrically connected to the connecting piece 12a via, for example, a relay bus bar. In addition, the detection conductor 30 is not limited to a flexible printed circuit, and can also be composed of an insulated wire, etc.

[0080] The bus bar module 1 configured as described above is assembled into a battery pack 111 in a modularized state with a plurality of bus bars 10 , a case 20 , and a detection conductor 30 . The battery module 110 is formed by joining the electrode joints 11 to the electrode terminals 114 .

[0081] With this configuration, during a single use before reuse, the bus bar module 1 electrically connects the electrode terminals 114 of adjacent battery cells 112 via the conductive connection portions 14 of each bus bar 10. Furthermore, the bus bar module 1 electrically connects each bus bar 10 to the monitoring device 120 via the detection conductors 30, thereby electrically connecting each battery cell 112 to the monitoring device 120.

[0082] Next, refer to Figure 4 、 Figure 5 The reused bus bar module 1 (reused bus bar module 1R) and the battery module 110 (reused battery module 110R) will be described. Figure 4 、 Figure 5 The reuse bus bar module 1R shown is a bus bar module 1 applied to a reuse battery module 110R, and includes a reuse bus bar 10R obtained by performing a predetermined reuse process on a bus bar 10 before reuse.

[0083] Specifically, in the busbar 10 before reuse, the connecting portion 12 is cut between the pair of electrode connecting portions 11 in a state where the pair of electrode connecting portions 11 are respectively joined (welded) to the electrode terminals 114, thereby separating the pair of electrode connecting portions 11 from each other to form the reused busbar 10R. That is, in the busbar 10 before reuse, the connecting portion 12 constituting the conductive connecting portion 14 for a single use functions as a cutting (disconnecting) portion for cutting (disconnecting) the pair of electrode connecting portions 11 in a state where the pair of electrode connecting portions 11 are joined to the electrode terminals 114 from each other. In other words, the conductive connecting portion 14 for a single use of the busbar 10 before reuse is separated into a pair of electrode connecting portions 11 at the connecting portion 12 for reuse. The cutting of the connecting portion 12 is performed using a cutting tool such as an insulating cutter, for example. The cutting mark generated at this time is formed on the cut end surface of the connecting portion 12. Thus, in the battery module 110, the plurality of battery cells 112 connected to each other by the conductive connection portions 14 during a single use before reuse are separable from each other. Typically, the bus bar module 1 cuts off the connection portions 12 of the bus bar 10 connected to the battery cell 112 to be replaced.

[0084] Furthermore, at this time, by cutting the connecting portion 12 using any of the cutout portions 12b provided adjacent to the connecting piece 12a as a reference, the connection can be easily cut while maintaining the conductive connection between the connecting piece 12a and the detection conductor 30. Furthermore, although the case 20 is shown here without being cut along with the bus bar 10, the present invention is not limited thereto; a portion of the case 20 may also be cut when the connecting portion 12 is cut.

[0085] The reuse bus bar 10R is configured such that the electrode terminals 114 of the battery cells 112 that can be used as the reuse battery cells 112R among the battery cells 112 that are in the separable state as described above are connected to the electrode terminals 114 of the other battery cells 112 .

[0086] More specifically, the reused battery module 110R is a battery module 110 including at least one reused battery cell 112R. The reused battery module 110R is configured such that a joining member 15R is joined across a rejoinable portion 13 provided at two battery cells (at least one of which is the reused battery cell 112R) among the plurality of battery cells 112 that have been separably connected by cutting the connection portion 12 as described above.

[0087] In this case, the reused busbar 10R is composed of a pair of electrode joints 11 that are separated from each other, a pair of re-joinable parts 13 and a joining component 15R, forming a conductive connection part 16R for secondary use. The conductive connection part 16R for secondary use is arranged across different electrode terminals 114 and electrically connects the different electrode terminals 114 to each other.

[0088] That is, in this case, the reused busbar 10R includes a pair of electrode-joining portions 11 that are each joined (welded) to different electrode terminals 114 and are disconnected from each other, a pair of rejoinable portions 13 that extend from the pair of electrode-joining portions 11, and a joining member 15R that spans the pair of rejoinable portions 13 and is joined to the pair of rejoinable portions 13. Here, the pair of rejoinable portions 13 typically function as welded areas of newly formed surfaces without weld marks, etc. Furthermore, the joining member 15R of this embodiment electrically connects the pair of rejoinable portions 13 by, for example, welding (e.g., laser welding) to the pair of rejoinable portions 13.

[0089] The pair of electrode joints 11, the pair of rejoinable portions 13, and the joint member 15R configured as described above form a secondary-use conductive connection portion 16R, which spans different electrode terminals 114 and electrically connects these different electrode terminals 114. The secondary-use conductive connection portion 16R is the portion of the reused busbar module 1R that electrically connects the electrode terminal 114 of the reused battery cell 112R to the electrode terminal 114 of the adjacent battery cell 112 (or alternatively, the reused battery cell 112R). In the secondary-use conductive connection portion 16R, the joint member 15R extends across the electrode terminal 114 of one battery cell 112 and the electrode terminal 114 of another battery cell 112 adjacent to each other along the arrangement direction X, maintaining each electrode joint portion 11 in a state of being bonded to a different electrode terminal 114.

[0090] During secondary use after reuse, the reuse bus bar module 1R constructed as described above electrically connects the electrode terminals 114 of adjacent battery cells 112, including the reused battery cell 112R, to each other via the conductive connection portion 16R of the reuse bus bar 10R during secondary use. Furthermore, the reuse bus bar module 1R electrically connects the bus bars 10, including the reuse bus bar 10R, to the monitoring device 120 via the detection conductors 30, thereby electrically connecting the battery cells 112, including the reused battery cell 112R, to the monitoring device 120.

[0091] In the figure, the reuse battery module 110R is shown in which one of the plurality of battery cells 112 is replaced with a reuse battery cell 112R. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and all of the battery cells 112 may be replaced with the reuse battery cell 112R. In this case, all of the bus bars 10 in the reuse bus bar module 1R constitute the reuse bus bar 10R.

[0092] Next, refer to Figure 6 The following describes a method for manufacturing the recycled battery module 110R configured as described above (a method for manufacturing a recycled battery module). Figure 6 The following description will be made with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 1 and other figures as appropriate. The manufacturing method of the recycled battery module 110R described below can be performed manually by an operator using various devices, equipment, jigs, etc., or can be performed automatically using various manufacturing devices.

[0093] The manufacturing method of the reused battery module 110R of this embodiment includes a connection process for a single use (step S1), a disconnection process (step S2), and a connection process for a secondary use (step S3). The connection process for a single use (step S1) is a process for making the battery module 110 a single-use state. The disconnection process (step S2) is a process for disconnecting the connecting portion 12 of the bus bar 10 in order to replace at least a portion of the battery cells 112 in the battery module 110 after a single use. The connection process for a secondary use (step S3) is a process for making the reused battery module 110R a single-use state, wherein the reused battery module 110R uses a reused battery cell 112R for at least one of the multiple battery cells 112 constituting the battery module 110 after a single use. Here, the manufacturing method of the reused battery module 110R is described as being performed manually by an operator.

[0094] First, as a single-use connection process, a worker assembles a busbar module 1, which is a modularized state of multiple busbars 10, a housing 20, and detection conductors 30, into a battery pack 111. The worker joins (welds, in this case) a pair of electrode joints 11 of each busbar 10 of the busbar module 1 to different electrode terminals 114. The pair of electrode joints 11 and the connecting portion 12 form a single-use conductive connection portion 14, and the battery module 110 is formed from multiple battery cells 112 (step S1). Thus, during a single use, the busbar module 110 electrically connects the electrode terminals 114 of adjacent battery cells 112 via the single-use conductive connection portion 14 of each busbar 10. Furthermore, the worker electrically connects each busbar 10 to the monitoring device 120 via the detection conductor 30, thereby electrically connecting each battery cell 112 to the monitoring device 120.

[0095] Next, as a disconnection process, the operator cuts the connecting portion 12 between the pair of electrode joints 11 while the pair of electrode joints 11 are still connected to the electrode terminals 114, thereby separating the pair of electrode joints 11 from each other and making the multiple battery cells 112 constituting the battery module 110 separable from each other (step S2). At this time, the operator can cut the connecting portions 12 of the bus bar 10 connected to the battery cell 112 that needs to be replaced among the multiple battery cells 112, or temporarily cut the connecting portions 12 of all bus bars 10.

[0096] Next, as a secondary use connection step, the operator replaces the battery cell 112 that needs to be replaced among the multiple detachable battery cells 112 with a reused battery cell 112R. The operator then joins the bonding member 15R to the rebondable portions 13 provided on the two battery cells 112, including the replaced reused battery cell 112R, across the rebondable portions 13. The operator welds (e.g., laser welds, etc.) the bonding member 15R to the pair of rebondable portions 13, thereby electrically connecting the bonding member 15R to the pair of rebondable portions 13 across the pair of rebondable portions 13. Thus, the operator forms a conductive connection 16R for secondary use using the pair of electrode bonding portions 11, the pair of rebondable portions 13, and the bonding member 15R, thereby constructing a reused battery module 110R including at least the replaced reused battery cell 112R (step S3), thereby concluding the method for manufacturing the reused battery module 110R.

[0097] The above-described method for manufacturing a recycled battery module includes a primary-use connection step (step S1), a disconnection step (step S2), and a secondary-use connection step (step S3). The primary-use busbar module 1 and battery module 110 have a connecting portion 12 and a pair of reconnectable portions 13 in the busbar 10. The connecting portion 12 can be disconnected between a pair of electrode connecting portions 11 while the pair of electrode connecting portions 11 are respectively connected to electrode terminals 114. The pair of electrode connecting portions 11 and the connecting portion 12 constitute a primary-use conductive connection portion 14. Meanwhile, the secondary-use recycled busbar module 1R and recycled battery module 110R have a pair of electrode connecting portions 11, a pair of reconnectable portions 13, and a connecting member 15R constitute a secondary-use conductive connection portion 16R while the pair of electrode connecting portions are respectively connected to different electrode terminals 114 and disconnected from each other. In this case, each rejoinable portion 13 is prepared separately from the electrode joining portion 11 and can be used as a new surface area without welding marks, etc., so that the joining component 15R can be properly contacted and joined to the rejoinable portion 13, and a properly conductive connection state can be ensured.

[0098] That is, in the bus bar module 1, the battery module 110, and the method for manufacturing a recycled battery module, a rejoinable portion 13 is added to the bus bar 10 as described above, and the connecting portion 12 of the bus bar 10 is cut during reuse, and the battery cell 112 can be properly reused by joining the joining component 15R to the rejoinable portion 13.

[0099] For example, in a battery module 110 in which battery cells 112 are connected to each other via bus bars 10 by welding or the like, it is often difficult to separate and reconnect the battery cells 112 and bus bars 10 when removing a reusable battery cell 112. In contrast, the bus bar module 1 and battery module 110 of this embodiment have a structure in which, after cutting the connecting portion 12 and replacing the battery cell 112, the usable battery cells 112 can be reconnected via the reconnectable portion 13 and the connecting member 15R, thereby enabling the still usable battery cells 112 to be appropriately recycled.

[0100] As a result, the bus bar module 1 , the battery module 110 , and the method for manufacturing a recycled battery module can realize a structure that facilitates and appropriately facilitates recycling, thereby suppressing an increase in battery disposal and reducing the amount of waste.

[0101] Furthermore, the recycled battery module manufacturing method, busbar module 1, and battery module 110 described above include a cutout portion 12b formed at a cuttable location in the connecting portion 12. Therefore, when cutting the connecting portion 12, the cutout portion 12b can be used as a reference for cutting at an appropriate location. Here, the connecting portion 12 is cut using any of the cutout portions 12b provided adjacent to the connecting piece 12a as a reference, allowing the connection to be cut while maintaining the conductive connection between the connecting piece 12a and the detection conductor 30. As a result, the recycled battery module manufacturing method, busbar module 1, and battery module 110 can improve the workability during the manufacture of the recycled battery module 110R.

[0102] Furthermore, the bus bar module, battery module, and recycled battery module manufacturing method according to the above-described embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

[0103] In the above description, the cutout portion 12b is formed as a portion cut into a concave shape along the width direction Y. However, the present invention is not limited to this shape. In addition, the connection portion 12 is described as having a structure with the cutout portion 12b, but this is not limited to this. A structure without the cutout portion 12b is also possible.

[0104] In the above description, the case where the re-joinable portion 13 is formed as a substantially rectangular weld region has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the joining method of the re-joinable portion 13 and the joining member 15R is not limited to welding.

[0105] Figure 7 、 Figure 8 The bus bar 210 (recycled bus bar 210R) according to the illustrated modification differs from the aforementioned bus bar 10 in that it includes a re-joinable portion 213 instead of the re-joinable portion 13. Furthermore, the reused bus bar 210R according to this modification differs from the aforementioned reused bus bar 10R in that it includes a joining member 215R instead of the joining member 15R. The other structures of the bus bar 210 and the reused bus bar 210R are substantially the same as those of the aforementioned bus bar 10 and the reused bus bar 10R.

[0106] The rejoinable portion 213 and the joining member 215R according to this modification example are joined by bolts instead of welding.

[0107] Specifically, the pair of rejoinable portions 213, like the rejoinable portions 13, are portions extending from the pair of electrode joining portions 11. Here, the pair of rejoinable portions 213 extend from the pair of electrode joining portions 11 in a curved manner along the height direction Z, and are integrally formed with the respective electrode joining portions 11. Specifically, the first rejoinable portion 213 of the pair of rejoinable portions 213 is connected to the first electrode joining portion 11 and extends from the first electrode joining portion 11 in a curved manner along the height direction Z. Meanwhile, the second rejoinable portion 213 of the pair of rejoinable portions 213 is connected to the second electrode joining portion 11 and extends from the second electrode joining portion 11 in the height direction Z. Furthermore, the pair of rejoinable portions 213 are each formed as a generally rectangular bolted joint area, each having a bolt insertion hole 213a extending through the center portion along the width direction Y. The pair of rejoinable portions 213 typically function as a bolted joint area, each free of newly formed surfaces such as weld marks.

[0108] Furthermore, the joining member 215R of this modified example is joined to the pair of rejoinable portions 213 via fastening members 215Ra such as bolts and nuts, extending across the pair of rejoinable portions 213. In the aforementioned secondary use connection process (step S3), the operator bolts the joining member 215R to the pair of rejoinable portions 213 via the fastening members 215Ra, thereby electrically connecting the joining member 215R across the pair of rejoinable portions 213. As a result, the reused bus bar 210R is formed by the pair of disconnected electrode joining portions 11, the pair of rejoinable portions 213, and the joining member 215R to form a conductive connection portion 216R for secondary use. The conductive connection portion 216R for secondary use is provided across different electrode terminals 114 and electrically connects the different electrode terminals 114 to each other.

[0109] In this case as well, in the bus bar module 1, the battery module 110, and the method for manufacturing a recycled battery module, the bus bar 210 is also provided with a rejoinable portion 213 as described above, and the connecting portion 12 of the bus bar 210 is cut during reuse, and the battery cell 112 can be properly reused by joining the joining component 215R to the rejoinable portion 213.

[0110] In addition, the bus bar module 1 described above may also have Figure 9 The polarity marking portion 317 is shown as an example.

[0111] exist Figure 9In the bus bar 310 (recycled bus bar 310R) according to the illustrated variation, the electrode joint 11 or the rejoinable portion 13 extending from the electrode joint 11 has a polarity marking portion 317. The polarity marking portion 317 indicates the polarity of the electrode terminal 114 to which the electrode joint 11 is joined (welded). While the polarity marking portion 317 is shown as being provided on the electrode joint 11, it may also be provided on the rejoinable portion 13. The polarity marking portion 317 is formed, for example, as a concave or convex marking on the electrode joint 11. In the electrode joint 11 joined to the positive electrode terminal 114, the polarity marking portion 317 is formed, for example, by a "+" marking indicating the positive polarity. On the other hand, in the electrode joint 11 joined to the negative electrode terminal 114, the polarity marking portion 317 is formed, for example, by a "-" marking indicating the negative polarity.

[0112] In this case, in the bus bar module 1, battery module 110, and recycled battery module manufacturing method, while the connecting portion 12 is severed and the pair of electrode joints 11 are separated from each other, that is, while the plurality of battery cells 112 constituting the battery module 110 can be separated from each other, an operator can easily visually ascertain the polarity of the electrode terminals 114 joined to the electrode joints 11. As a result, in the bus bar module 1, battery module 110, and recycled battery module manufacturing method, the recycled battery module 110R can be manufactured without mistaking the polarity of the electrode terminals 114.

[0113] The bus bar module, battery module, and recycled battery module manufacturing method according to the present embodiment can also be configured by appropriately combining the constituent elements of the above-described embodiment and modified examples.

Claims

1. A busbar module, characterized in that: have: a bus bar that electrically connects the electrode terminals of the plurality of battery cells; and a detection conductor, the detection conductor being electrically connected to the bus bar, The bus bar comprises: a pair of electrode joining portions, each of which is joined to different electrode terminals; a connecting portion, which connects the pair of electrode joining portions to each other, and when the battery cell is reused, the connecting portion can be cut between the pair of electrode joining portions in a state where the pair of electrode joining portions are respectively joined to the electrode terminals; and a pair of rejoinable portions, each of which extends from the pair of electrode joining portions and is a portion that is joined when the battery cell is reused, the pair of electrode joining portions and the connecting portion constituting a conductive connection portion that is provided across different electrode terminals and electrically connects different electrode terminals to each other during one use, The connection portion includes a connecting piece portion and cutout portions provided on both sides of the connecting piece portion. The connecting piece portion is a portion electrically connected to the detection conductor, and the cutout portions are portions serving as marks for a cuttable portion of the connection portion.

2. The busbar module according to claim 1, wherein: The electrode-joining portion or the rejoinable portion extending from the electrode-joining portion has a polarity marking portion indicating the polarity of the electrode terminal to which the electrode-joining portion is joined.

3. A busbar module, characterized in that: have: a bus bar that electrically connects the electrode terminals of the plurality of battery cells; and a detection conductor, the detection conductor being electrically connected to the bus bar, The busbar includes: a pair of electrode joints, the pair of electrode joints are respectively joined to different electrode terminals and are disconnected from each other; a pair of rejoinable parts, the pair of rejoinable parts extend from the pair of electrode joints, the pair of rejoinable parts are parts that are not joined when the battery cell is used once and are joined when the battery cell is reused; a connecting piece part, the connecting piece part is a part electrically connected to the detection conductor and is a part different from the rejoinable part; and a joining component, the joining component is joined to a pair of rejoinable parts across a pair of the rejoinable parts, the pair of electrode joints, the pair of rejoinable parts and the joining component constitute a conductive connection part for secondary use that is arranged across different electrode terminals and electrically connects different electrode terminals to each other.

4. A battery module, characterized in that: have: multiple battery cells; as well as a bus bar module electrically connected to the battery unit, The busbar module comprises: a bus bar electrically connecting the electrode terminals of the plurality of battery cells; and a detection conductor, the detection conductor being electrically connected to the bus bar, The bus bar comprises: a pair of electrode joining portions, each of which is joined to different electrode terminals; a connecting portion, which connects the pair of electrode joining portions to each other, and when the battery cell is reused, the connecting portion can be cut between the pair of electrode joining portions in a state where the pair of electrode joining portions are respectively joined to the electrode terminals; and a pair of rejoinable portions, each of which extends from the pair of electrode joining portions and is a portion that is joined when the battery cell is reused, the pair of electrode joining portions and the connecting portion constituting a conductive connection portion that is provided across different electrode terminals and electrically connects different electrode terminals to each other during one use, The connection portion includes a connecting piece portion and cutout portions provided on both sides of the connecting piece portion. The connecting piece portion is a portion electrically connected to the detection conductor, and the cutout portions are portions serving as marks for a cuttable portion of the connection portion.

5. A battery module, characterized in that: have: a plurality of battery cells; and a bus bar module electrically connected to the battery unit, The busbar module comprises: a bus bar electrically connecting the electrode terminals of the plurality of battery cells; and a detection conductor, the detection conductor being electrically connected to the bus bar, The busbar includes: a pair of electrode joints, the pair of electrode joints are respectively joined to different electrode terminals and are disconnected from each other; a pair of rejoinable parts, the pair of rejoinable parts extend from the pair of electrode joints, the pair of rejoinable parts are parts that are not joined when the battery cell is used once and are joined when the battery cell is reused; a connecting piece part, the connecting piece part is a part electrically connected to the detection conductor and is a part different from the rejoinable part; and a joining component, the joining component is joined to a pair of rejoinable parts across a pair of the rejoinable parts, the pair of electrode joints, the pair of rejoinable parts and the joining component constitute a conductive connection part for secondary use that is arranged across different electrode terminals and electrically connects different electrode terminals to each other.

6. A method for manufacturing a recycled battery module, characterized in that: include: A single-use connection step includes connecting a pair of electrode joints of a bus bar module to different electrode terminals, wherein the pair of electrode joints and the connecting portion constitute a single-use conductive connection portion that is provided across the different electrode terminals and electrically connects the different electrode terminals to each other. The battery module is composed of a plurality of battery cells, and the bus bar module includes: a bus bar that electrically connects the electrode terminals respectively provided by the plurality of battery cells; and a detection conductor electrically connected to the bus bar, the bus bar including: a pair of electrode bonding portions, the pair of electrode bonding portions being bonded to different electrode terminals, the bonding portion bonding the pair of electrode bonding portions to each other, and a pair of rebondable portions extending from the pair of electrode bonding portions, the pair of rebondable portions being not bonded during the one-time connection process; a cutting step of, while the pair of electrode junctions are respectively joined to the electrode terminals, cutting the connecting portion between the pair of electrode junctions to separate the pair of electrode junctions from each other, thereby making the plurality of battery cells constituting the battery module separable from each other; and The connecting step for secondary use comprises replacing the battery cell that needs to be replaced among the plurality of battery cells in the detachable state, and joining the joining components across the rejoinable portions respectively provided on two of the battery cells including the replaced battery cell, and forming a conductive connection portion for secondary use that is provided across different electrode terminals and electrically connects the different electrode terminals to each other by using a pair of the electrode joining portions, a pair of the rejoinable portions, and the joining components, and forming a reused battery module that includes at least the replaced battery cell. The connection portion includes a connecting piece portion and cutout portions provided on both sides of the connecting piece portion. The connecting piece portion is a portion electrically connected to the detection conductor, and the cutout portions are portions serving as marks for a cuttable portion of the connection portion.

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